Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

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

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

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

Online Event Wed, April 30, 2025 • 4:00 am ET

Microsoft’s Brad Smith on digital resilience during geopolitical volatility

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, shares insights on maintaining trust and promoting competitiveness in a time of trade and geopolitical volatility.

Artificial Intelligence Central Europe Cybersecurity Eastern Europe

Online Event Tue, February 25, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Debriefing Germany’s federal elections

Elections European Union Germany Politics & Diplomacy

Online Event Mon, February 3, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

What’s at stake in the US-Germany relationship in 2025

Economy & Business Elections Europe & Eurasia Germany

Program

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

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Content

Issue Brief

Dec 20, 2024

Decoding French economic statecraft

By Charles Lichfield

Understanding how France “does” economic statecraft will be crucial for US and other Western policymakers in the months and years ahead.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Dec 18, 2024

Scholz’s no-confidence vote isn’t the start of political dysfunction. It’s Germany’s way out of it.

By Jörn Fleck, Rachel Rizzo

One might assume that the German chancellor losing a vote of confidence this week signals political paralysis ahead, but look deeper.

Elections Germany

Issue Brief

Dec 18, 2024

It’s (still) more expensive to rotate military forces overseas than base them there

By John R. Deni

In his previous term, President Donald Trump ordered the US Army to withdraw one-third of its troops based in Europe. The alternative to soldiers based in Germany or Poland is rotating US-based units through Europe on nine-month deployments—and new Army data confirms this is far costlier and harder on soldier morale than forward stationing.

Central Europe Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2024

Four questions (and expert answers) about the EU-Mercosur trade deal

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their perspectives on the landmark trade deal between the European Union and the South American economic bloc.

Brazil European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2024

Experts react: France’s government lost a no-confidence vote. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts share their insights on the collapse of the French government after Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a no-confidence vote.

Economy & Business Elections

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

NATO exercises: The guarantee of Alliance security and test of readiness

By Uğur Tarçın

To ensure regional security, NATO must continue enhancing its capabilities and remain as a combat-ready force.

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

Pacing scenarios

By Rich Outzen

Here are some scenarios that NATO should be prepared for against the possibility of a generational conflict with Russia.

Central Europe Conflict

UkraineAlert

Nov 21, 2024

Ukraine wary of Western disunity ahead of possible Russia peace talks

By Katherine Spencer

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent call to Vladimir Putin has sparked alarm in Kyiv and criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Ukraine seeks maximum Western unity ahead of possible Russia peace talks, writes Katherine Spencer.

Conflict European Union

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2024

What the world thinks of Trump’s return to the US presidency

By Atlantic Council experts

From Ukraine to Australia, Sweden to Singapore, Atlantic Council experts examine how people in different countries view the decisive win by President-elect Donald Trump.

Australia Elections

New Atlanticist

Nov 7, 2024

Experts react: Scholz’s coalition has collapsed. What’s next for Germany?

By Atlantic Council experts

After months of infighting, the German government’s “traffic light” coalition of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party, and the Greens has come apart. Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the political turmoil in Berlin.

Elections Germany

Experts

Staff

Torrey Taussig

Director

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Eastern Europe Europe & Eurasia