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.

Explore

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Our report on the future of UK banking and finance was cited in Bloomberg

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
Our report on the future of UK banking and finance was cited in Bloomberg

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
Our report on the future of UK banking and finance was cited in Bloomberg

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.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

In the News

Apr 27, 2022

Our report on the future of UK banking and finance was cited in Bloomberg

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Apr 25, 2022

Farrand quoted in Qantara on Algerian pushback against French language

By Atlantic Council

France Human Rights

Britain Debrief

Apr 25, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What’s at stake in France’s Presidential Election? | A Debrief from Ambassador Gérard Araud

By Ben Judah, Gérard Araud

Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviews Ambassador Gérard Araud, former French Ambassador to the US and Senior Fellow, for #BritainDebrief to discuss how this election will impact France. What is France's role in NATO? What will happen to the European Union and France-Russia relations if Le Pen wins the election?

Arms Control Civil Society

Britain Debrief

Apr 25, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What world order comes after Ukraine? A Debrief with Patrick Porter

By Ben Judah

Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviews Patrick Porter, Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for #BritainDebrief to learn more about how modern alliances will change following the Russia's invasion. What will happen to Ukraine's neutrality? What dense web of complexity exists for alliances and sub-alliances in global security?

Australia China

Experts react

Apr 24, 2022

Experts react: Macron wins another presidential term. What now for France, the EU, and the world?

By Atlantic Council

We reached out to our experts at the Europe Center for more on what the results tell us, and what to expect from Macron in his second term.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Fast Thinking

Apr 24, 2022

With Macron’s victory, the ‘fragile’ center holds in France

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down Sunday’s presidential election triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron and what it means for Europe.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Apr 20, 2022

Farrand quoted in Sued Deutsche on changing views on French language in Algeria

By Atlantic Council

France German

In the News

Apr 19, 2022

Cohen quoted in the Ciper Brief on energy impacts of European embargo on Russian oil

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Eastern Europe

UkraineAlert

Apr 16, 2022

Never Again?

By Victor Pinchuk

Ever since the Nazi Holocaust, German leaders have declared "never again," but they are now guilty of failing to prevent Russia from committing a new genocide in Ukraine, says Victor Pinchuk.

Conflict Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Apr 13, 2022

Memo to Macron: Putin’s Ukraine genocide is not the act of a brother

By Peter Dickinson

French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to describe the mass killing of Ukrainians by Russian soldiers as genocide despite overwhelming evidence of Putin's intention to destroy the Ukrainian nation.

Conflict Disinformation
Load More

Experts

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Martin-Sebastian Abel

Co-Founder & Managing Director, TransitionPlan

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Economy & Business

Fellow

Didier Acouetey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Anca Agachi

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Africa Conflict

Fellow

Léonie Allard

Nonresident senior fellow

Europe Center

Africa Chinese

Millennium fellow

Kirk Allen

Digital Communications Lead, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Middle East NATO Partnerships

Fellow

Gérard Araud

Distinguished Fellow

Europe Center

English Europe & Eurasia
Load More