This article has only grazed the complex political, educational and research scenes in Europe. Europe, like America, is a patchwork of initiatives, agencies, and political bodies attempting to work together for the greater good of all. However, unlike the United States, the countries of Europe are steeped in centuries of history, culture and a deep sense of independence, making cooperation much more challenging. Security is becoming an increasingly global issue, forcing the primary players to be partners even if the marriage seems to be disintegrating. Research, education, technology, and a deeper understanding of the respective partners, however, may be the marriage counseling needed to continue for the next 50 or more years. America and Europe have been security partners for over 50 years and are currently experiencing a breakdown in the relationship. Security is not an issue any one individual country can tackle on its own. This is the first in a series of articles focused on transatlantic cooperation, security, and education. It provides basic background information on the European Union, as well as on the many different political and research bodies that are active in Europe in the field of security and education. Global threats require universal solutions making cooperation between the United States and Europe an unavoidable issue. This cooperation must also involve research and innovation in the security field. References