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

Central Bank Digital Currency tracker cited by Reuters on Biden’s executive order

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
Central Bank Digital Currency tracker cited by Reuters on Biden’s executive order

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
Central Bank Digital Currency tracker cited by Reuters on Biden’s executive order

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

In the News

Mar 9, 2022

Central Bank Digital Currency tracker cited by Reuters on Biden’s executive order

Read the full article here.

Digital Currencies Digital Policy
PRIPYAT, UKRAINE – FEBRUARY, 2022: Pictured in this video screen grab is the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Russian Airborne troops and the Ukrainian National Guard are providing security at the nuclear power plant. An agreement has been reached with servicemen of a separate battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine to jointly provide security at the units, the confinement and the storage facility for spent nuclear fuel. Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant staff continue to monitor the radiation levels and work at the nuclear power plant as normal. Video grab. Best possible quality. Russian Defence Ministry/TASS

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia escalates nuclear and chemical false-flag allegations

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

On March 9, Russia escalated their claims that Ukraine intended to use nuclear or biological weapons against Russia and that capturing nuclear power plants were to "prevent" such attempts.

Belarus Conflict

Econographics

Mar 9, 2022

Beyond oil, natural gas, and wheat: The commodity shock of Russia-Ukraine crisis

By Amin Mohseni-Cheraghlou

The impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis on the global economy is much broader than oil, natural gas, and wheat. The commodity shock of the crisis and the resulting supply chain disruptions in many strategic industries threatens the global economic recovery and the fight against inflation.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

UkraineAlert

Mar 7, 2022

Western weakness is enabling Russian war crimes in Ukraine

By Bohdan Klid

The democratic world has loudly condemned Vladimir Putin's Ukrainian invasion but longstanding policies of Western weakness towards the Kremlin linger on and are now enabling Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Conflict European Union

UkraineAlert

Mar 6, 2022

Putin’s Ukraine War: Russian oligarchs must face tougher sanctions

By Diane Francis

Sanctions against Russian oligarchs are starting to work and have already caused some to speak out against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Their influence on the Kremlin is key and pressure on them must now continue.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Mar 4, 2022

A new-look prime minister’s office is an opportunity to achieve ‘Global Britain’

By Francis Shin and Alex Urwin

The fall of Kabul and the Russian invasion of Ukraine underscore why Boris Johnson must ensure that his restructured office restores his country as a leading international player.

Europe & Eurasia Political Reform

Britain Debrief

Mar 4, 2022

#BritainDebrief – What impact are Britain and Allied sanctions having on Russia? A Debrief from Dr. Maria Shagina

By Ben Judah

As Britain joins the global anti-invasion coalition to take increasingly assertive economic action against Russia, Ben Judah interviews Dr. Maria Shagina, visiting fellow at the Finnish Institute for International Affairs' Center on US Politics and Power, for #BritainDebrief.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Financial Times on the West weaponizing finance to stop the continuation of Russia Ukraine war

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Britain Debrief

Mar 4, 2022

#BritainDebrief – Is this economic war with Russia? A Debrief from Edward Fishman

By Ben Judah

As a newly-formed anti-invasion coalition forms in the international community and takes increasingly severe economic actions against Russia, Senior Fellow Ben Judah interviewed Edward Fishman, former Russia and Europe Lead in the State Department’s Office of Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation, for #BritainDebrief.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Mar 4, 2022

Friendlander quoted in Politico on China aiding Russia in light of western sanctions

Read the full article here.

China Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Mark Scott

Senior Resident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Disinformation

Millennium fellow

Kerri Selby

Project Manager, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Millennium Leadership Program

Technology & Innovation Western Europe

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Hélène Sene

Global Engagement Manager, HCLTech

Millennium Leadership Program

Central Europe Technology & Innovation

Fellow

Daniel Stander

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Climate Resilience Center

Africa Americas

Fellow

Gareth Stansfield

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Afghanistan Iraq

Fellow

Didi Kirsten Tatlow 

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Politics & Diplomacy
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