Europe & Eurasia

New Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) Appointed

By the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

From the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps:  It was confirmed today, 29 September 2010, that the Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Lieutenant General Sir Richard Shirreff KCB, CBE (Late King’s Royal Hussars) is appointed to be Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR)

British general plays down July 2011 Afghan drawdown

By Mohammed Abbas, Reuters

From Mohammed Abbas, Reuters:  A top NATO commander in Afghanistan said Monday there should be no rush to withdraw alliance forces in 2011 because once they are gone, it would be much harder to send them back if necessary. British Lieutenant-General Nick Parker, second-in-command of the International Security Assistance Force behind U.S. General David Petraeus, […]

EU risks US-China domination with military cuts: France

By Laurent Thomet, AFP

From Laurent Thomet, AFP:  Europe decided Friday to explore how to strengthen military cooperation as France warned that drastic defence budget cuts would leave the continent under Sino-American domination. French Defence Minister Herve Morin said he had told his European Union counterparts at a meeting in Ghent, Belgium, that plans to step up European military […]

Does the Obama Administration view our European allies “with general disdain?”

By  S.W., the Economist

From S.W., the Economist:  My colleague in this space last week delightfully dismembered Dinesh D’Souza’s nutty Forbes piece “analyzing” Mr Obama’s worldview and thought processes, but the fact remains that this administration does seem to view our old European allies with general disdain.

UK to protect 3 shared priorities with US from defense cuts

By AFP

From AFP:  London has sought to reassure anxious US officials that plans for major defense cuts will not undermine its status as Washington’s most important military ally, officials said Friday. Amid US concerns over London’s plans to slash 10 to 20 percent in military spending, Defence Secretary Liam Fox told his US counterpart, Robert Gates, […]

The rival presidents of the European Union are vying for influence

By Charlemagne, the Economist

From Charlemagne, the Economist:  Last year’s Lisbon treaty, promoted as a means of making the EU more efficient, has in fact made this divide permanent by creating a second figurehead for Europe.

British Cuts to Military Concern U.S. Officials

By Michael Gordon and John Burns, the New York Times

From Michael Gordon and John Burns, the New York Times:  Plans by the British government to make significant cuts in defense spending have spurred concerns among American military experts about Britain’s ability to carry out its role as the United States’ most dependable ally.

President Yanukovych Addresses Atlantic Council

The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, addressed a gathering of 80 business leaders, former government officials, think tank analysts, and journalists at an Atlantic Council event in New York City on September 23 as part of the Council’s Ukraine-North America Dialogue.