Study Visits for European MPs to the United States – Visiting ‘Heartland’ America
The Alliance for Global Security offers study visits for European parliamentarians to visit the heart of the United States, exploring key states such as Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas. These trips provide European leaders with a deeper understanding of the socio-political and economic dynamics that define Middle America, often overlooked in international discussions.
Through high-level meetings with state and local government officials, business leaders, and civic organizations, participants will engage in discussions about security, trade, economic resilience, and how global challenges are viewed from the American heartland. These visits foster cross-cultural dialogue and build stronger ties between Europe and the U.S., while giving European lawmakers a firsthand look at the concerns and priorities of American communities in regions less represented on the global stage.
The focus of these study trips is to establish mutual understanding and foster partnerships between U.S. and European leaders. By exploring the domestic policies and local experiences that shape the broader U.S. geopolitical stance, these exchanges aim to strengthen cooperation on critical issues like economic resiliency, energy security, and military preparedness.
A critical component of these study trips will be joint learning about the various ways foreign adversaries such as the PRC, Russia, and Iran attempt to undermine democracy at the state and local level in the U.S. Participants will engage in discussions about the use of cyber and ransomware attacks, the hacking of critical infrastructure, and other forms of hybrid warfare targeting state, tribal, and local governments and businesses. These meetings will identify covert methods used by adversaries to disrupt daily life and destabilize democratic institutions..
Additionally, the trips will include visits to the U.S. northern and southern borders where participants will gain firsthand insight into the complex security challenges that U.S. citizens face daily.
Discussions will center on the impact of illegal immigration, transnational crime, and national security concerns related to border security. These components will help European leaders understand the unique threats the U.S. faces from both state and non-state actors and how these challenges are perceived at the local level.
Through these exchanges, European leaders will gain a comprehensive understanding of the threats and concerns U.S. state-level officials contend with, while also strengthening transatlantic cooperation to address shared security challenges in an increasingly complex global landscape.