Security & Defense

Nato faces dilemma on Russia

By the Financial Times

From the Financial Times: The perception of a continuing Russian threat to its near-abroad – not just to former Soviet republics such as Georgia and the Baltic states but also to former Warsaw Pact members such as Poland – motivates Nato’s new members. They pay lip service to its expeditionary role, but really they want […]

Does Rasmussen’s Speech Reveal New NATO Priorities?

By Jorge Benitez

In his first speech as Secretary General (August 3) Anders Fogh Rasmussen identified Afghanistan and relations with Russia as the top two priorities for NATO. Unfortunately, that speech ignored the security concerns of the Central European members of NATO and contributed to the perception that rapprochement with Moscow was more important to the alliance than […]

Weakened Atlanticists and Uncertainty in the Czech Republic

By Lukas Hoder

To the traditionally skeptic Czechs, the idea of the ballistic missile defense system was never an easy sell for the Bush administration.  Even Alexander Vondra, a leading Czech Atlanticist under Vaclav Havel who pushed for Euro-Atlantic integration, could not convince the public of the merits of the radar base planned for the Czech Republic.

Defensive on Missile Defense

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

A series of briefings by General Patrick O’Reilly of the Missile Defense Agency, Under Secretary of State Ellen Tauscher, and Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Nacht at the Atlantic Council on Wednesday provided a strong case and rationale for the administration’s recent decision on missile defense in Europe.

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Patrick O’Reilly

Full transcript of LTG Patrick O’Reilly’s remarks and discussion at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Ellen Tauscher

Full transcript of Ellen Tauscher’s remarks and discussion at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Michael Turner

Full transcript of Representative Michael Turner’s remarks and discussion at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Panel 4

Full transcript of the fourth panel entitled “The Broader Arms Control Agenda” at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Panel 1

Full transcript of the first panel “The Architecture – Capabilities and Technical Implications of the Administration’s Plan” at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”

Transcript: Missile Defense in Europe – Panel 2

Full transcript of the second panel on “Implications and Next Steps for NATO and Europe” at the 2009 missile defense conference “Missile Defense in Europe: Next Steps.”