Category: Blogs

Top News: Presidential Election Slated for May 23-24

By Mara Revkin

Egypt’s presidential election will take place May 23-24 with results expected on June 21, according to the head of the Election Commission, Farouk Sultan. The SCAF has pledged to turn over power to a civilian government after a new president is chosen, but it has not set a date for the transfer.

New NATO contract will be cyber defense template for Europe and North America

By Carola Hoyos, the Financial Times

From Carola Hoyos, the Financial Times:  Nato is set to award the biggest cyber defence contract ever agreed outside the US on Wednesday, a move expected to prompt the alliance’s 28-member countries to follow suit and roll out their own cyber security systems.

Congressmen question US troop presence in Europe and funding for NATO missile defense

By Philip Ewing, DODBuzz

From Philip Ewing, DODBuzz:  Colorado Republican Rep. Mike Coffman asked (EUCOM commander, Adm. James] Stavridis how many American troops would remain on the Continent after commanders withdraw about 12,000, as now envisioned.

EUCOM commander says withdrawing 11,500 troops from Europe is a ‘manageable’ risk

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  While reducing the U.S. troop presence in Europe will mean assuming some additional risks, new measures such as a decision to deploy V-22s to Europe will help the military maintain its ability to respond quickly to a crisis in the region, the head of U.S. European Command told a […]

A Historical Parallel on the Possible but Unwanted War With Iran

By Ioan Mircea Pascu

In the 1980s, the academic world witnessed the appearance of a relatively sudden interest in the beginnings of the First World War. In essence, the great majority of studies devoted to the subject concentrated themselves on the “mechanics” of its initiation. Indeed, due to those “mechanics” – a combination of mobilizations and war declarations – […]

Putin Has Already Won. What Will He Do Now?

By Dean Jackson

Vladimir Putin has already won next week’s presidential election. He is the only viable candidate in a field of Kremlin approved have-beens and sell-outs; considerable administrative resources have been marshaled to secure his first-round victory; and he retains popularity measurably greater than that of his affiliated party. His actions following this long-expected victory will signal […]

Top News: Parliament Approves Presidential Elections Amendments

By Mara Revkin

On to Chicago: Enter the European Union

By Sven Biscop, the New Atlanticist

From Sven Biscop, the New Atlanticist:  At the NATO Summit in Chicago a first assessment of the Alliance’s Smart Defense initiative is expected.