United Nations

Gen. Petraeus meets with NATO Secretary General and Alliance leaders

By NATO

From NATO:  On 1 July, the incoming Commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), General David Petraeus, visited NATO Headquarters. He met with the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and addressed the North Atlantic Council and representatives of the ISAF troop contributing nations.

The deadliest month for NATO in nine years of conflict

By AFP

From AFP: An Afghan UN employee was killed when his vehicle came under fire in Kabul Tuesday, as the toll for foreign troops rose to 100 in June, the deadliest month for NATO in nine years of conflict.

US: Turkey must demonstrate commitment to West

By the AP

From the AP:  The United States is warning Turkey that it is alienating U.S. supporters and needs to demonstrate its commitment to partnership with the West. The remarks by Philip Gordon, the Obama administration’s top diplomat on European affairs, were a rare admonishment of a crucial NATO ally.

Kyrgyzstan investigating whether troops involved in ethnic violence

By Matthew Chance and Nic Robertson, CNN

From Matthew Chance and Nic Robertson, CNN: Kyrgyzstan will investigate allegations that government troops were involved in ethnic violence, an official said Sunday. Col. Kursan Asanov, appointed by the Kyrgyz interim government to run the reconciliation operation in the southern city of Osh, did not say whether the investigation would include independent investigators. Asanov said […]

The merits of a Russian relationship

By John Kerry, Politico

From John Kerry, Politico:  One year ago, the Obama administration launched an initiative to “reset” relations with Russia. As Russian President Dmitri Medvedev lands in Washington Tuesday, it’s clear that the outreach — which carried significant diplomatic and political risk — is paying off. … The cornerstone of our new cooperation is a new strategic arms […]

EU approves new sanctions on Iran

By the AP

From the AP:  The European Union on Thursday adopted new sanctions against Iran, the latest in a series of measures taken by the international community in an effort to halt the country’s nuclear program. The restrictions come on top of a fourth round of sanctions imposed last week by the U.N. Security Council to curtail […]

“Europe is Anything but an Equal Partner in the Transatlantic Relationship”

By Ana Palacios, the American Interest

From Ana Palacios, the American Interest:  But even as the glitz and glitter of celebrity culture politics seemed to define the Transatlantic mood, a deeper reality was dawning on Europeans who were paying attention to substance instead of spectacle. Obama remained an American President, protecting American interests, as he faced one of the most challenging […]

Turkey’s Finance Minister: “We Are No Longer Puppets”

By the Economist

Turkey Calls Charges Turning from West “Dirty Propaganda”

By AFP

Statement by the Secretary General of NATO on Israeli Operation Against Ships Bound for Gaza

By NATO

From NATO:  [T]he North Atlantic Council (NAC) met for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the recent Israeli operation against ships bound for Gaza. There was an extensive exchange of views among Allies on all aspects of this tragic event. I would like to express my deep regret over the loss of lives and the other […]