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

Lipsky spoke with BBC radio in an interview on ‘britcoin’

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
Lipsky spoke with BBC radio in an interview on ‘britcoin’

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
Lipsky spoke with BBC radio in an interview on ‘britcoin’

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

Apr 20, 2021

Lipsky spoke with BBC radio in an interview on ‘britcoin’

By Josh Lipsky

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business United Kingdom

In the News

Apr 16, 2021

Friedlander and Fried quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Nord Stream 2

By Daniel Fried, Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Geopolitics & Energy Security

D-10 Strategy Forum

Apr 16, 2021

Jain appears on Burn Bag Podcast to discuss D-10 Steering Committee

By Atlantic Council

On April 16, Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Ash Jain appeared on the Burn Bag Podcast, which has partnered with the Scowcroft Center on the “100 Ideas for the First 100 Days” project, to discuss operationalizing the D-10 as a steering committee for the rules-based international order.

China Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 14, 2021

Morningstar quoted in Politico Europe on Nord Stream 2
Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2021

Do continued EU data flows to the United Kingdom offer hope for the United States?

By Kenneth Propp

As the Biden administration and the European Commission “intensify” negotiations to re-establish a stable transatlantic data-transfer framework, Brussels separately is moving ahead to enable unrestricted data flows with two other major trading partners: the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.

Digital Policy European Union

EnergySource

Apr 13, 2021

Carbon capture in Germany: Long-overdue momentum is building

By Lee Beck

As a world leader in innovation, Germany is well positioned to commercialize carbon removal technologies, and over the past six months, momentum and support for CCUS in the country has begun to build.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

In the News

Apr 12, 2021

Akhtar joins CSSPR to discuss a report on nuclear responsibilities

By Atlantic Council

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Issue Brief

Apr 8, 2021

Beyond the war: The history of French-Libyan relations

By Farah Rasmi

On February 23, 2011, French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared to the world his revulsion at the brutalities taking place in Libya: “The international community cannot remain a spectator to all the massive violations of human rights,” he said. Much had changed in the relationship between Sarkozy and Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi since the latter’s visit to France in 2007. Much has also changed in Libya and the rest of the world since these declarations were uttered and the ensuing intervention by NATO began.

Conflict France

UkraineAlert

Apr 6, 2021

Upgrading Ukraine’s Air Force could deter Russia

By Stephen Blank

Reinforcing Ukraine's Air Force would be a powerful way to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine and indicate to Moscow that the Western world will no longer tolerate Russian military adventurism in Eastern Europe.

Conflict Russia

UkraineAlert

Mar 30, 2021

Putin plots Ukraine peace talks without Ukraine

By Peter Dickinson

Ukrainian diplomats have voiced alarm over Russian plans to hold Ukraine peace talks without Ukraine’s participation. The news has revived fears that Moscow aims to bypass Kyiv and reach agreement directly with the West over Ukraine’s geopolitical future.

Conflict France
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Experts

Fellow

Andrew Bernard

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

NATO Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Phyllis Berry

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Europe & Eurasia France

Fellow

Erik Brattberg

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center

Danish Digital Policy

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Stephanie Burrell

Head of Sustainability, Smart DCC

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Energy & Environment

Staff

Giovana Cardoso

Associate Director, Development

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Tim Carlton Jones

Head of International Affairs, UK, Edelman

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East
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