Category: Blogs

Sweden may change its defense forces to counter Russia’s Mistral purchase

By Mike McCormack, atlantic-community.org

From Mike McCormack, atlantic-community.org:  Last year Russia purchased four Mistral-class amphibious assault ships from France

Goodluck’s Win—and Nigeria’s

By Peter Pham

 When on Monday evening Attahiru Jega, chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan the winner of the country’s presidential election, he modestly declared, “We have done our best to satisfy the aspirations of Nigerians for free, fair, and credible elections.”

Spanish parliament votes to extend Libya operations

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  The majority of Spanish parliamentary parties voted on Tuesday to extend the country’s participation in NATO’s Libya operation by two months. Spanish Defense Minister Carme Chacon said the international coalition had to continue its "legitimate intervention in the region" to resolve the conflict. . . . Chacon put the cost of Spain’s […]

Britain sending military team to help Libyan rebels

By William Hague, British Foreign Office

From William Hague, British Foreign Office:  The National Security Council has decided that we will now move quickly to expand the team already in Benghazi led by Christopher Prentice to include an additional military liaison advisory team. This contingent will be drawn from experienced British military officers.  These additional personnel will enable the UK to […]

Trade Deals Require Involvement from Obama and Other Heads of State

By Daniel Price

The Obama administration is helpfully moving forward on bilateral trade deals with Korea, Colombia and Panama, finally abandoning “don’t ask, don’t tell” as its trade policy. But global trade talks at the Geneva-based World Trade Organization are limping into their 10th year. The WTO’s director general recently likened them to a stuck mule, warning of […]

Obama administration plans more US forces in Europe in 2015 than in past decade

By Philip H. Gordon and Alexander Vershbow, the Financial Times

From Philip H. Gordon and Alexander Vershbow, the Financial Times:  We read with interest, but also surprise, Philip Stephens’ comment on America’s presence in Europe.

Atlantic Update 4/19/11

By Klee Aiken

NATO members seek to break the stalemate in Libya, as NATO forces strike Gaddafi’s command and control facilities and the United Kingdom announces it will send military officers to the rebel city of Benghazi to provide logistical support and intelligence training. Within Europe Hungary’s new constitution ruffles feathers and commentators continue to puzzle over Angela […]

Update: NATO activities in Libya on April 18

By NATO

Is Somalia experience blocking deployment of ground attack aircraft?

By David Brunnstrom, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom, Reuters:  French officials and military analysts say the U.S. fleet of low-flying ground-attack A-10 aircraft and AC-130 gunships could help break the stalemate

NATO pounds Gaddafi regime command and control centers

By NATO

From NATO:  NATO conducted deliberate, multiple strikes against command and control facilities of the Qadhafi regime last night