Brussels Sprouts

In the run up to this year’s NATO Summit, the current NATO Permanent Representatives from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingom discuss what we can expect in Brussels, what binds NATO members together, and their experiences as women in national security.

Dr. Brad Roberts, the Director for Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, joins Julie Smith and Jim Townsend to discuss NATO’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, the space domain, and the North Korean nuclear issue.

Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, Director of the German Marshal Fund's Paris Office, sits down with Brussels Sprouts to discuss Macron, Merkel, and the future of transatlantic relations after Trump's withdrawal from the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Edvinas Kerza, Vice Minister of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, sits down with Julie Smith and Rachel Rizzo to discuss the country's new cyber report, evolving threats in cyber space, information warfare, and the new cyber rapid response project proposed by Lithuania as part of PESCO.

Christian Mölling, Deputy Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations, discusses the German perspective on President Macron’s and Chancellor Merkel’s recent visits to Washington, the evolution of European security initiatives, and the future of German leadership.

Danish Minister of Finance Kristian Jensen discusses the uncertain future of TTIP, the Danish decision to increase defense spending, the challenge of Nord Stream 2 to European security, and his belief in continued transatlantic values.

French Ambassador to the United States Gérard Araud discusses what we should expect from President Macron’s upcoming visit to Washington, the European perspective on the Iran deal, and the challenging global questions of today that Europe and the US need to answer together.

Norwegian Deputy Minister of Defense Tone Skogen joins with CNAS experts Julie Smith and Jim Townsend to discuss challenges in the North Atlantic, the new NATO Command Structures, and her experience navigating a career as a woman in Norwegian national security.

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sven Mikser sits down with CNAS Adjunct Senior Fellow Jim Townsend to discuss his recent visit to Washington DC with the other Baltic Foreign Ministers and Baltic Presidents. He touches on the challenging and changing security situation facing his country, as well as the value of NATO to Estonia.

Dr. Karen Donfried, President of the German Marshall Fund and former Senior Director for European Affairs on the National Security Council, joins Brussels Sprouts to offer her perspective on the current state of transatlantic relations, reflect on this year’s Brussels Forum, and discuss takeaways from her time at the Obama White House.