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New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

France and Germany Suddenly Interested in Iraq

By James Joyner

Western European involvement in Iraq’s economy may be about to undergo radical transformation, Sebastian Abbot reports for AP. Germany’s foreign minister met with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on Tuesday in the latest high-level visit by a major Western nation that opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion but has promised to help Iraq rebuild now that […]

Germany Iraq

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

Canada: Time for ‘Frank Discussion’ About NATO Future

By James Joyner

Canadian defense minister Peter MacKay argues that NATO faces an existential crisis in Afghanistan and it’s time for “a frank discussion” about the future of the alliance. 

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 17, 2009

EU is Losing its Grip on Caspian Gas Corridor

By Borut Grgic

The European Union faces two obstacles to its project to pipe gas via a southern corridor from the Caspian region and thus reduce western Europe’s dependence on Russian supplies: Turkey’s attitude and the Balkan activities of Gazprom, the state-controlled Russian oil monopoly.

Energy & Environment European Union

New Atlanticist

Feb 16, 2009

Pakistan Agrees to Sharia Law in Malakand

By James Joyner

Pakistan has agreed to limited Sharia law in its Malakand region as part of a wider truce with the Taliban.  The government agreed to implement Islamic law and suspend a military offensive across a large swath of northwest Pakistan on Monday in concessions aimed at pacifying a spreading Taliban insurgency there.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2009

NATO Afghanistan Mission Risks Repeating Russia’s Mistakes

By James Joyner

The twentieth anniversary of Russia’s withdrawal from Afghanistan is bringing natural comparisons with the NATO mission now in its eighth year.  Abdul Saboor, writing for Reuters, recalls a Soviet airstrike that killed 30 civilians and sees many similarities. A string of bungled U.S. and NATO air strikes killed 455 Afghan civilians last year, according to […]

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 15, 2009

Swiss Banks Going Back to Basics

By James Joyner

After devastating losses, Switzerland’s top banks are getting out of speculative investing and back into client service, Hui Min Neo reports for AFP.

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2009

G7 Ministers Reject Protectionism While Governments Protect

By James Joyner

The G7 warned against protectionist measures earlier today, AP reports. Rejecting protectionism, the Group of Seven finance ministers pledged Saturday to work together to support growth and employment and to strengthen the banking system so the world can overcome its worst financial crisis in 50 years.

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2009

New President, Same World

By Derek Reveron

On February 12, President Obama’s Director of National Intelligence provided the annual threat assessment of the intelligence community to the Senate. With his testimony, Admiral Blair provided the Senate and the world a clear view of what keeps him up at night.

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2009

Fulfilling Reagan’s Dream: Nuclear Disarmament

By Joe Craft

In 1986 at the Reykjavik summit, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, both passionate about nuclear disarmament, shocked deterrence experts with an unimaginable proposal – total nuclear disarmament.  “It would be fine with me if we eliminated all nuclear weapons,” said Reagan.  “We can do that,” replied Gorbachev, “Let’s eliminate them.  We can eliminate them.”

New Atlanticist

Feb 13, 2009

Russia’s Latin Affections?

By Cynthia Romero

Russia and Cuba are getting cozy again.  After almost two decades of estrangement, the odd couple is back, and this time it’s an open relationship.  They are both looking to involve other partners, namely Venezuela and Nicaragua, and Russia has made clear there are no more lavish gifts like the old Soviet subsidized oil price.  […]

Cuba Russia
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