Europe & Eurasia

Hu Woos the EU: China’s Enhanced Engagement of Europe

By Patrick deGategno

Last week, as President Obama fought false expectations and diminishing rates of strategic returns during his trip to Asia, his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, quietly traveled to Europe for a series of meetings in France and Portugal. Hu’s trip was far more successful than Obama’s.

David Cameron: End is in sight for Afghan mission

By Andrew Porter, the Telegraph

From Andrew Porter, the Telegraph:  A Nato summit later this week will mark the beginning of the end of Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan, David Cameron said tonight. The Prime Minister said combat forces would be out of the region in five years’ time. In a speech in the City of London he claimed the Government […]

Is the new Anglo-French Treaty the beginning of a European Defense System?

By Jose Ignacio Torreblanca, the European Council on Foreign Relations

From Jose Ignacio Torreblanca, the European Council on Foreign Relations:  At first sight, the agreement is a step backward in the establishment of a common European defence force.

Ukrainian ship joins NATO’s counter-terrorism operation in eastern Mediterranean

By NATO

From NATO:  This week, Ukraine sent a warship to the Mediterranean to assist NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour, which aims to detect and deter terrorist activity in the region.

Did Britain and France Make the Wrong Deal?

By the Editors of the New York Times

Avoiding the Next War in the South Caucasus

By Borut Grgic

While most European governments are cutting defense spending to balance their budgets and curtail debt, there are at least two countries on the Continent that are doing the exact opposite: Azerbaijan and Armenia are both ramping up their defense spending, and have been doing so for the last several years. The two countries are locked […]

Restructuring Sovereign Debt: Time for Action

By Susan Schadler

The gap between market expectations of sovereign debt restructurings and official non-discussion of institutional arrangements for restructuring is wide.  While markets are pricing a substantial default risk for Greek, Irish, Portuguese and even Spanish bonds, the financial policy debate is squarely focused on the causes of the last crisis. Arrangements for dealing with the likely […]