The Transatlantic Programme is an important forum for debate on the future of bilateral and multilateral transatlantic security relations. It is also responsible for producing some of the most innovative and cutting edge research on transatlantic security and defence issues within the United Kingdom for an array of clients.

The Programme enjoys strong working relationships with NATO HQ, SHAPE, Allied Command Transformation and the European Defence Agency, as well as the US, UK, Canadian and several European defence and foreign ministries.

The Transatlantic programme has two principle missions. First, it seeks to promote discussion between the policy, military, academic and industrial communities on how transatlantic relations should be developed so that they continue to meet British, American, European and global security needs in the twenty-first century.

Second, the programme works to identify innovative approaches and produce original ideas to help inform policy-makers on both sides of the Atlantic. As such, there are currently three on-going research projects:

• Future NATO Project
• Cusps Operations Project 
• New Strategies for Strategic Communications

The Transatlantic Programme also works to improve mutual understanding on both sides of the Atlantic. The programme hosts a regular discussion series known as the Transatlantic Forum which brings policy-makers and leading experts from North America together with the Whitehall policy community and the London diplomatic corps to discuss security issues of concern to the transatlantic community.

The programme is also leading on an institute-wide effort to provide analysis on how the US Presidential and Congressional elections in November 2008 will impact the UK, Europe and the wider international community.

Areas of particular interest include:

• Changing British, American and European approaches to defence and security issues
• The transformation of NATO, US and European defence capabilities
• Domestic politics in the United States and Canada
• The intersection of domestic politics and international security policy
• The role of the defence industry in US and European defence and security policy-making
• The role of the Atlantic Alliance in promoting international peace and security
• Ongoing military operations within the transatlantic context

The programme and its staff produce an array of research reports, monographs, web based commentary and articles in a number of international outlets.