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.

The Northern Connections online magazine features 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.

Latest Analysis

Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Defending the North Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

The Arctic is increasingly characterized by geopolitical and military tensions. President Trump's aggressive engagement strategy, greater Sino-Russian cooperation, and NATO’s Scandinavian enlargement will likely shape the region’s security landscape for the coming years.

Report by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen, Marc Jacobsen, Rebekka Åsnes Sagild, Eskil Jakobsen, and Øystein Solvang — January 14, 2025

Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images

Arctic Energy Security

Report by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen, Arild Moe, Anne Husebekk, Silje Elde, and Else Kristine Welde — January 31, 2024

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Defending the North Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

The Arctic is increasingly characterized by geopolitical and military tensions. President Trump's aggressive engagement strategy, greater Sino-Russian cooperation, and NATO’s Scandinavian enlargement will likely shape the region’s security landscape for the coming years.

Report by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen, Marc Jacobsen, Rebekka Åsnes Sagild, Eskil Jakobsen, and Øystein Solvang — January 14, 2025

Arctic Energy Security

Interest in Arctic energy resources has grown in tandem with geopolitical tensions in the region. Two topics in particular may reshape energy security in the European Arctic: climate change and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Report by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen, Arild Moe, Anne Husebekk, Silje Elde, and Else Kristine Welde — January 31, 2024

Artificial Intelligence and the Arctic

In this edition of Northern Connections, two experts in artificial intelligence examine the implications of this technology for national security and climate research in the Arctic.

Report by Colin Wall, Lieutenant Commander Michael Bielby, and Lillian "Doc" Alessa — December 2, 2022

Geopolitics and Neglected Arctic Spaces

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.

Report by Colin Wall, Rachel Ellehuus, Andreas Østhagen, Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, Margrét Cela, and Pia Hansson — November 2, 2020

Shifting Currents in the Arctic

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.

Report by Rachel Ellehuus, Admiral Paul Zukunft, Maj. Gen. Kim J. Jørgensen, and Rear Admiral Craig A. Baines — May 1, 2019

The Trident Returns

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.

Report by Admiral Gary Roughead — October 26, 2018