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

Biden faces further battle over Putin’s pipeline

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
Biden faces further battle over Putin’s pipeline

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
Biden faces further battle over Putin’s pipeline

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

UkraineAlert

Jul 7, 2021

Biden faces further battle over Putin’s pipeline

By Diane Francis

President Biden’s efforts to strike a deal with Germany over Putin’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline are encountering fresh opposition as the Kremlin underlines its readiness to use energy supplies as a geopolitical weapon.

Geopolitics & Energy Security Germany

Britain Debrief

Jul 2, 2021

#BritainDebrief – Is Britain lost seeking a role? A debrief from Oliver Yule-Smith

By Ben Judah

As Britain navigates its place in the world, Kings College London Leverhulme fellow Oliver Yule-Smith joins #BritainDebrief to explore Britain's foreign policy and the Integrated Review.

Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Event Recap

Jun 29, 2021

Recap: Can technology kill democracy?

On Monday June 14, the Fondation Tocqueville with the support of the Atlantic Council and Le Figaro, along with their partners the French-American Foundation and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom presented a virtual public event debate on the impact and potential dangers of technology on democracy and democratic systems.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

UkraineAlert

Jun 25, 2021

British warship challenges Russian claims to Crimea

By Peter Dickinson

A British warship sailed through Crimean waters on June 23 in what was widely seen as a reminder that the international community rejects Russia’s purported 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

Conflict Maritime Security

Britain Debrief

Jun 25, 2021

#BritainDebrief – What does a new Sino-American Cold War mean for Britain? A debrief from James Palmer

By Ben Judah

For this #BritainDebrief, Foreign Policy magazine deputy editor and China expert James Palmer sits down with Ben Judah to explore the impact of Sino-US conflict on Britain.

China Conflict

Inflection Points

Jun 20, 2021

Biden’s Europe trip set the stage for his historic ambitions

By Frederick Kempe

Having repeatedly provided his diagnosis of the cancers endangering global democracies, Biden this past week accelerated the course of treatment.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

In the News

Jun 20, 2021

Eftimiades in Express on Chinese espionage targeting UK technology

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades interviewed by the Express in an article titled "China puts UK tech at 'forefront' of Beijing espionage offensive warns former CIA officer."

China Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2021

MARKUP: Our experts annotate the G7 communiqué

By Julia Friedlander, Ash Jain, Rama Yade, David Bray, Benjamin Haddad, Josh Lipsky

How can you dig through 14,000 words of diplomat-speak to find what these world leaders are really saying? Leave that to the Atlantic Council’s experts.

Economy & Business France

In the News

Jun 14, 2021

Sales quoted in Le Point on Hezbollah and France

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Extremism

In the News

Jun 12, 2021

Eftimiades interviewed by Express on Chinese exploitation of UK technology

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades was interviewed by the Express on June 12. Eftimiades, a retired CIA officer of thirty years, warned that the United Kingdom's lack of strict technology export laws allowed British technology to fall into the hands of China.

China Economy & Business
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Experts

Fellow

Rob Macaire

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Staff

Jacqueline Malaret

Former Assistant Director

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Elections

European Leadership Accelerator Participant

Alexandre Marques Pinho

Adviser to the Minister, Portugal Ministry of Defence

Millennium Leadership Program

Europe & Eurasia Security & Defense

Fellow

Leo Michel

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Fellow

Jason C. Moyer

Nonresident Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia NATO

Fellow

Gabriele Natalizia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Europe & Eurasia Italian
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