Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Should the European Left take on the populists at their own game?

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 Thu, July 24, 2025 • 8:45 am ET

Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness

Digital Policy Economy & Business Germany

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

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Content

In the News

Apr 10, 2020

Should the European Left take on the populists at their own game?

By Atlantic Council

For Medium World, Alistair Somerville and Atlantic Council Resident Fellow Julian Mueller-Kaler go head to head on whether European center-left and left wing parties should take on the right wing populists at their own game.

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Apr 7, 2020

New British carriers can transform Europe’s NATO naval capabilities

By Michael John Williams

In the wake of economic calamity, now is the perfect time for European militaries to work together to maximize their resources and military readiness. No better opportunity exists than to use HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales as hubs for a European carrier strike group.

Maritime Security NATO

In the News

Apr 6, 2020

Shaffer joins Bloomberg to discuss international oil markets

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

Press Release

Mar 23, 2020

Atlantic Council’s Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge wraps up its third year in London

UK Minister for Digital Infrastructure hails Cyber 9/12’s “fantastic” work in developing the UK’s “cyber leaders of the future”

Cybersecurity United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2020

New British budget takes coronavirus head-on

By John M. Roberts

Britain’s finance minister, Rishi Sunak, has just delivered a master class in how a government should tackle both the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2020

UK remains committed to positive global role after Brexit, defence secretary says

By David A. Wemer

“The security of Europe is vital to the United Kingdom’s security [and] that will not change because we have left the political union of the European Union,” UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on March 5.

European Union NATO

UkraineAlert

Mar 3, 2020

Post-Merkel Germany: What can Ukraine expect?

By Mattia Nelles

The race is on to succeed Angela Merkel as Germany's political leader, with three candidates competing in a CDU party leadership contest. What could the outcome mean for German policy towards Ukraine and Russia?

Germany Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Mar 3, 2020

Germany and Poland compete for Ukrainian migrant workers

By Alexander Khrebet

New German labor laws introduced in March 2020 make it easier for Ukrainians to be employed in the country. This is sparking fears in Ukraine—and Poland—that we may soon see a new wave of Ukrainian economic migration.

Germany Migration

In the News

Feb 27, 2020

Hamburg as barometer: What’s happening in German politics?

By Atlantic Council

For the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, Atlantic Council Resident Fellow Julian Mueller-Kaler joins AICGS’ Jeff Rathke and Eric Langenbacher for a new episode of the Zeitgeist, a podcast focused on Germany, the United States, and the transatlantic relationship.

Democratic Transitions Elections

EnergySource

Feb 24, 2020

Despite election, UK fracking faces an uphill battle

By Christian Le Miere

In their pre-election manifesto, the UK Conservatives stated that their stance will be to “not support fracking unless the science shows categorically it can be done safely,” something of a U-turn for the party. Why adopt such a significant policy change now?

Oil and Gas United Kingdom