Category: Blogs

The case for arming Syria’s opposition

By Stephen J. Hadley, the Washington Post

From Stephen J. Hadley, the Washington Post:  The moral case for arming Syrians seeking their freedom has become overwhelming.

British MoD reconsidering buying different version of F-35 fighter

By Richard Norton-Taylor, the Guardian

From Richard Norton-Taylor, the Guardian:  Britain’s troubled and increasingly expensive plan to equip the navy with new aircraft carriers has been plunged into fresh turmoil as ministers consider reversing their earlier decision to change the type of plane that should fly from them, it has emerged.

Qatar crosses the Syrian Rubicon: $100 million to buy weapons for the rebels

By Martin Chulov, the Guardian

US expanding hi-tech intelligence base in Britain

By Richard Norton-Taylor, the Guardian

From Richard Norton-Taylor, the Guardian:  America’s largest eavesdropping centre in Britain, Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire, is being expanded in a multimillion-pound programme as it becomes increasingly vital to US intelligence and military operations

Travel Ban Lifted for Americans, but Will Egyptian Civil Society Be Left Behind?

By Tarek Radwan

It seems the US State Department’s behind-the-scenes diplomacy may have paid off. Reuters reported, yesterday, that the Americans in the case of Egypt’s foreign-funded NGOs will no longer be barred from travel. Without a doubt, officials on both sides are breathing a sigh of relief as this move could mark the first step toward a […]

Rasmussen: ‘NATO doesn’t just talk about security – NATO delivers security’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  Our Chicago Summit will be an important event. Because NATO is busier than ever protecting our shared values and our shared security.

Top News: ElBaradei Criticizes ‘Intervention in Judiciary Work’

By Mara Revkin

Former presidential candidate Mohamed ElBaradei criticized what he called “intervention in judiciary work” in the trial of NGO employees. On his Twitter account, ElBaradei wrote that regardless of the circumstances surrounding the case, intervening in judicial matters “kills” democracy. The three presiding judges recused themselves on February 28 from the trial of 43 foreign and […]

Ukraine, Like Russia, Is Becoming a ‘Virtual Mafia State’

By Taras Kuzio

Yuriy Lutsenko, former Interior Minister in two governments led by Yulia Tymoshenko, was sentenced this week to four years imprisonment and given a three years ban from public office.

Did Panetta disclose internal talking points instead of planned public statements?

By Josh Rogin, the Cable

From Josh Rogin, the Cable:  One announcement that won’t be made at the NATO summit is the alliance’s intention to mark 2013 as the year when full, lead combat responsibility will be handed over from NATO to the Afghan security forces.

McCain: ‘Our European allies remain our preeminent security partners’

By John McCain, Office of Senator McCain

From John McCain, Office of Senator McCain:  Our European allies remain our preeminent security partners. And today, EUCOM and NATO are being called upon to bear an ever greater responsibility for diverse international security challenges