#AtlanticDebrief: Recent Episodes
Europe Center
AtlanticDebrief is an interview series hosted by the Atlantic Council's Europe Center.
The series features leading transatlantic experts, policymakers, and newsmakers to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the transatlantic relationship.
Follow along on Twitter @ACEurope with #AtlanticDebrief.
What is a new vision for a transatlantic approach to the Western Balkans? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Resident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare and Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Maja Piscevic unpack their section of the report “Working on a new transatlantic approach toward the Western Balkans” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How should transatlantic policymakers realize a bolder agenda for Africa? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Africa Center Senior Director Amb. Rama Yade discusses her section of the report, “Realizing a bolder transatlantic agenda for cooperation with Africa” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can Washington and Brussels get coordination right for Ukraine? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Eurasia Center Senior Director Amb. John Herbst discusses his section of the report, “Getting transatlantic coordination right for Ukraine” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can US-EU leadership approach the green transition? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow and Fellow with the Jain Family Institute Carol Schaeffer unpacks her section of the report “Treating the green transition like the geopolitical imperative it is” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can Washington and Brussels close the gap on trade policy? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Daniel Mullaney discusses his section of the report “Closing the gap between Mars and Venus on trade” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can the transatlantic alliance leverage the EU as a defense power? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Forward Defense and Transatlantic Security Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Rob Murray unpacks his section of the report “Leveraging Europe and the EU as a defense power” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can US-EU defense cooperation be enhanced? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Rachel Rizzo discusses her section of the report, “Unleashing US-EU defense cooperation” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can policymakers navigate between data war and peace? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Kenneth Propp discusses his section of the report “Navigating between data war and peace” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
How can the US and EU build a better China and Indo-Pacific strategy? As Europe and the United States navigate leadership change and turnover on both sides of the Atlantic, the Europe Center’s new report Transatlantic Horizons: A collaborative US-EU policy agenda for 2025 and beyond offers a productive vision for transatlantic relations with forward-looking policy recommendations for the next US administration and European Commission.
On this special edition of the #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Léonie Allard covers her section of the report “Bridging US-EU interests and action for the Indo-Pacific and China” and recommendations for policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic.
2025 will be a vital year for Poland. For the first six months of the year, Poland will hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. By May 2025, Poles will vote for the next President to succeed Andrzej Duda. Going into this critical year, what is Poland’s future foreign policy vision? How has Poland’s strategic outlook and role in Europe shifted after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine? How can the NATO alliance overcome friction on coordinating aid to Ukraine and defense spending? And what is the role of municipal governments in augmenting broader security objectives, such as protecting critical infrastructure or accelerating Europe’s energy transition?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, to discuss these questions and Poland’s transatlantic foreign policy priorities.
What can we expect from a potential Harris presidency when it comes to transatlantic relations? Would a Harris administration take a similar Atlanticist approach to US foreign policy as the Biden administration? And in what ways would a Harris administration differ from the Biden administration on transatlantic issues? How would a Harris administration approach balancing support for NATO with a need for Europe to take a more active role in transatlantic security?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Ed Owen, Founder of the Power Test podcast, to discuss his impressions from the Democratic National Convention and implications of a potential Harris presidency on transatlantic relations.
What do the 2024 Paris Olympic Games mean for France? What is the overall impression of the Paris Olympics so far? What sort of values and principles does France want to showcase to the world by hosting? And how will France pass the torch to the United States for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Visiting Fellow Léonie Allard sits down with the French Ambassador for Sport Samuel Ducroquet to discuss his impressions of the Paris Olympics and the role of the Olympics in international diplomacy.
Where does Europe stand on the green agenda? Are concerns over a wide spread “greenlash” in Europe exaggerated? Why did climate policy not play as much of a significant role in the last European Parliament elections compared to the elections in 2019? Under her next Commission mandate, will Commission President von der Leyen bring continuity on climate change policy in the EU?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Carol Schaeffer sits down with Nils Redeker, Deputy Director Jacques Delors Centre, to discuss European voter sentiment on climate policies and the future of the EU’s approach.
Climate change cost estimates by 2049 will be close to $40 trillion per year for countries such as Germany and the United States. How is Germany managing both the scale of the climate problem and related economic costs? What is the German government doing to get citizens onboard to support climate change policies? What is the role of technological innovation in Germany when it comes to combatting climate change? And what is Germany doing to decarbonize its industrial sector? What role can a post-war Ukraine play in the green energy sector in Europe, and what are the possibilities for bilateral energy trade between Ukraine and Germany?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Carol Schaeffer sits down with Dr. Lukas Köhler, member of the German Bundestag, to discuss Germany’s approach to climate policy and green energy opportunities.
On July 18, former US President Donald Trump accepted his party’s nomination as the Republican presidential nominee for the November election together with his running mate, J.D. Vance. Both politicians share an isolationist vision for US foreign policy that could have serious implications for European security.
What might a potential Republican presidency mean for Europe, especially regarding support for Ukraine? Which lessons might China take from a weakened transatlantic security partnership? Should Europeans be more prepared for a potential second term of former president Trump?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Nico Lange, Senior Fellow at the Munich Security Conference and the Center for European Policy Analysis, to discuss his impressions from the Republican National Convention and implications of a potential Trump presidency on European security.
On July 7, French voters headed to the polls in the second round of the French elections. The results showed the left and green party alliance winning the most votes, Macron’s Ensemble Party coming in second, and Le Pen’s far-right National Rally coming in a surprise third. No election contender was able to win a clear-cut majority, however. What does the result of the election mean for the political landscape in France and the ability of President Macron to govern?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Amb. Gérard Araud, Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, to unpack the implications of the French election results and the emerging power struggles in French politics.
On July 4, Britons head to the polls to elect a new parliament. If the polls are correct, this election could bring an end to 14 consecutive years of Conservative Party rule. The Labour Party is expected to win big, and the Liberal Democrats and Green Party are expected to make electoral gains. What is behind these electoral dynamics and trends? What are the key issues driving voter sentiment? What is the future of the UK’s right-wing politics?
Jörn Fleck sits down Ed Owen, founder of the Power Test podcast and senior communications and strategy advisor to several members of the Labor Shadow Cabinet, to preview the election and discuss implications for UK politics, policymaking and transatlantic cooperation.
What are the key takeaways from the first round of the French parliamentary elections? Why was voter turnout so high? Will the left and center blocs be able to form tactical alliances in the upcoming runoff elections? What are the implications of a hung Parliament for France’s foreign policy agenda? What would the dynamics between President Macron and National Rally look like?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Ambassador Gérard Araud, Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, to unpack the first round of the French Parliamentary elections.
What prompted President Macron’s decision to resolve parliament and initiate snap elections? Would a cohabitation with a far-right Prime Minister be a likely scenario? How might the potential political change affect France’s foreign policy, in particular regarding the support for Ukraine? What do these developments mean for Macron’s support of European Commission President von der Leyen?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with Ambassador Gérard Araud, Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, to discuss the implications of the dissolution of the French National Assembly and the call for a parliamentary snap election.
Between June 6 and 9, EU voters head to the polls to elect 720 members of the European parliament, who will play a key role in shaping the EU’s politics and policies for the next five years. What are the key issues driving voters in these European elections? What parties are expected to make the most gains and losses? And how will Europe’s far-right parties perform? How might the results of these elections impact the future of the EU’s policymaking agenda?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Ilva Tare sits down with Dave Keating, Brussels correspondent with France 24, to preview the outcome of the European parliament elections and discuss potential implications.
What is the outcome of the Portuguese national election? Are there signs pointing to a decrease in support for far-left parties in Portugal? What will be the first big test for the new government? What is the future of Portuguese foreign policy making particularly as it relates to transatlantic relations?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Visiting Fellow Andrew Bernard sits down with Nuno Rogeiro, Senior Analyst at SIC TV and Sábado Magazine, to discuss the outcome of the Portuguese elections and the future of Portuguese foreign policy.
Are we witnessing a deepening confluence of domestic campaign and foreign policy messaging on both sides of the aisle in the United States? How do transatlantic relations play into these different factions within the Republican party that might be divided on US foreign policy? Have European institutions such as NATO and the EU become to some degree targets in the US presidential election?
On this episode of AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with President of Yorktown Solutions and former Republican campaign advisor Dan Vajdich to discuss the US elections and politics and implications for the future of transatlantic relations.
What are the key dynamics and trends in the upcoming European elections? What’s the future of the EU’s legislative agenda? What are the main challenges for the EU as it pursues its long-term ambitions in the defense area? With the upcoming US elections, what can and should Europe be doing to fireproof the transatlantic relationship?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Chief Executive of the European Policy Centre Fabian Zuleeg to discuss the upcoming European elections and implications for Europe and transatlantic relations.
What are Poland’s top priorities for its relationship with the EU? How can Poland urge Europe to step up its support for Ukraine? Why is the Weimar triangle important to the new Polish government and where is the relationship between France, Germany, and Poland headed? What are the key issues for Poland in the upcoming European elections in June? With the US elections on the horizon, what is Poland’s role in securing transatlantic ties?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief from Warsaw, Warsaw Office Director Aaron Korewa sits down with Chairman of the Committee on EU Affairs of the Sejm Michał Kobosko MP to discuss Poland’s geopolitical priorities and outlook for the transatlantic relationship.
During the special European Council (EUCO) summit, EU27 leaders approved the €50 billion Ukraine funding package: the Ukraine Facility. How were EU leaders able to carry the deal over the finish line and convince Hungary’s Viktor Orban who was threatening to tank the deal? How did the EU’s decision send a strong signal to the United States? What is the future of the EU’s defense initiatives and military aid to Ukraine, especially with the US elections on the horizon?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with NRSF and France 24 Brussels correspondent Dave Keating to discuss the outcomes of the special EUCO summit and support for Ukraine.
What are China’s economic trends and how do they impact Europe and the United States? Can Europe convince China to stop dumping cheaper exports onto the European market? What was the outcome of the recent EU-China summit? Is the window for action for the EU closing? When it comes to the green transition, will China continue to dominate the green manufacturing market? What does this mean for both US and European green industries?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center Associate Director Niels Graham to discuss his report on Chinese manufacturing overcapacity and impacts to EU and global green goods trade.
On December 14-15, EU27 leaders met for the final European Council (EUCO) meeting of the year. At the EUCO summit, the Council approved opening accession negotiations with Ukraine. What does this decision mean for Ukraine and the EU? In what ways does the EU’s unanimity rule on foreign policy issues impact the EU’s role as a geopolitical actor? Can we expect much next year on the EU's reform and enlargement debates with the European elections in early June?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Europe Center Distinguished Fellow Fran Burwell to discuss the outcome of the EUCO summit and the decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.
The EU reached a political agreement on the AI Act, becoming the first in the world to set comprehensive rules on the regulation of AI technologies. With the political agreement in place, a final agreement will need to be ratified by the European Parliament and Council. What is the most important achievement of the EU’s AI Act? What was the most difficult compromise in the trialogue negotiations? What impact will the regulation have on innovation in Europe? Where did the trialogues end up on key issues such as facial recognition and biometric surveillance? What influence will the regulation have on the global regulatory landscape? Will similar legislation be adopted elsewhere?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Fran Burwell sits down with the co-rapporteurs of the EU’s AI Act, MEPs Dragoș Tudorache and Brando Benifei, to discuss the latest negotiations and what impact the legislation will have on the global regulatory landscape.
The United Kingdom’s landmark Online Safety Act (OSA)—imposing obligations on user-to-user online services and search engines—received royal assent last month. What is the OSA designed to achieve? What are the types of companies in scope and how does the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, plan to ensure that platforms and search engines comply? How will Ofcom address issues of encryption, age assurance and right to privacy? And how will Ofcom work with other regulators in the UK and around the globe around these common issues?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief—in partnership with the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab—Susan Ness sits down with Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes to discuss Ofcom’s regulatory guidance on illegal harms.
The UK’s Online Safety Bill was approved by the UK Parliament on Tuesday—a landmark piece of legislation in the UK’s digital and tech policymaking post-Brexit. Who is impacted by the legislation and does it cover the entire Internet or just certain types of services? How will the legislation be enforced and what is the impact on smaller platforms? Concerns have been raised that the bill could cause real problems for some services including encrypted messaging apps. Is Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, up to the challenge?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Susan Ness sits down with Richard Allan, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, to discuss the Online Safety Bill and its implications for civil society and platforms.
What’s the best way to think about European identity and the EU? How do concepts of civic and ethnic nationalism play out in Europe today? As far-right parties increasingly reject Euroscepticism, how might the political landscape in the EU change? What could this mean for next year’s European elections?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Hans Kundnani, Associate Fellow in the Europe Programme at Chatham House, to discuss his new book on European identity and its relationship with the European project.
To what extent are we witnessing the rise of the far-right in Europe? What is driving European voters to support far-right candidates? As we gear up for the European Parliament elections next year, what do these political shifts mean for the European project as a whole?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, to discuss to what extent the far-right is becoming more politically mainstream in Europe today.
What is the European Economic Security Strategy and what are its key priorities? Where does the EU and United States align and converge when it comes to approaches to “de-risking”? Is Europe’s economic relationship with China starting to shift?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Tobias Gehrke, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss all things economic security and efforts to “de-risk” Europe's economy.
What do the results of Spain’s snap election mean for Spanish politics and Spain’s EU Council presidency? What explains the performance of Spain’s main political parties and the discrepancy in pre-election polls? Are the results of the election reflective of a divided Spanish society?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Manuel Muñiz, Provost of IE University in Madrid, to examine the results of the parliamentary elections and impacts to Spanish society and politics.
What is the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and why is it important? What are the ITU's priorities on key issues relating to critical and emerging technologies? How does the ITU engage multi-stakeholder partnerships on these issues and what ways is the organization working closely with transatlantic partners and allies?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Fran Burwell sits down with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, to discuss the organization's priorities and engagement in transatlantic and global tech debates.
What’s behind the EU’s push to regulate AI? What will the legislation require of companies who develop AI systems? With the trialogues underway, what are some of the key issues that will dominate interinstitutional negotiations? How did the introduction of ChatGPT change the way the European Parliament was looking at regulating AI? And what’s the relationship between regulation and innovation when it comes to AI technologies?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Fran Burwell sits down with Brando Benifei MEP, co-rapporteur of the EU’s AI Act, to discuss what the EU hopes to achieve with its proposal.
What were the main outcomes from the recent European Council summit? Why are European Council summits important? How did EU leaders come together to address the latest European issues from Russia's war in Ukraine, de-risking from China, and migration?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Ben Judah sits down with Dave Keating, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and France 24 Brussels correspondent, to discuss the developments from the summit and the main political debates.
What were the main takeaways from the second round of the Greek parliamentary elections? What were the key political cleavages driving Greek voters?What are the implications of these elections on the future of democracy in Greece? And how will the new government seek to work with Europe and the United States as Greece continues to tackle challenges from climate change to migration?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Luka Ignac sits down with Katerina Sokou, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, to discuss the Greek election results and implications for relations with the United States and Europe.
What is the state of the US-Polish relationship today? What are the challenges and opportunities present in the bilateral relationship? In what ways has the Polish view towards defense and security shifted over the past 30 years? What role can Poland play in the reconstruction of Ukraine?
On this special Warsaw Week episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Aaron Korewa sits down to discuss the importance of the US-Poland bilateral relationship with The Hon. Mark Brzezinski, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Poland.
How has Poland’s support for Ukrainian refugees helped Ukraine’s war effort? What’s the situation on the ground in Kyiv?
On this special Warsaw Week episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Aaron Korewa sits down to discuss the humanitarian aspect of the war in Ukraine with Oksana Nechyporenko, Head of the Board, GoGlobal NGO, Co-Founder Masha Foundation & savED Foundation, and Former Crisis Center Coordinator at the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw.
How does the convergence of geopolitics, hard security, and technology—accelerated by Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and China’s challenges to the rules-based international order—impact Denmark and Europe’s economic policies and outlook? From Denmark’s point of view, does Europe have the right industrial policy response, including the loosening of state aid rules at the EU level? What are Denmark’s priorities to address potential “fragmentation” in the EU’s single market? How is Demark working to support Ukraine’s fight against Russia and Ukraine’s future reconstruction?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Morten Bødskov, Minister for Industry, Business, and Financial Affairs of Denmark, to discuss Denmark’s perspective on fragmentation and regionalization in this new era of the global economy.
As the 2024 presidential election season starts, will Europe and transatlantic relations become campaign issues? How have partisan positions on the United States' role in Europe and transatlantic relations evolved? And how have US domestic policies had unintended foreign policy consequences, such as with the Inflation Reduction Act?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Ian Russell, Partner at Beacon Media, to discuss the upcoming US presidential election and how the discourse on Europe and NATO has changed since Trump's presidency.
As India's G20 presidency gets underway, what's the state of EU-US engagement with the Global South? In this new era of great power competition, what is the degree of convergence between India and countries in the Global South with the United States and Europe on China? What is India's position on Russia following the war in Ukraine? And how does India's on-going ties with Russia come up against its cooperation with Europe and the United States?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director, Observer Research Foundation America; Nonresident Fellow, Lowy Institute, to discuss both areas of cooperation and obstacles to deeper transatlantic engagement with the Global South.
What is the view from Ireland’s Sinn Fein party on the state of the Good Friday Agreement, as 2023 marks twenty-five years since its signing? Is the Windsor Framework satisfactory to settle the dispute over the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland? Where does the future hold for the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland? How does Ireland perceive Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a historically neutral country, and what is the role for countries like Ireland to play in the war?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Mary Lou McDonald TD, President of Ireland’s Sinn Féin party and Leader of the Opposition in the Dáil to discuss the Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework, and the future for Ireland.
You can watch #AtlanticDebrief on YouTube and as a podcast.
What is the view from Warsaw on support for Ukraine and Europe’s new security environment? What did President Biden’s visit to Kyiv and Warsaw mean practically and symbolically for US and transatlantic support against Russia’s war? Is a geopolitical power shift in Europe trending towards NATO and the EU’s eastern flank? How influential is Poland in convincing allies to commit to greater security assurances for Ukraine?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Aaron Korewa sits down with Wojciech Konończuk, Director of the Centre for Eastern Studies, to discuss Poland’s leadership in Europe on support for Ukraine one year since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
What are Sweden's main policy priorities during its EU Council Presidency? How will Sweden, as one of Europe's more free trading nations, navigate the turn to industrial policy in Europe and lead the charge in boosting European competitiveness? What ways is the European Union changing to adapt to an uncertain geopolitical and economic future? How influential is the EU Council Presidency and how will Sweden lead in Europe on issues, including Ukraine, the green transition, trade, security and democracy?
On this episode of the #AtlanticDebrief, Ben Judah sits down with Cecilia Malmström, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, to discuss the main issues facing Europe as Sweden embarks on its EU Council Presidency.
How does France view its own role in Europe on Ukraine? Has President Macron's position as an alleged "mediator" with Russia changed since the beginning of the invasion? What is public opinion in France on the government's response to Russia's war? And how is France responding to talk of a pending geopolitical shift to Europe's East?
As we approach the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Brookings Visiting Fellow Tara Varma and Atlantic Council Visiting Fellow Marie Jourdain to discuss the current policy debates in France on Ukraine and the future of European strategic autonomy.
Where does Germany stand as both a geopolitical and military actor in Europe? How instrumental was Germany's role in the tank debate to convince the United States to send its Abrams? Are Germany's efforts on military support for Ukraine minimized by the government's poor communication strategy? What does the German public think about Germany's new role as a more forward leaning actor?
As the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine nears, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Wall Street Journal's Germany Correspondent Bojan Pancevski to assess Germany's record on military support for Ukraine and leadership in Europe.
What is the future of Ukraine’s relationship with the European Union? How much integration between the EU and Ukraine can we expect in the coming months to years? Is membership in the EU in the near, medium, or even long-term future for Ukraine, and what will have to happen in order to achieve that?
Ahead of the EU-Ukraine summit following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Ben Judah speaks with Europe Center Distinguished Fellow Gérard Araud on the relationship between the EU and Ukraine for a special Atlantic Debrief.
Where is Europe headed on industrial policy? Could the loosening of state aid rules risk fragmentation of the EU's single market? How can the European Union manage the risks associated with decoupling from China? What plans does the European Union have in place to diversify its chips industry?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Jörn Fleck sits down with Centre for European Reform Senior Research Fellow Zach Meyers to discuss the latest developments in the transatlantic industrial policy debate.
What is the state of Germany's Zeitenwende? What will the government shake up with the new German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, mean for German foreign and defense policy? How will Germany's support for Ukraine continue to evolve? What are Germany's plans for European cooperation on defense issues?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with German Parliamentary State Secretary for Defense, Siemtje Möller, to reflect on her New Atlanticist article on Germany's Zeitenwende and discuss the latest developments on Germany's support for Ukraine.
What are some of the Europe Center’s key takeaways for Europe and transatlantic relations in 2022? Looking back at this year, what were some of our favorite debrief episodes and speakers? As the Euro-Atlantic faces crises on multiple fronts, what predictions can we make for 2023?
On this year-end episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Rachel Rizzo sits down with Atlantic Debrief co-host Damir Marusic, Britain Debrief host Ben Judah, and Balkans Debrief host Ilva Tare, all Senior Fellows at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, for a review of 2022 and a look ahead to 2023.
You can watch #AtlanticDebrief on YouTube and as a podcast.
What were the key takeaways from the year-end European Council summit? What were the main wins and roadblocks as the Union heads into the new year? Should the EU be worried about countries like Hungary and Poland continuing to leverage their veto power and exert pressure on European decision-making? What are the potential impacts of the Qatar corruption scandal in the European Parliament to public trust in European institutions and European unity as a whole? What plans are developing in the EU to boost competitiveness and address the US Inflation Reduction Act? What impact will this have on transatlantic trade relations and cooperation in general?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Damir Marusic sits down with Dave Keating, Brussels Correspondent for France24 and Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow, to discuss all the developments coming out of the latest #EUCO meeting.
As French President Emmanuel Macron heads to the United States for a state visit, what is the state of US-French relations? A year after the AUKUS agreement and subsequent diplomatic fallout, how important is the state visit—President Biden's first—for US-French relations? How will the United States and France stay united in their efforts against Russia's illegal war in Ukraine while managing differences in approach towards an increasingly assertive China? How much can we anticipate the US Inflation Reduction Act will impact not only US-French and US-European trade relations but also cooperation more broadly?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Senior Director Jörn Fleck sits down with Georgina Wright, Senior Fellow and Director of Institut Montaigne's Europe Program, to discuss President Macron's state visit and US-French relations.
What are the driving forces pushing cooperation in transatlantic trade and tech, and what are the issues pulling cooperation further apart? What can we expect from the upcoming third meeting of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in December? Established to support greater coordination of approaches in the global trade and technology space, will the TTC translate coordination into action? What will the impact of trade irritants and accusations of protectionism from both Brussels and Washington be on cooperation in the digital space? What role does European digital sovereignty play in this dynamic? What is the view of digital sovereignty in EU member states?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Senior Director Jörn Fleck sits down with Tyson Barker, Head of the Technology and Foreign Policy Program, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and Kenneth Propp, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council, to discuss all things transatlantic trade and tech, European digital sovereignty, and its impacts for transatlantic cooperation.
How does Europe view China in the wake of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party? Are European countries reevaluating their relationships with China? How is the conversation evolving in countries like Germany which is reckoning with the consequences of its dependence on Russia? What will Europe’s political and business relationship with China be in the future?
On this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Acting Director Jörn Fleck sits down in-person with Reinhard Bütikofer, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China, to discuss Europe's and Germany’s China policy in the medium to long term.
How will NATO evolve to implement the goals articulated in the Strategic Concept released this year? Has NATO changed its thinking to meet the challenges both in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific? As the Alliance seeks to expand membership and deepen cooperation with like-minded partners, what will the organization need to consider as it looks to meet tomorrow’s challenges?
On this special episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center nonresident senior fellow Rachel Rizzo sits down with The Hon. Julianne Smith, US Ambassador to NATO, to discuss how NATO has changed since Russia’s war in Ukraine began and how might it continue to evolve in the medium and long term.
Check out more about the United States at NATO on YouTube @USNATO.
You can watch #AtlanticDebrief on YouTube and as a podcast.
How will Germany’s evolution in its foreign and security policy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine be received by Germany’s Central and Eastern European neighbors? Can Germany improve its relationships with its European allies in the east, and can Central and Eastern Europeans count on German leadership in Europe? As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, can Germany grow into a leadership role in Europe?
For this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center nonresident senior fellow Damir Marusic speaks with Ambassador Rolf Nikel, Vice President of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and the former German Ambassador to Poland, to discuss Germany’s relationship with Central and Eastern Europe and how Germany can play a productive role in the region, in Europe, and in the transatlantic relationship.
You can watch #AtlanticDebrief on YouTube and as a podcast.
What is the current state of Germany’s China policy ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to Beijing next month? What can we expect from the German Foreign Ministry’s new China strategy, and how might China’s leverage on Germany’s economic policy impact its development? How far is the Chancellery willing to take a stance on China in light of Germany’s strategic dependencies?
For this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Rachel Rizzo sits down with Noah Barkin, Visiting Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and Managing Editor of the Rhodium Group, to discuss the future of Germany’s China policy in light of these strategic challenges.
What is the current scene in Europe on the struggle between European integration and Euroscepticism? What do Italy and Sweden’s elections mean for European unity and cooperation, particularly in the face of Russian aggression? Should Europe be expecting a resurgence of populism or the far-right in Europe?
For this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, Europe Center Senior Fellow Damir Marusic sits down with Dr. Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, to discuss these issues and answer the “Jean Monnet” question: if Europe can be adaptable and resilient in the face of crisis.
On Wednesday, September 14, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her 2022 State of the European Union to share her view of the EU’s year and plot out the year ahead. How does the President of the European Commission see the state of the European Union amid a historic year?
For this episode of #AtlanticDebrief, acting director of the Europe Center Jörn Fleck sits down with Europe Center distinguished fellow Frances Burwell to unpack the President’s speech, the announcements made, and their implications for Europe, the United States, and the world.
What were the biggest takeaways from President von der Leyen’s speech? Was there anything important omitted from the State of the European Union? How will EU member states receive the messages from her speech, and how will Europe watchers in Washington, DC, Moscow, and all over the world think about her announcements?
How have tensions over the last few years shaped Europe’s view of the US-European relationship? In the midst of historic unity between Europe and the United States, uncertainty still remains a key worry across Europe about the future of transatlantic relations.
In the first episode of the re-launched #AtlanticDebrief series, Acting Director Jörn Fleck speaks to Liana Fix, Programme Director for International Affairs at Körber-Stiftung, and Europe Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Damir Marusic about Körber-Stiftung’s policy game and report “Europe home alone.”
How do European policymakers view any potential transatlantic divide? Can Europe do anything now to increase their ability to act? This Körber Policy Game brought together a group of participants from France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom to game out policy options for Europe in case of a shift in US domestic and foreign policy and a breakdown of the transatlantic relationship.