The war in Ukraine has acted as a catalyst for increased cooperation and unity among transatlantic partners, despite ongoing bilateral disagreements between Europe and the United States. As Europe confronts its most significant crisis since the end of the Cold War, security and defence policies have risen to the forefront of political agendas. This challenging environment has rekindled debates over the balance between Europe’s aspiration for strategic autonomy and the United States’ enduring role as the cornerstone of European security.
At the same time, the conflict in Ukraine has offered an opportunity for the revitalisation of NATO, an alliance whose relevance had been increasingly questioned in recent years. The war has reaffirmed NATO’s importance, especially in the context of transatlantic defence cooperation, bringing it back into the spotlight.
This session will focus on the key trends and issues shaping transatlantic relations today, examining the future of this critical partnership and exploring potential scenarios that may unfold in the coming decade, with a particular emphasis on security and defence.