International Organizations

The rival presidents of the European Union are vying for influence

By Charlemagne, the Economist

From Charlemagne, the Economist:  Last year’s Lisbon treaty, promoted as a means of making the EU more efficient, has in fact made this divide permanent by creating a second figurehead for Europe.

Turkey says Germany and France threatened by EU bid

By Reuters

NATO Secretary General on relations with Russia and missile defense

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I do believe that all parties realize that we need each other. I think the future of Russia lies within cooperation with the European Union, with NATO.

Critical Questions on Iran

By Stuart Eizenstat and Mark Brzezinski

A confluence of events in the next few weeks again will put Iran at the top of the Obama administration’s foreign policy agenda and could shape its course in the months ahead. The annual United Nations General Assembly this week is likely to include another anti-American, anti-Western, anti-Israel rant from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, while […]

At the U.N., Turkey Asserts Itself in Prominent Ways

By Mark Landler, the New York Times

U.S. Lauds Russia on Barring Arms Delivery to Iran

By David Sanger and Andrew Kramer, the New York Times

From David Sanger and Andrew Kramer, the New York Times:  The White House praised Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, on Wednesday for publicly barring the shipment of an advanced antimissile system to Iran, even as American diplomats here discussed a plan to reopen negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

NATO’s communication strategy and public support

By Stefanie Babst, atlantic-community.org

From Stefanie Babst, atlantic-community.org:  Most citizens find the policy- makings of large international organisations like the EU or UN too complex and far away from their day-to-day concerns. Where does the Transatlantic Alliance fit in this, in particular now that NATO approaches another Summit that will take place in Lisbon at the end of the […]

Russia bans sales of S-300 missiles to Iran

By the Office of the President of Russia

From the Office of the President of Russia:  Dmitry Medvedev signed the Executive Order on Measures to Implement UN Security Council Resolution 1929 on Iran, adopted on June 9, 2010. The executive order prohibits, in particular, transit via Russian territory (including air transport), export from Russian territory to Iran, and also transfer to Iran beyond […]

Muddling Through to 2025

By James Joyner

Global Governance 2025, a joint effort of the Atlantic Council and its global partners, offers a wide range of trajectories for the international system depending on whether we adequately address known threats.

NATO and the EU: Achieving Unity of Effort in a Comprehensive Approach

By Leo Michel

Amidst a spate of disturbing reports about Afghanistan and impending deep cuts in the UK, German, and other allied defense budgets and force structures, security affairs cognoscenti could be forgiven for overlooking some positive news about the Euro-Atlantic relationship:  NATO and the EU still enjoy broad support despite their current travails. According to the recently […]