Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

UK and Ukraine sign historic post-Brexit free trade deal

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

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

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

Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense Western Europe

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What to expect from Germany’s next government

Elections Europe & Eurasia European Union Germany

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Content

UkraineAlert

Oct 12, 2020

UK and Ukraine sign historic post-Brexit free trade deal

By Vasyl Myroshnychenko

The jury is still out on the economic impact of Brexit, but Ukraine emerged in early October as an unlikely early beneficiary of Britain’s EU exit by signing a landmark partnership agreement including free trade.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Sep 24, 2020

Herbst and Cagan in Morning Consult: Opposition to Nord Stream 2 sanctions is misguided

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Germany

New Atlanticist

Sep 22, 2020

Navalny is Merkel’s ‘red line’ crisis

By Jeremy Stern

How Merkel responds to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and critiques of support for Nord Stream II will likely have cascading effects on international politics. Germany’s decisions, even on seemingly discrete events, can alter the global balance of power.

Europe & Eurasia European Union

New Atlanticist

Sep 18, 2020

Johnson faces a COVID lockdown and trade lockout

By John M. Roberts

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has found himself in an extraordinary crisis, as a second wave of COVID-19 lockdowns is interacting with what would normally be considered a totally separate matter, the future of trade deals with the European Union and the United States and Britain’s reputation as a nation committed to upholding international law.

Coronavirus European Union

Report

Sep 18, 2020

Trade flows in the age of automation

By Jack Daly, Nick Brown

Innovative digital technologies will alter global value chains (GVCs) in the decade following COVID-19. As new technology re-shapes the nature of services trade, entire value chains will be disrupted. With trade in services growing 60 percent faster than that of goods, it is clear that the impact of new digital technologies will be widespread.

Economy & Business Internet of Things

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2020

British foreign secretary: Post-Brexit Britain will pursue ‘distinct identity in the world’

By David A. Wemer

Amid continuing uncertainty about the exact economic and political relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab explained that the United Kingdom wants to “be masters of our own destiny, not just domestically, but [also] in terms of the approach we forge internationally.”

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Sep 17, 2020

Macron’s plan for Lebanon needs independent figures

By Paul Gadalla

Emmanuel Macron must use his leverage to create space for new voices that are not inclined to perpetuate the same corrupt system if he is serious about facilitating a new political contract for Lebanon.

France Lebanon

In the News

Sep 15, 2020

Jessett quoted in The Economist: Britain’s armed forces get ready for a revolution

By Will Jessett CBE

Will Jessett was quoted in The Economist on the UK's defense capabilities and the growing emphasis on grey-zone threats.

China Defense Industry

EnergySource

Sep 15, 2020

Scaling CCUS: Catalyzing policy and financial innovation

By Emily Burlinghaus, Reed Blakemore, Lee Beck

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is critical to decarbonizing heavy industry and meeting global climate goals. But significant roadblocks to financing have prevented the ability of industry to scale up CCUS projects. New financing tools and a coordinated approach by policy makers, industry representatives, and financial institutions can help CCUS drive the energy transition.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Feature

Sep 14, 2020

Europe after COVID

By Clément Beaune

A few weeks after the groundbreaking budget agreement adopted by the European Council on July 21, it would be tempting to say that COVID-19 changed everything in the European Union, in line with the oft-repeated principle: “It takes a crisis for Europe to act.” Like all clichés, there is some truth in this statement.

Coronavirus European Union