The Uncertain Alliance: U.S.–Europe Relations in an Age of Disruption

The U.S.-Europe relationship is entering a period of deep uncertainty and eroding trust, as the United States prioritizes domestic economic interests, transactional diplomacy, and national security. Coupled with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, climate change, economic uncertainty, and the recent impact from the conflict in the Middle East with military strikes against Iran, Europe has hard decisions to make.

Long-standing assumptions about shared strategy and mutual reliance are being tested, thus creating tension across the transatlantic alliance.

Today, European leaders are preparing for a post-American age by taking responsibility for their own economic and security stability, thereby broadening their global partnerships, forming smaller alliances, and working together, recognizing that the transatlantic relationship, as it once existed, has changed structurally.

Join us for a discussion on May 5th with Ambassador Philip Reeker, former Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, former Ambassador to North Macedonia, and Partner and Lead of the Europe and Eurasia Practice at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group, as he shares his thoughts on Europe’s role in the world and America’s response in the age of disruption.

 

 

  • WACC Private Reception Sponsorship and Underwriting – DOWNLOAD LINK 
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Program Information: 

Date: Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Check-In and Pre-Lunch Networking: 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Presentation: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: Hilton Charlotte Uptown (222 E. Third St., Charlotte, NC 28202)
Cost: $50 (WACC Member Rate) | $65 (Non-Member Rate) | $40  (Young Professionals of the WACC Member Rate) | $35 (WACC Student Member / Teacher Member Rate)

 

 

 

Biography: 

Ambassador Philip T. Reeker is a Partner and Lead of the Europe and Eurasia Practice at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group, a founding member of DGA Group, and is based in Washington, D.C. He draws on 30 years of diplomatic experience to support clients with interests across the Europe and Eurasia region.  

Before joining DGA-ASG, Ambassador Reeker served as Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom from 2021 to 2022 and was Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia from 2019 to 2021. Before retiring from the Foreign Service, he was the Secretary of State’s Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations. 

Earlier in Ambassador Reeker’s extensive diplomatic career, he was the U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, Civilian Deputy and Policy Advisor to the Commander of U.S. European Command in Germany, U.S. Consul General in Milan, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Budapest, Hungary. In Washington, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Europe, the Balkans, and Holocaust Issues; as Director of Press Relations; and as Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department. 

Ambassador Reeker received numerous awards during his distinguished career, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award) and the American Citizens Abroad Thomas Jefferson Award. He was also named a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.  

Ambassador Reeker earned his B.A. from Yale University and a Master of International Management/MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. He is proficient in Italian, Hungarian, Macedonian and German.