Security & Defense

Manas Air Base to Stay Open After All

By James Joyner

Until yesterday, it seemed a fait accompli that the vital NATO supply base in Krygyzstan was closing, owing to a combination of geopolitics and a strong bid by Russia.  Well into the eleventh hour, however, access to Manus Air Base was saved.

Albright on the Complexity of International Relations

By James Joyner

At the inaugural Bronislaw Geremek Lecture last night, Dr. Madeleine Albright give those of us in attendance some keen insights into the complexity of foreign policy decision-making.

The Americanization of Afghanistan Continues

By James Joyner

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and senior American officials have sought for months to allay European fears about an “Americanization” of the mission in Afghanistan.  Today, however, it became all but a fait accompli.

France names 2 generals to new NATO posts

By Taiwan News

From Taiwan News: “(Associated Press): Sarkozy has proposed Gen. Stephane Abrial to head the NATO transformation command in Norfolk, Va., and Gen. Phillippe Stoltz to lead an operational command of rapid reaction forces in Lisbon. They would succeed two American officers.”

French NATO Return: Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship?

By Steven Kramer

To what extent does French return to full NATO membership reflect a paradigm shift of French grand strategy?  After all, Charles de Gaulle’s withdrawal of French forces from NATO’s integrated military command (and his eviction of NATO headquarters from France) was the culmination of a fundamental policy reorientation begun in 1958 and a critical factor […]

In the Shadow of NATO Exercises in Georgia: How Moscow Stopped Worrying and Decided to Embrace NATO

By Donald Bandler and Jakub Kulhanek

As you are reading these lines, the NATO-sponsored Cooperative Longbow 09 – Cooperative Lancer 09 exercises are underway in Georgia. Although they were announced several months ago, are in their fourth iteration, and will be restricted to training peacekeepers, they have already provoked much controversy.   Moscow’s demand that the exercises in a country until recently […]

Atlantic Council Briefs NATO Secretary General-Designate

The Atlantic Council’s International Security Program hosted former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General-designate Anders Fogh Rasmussen for an all-day transition seminar.

NATO Interests vs. National Interests

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

In his address yesterday to the Atlantic Council, NATO Supreme Allied Commander outlined a wish list of reforms he hopes the Alliance will take in the years to come to ensure the institution’s continued relevance in the 21st century.

Russia’s Big Fuss Over Little NATO Exercises

By David Smith

The first of two successive NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) exercises began yesterday at the Vaziani Georgian Armed Forces Base, 30 kilometers east of Tbilisi.  The objective of Exercises Longbow and Lancer is to improve the abilities of the 14 participating nations to respond cooperatively to crises.