Richard N. Haass says, "Even before it began, Europe's moment as a major world power in the twenty-first century looks to be over."

As the United States and Europe face common threats around the globe, the time has come to break down the bureaucratic barrier between the European Union and NATO. Today's challenges require the hard power of NATO and the soft power of the EU.

NATO would run a strategic risk by admitting Russia, but the Atlantic alliance is actually running a greater strategic risk by excluding it.

NATO members preparing for a new "strategic concept" to be issued at the November summit will have to both hash out serious differences about how NATO forces should be deployed and determine how best to gain Russia's cooperation, says William Drozdiak.

NATO has been a cornerstone of security in Europe--and of U.S. foreign policy--for six decades. But its ability to continue playing such a central role is unclear. James M. Goldgeier takes a sober look at what the alliance and its members must do to maintain NATO's relevance in the face of today's strategic environment.

Listen to Philip H. Gordon, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, shed light on the status and future of the U.S.-European relationship under a new president's leadership, as well as the role of the transatlantic partnership in addressing international security challenges.

NATO's European members are more worried about a reassertive Russia than the threat posed by Afghanistan, says expert Robert E. Hunter. This has become the basis for an "unspoken bargain" on supporting the Afghan war effort, he says.

Watch Philip H. Gordon, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, shed light on the status and future of the U.S.-European relationship under a new president's leadership, as well as the role of the transatlantic partnership in addressing international security challenges.

Watch Zbigniew Brzezinski offer insight into his recent Foreign Affairs article "An Agenda for NATO," which examines NATO's history and next course of action, as well as his thoughts on the broader challenges confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Listen to Zbigniew Brzezinski offer insight into his recent Foreign Affairs article “An Agenda for NATO,” which examines NATO’s history and next course of action, as well as his thoughts on the broader challenges confronting U.S. foreign policy.

Charles A. Kupchan testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

On Thursday 1 October 2009, General Stanley McChrystal, Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan gave a Special Address on Afghanistan  to the IISS.

In the course of its 60 years, NATO has united the West, secured Europe, and ended the Cold War. What next?

James M. Goldgeier discusses NATO's 60th anniversary.

Charles A. Kupchan writes on NATO's upcoming 60^th anniversary summit. He predicts the summit will, "surely be dominated by its mission in Afghanistan."

President Obama's first major overseas summits are shadowed by disputes with European allies over stimulus plans and commitment to the Afghan war. He should seize the opportunity to appeal for a strong Europe and a strong NATO.

This is a Council on Foreign Relations media call on the upcoming NATO 60th anniversary Summit.  The meetings on April 3rd and 4th come right after the Group of 20 summit in London on the global financial crisis and that could suck some of the oxygen from the summitry in Strasburg and Kehl, but at the same time there are existential questions building for the alliance -- in particular, what is its role going to be in Afghanistan?

Listen to CFR experts Charles A. Kupchan and Jeffrey Mankoff discuss the April 3 NATO summit and its significance for the United States' relationship with Russia and the European Union.