The meaning of Atlantic Perspectives

A Personal Standpoint

This project is the work of a European who has long been fascinated by the United States. My interest began years ago, shaped by readings, travels and long conversations that gradually deepened my curiosity for the American story. This attachment to both sides of the Atlantic shapes the way I approach this subject. I write these reflections as someone deeply committed to the European project, yet profoundly interested in understanding the United States in all its complexity, without naïveté or antagonism.

Why the Transatlantic Relationship Matters

The bond between Europe and the United States remains a central axis of the Western world. The transatlantic relationship is one of the main pillars of the international order. On the political side, it shapes the way democracies respond to global challenges. Economically, it is the foundation of the world’s most integrated markets. Strategically, it has been the most powerful defense alliance in the world for decades. It is not a vestige from the past. This relationship continues to influence the choices, the priorities and the vulnerabilities of both Europe and the United States. Understanding its evolution is therefore essential to understanding the world we live in.

A Civilizational and Cultural Dialogue

However, the transatlantic relationship is not only institutional or military. It also rests on a powerful cultural dialogue: the circulation of ideas, arts, intellectual movements, shared references and common imaginaries. This cultural dimension often highlights aspects of the transatlantic bond that politics alone cannot fully explain. Shared artistic influences, intellectual exchanges and common narratives reveal continuities, affinities and tensions that remain invisible when viewed only through diplomatic or institutional lenses. Culture provides the context, the imagination and the vocabulary that make political choices intelligible. As Philippe Nemo observed, « citizens of any of the countries in this group feel at home in any other country »; a reminder that the transatlantic connection is sustained not only by institutions, but by a shared cultural familiarity that transcends borders.

The Historical Lens

History is used here as a method of analysis. As Truman once said: « There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know ». Understanding the past reveals continuities, ruptures and recurring misunderstandings across the Atlantic. History offers essential keys to interpret today’s debates on security, economics, identity and democratic institutions.

A European Who Believes in Europe

I am a true European believer. I believe in the European Union as a political project, an intellectual horizon and an international actor. Studying the United States also helps illuminate what Europe is, what it has not yet become and what it could aim for. As a French citizen living in Belgium and working within an international organisation, I approach these questions from a perspective shaped by both personal experience and daily exposure to an institutional landscape that is inherently transnational.

Why This Project Now

Today’s geopolitical environment makes this project particularly relevant. Alliances are challenged, the foundations of multilateralism are being questioned and strategic uncertainty is growing on both sides of the Atlantic. Economic and technological transformations are reshaping global power, while ideological tensions are challenging democratic societies from within. In such a context, the transatlantic debate requires renewed depth and fresh analytical tools. Understanding this relationship cannot rely on old assumptions or inherited narratives; it demands a long-term perspective and a willingness to examine its complexities with clarity and independence.

The Purpose of Atlantic Perspectives

Why? Because I want to provide knowledge to readers who may not always have the time to explore the past or to delve into the nuances that give meaning to current events. Today’s information environment often favors immediacy over depth, which can make it difficult to form well-grounded judgments. My goal is to offer context, perspective and the elements needed to interpret the world with greater clarity.

How? By combining long-term historical analysis with a disciplined examination of political, economic, strategic and cultural dynamics. I approach the transatlantic relationship with independence, nuance and intellectual honesty. It is a structured effort to understand and explain, anchored in both context and evidence.

What? Atlantic Perspectives provides analyses, historical insights, reflections and podcast episodes dedicated to the evolution of the U.S.–Europe relationship. It aims to make a complex subject accessible and meaningful, providing readers with depth, clarity and the tools needed to grasp both continuity and change across the Atlantic.

An Invitation to Intellectual Exploration

This project is not militant. It is not ideological. It is an invitation to follow this transatlantic exploration built on curiosity, analysis and intellectual discipline.

I hope this journey across the Atlantic brings insight as well as enjoyment.