Atlantic Council blogs

Atlantic Update 3/11/11

By Jason Harmala

The U.S. warns NATO allies against a quick Afghanistan troop drawdown, and the EU is holding a crisis summit to discuss Libya.

Kerry: “A no-fly zone for Libya”

By John F. Kerry, the Washington Post

From John F. Kerry, the Washington Post: [O]ur diplomatic efforts must extend beyond the United Nations. The support of NATO and the African Union are important.

Gates Faults U.S. Allies on Afghan War

By Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times

From Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times:  Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sharply rebuked the United States’ allies on Friday for preparing to effectively abandon Afghanistan, threatening what he described as tenuous progress in the nearly decade-old war.

Cousin of Afghan President Is Killed in NATO Raid

By Alissa J. Rubin and James Risen, the New York Times

From Alissa J. Rubin and James Risen, the New York Times:  A cousin of Afghanistan’s president was killed Wednesday during a night raid by NATO and Afghan forces in which they detained the man’s son as a suspected Taliban commander, as well as at least two of the family’s bodyguards.

Sarkozy: “France is not in favour of military intervention or an intervention by NATO”

By Reuters

Libya frees Dutch Marines

By Harry Papachristou, Reuters

From Harry Papachristou, Reuters:  The Libyan government has released three Dutch marines and they will be evacuated aboard a Greek military plane, the Greek Foreign Ministry said Friday.

NATO forces seize rockets from Iran in Afghanistan

By Kimberly Dozier, the AP

From Kimberly Dozier, the AP:  NATO forces in Afghanistan have seized 48 Iranian-made rockets intended to aid the Taliban’s spring battle campaign, the most powerful illicit weapons ever intercepted en route from the neighboring state, officials said Wednesday.

NATO approves new Cyber Defense Concept

By NATO

From NATO: NATO Defence Ministers approved today in Brussels a new Cyber Defence Concept that will pave the way for the Alliance to step up its defences against growing cyber threats. The new Cyber Defence Concept defines the protection of NATO’s own networks as the Alliance’s fundamental cyber defence responsibility. It also highlights the importance of […]

“NATO is ready to act,” moves ships in the Med

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  Today we have decided to increase the presence of NATO maritime assets in the Central Mediterranean.

Press Freedom in Turkey

By the Economist

From the Economist:  The arrests of Ahmet Sik and Nedim Sener came at a time of growing concern about pressure on the media.