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U.S.-European Relations

Report

How Are European Countries Vulnerable to Russia?

Russia's aggression against Ukraine has highlighted potential threats to NATO and the EU. But European countries differ in how susceptible they are to possible Russian actions.

Jan 18, 2017
Commentary

Transatlantic Relations After Obama

The Obama era will be remembered as the time when America's leadership role in Europe began to shift. Europeans got more freedom of action, but could no longer outsource their foreign and military responsibilities to Washington. Whether Clinton or Trump is elected president, Europe will have to do more.

Oct 14, 2016
Report

Opportunities for Enhanced Partnering on NATO's Northeastern Flank

U.S. defense engagement priorities in Europe are shifting in the face of Russian aggression. By engaging strategically on NATO's northeastern flank, the United States can strengthen deterrence while minimizing inadvertent escalation.

Jul 7, 2016
Multimedia

Hans Binnendijk on America's Partners and Adversaries

Hans Binnendijk argues that the United States may need to follow a more collaborative approach to foreign affairs, engaging and sharing burdens with partners who until now have not pulled their weight.

Jan 6, 2016
Report

America Needs a Collaborative Approach to Manage Its Adversaries and Strengthen Its Partnerships

How should the United States manage its relationships with partners and adversaries in a world of shrinking defense budgets and reduced political will for international engagement?

Jan 5, 2016
News Release

United States Needs a Collaborative Approach to Manage Its Adversaries and Strengthen Partnerships Abroad

As national security challenges mount, the U.S. may need to follow a more collaborative approach to foreign affairs, engaging and sharing burdens with partners who until now have not pulled their weight.

Jan 5, 2016
Commentary

Is Winter Coming? Or, Our Russia Strategy

In Washington, and across the globe, many ask if Russian actions represent a new challenge to international order, and, if so, what is the best course of action to respond to it.

Nov 12, 2015
Commentary

Putin: Eyes Wide Shut

The Russia that the United States faces today is more assertive and more unpredictable—and thus, in many ways, more dangerous—than the Russia that the U.S. confronted during the latter part of the Cold War.

Apr 20, 2015
Commentary

France Is Replacing the UK as America's Top Ally in Europe

The United States' relationship with France should be recognized and strengthened. France retains the military capability and the political moxie to contribute significantly and aggressively to collective responses to security threats to the Atlantic Alliance.

Mar 30, 2015
Commentary

Stop Putin's Next Invasion Before It Starts

The U.S. needs to consider stationing forces in Eastern Europe to support its commitment to protect the independence of the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania against Russian aggression. If not, and Russia invades, the options available to this or a future U.S. president are stark.

Mar 20, 2015
Commentary

The Greatest Challenge to U.S.-European Security Cooperation Today: The Ukraine Crisis

Germany and America are leading Western policy in addressing the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The basic strategy is to support Ukraine and pressure Moscow to halt aggression, while leaving the door open to diplomacy. Sustaining Western unity is essential, but may not be easy to achieve.

Dec 8, 2014
Commentary

Putting Putin in His Place

Developing an effective and sustainable strategy to deal with the multi-layered problem that Putin's Russia has created requires deterring Russia while also engaging it. The U.S. and Europe should have confidence that they are up to the task.

Nov 26, 2014
Commentary

Redefining the Transatlantic Relationship—Europe's Paradoxical Pacifism

While Europeans dislike a ubiquitous America which is always ready to prove its power, they seem to dislike an isolationist America even more, writes Jeremy Ghez.

Aug 1, 2011
Commentary

Budget Cuts Are Cracking the West's Defenses

Washington would be wise to work closely with Britain and France to ensure that their budget cuts do not threaten how the allies will, together, address common threats and security challenges, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter A. Wilson.

Aug 17, 2010
Commentary

Only a New 'Grand Bargain' on Transatlantic Solidarity Can Meet Deepest Challenges

NATO's new Strategic Concept will set out ambitious goals and means for the alliance, but it seems likely to paper over the cracks which are beginning to separate U.S. interests and attitudes from those of most of its European allies, writes Robert E. Hunter.

Apr 23, 2010
Commentary

Europe's Empty Promises

American frustration with Europe's dwindling military capabilities is reaching new heights, as was clear in a recent speech by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the National Defense University, writes Christopher S. Chivvis.

Feb 24, 2010
Commentary

A Trans-Atlantic Moment

The election of Barack Obama provides an important opportunity to revitalize the trans-Atlantic security partnership. This partnership has served both sides well in the past. But after eight years of deep ideological differences during the Bush administration, it is badly frayed and in need of new leadership and new vision, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Julian Lindley-French.

Feb 22, 2009
Commentary

Let's Avoid Another Trans-Atlantic Feud

Published commentary by RAND staff: Let's Avoid Another Trans-Atlantic Feud, in International Herald Tribune.

Jan 13, 2006
Content

Irina A. Chindea

Political Scientist
Education Ph.D. in international relations, Tufts University; M.A. in international relations, Tufts University; B.S. in business administration, ASE Bucharest, Romania
Content

Emily Ellinger

Policy Analyst
Education M.S. in international relations, University of Edinburgh; B.A. in physics, Northwestern University

RAND Topic:
U.S.-European Relations

Topic Synonyms:
Transatlantic Relations