Atlantic Council blogs

National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones in Europe to discuss Afghanistan and upcoming NATO Summit

By the White House

From the White House: Statement by Ben Chang, Deputy NSC Spokesman, on the meetings of National Security Advisor General James Jones in Paris and Brussels On July 12 and 13, General Jones visited Paris and Brussels to consult with NATO Secretary General Rasmussen, senior French officials, and other allies.  His discussions focused on coordinating transatlantic actions […]

Crossing the Great Divides

By Harlan Ullman

As the Vietnam War was beginning to split American society asunder, Harvard Professor Stanley Hoffmann icily observed that when it came to strategic thinking, we Americans expected others to reason as we did or be in need of being brought up to our level. Was this sheer arrogance at work? Perhaps. But more likely the […]

What Can Be Learned from Clinton’s Caucasus Visit

By Alexandros Petersen

Options for Russia to Join NATO

By Eastern Approaches, the Economist

From Eastern Approaches, the Economist:  An interesting article by Tomáš Valášek at the Centre for European Reform, a London thinktank, looks at the pros and cons of Russia joining NATO, or at least changing its relationship with the alliance.

“Battle Royal” Over Internet Privacy: The View from Europe

By Scott Bleiweis

At the Atlantic Council last week, U.S. and EU officials pledged to work together on creating a common framework to regulate data sharing and privacy protection between them. But if it is to be put into practice, such an effort will have to overcome significant challenges and differing perspectives on these issues.

Russia Smiles

By David Smith

As America defeated Algeria to advance in the World Cup, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in California to kick off a round of intense diplomatic activity. Smiling, he toured Silicon Valley in search of money and technology. Still smiling in Washington, he accepted US President Barack Obama’s backing for Russian membership in the World Trade […]

Europe Staring Into Abyss?

By James Joyner

An Economist leader on the future of Europe is titled "Staring Into the Abyss."

NATO Secretary General warns that European defense cuts may make ‘the Transatlantic relationship less relevant’

By James Kirkup, the Telegraph

Nato chief: Afghanistan timetable puts British troops at risk

By James Kirkup, the Telegraph

From James Kirkup, the Telegraph:  David Cameron’s signal of a five-year timetable for withdrawing British troops from Afghanistan risks encouraging the Taliban to step up their attacks on Western forces, the head of Nato has said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato secretary-general, delivered the blunt message after the Prime Minister said he wanted most British […]

U.S. Detains 12th Person in Russian Spy Probe

By Evan Perez, the Wall Street Journal

From Evan Perez, the Wall Street Journal:  Authorities are detaining a 12th, previously undisclosed person implicated in the federal probe that busted a Cold War-style Russian spy ring, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Federal Bureau of Investigation counterintelligence investigators have been investigating the 23-year-old Russian man since last fall when his […]