Category: Blogs

No more Western hugs for Russia’s rulers

By the Washington Post

From the Washington Post:  Contrary to the wishful thinking many in Russia and abroad expressed when [Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev took office – by de facto appointment – in 2008, his presidency has demonstrated no signs that his pro-democracy rhetoric might turn into real action.

Italy’s Trials

By the Editors of the New York Times

From the Editors of the New York Times:  Italian governments are rarely known for efficiency. But even the country’s most pressing problems are being ignored since a court ruled last week that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi must stand trial on charges of prostitution with an under-age girl and abusing his office to cover it up.

New poll in Turkey reveals support for NATO, but not US

By Christopher Torchia, the AP

Is Europe Out Trading America?

By James Joyner

The European Parliament has approved an agreement with South Korea that, if ratified, will create the second-largest free trade area in the world, behind only the North American Free Trade Agreement zone. Coupled with aggressive negotiations with China and India, is Europe poised to overtake the United States as a global trader? The EU website […]

Atlantic Update 2/18/11

By Jason Harmala

Germany offers Portugal financial support for an impending bailout, and German Defense Minister zu Guttenberg responds to plagiarism charges.

Egypt, American Activism, and Self-Determination

By Bernard Finel

One of the most infuriating arguments to emerge out of the whole Egypt situation is the notion that somehow the Obama Administration was insufficiently engaged. I could link a dozen prominent examples of this argument, but I’m sure you’ve all seen them. The argument is basically, that Obama was too tentative, “behind the curve,” and […]

Medvedev appoints NATO envoy chief missile defense negotiator

By RIA Novosti

Canada Hit by Cyberattack From China

By Ian Austen, the New York Times

From Ian Austen, the New York Times:  A federal cabinet minister said Thursday that hackers, perhaps from China, compromised computers in two Canadian government departments in early January, leaving bureaucrats with little or no Internet access for nearly two months.

Deja vu: Russia, US at odds over missile defense

By Douglas Birch, the AP

From Douglas Birch, the AP:  Talks between the U.S. and Russia over a new anti-ballistic missile system for Europe are stuck on a key point, with Moscow demanding to jointly run the system and the U.S. refusing to yield.

Obama to make state visit to Britain in May

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

From Adrian Croft, Reuters:  President Barack Obama will make a state visit to Britain in May at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday. Obama will be accompanied by his wife, Michelle, on the May 24-26 visit when they will stay at Buckingham Palace, the queen’s residence in London.  The White House […]