The contemporary international system is undergoing a profound transformation characterized by overlapping crises, shifting power balances, and the erosion of established institutional frameworks. The war in Ukraine, the return of Donald Trump to power in the United States, and the recent escalation into direct confrontation with Iran have together accelerated a structural reconfiguration of transatlantic relations. These developments have brought deep-seated contradictions within the Western alliance to the surface. Divergences between the United States and Europe are no longer limited to policy preferences but increasingly reflect competing strategic outlooks regarding security, economic governance, and global order. At the same time, the proliferation of conflict zones and the intensification of geopolitical competition raise fundamental questions about NATO's sustainability and future orientation. In this context, BRIQ invites contributions that critically engage with the evolving dynamics of US–Europe relations and NATO within a broader framework of global systemic transformation. This special issue aims to provide a critical platform for examining the ongoing reconfiguration of transatlantic relations within the broader context of systemic transformation. Interdisciplinary approaches and theoretically informed analyses are particularly encouraged.
Submissions are encouraged on, but not limited to, the following themes:
Transformations in Transatlantic Relations
* Structural reconfigurations in US–Europe relations in the aftermath of the Ukraine war
* Strategic divergence between Washington and European actors
* The impact of domestic political shifts in the United States on alliance cohesion
NATO in a Changing Security Environment
* The evolving role of NATO in a multi-theater conflict environment
* Debates on burden-sharing, deterrence, and strategic autonomy
* Prospects for alternative European security architectures
The Trump Factor and Strategic Realignment
* Foreign policy orientation under Donald Trump
* Implications for alliance reliability and global governance
* Tensions between unilateralism and multilateralism
The Iran War and Its Global Implications
* Strategic consequences of US–Iran confrontation for Europe
* Energy security, economic vulnerabilities, and geopolitical risk
* Regional escalation and the potential involvement of NATO
Multipolarity and the Crisis of the Western Alliance
* The rise of alternative geopolitical platforms and institutions
* The role of BRICS, SCO, and the Global South
* The transformation of global governance structures
Submission Guidelines
* Manuscripts must be original and not under consideration elsewhere
* Length: 5,000–9,000 words
* Citation style: APA 6
* All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer-review process
(For more detailed information, see https://briqjournal.com/en/submission-guidelines)
Important Dates**
* Full paper submission: August 15, 2026.
Submission and Contact
For inquiries and submissions, should be made via:
briq@briqjournal.com