Category: Blogs

Atlantic Update 3/10/11

By Jason Harmala

NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels to discuss the situation in Libya, and France recognizes the Libyan rebel leadership as the country’s legitimate government.

French FM: “NATO is not the organization” to stop Gaddafi

By Alan Cowell and Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

France officially recognizes Libyan rebels

By Reuters

From Reuters:  France said on Thursday it would recognise the Libyan National Council, a rebel body fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi, as the legitimate representative of Libya’s people. People near the National Council’s headquarters in Benghazi cheered, honked horns and some fired guns in air to celebrate the news and officials there said France was […]

Ambassador previews tomorrow’s NATO Defense Ministers meeting

By Ivo Daalder, the New Atlanticist

From Ivo Daalder, the New Atlanticist:  When U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets with our 27 Allies this week, it will be no ordinary affair.

No Ordinary Meeting

By Ivo Daalder

When U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates meets with our 27 Allies this week, it will be no ordinary affair. Their focus this week: Libya, Afghanistan, and historic reform at NATO itself. It’s the first time all of NATO‘s Defense Ministers will meet since the 28 Leaders of the Alliance set forth in November at the NATO […]

Gaddafi sending emissaries to NATO meeting

By Reuters

NATO agrees on three principles for Libya action, diplomats say

By DPA

From DPA: Ahead of [Thursday’s Defense Ministers] meeting, diplomats from several NATO countries said that the alliance had set three principles to govern its action: a ‘demonstrable need’ for NATO intervention, a ‘clear legal basis’ and ‘firm regional support.’

NATO military officials briefing governments on range of options in Libya

By Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post

From Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post:  NATO military officials began briefing governments Tuesday night on a range of options that will be presented to defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The Obama administration, NATO and other international organizations are united in their belief that any military intervention in Libya would require some international backing. But […]

Germany Tops World Influence Ratings; Iran Last

By Derek Reveron

As a consequence of globalization, many countries increasingly show concern with how they are perceived in the world.  Perception impacts both material benefits like foreign direct investment levels and non-material things like national esteem. To improve perception, countries seek to enhance their appeal or soft power through aid programs, cultural exchanges or hosting international sporting […]

Obama and Cameron agree that NATO will prepare “full spectrum of possible responses” against Libya

By the White House

From the White House:  The President spoke with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom today [3/8/11] about the situation in Libya.