Western Europe

Western Europe

Western European nations are at the heart of the transatlantic relationship. These countries are considered architects of the rules-based order, having played prominent roles at the Bretton Woods Conference, the founding of NATO, and the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the predecessor to the EU. As the transatlantic community faces internal strife, external pressures, and a new era of great power competition, US engagement with its Western European allies has never been more important.

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FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Experts react: The United Kingdom has a new prime minister. What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

Report Nov 10, 2025

France’s policy on China: Strategic autonomy and less naïveté

By Zoltán Fehér

Over the last decade, France’s long-standing engagement with China has transformed into a more nuanced and cautious dynamic, reflecting a growing emphasis on balancing. This shift is guided by France’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, its effort to “de-risk” economic and security ties, and the broader geopolitical realities unfolding in the Indo-Pacific.
China Economy & Business
Experts react: The United Kingdom has a new prime minister. What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

New Atlanticist Aug 28, 2025

Germany wants to double its defense spending. Where should the money go?

By Atlantic Council experts

After decades of Berlin underinvesting in its defense, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has plans to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military. 
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
Experts react: The United Kingdom has a new prime minister. What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

New Atlanticist Aug 19, 2025

Europe needs to keep up the momentum for Ukraine after its White House show of force

By Jörn Fleck, James Batchik

Among other steps, European leaders should press forward on defining what security guarantees for Ukraine look like.
European Union France

Program

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

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Content

Experts react

Sep 5, 2022

Experts react: The United Kingdom has a new prime minister. What should the world expect from Liz Truss?

By Atlantic Council experts

How will Truss balance economic challenges at home and deal with allies and foes abroad? Our experts weigh in.

Democratic Transitions Elections

UkraineAlert

Sep 1, 2022

Death of Mikhail Gorbachev highlights Europe’s lingering memory divide

By Peter Dickinson

The death of Mikhail Gorbachev has highlighted the memory divide between Western Europe and the countries of the former Eastern Bloc that also shapes contemporary attitudes toward Putin's imperial agenda.

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Econographics

Aug 16, 2022

US climate spending may soon match that of developed peers

By Sophia Busch, Carrie Hsu

Now that the US has passed the Inflation Reduction Act, its spending commitments on climate adaption and mitigation may match those for the UK and EU through 2025.

Economy & Business United Kingdom

Econographics

Jul 28, 2022

When does an economy enter recession?

By Charles Lichfield, Sophia Busch

US GDP growth was negative for two consecutive quarters, fulfilling textbook definitions of a recession. Regardless of definition, this period of contraction is different from previous periods with a much tighter labor market.

Economy & Business Macroeconomics

Britain Debrief

Jul 27, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What future for Hong Kong? | A Debrief from Nathan Law

By Ben Judah

Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviewed Nathan Law, a Hong Kong democracy activist currently in exile in London.

China Civil Society

Britain Debrief

Jul 27, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What does the Tory leadership contest say about race in Britain? | A Debrief from Tomiwa Owolade

By Ben Judah

Senior Fellow Ben Judah spoke with Tomiwa Owolade, contributing writer to the New Statesman magazine, on how the political advancement of ethnic minority politicians reflects on British society at large.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

Britain Debrief

Jul 27, 2022

#BritainDebrief – Bye Boris Special: Now what? | A Debrief from Tom McTague

By Ben Judah

Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviewed Tom McTague, Staff Writer at The Atlantic, to discuss what to watch out for in both the Conservative Party and British politics in the near future.

Civil Society Democratic Transitions

In the News

Jul 27, 2022

Amb. Verma featured in Modern Diplomacy: India and the Five Eyes. Is the time ripe?

By Atlantic Council

Australia India

UkraineAlert

Jul 21, 2022

Russian gas attack: Europe must not give in to Putin’s energy blackmail

By Diane Francis

The CEO of Ukrainian energy giant Naftogaz has told European leaders to prepare for a complete Russian gas cut off and warned that any concessions to the Kremlin will only serve to encourage further energy blackmail.

Conflict European Union

UkraineAlert

Jul 18, 2022

Canada accused of betraying Ukraine and helping Russia break sanctions

By Diane Francis

Canada is facing accusations of bowing to Kremlin blackmail after agreeing to lift sanctions imposed over Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion in order to secure Russian gas supplies to Germany.

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
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Experts

Fellow

Gabriele Natalizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Italian

Fellow

Susan Ness

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Staff

Maia Nikoladze

Deputy Director, Economic Statecraft Initiative

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Digital Currencies Eastern Europe

Staff

Emma Nix

Associate Director

Europe Center

Central Europe Eastern Europe

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Salam Nukta

Innovation, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship Professional, Warsha Consulting

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Entrepreneurship

Fellow

Nicholas O’Connell

Nonresident Fellow

Europe Center

Civil Society Elections
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