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

Friedman in The Atlantic: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the US?

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
Friedman in The Atlantic: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the US?

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
Friedman in The Atlantic: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the US?

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

Jul 30, 2021

Friedman in The Atlantic: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the US?

"The country’s robust investment in public media has helped it reduce political divisions," writes Uri Friedman in The Atlantic

Germany Politics & Diplomacy

Britain Debrief

Jul 28, 2021

#BritainDebrief – A foreign correspondent’s view: US culture war in Britain? A debrief from Yasmeen Serhan

By Ben Judah

On this #BritainDebrief, staff writer for The Atlantic Yasmeen Serhan discusses the impact of domestic US culture wars on Britain.

Civil Society Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jul 23, 2021

Kroenig and Ashford debate geopolitics and the Olympics

By Atlantic Council

On July 23, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford discussing the latest news in international affairs. In this column, they debate Olympic defection, the effectiveness of sanctions over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, democratic backsliding in Tunisia, the prospects for a […]

Belarus China

Britain Debrief

Jul 23, 2021

#BritainDebrief – A foreign correspondent’s view: Is British democracy at risk? A debrief from Annette Dittert

By Ben Judah

For this #BritainDebrief, journalist Annette Dittert sits down with Ben Judah to explore the healthy of democracy in Britain.

Civil Society Media

Fast Thinking

Jul 21, 2021

FAST THINKING: Nord Stream 2 gets the green light

By Atlantic Council

How will the United States and Germany balance business needs with security? And what price will Kyiv be forced to pay? We drilled down with our experts for answers.

Energy & Environment Germany

In the News

Jul 21, 2021

Herbst in The Hill: Acquiescing to Berlin, emboldening Moscow and squeezing Kyiv—Biden and Nord Stream 2

By Atlantic Council

Geopolitics & Energy Security Germany

Fast Thinking

Jul 19, 2021

FAST THINKING: A turning point on Chinese hacking

By Atlantic Council

What does NATO’s buy-in mean for the world’s response to Chinese hacking? What tools do these allies have to fight back? Our experts messaged us (securely) with the answers.

Australia China

AC Selects

Jul 18, 2021

AC Selects: Recovery, democracy, and technology

Week of July 18, 2021 This week, hear from WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, US Department of State’s Amb. Philip Reeker, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, and Minister for the Armed Forces of the French Republic Florence Parly talk COVID-19 recovery, democracy, and technology. Related events

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Britain Debrief

Jul 18, 2021

#BritainDebrief – How did Britain fare in Biden’s summitry? A debrief from Julia Friedlander

By Ben Judah

The Atlantic Council GeoEconomic Center's Julia Friedlander joins #BritainDebrief to unpack how Britain fared following the G7 Summit.

G20 Politics & Diplomacy

Britain Debrief

Jul 16, 2021

#BritainDebrief – Britain vs. disinformation: A crisis or an exaggeration? A debrief from David Patrikarakos

By Ben Judah

Journalist and author David Patrikarakos joins #BritainDebrief for a discussion on how disinformation is impacting Britain.

Civil Society Disinformation
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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
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