Category: Blogs

Topsy-Turvy Alliance

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

The ingredients for a pluperfect national storm coupled with a pluperfect action completed at or before the time of another past action are the best way to try to understand the crazy mixed-up — but still critically important — alliance between Pakistan and the United States. Fickle friends and strong enemies at the same time […]

Text of Speech by Lord Robertson on Transatlantic Relations: A Case for Optimism

By Lord Robertson, Chatham House

From Lord Robertson, Chatham House:  In the wake of US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates’ final speech in office, berating as it did European allies for their growing uselessness in the security field, my title may seem at best generous and at worst delusional. I need to explain.

Turkey assumes command of NATO anti-mine task force

By the Pakistan Observer

Majority of American Voters Support Reagan’s Principles on Use of Military Force

By Rasmussen Reports

From Rasmussen Reports:  Seventy-five percent (75%) of voters nationwide agree that “The United States should not commit its forces to military action overseas unless the cause is vital to our national interest.

Update: NATO activities in Libya on July 7

By NATO

Admiral says NATO threatening Russia’s interests in the Arctic

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  Russia’s economic interests are threatened by the activities of NATO and a number of Asian countries in the Arctic, Navy commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said on Wednesday. "Currently, a wide range of threats, which may negatively effect Russian economic interests, are concentrated in the Arctic," Vysotsky said. "Recently, we received confirmation that […]

Berlusconi declares he was against NATO intervention in Libya

By Lamine Chikhi, Reuters

From Lamine Chikhi, Reuters:  Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Thursday he was against NATO intervention in Libya but had to go along with it, an admission that exposed the fragility of the alliance trying to unseat Muammar Gaddafi.

Former NATO Boss to Europeans: Have We No Pride?

By James Joyner

Former NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, a member of the Atlantic Council International Advisory Board, says that not only were Bob Gates’ parting shots at NATO correct but “he may well have pulled some punches.” Speaking at London’s Chatham House, he declared that “Bob Gates’ words should put a shiver down the collective European spine.” At […]

House Passes Bill Promoting Human Rights in Belarus

By the House Foreign Affairs Committee

From the House Foreign Affairs Committee:  Support for people struggling to obtain basic human rights in Belarus—often called Europe’s last dictatorship—came today in the form of the House of Representatives passage of the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011.