The Polish-U.S. Transatlantic Lookout is an annual gathering of experts, strategists, diplomats, decision-makers, and key representatives of opinion-forming circles from Poland and the United States organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and the PISM Office in Washington D.C. The main goal is to provide a Polish perspective on selected aspects of transatlantic cooperation and compare it with American assessments of these issues. An important objective is to also outline scenarios and proposals for the coming months and years in key areas as well as ways to address them together.

Polish-U.S.

TRANSATLANTIC LOOKOUT

June 5, 2025 (Thursday)

08:30-14:00 EST

Hay-Adams Hotel

Washington D.C.

08:30-09:00  | Arrivals and Registration with Light Breakfast

09:00-09:10  | Welcome Remarks

• Jarosław Ćwiek-Karpowicz, Director, The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)

09:10-09:30  | Keynote Remarks

09:30-10:30  | Session 1: Russian Threat to the U.S., Poland and NATO

As the Russian war in Ukraine continues, the broader threat of aggression against Europe is not diminishing either. Although NATO has grown to 32 allies, expanding its so-called eastern flank, the Alliance is now facing questions about the future of American involvement and the possibility of at least partially supplementing U.S. capabilities with European contributions. What are the key capabilities to deter Russia? How is the Russian threat perceived on both sides of the Atlantic? What does the future hold for NATO?

Inputs: 

• Gen. (ret.) Rajmund Andrzejczak, Former Chief of the Polish General Staff
• Gen. (ret.) Curtis M. Scaparrotti, 18th Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Senior Counselor, The Cohen Group

Moderator: Sławomir Dębski, Visiting Professor of Strategy and International Relations, College of Europe in Natolin

10:30-11:30  | Session 2: Next steps for Energy Cooperation between Poland and the United States

The significance of energy cooperation in Polish-U.S. bilateral relations have increased significantly over the last decade. Both sides have deepened dependencies in this vital sector and Poland became a strategic market for U.S. companies. The level of this cooperation is no longer based solely on oil and gas, with progress being made on the construction of one or possibly two nuclear power plants in Poland. What are the most promising energy prospects for Poland and the U.S.? Are there any hurdles both sides need to overcome? Is nuclear energy the future for continents on both sides of the Atlantic?

Inputs:

• Konrad Jar, Executive Director for Strategy and Innovation, ORLEN S.A.
•  Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global

Moderator: Jarosław Ćwiek-Karpowicz, Director, PISM

11:30-12:00  | Coffee break

12:00-13:00 | Session 3: Political Awakening in Transatlantic Relations

Transatlantic relations are at a crossroads. In the face of ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, the question of how committed will the United States be to the European security architecture that Washington crafted is on the minds of many. Can the U.S. still be regarded as a trusted ally or should Europe look to itself for its safety and protection? In the face of the shifting transatlantic dynamic, what does the U.S. expect from some of its closest European partners, like Poland? How does Poland see the U.S. role in Europe? Where can the bilateral relationship also benefit Europe’s future?

Inputs:            

• U.S. Department of State / National Security Council High Level Representative [TBC]
• Łukasz Pawłowski, Director of the Department of Strategy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

Moderator:     Mateusz Piotrowski, Head of the Americas Programme, PISM

13:00-14:00 | Networking Lunch