Category: Blogs

European Defense Cuts: Look on the Bright Side

By James Joyner

Europe’s Big Three are slashing already paltry defense budgets in the wake of the global recession.   Germany’s cuts could be as deep as forty percent.   Some are arguing that this will be a good thing for transatlantic security, forcing the allies to rationalize spending and interlink their forces more effectively. Reuters‘ Dave Graham reports in […]

Sweden Developing Greater Regional Defense Role

By Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council

From Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council:  In August the sunny calm and quiet that is a Swedish summer will be shattered by the impact of Joint Direct Attack Munitions dropped by F-16CM Fighting Falcons from US Air Force Europe.

Afghanistan’s Four Musketeers

By Harlan Ullman

The episode that led to the resignation of U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan has created an opportunity for constructing the foundation for a more stable region. Much will rest on the four U.S. flag and general officers with overarching responsibilities for the region and whether their […]

NATO’S enlargement policy in the post-Cold War era

By Vahit Redem, Hürriyet

From Vahit Redem, Hürriyet:  NATO’s expansion and global cooperation policies following the Cold War can be divided into three categories. The first category includes countries that have begun the accession process for full membership in NATO. Countries that initiate this relationship by indicating their political will for membership and fulfill the criteria required in the […]

German army cuts to push Europe closer on defence

By Dave Graham, Reuters

From Dave Graham, Reuters:  The biggest cuts in military spending in decades in Germany, Britain and France could encourage Europe to move closer to a joint defence policy to pool resources and eliminate costly duplication. Germany, increasingly active in international military missions in recent years, is poised to shrink its army by up to 40 […]

Sweden Developing Greater Regional Defense Role

By Magnus Nordenman

In August the sunny calm and quiet that is a Swedish summer will be shattered by the impact of Joint Direct Attack Munitions dropped by F-16CM Fighting Falcons from US Air Force Europe.

French diplomat to head EU intelligence agency

By AFP

EU appoints former French general to lead Kosovo mission

By AFP

From AFP:   The European Union appointed French general Xavier Bout de Marnhac as the head of its civilian mission in charge of strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo, a statement said Tuesday. De Marnhac, who had commanded NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (KFOR) in 2007-2008, is to replace current EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon […]

GOP Senators connect Wikileaks to Obama’s withdrawal date

By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy

From Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy:  Senior Republican senators continued to criticize the leakers and WikiLeaks for publishing the reports, while moving to tie the incident to their long held criticism of Obama’s July 11, 2011, date to begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops. "We need Pakistan’s help to rid the region of the Taliban, but […]

Report finds Russians may not be in compliance, could sink new START pact

By Walter Pincus and Mary Beth Sheridan, the Washington Post

From Walter Pincus and Mary Beth Sheridan, the Washington Post:  The United States believes Russia is not fully complying with international pacts involving chemical and biological weapons, although Moscow has settled most questions about violations of a nuclear arms treaty with the United States, according to a State Department report to be made public Wednesday. […]