FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

President George H.W. Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

A man in a hurry: Keir Starmer’s early approach is making waves at home and abroad

By
Ed Owen

The new UK prime minister’s much-anticipated speech at the Labour Party’s recent gathering in Liverpool is a window into where the country may be headed.

Economy & Business
Elections

President George H.W. Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

Three state elections have backed Germany into a corner

By
Jurek Wille and Friedrich Conradi

The recent successes of populist parties in Germany’s state elections could signal an imminent shift in Berlin’s policies on climate, immigration, and aid for Ukraine.

Elections
Germany

President George H.W. Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

New Atlanticist
Sep 26, 2024

France’s new government aims to calm the political storm. What will it mean for foreign policy?

By
Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to follow the path of President Emmanuel Macron, but the big question is whether the delicate political context in Paris will allow ministers to focus on crises in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Europe & Eurasia
France

EVENTS

Public Event
Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship

Economy & Business
Europe & Eurasia
Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

Public Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape

Europe & Eurasia
NATO
Security & Defense
Western Europe

Online Event
Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections
Europe & Eurasia
European Union
Germany

Program

The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Berlin Wall Freedom

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2009

President George H.W. Bush on the Fall of the Berlin Wall

By George H.W. Bush

I am delighted to join the Atlantic Council in commemorating the 60th Anniversary of NATO and the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. The Fall of the Wall was first and foremost a testament to the spirit of the German people.

Germany United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Margaret Thatcher: Reflections on Winning the Cold War

By Margaret Thatcher

As the world celebrates 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall it is right that we should reflect on the impact of those momentous months.

Germany United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Nov 5, 2009

Reflections on German Unification

By David Marsh

David Marsh talks to Lord Douglas Hurd of Westwell, who served as British foreign secretary from 1989 to 1995.

Germany

NATOSource

Nov 4, 2009

Uniting All of the Allies Some of the Time

By the New York Times

From the New York Times: Having fulfilled its promise to restore respect and support from America’s allies, the Obama administration should now be reaping the benefits of Western unity as it faces international crises like Afghanistan and Iran. But the unfortunate truth is that where Western unity is sufficient, it is not real. And where […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2009

1989 Started New Era of Globalization and Geopolitics

By Josef Ackermann

The fall of the Berlin Wall in the autumn of 1989 was an exceptional event in German and world history. As a German-speaking Swiss national living in Zurich at the time, I was deeply moved by the events.

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2009

A Hymn to Liberty and Friendship with a Caveat: The View from Germany

By Benjamin Preisler

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s speech in front of a joint session of Congress was treated to positive while not glowing reviews in Germany.

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2009

Beyond Containment: How the Cold War was Won

By Condoleeza Rice

Historians are often tempted to imbue the peaceful end of the Cold War with a sense of inevitability. With the benefit of hindsight, they frequently point to a seemingly predictable sequence of events in which Mikhail Gorbachev’s campaign to restructure the Soviet system ultimately exposed its internal contradictions and seamlessly contributed to its collapse. 

Germany

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2009

The Wall . . . Always the Wall: Frederick Forsyth’s Cold War Berlin

By Frederick Forsyth

I do not recall the exact day but it was surely in early August 1963 that Harold King, the iconic Bureau Chief of Reuters’ bureau in Paris called me in, and he was not best pleased. I thought it was I who had invoked his impressive ire, but it was news from London. 

Germany

NATOSource

Oct 30, 2009

Europe’s Obama Fatigue

By foreignpolicy.com

From foreignpolicy.com: Despite George W. Bush’s defiant “you’re with us or you’re against us” public stance, he actively solicited advice and input from his NATO partners. Obama, by contrast, is saying all the right things in public about transatlantic relations and NATO but adopting a high-handed policy and paying little attention to Europe. And Europe […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Oct 28, 2009

Ridding Germany of U.S. Nuclear Weapons

By the New York Times

From the New York Times: There are, however, two hurdles Mr. [Guido] Westerwelle will have to jump. One is Europe’s two nuclear powers, Britain and France, which are afraid that after the U.S. arms are gone, their own nuclear weapons will come under scrutiny. The other is resistance inside the U.S.-led NATO military alliance. Many […]

United Kingdom United States and Canada
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Erik Brattberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Danish Digital Policy

Staff

Giovana Cardoso

Assistant Director, Development

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Human Rights

Fellow

Deborah Cheverton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Noel Coenraad

Strategy Advisor, Vattenfall AB

Millennium Leadership Program

Energy Transitions Germany

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Jason Davidson

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union
Load More