Category: NATOSource

Lugar becomes center of gravity on New START

By Josh Rogin, the Cable

From Josh Rogin, the Cable:  As the New START nuclear reductions treaty with Russia finally comes to a committee vote this Thursday, the focus is shifting from Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman John Kerry (D-MA), who has been quarterbacking the Senate ratification process, to his Republican counterpart Richard Lugar (R-IN)

Chinese and Russian troops in central Asia war games

By Robin Paxton, Reuters

EU leaders to urge closer links with NATO at summit

By Arthur Beesley, the Irish Times

From Arthur Beesley, the Irish Times: European leaders are taking steps to develop deeper ties between the EU and Nato as the union seeks to boost its influence in global affairs. At a summit next Thursday, the leaders of the 27 member states will ask EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to explore ways of strengthening the union’s […]

SecDef’s defense cut priorities

By John Barry and Evan Thomas, Newsweek

From John Barry and Evan Thomas, Newsweek:  If Gates has his way, the top brass will have to shed old habits and adjust to leaner times. Some of them will become civilians. The number of generals and admirals has increased by more than a hundred since 9/11, to 969 (and counting Reserves, roughly 1,300). Gates […]

Defence cut threat to the special relationship

By James Kirkup, the Telegraph

Turkish Reforms Pass by Wide Margin

By Sebnem Arsu and Dan Bilefsky, the New York Times

West needs new missile shield against Iranian nuclear threat, Nato chief says

By Nick Meo, the Telegraph

From Nick Meo, the Telegraph:  Anders Fogh Rasmussen told The Sunday Telegraph he has full American backing for a proposed €200 million (£165 million) defensive "shield", which he hopes will be agreed in November at a summit of members in Lisbon.

The IMF’s Thorny Transatlantic Feud

By Kati Suominen, the German Marshall Fund of the U.S.

From Kati Suominen, the German Marshall Fund of the U.S.:  In a move likely to please China, India, and Brazil, but force a confrontation with Europe, the Obama administration last month blocked plans that would maintain the current size of the board of directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Medvedev: Parliamentary democracy would be “catastrophe” for Russia and Kyrgystan

By InterFax

From InterFax:  A parliamentary democracy is an unacceptable form of governance for Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev said. Speaking at a meeting with political analysts in Yaroslavl he said that he spent the first two years changing the political structure at the federal and regional levels. "But there is no need for radical changes. Not because […]