On January 27, 2016, The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) hosted a breakfast discussion with David McKean, director of the Secretary’s Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State. This conversation, held under the Chatham House Rule, presented a good opportunity to discuss pressing issues on the transatlantic agenda. Topics including Ukraine, Syria, the fight against the Islamic State Group (ISIS), the future of EU-U.S. relations with Russia, NATO’s upcoming summit in Warsaw, U.S. relations with China, the recent lifting of sanctions against Iran, and the implications of the EU’s refugee crisis. McKean’s initial remarks were followed by a lively debate with the audience. Participants included a small group of Brussels-based journalists and representatives from think tanks.