Europe & Eurasia

U.S. confirms $50 million aid for Ukraine’s nuclear security program

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  The United States has officially confirmed that it will render Ukraine $50 million to support the country’s nuclear security program.

Turkey shelves EU reforms as accession hopes fade

By Ercan Yavuz, Zaman

From Ercan Yavuz, Zaman:  With key European Union states showing no sign of relenting in their opposition to Turkey’s accession, the government has postponed dozens of laws required to be passed to achieve harmonization with the 27-nation bloc’s standards until after the June elections, and even beyond.

Germany Feels Some Push Back as It Grows More Euro-Assertive

By Stephen Castle, the International Herald Tribune

From Stephen Castle, the International Herald Tribune:  For decades Germans wanted to become more European and took care not to be seen bossing around their allies on the Continent. But now that the government in Berlin wants Europe to become more like Germany, the temperature is rising.

The Value of the Visegrad Four

By Adrian Basora

In an issue brief titled “The Value of the Visegrad Four,” former U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic Adrian Basora examines the recently reinvigorated Visegrad Group–a regional grouping of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic–as a possible channel for U.S.-Central European relations. Download the PDF

Europe’s Foreign Policy Chief Faces Criticism on Uprisings

By Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  [T]here is growing unease that she [the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton] has not been forceful enough in front of Europe’s nation-states on breaking world events like those in the Middle East and North Africa.

Franco-German “competitiveness pact” sparks opposition

By Charlemagne, the Economist

From Charlemagne, the Economist:  When Germany and France disagree, everybody complains about paralysis in Europe. When they agree, the protest is about unacceptable diktats.

NATO appoints new Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan

By NATO

From NATO:  The NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, announced today his decision to appoint Ambassador Simon Gass as the new Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) in Afghanistan, replacing Ambassador Mark Sedwill, who has served as SCR in Kabul since February 2010.

NYT: Europe should not “follow rules made in Germany, for Germany”

By the Editors, the New York Times

From the Editors, the New York Times:  [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel is finally engaging, but the proposals she, and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, presented to European Union leaders in Brussels on Friday ask too much and do not offer enough in return.

International naval forces unable to stop spread of Somali piracy

By the Economist

From the Economist:  According to the International Maritime Bureau, which posts live data on raids, Somali pirates hold 33 vessels and 758 hostages. In January alone the bureau recorded 35 attacks. The raiders took seven ships and 148 new hostages.

Sovereignty Intact Despite French Defense Pact: UK

By Reuters