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New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2009

NATO Meeting Brings Afghanistan Pressure

By James Joyner

As widely foreshadowed, the United States used the occasion of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Warsaw to call on its European allies to contribute more troops and resources to the Afghanistan mission and, to the surprise of no one who’s been paying attention, they refused.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2009

Russia and Georgia Agree to International Monitors

By James Joyner

Russia and Georgia agreed to give international monitors freedom to rome throughout Georgia, including the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

European Union International Organizations
STOCK - Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Principles for an Afghanistan Strategy

By James Joyner

The left-of-center National Security Network has released a statement of “Principles for an Afghanistan Strategy.”

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Osama bin Laden Found!

By James Joyner

A team of UCLA geographers have narrowed Osama bin Laden’s location to one of three houses in Parachinar. Using patterns of how animal species spread, the world’s most wanted terrorist can be tracked down to a town in the tribal region of North West Pakistan it is claimed. By factoring in his need for security, […]

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Sarkozy’s NATO Ploy

By James Joyner

Judy Dempsey, IHT’s Berlin bureau chief, argues that Nicolas Sarkozy is making a play to bolster an independent European defensive alliance.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

Russian Occupation Threatens East-West Corridor

By David Smith

Another round of international talks on the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is underway this week in Geneva.  Meanwhile, Russia is tightening its vice-grip, transforming the two occupied territories into military garrisons.

Russia The Caucasus

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2009

New Direction for Russian Oil: Moscow and Beijing Reach Energy Deal

By Peter Cassata

An energy pact signed yesterday moves Russia-China cooperation beyond SCO military exercises.  The deal helps China reduce its dependency on Middle Eastern oil and offers Russia the opportunity to fundamentally change its energy export policy.  Europe should be watching with an introspective eye.

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

France and Germany Suddenly Interested in Iraq

By James Joyner

Western European involvement in Iraq’s economy may be about to undergo radical transformation, Sebastian Abbot reports for AP. Germany’s foreign minister met with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on Tuesday in the latest high-level visit by a major Western nation that opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion but has promised to help Iraq rebuild now that […]

Germany Iraq

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

Canada: Time for ‘Frank Discussion’ About NATO Future

By James Joyner

Canadian defense minister Peter MacKay argues that NATO faces an existential crisis in Afghanistan and it’s time for “a frank discussion” about the future of the alliance. 

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

EU is Losing its Grip on Caspian Gas Corridor

By Borut Grgic

The European Union faces two obstacles to its project to pipe gas via a southern corridor from the Caspian region and thus reduce western Europe’s dependence on Russian supplies: Turkey’s attitude and the Balkan activities of Gazprom, the state-controlled Russian oil monopoly.

Energy & Environment European Union