Northern Connections
Northern Europe has become a focus of U.S. foreign policy discussion because of dynamic changes in the region: an increasingly complex security situation amid Russia’s military modernization and saber-rattling; the impact of Brexit on the future of Europe and on the transatlantic relationship; Russia’s attempts to influence the democratic processes in Western countries; Arctic policy, including the effect of a changing climate on commerce, transportation, security, and energy at the top of the world. That is why the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) established the Lillan and Robert D. Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies—to strengthen public understanding of the changing politics, economics, security, and energy relationships and to provide a forum for discussing transatlantic policy responses.We are adding a new dimension to the Stuart Center that will help us pursue that mission and bring greater public and expert attention—the Northern Connections online magazine. Northern Connections will feature original content from leading scholars and practitioners, illuminating today’s policy challenges and the trends that will affect our future. We are excited to bring greater attention to Northern Europe across the transatlantic community.
Geopolitics and Neglected Arctic Spaces
Three Northern Perspectives on Balancing External Interests

As the Arctic gains in geostrategic significance, the world’s most powerful countries are turning northward. In this edition of Northern Connections, three experts outline how it looks when countries in the region must balance the competing interests of outside powers.
Shifting Currents in the Arctic
Perspectives from Three Arctic Littoral States

As part of the CSIS Europe Program’s Northern Connections, Adm. (retd.) Paul Zukunft (U.S.), Maj. Gen. Kim Jørgensen (Denmark), and Rear Adm. Craig Baines (Canada) share how their nations are adjusting strategy and resources to respond to the new Arctic environment.
The Trident Returns
Reactivating the U.S. Second Fleet and Revitalizing Anti-Submarine Warfare in the Atlantic

Retired Adm. Gary Roughead offers his insights on the reactivation of the U.S. Second Fleet as part of CSIS Europe Program’s Northern Connection—a new series created to bring greater attention to Northern Europe across the transatlantic community.