On March 18, 2026, the Strategeo Institute held a public debate at Prague House in Brussels titled Transatlantic Relations After the First Year of the New U.S. Administration: Security and Defence Industry Cooperation, Ukraine, and the Future of NATO.
The discussion examined the evolving state of transatlantic relations one year into the new U.S. administration. Rather than focusing solely on criticism of U.S. policies, the panel addressed structural weaknesses on the European side, including limited strategic coordination, diverging threat perceptions, and a growing gap in mutual understanding between Europe and the United States.
The debate also reflected the immediate geopolitical context. Taking place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the second part of the discussion addressed the potential implications of U.S. military actions toward Iran for NATO cohesion, as well as possible forms of European engagement, including the protection of critical energy flows.
Key themes included the sustainability of support for Ukraine, burden-sharing within NATO, and Europe’s capacity to strengthen its own defence capabilities in the framework of transatlantic cooperation.
Panelists included:
- Dan Michaels, Brussels Bureau Chief, The Wall Street Journal
- H. E. Mr. David Konecký, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to NATO
- Jan Hamáček, Director of External Relations at CSG; Former Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic; Vice President for Legislation, AOBP
- Jacques Rupnik, Political Scientist, Sciences Po (Emeritus)
The discussion was moderated by Jan Macháček, President of the Strategeo Institute.
Strategeo Institute thanks Ms. Lucie Čadilová, Head of the Prague Delegation to the EU, for co-organizing the event and providing the Prague House Brussels venue, as well as for her long-term support of expert dialogue on European and transatlantic security.
