Atlantic Council blogs

Russian military chief warns of nuclear war risks

By Valdimir Isachenkov, the AP

From Valdimir Isachenkov, the AP:  Russia is facing a heightened risk of being drawn into conflicts at its borders that have the potential of turning nuclear, the nation’s top military officer said Thursday.

Working Group on Egypt releases statement on conditioning aid to Egyptian military

By Michele Dunne

Amidst signs that Egypt’s ruling military council is seeking to preserve and expand its political and economic privileges in the post-Mubarak system, journalists, activists and NGOs are facing a repressive crackdown, sectarianism is escalating, and the civilian police force has failed to fully restore security and public order. As the military council continues to resist […]

Video: First live fire test of NATO’s missile defense system

By NATO

From NATO: Exercise Rapid Arrow, the first live fire exercise testing NATO’s Missile Defence System.   (graphic: NATO)

How will the supra-constitutional principles be amended?

By Michele Dunne

As the threat of a large anti-SCAF demonstration scheduled for Friday November 18 looms, reports are trickling out of a new set of concessions that Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi made after meetings with political parties and prospective presidential candidates over the last few days.  It is not entirely clear what al-Selmi conceded, or whether […]

British intell services foiled Gaddafi attack on the leadership of Libya’s NTC

By Cassandra Vinograd, the AP

Obama says Europe’s problem is lack of political will

By Laura MacInnis, Reuters

From Laura MacInnis, Reuters:  President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he was deeply concerned about the continued euro zone crisis, blaming it on a lack of political will, and that market turmoil would continue until Europe has a concrete plan to deal with its debt woes. Obama praised French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor […]

News Update: November 16, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Several political forces and presidential candidates have reportedly reached an agreement with Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi on amendments to the heavily criticized constitutional principles. The Brotherhood and Islamist groups, however, rejected the agreement and threatened to escalate street protests leading to a “new revolution” on January 25, if the draft document is ratified.

Swedish Gripen Community Draws Libya Lessons

By Robert Wall, Aviation Week

From Robert Wall, Aviation Week:  Following its first operational deployment of Gripen fighters as part of the NATO-led Libya campaign, the Swedish military is assessing what improvements in equipment and processes need to be made for future deployments of the fighter.

Italian cabinet announced: di Paola new Defense Minister, Terzi di Santagata to lead Foreign Ministry

By Tom Kington, Defense News

From Tom Kington, Defense News:  Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, the former Italian military chief of staff, has been named Italy’s new defense minister, replacing Ignazio La Russa.

U.S. joining NATO’s fight against cyber threats

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  The United States will join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence during a formal ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the center’s headquarters in Estonia, a country that experienced a massive cyber attack that disabled websites of numerous government institutions in 2007.