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

Public Event Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Public Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape

Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense Western Europe

Online Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany

Program

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

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Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 14, 2021

Britain’s foreign-policy debate is back

By Ben Judah

It can no longer be said that the only foreign-policy debate in the United Kingdom is about Brexit. There are now two distinct visions emerging of Britain’s role in the world: one positioned in the political center and the other on the right.

China European Union

In the News

Jan 9, 2021

Shamshur in Zerkalo Nedeli: How coronavirus has impacted French politics

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus France

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2021

What European strategic autonomy requires: smarter talk, more action

By Olivier-Rémy Bel

Focusing on action rather than sterile debates does not mean conversations on these matters have to end. There is still a major question to be answered: What are the aims of strategic autonomy? What would Europe do with it?

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

UkraineAlert

Jan 2, 2021

US imposes new sanctions to kill off Putin’s pet pipeline

By Diane Francis

New US sanctions look set to thwart Russian efforts to complete a strategically important natural gas pipeline that would greatly strengthen the Kremlin's control over European energy supplies.

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fast Thinking

Dec 24, 2020

FAST THINKING: There’s finally a Brexit deal. Now what?

By Atlantic Council

Four years of negotiations. Much political acrimony. The fall and rise (and fall and rise) of British premiers. Through it all, a British public wondering what their future would look like and when they could finally move on from their limbo. A Brexit trade deal is here at last. How should we feel?

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Dec 24, 2020

What the Brexit deal solves—and what it doesn’t

By Hung Tran

After more than four years of contentious negotiations, last-minute compromises by the United Kingdom and European Union have finally pushed a post-Brexit trade agreement over the finish line. But the agreement leaves many details open for future disputes.

Economy & Business European Union

Fast Thinking

Dec 23, 2020

FAST THINKING: Will a Brexit deal be home for Christmas?

By Atlantic Council

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said yesterday that a trade deal could come before Christmas. That would be quite the gift for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who faces the prospect of his country "crashing out" of its old trading arrangements with the EU.

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Dec 21, 2020

Nurkin in Defense News on loyal wingman technology

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Tate Nurkin writes in Defense News on the importance of advancing loyal wingman technology.

China Defense Technologies

GeoTech Cues

Dec 18, 2020

Pretrial risk assessment tools must be directed toward an abolitionist vision

By Nikhil Raghuveera and Hannah Biggs

The United States criminal justice system is increasingly turning to risk assessment tools in pretrial hearings—before a defendant is convicted of a crime—as well as in sentencing procedures. Risk assessment tools give judges a numerical metric that indicates a pretrial defendant’s risk of failing to appear in court, or threat to the community prior to their pretrial hearing. Judges set bail based on this tool. Facing an incredibly high volume of pretrial detainees, risk assessment tools are designed to help quickly and effectively determine pretrial detention and ease courts’ burdens. To truly address the failures of the criminal justice system, however, public sector leaders must:

Digital Policy Inclusive Growth

In the News

Dec 17, 2020

Busch in The Hill: Getting to ‘yes’ on a post-Brexit deal

By Marc L. Busch

Marc Busch writes that to get a final agreement on a Brexit deal, both sides need to make some concessions to allow for a win-win scenario.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia