European Union

Ashton picks Finn to be EU ‘spymaster’

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

Ashton Warns Europe it is Losing Influence in US

By Stephen Castle, the New York Times

From Stephen Castle, the New York Times:  In her first major report on foreign policy, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, acknowledged that Washington was focusing less on Europe, and warned that the bloc would need to show more unity if it hoped to change that dynamic.

China Expands Its Influence in Europe

By Wieland Wagner, Spiegel

From Wieland Wagner, Spiegel: [T]he rising superpower is cleverly capitalizing on the euro crisis to extend its long-term political and economic influence in Europe.

France, Germany, Poland propose special EU group for defense cooperation

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

Britain Blocks Budget Increase for the European Defense Agency

By AFP

From AFP:  The defence ministers asked the European Defence Agency, set up to support military coordination, to intensify efforts to find assets that militaries can pool together and share.

Poland: “We got tired of being the one country to stand up to Russia”

By Marcin Sobczyk, the Wall Street Journal

From Marcin Sobczyk, the Wall Street Journal:  According to analysts, the thaw in relations helps both sides as Poland’s previous Russophobic image wasn’t helping to build the country’s position within western structures

5 Reasons Why Russia Could Join NATO

By Alexander Kramarenko, the Moscow Times

From Alexander Kramarenko, the Moscow Times:  1.  Russia does have civilian and democratic control over its armed forces, which one could easily confirm by following debates in the country’s media. Some even believe that this control cannot be more civilian than is already the case. Moreover,  in Russia’s history, including during the Soviet period, the […]

German defense minister seeks more European military cooperation

By  Catherine Bolsover, Deutsche Welle

From Catherine Bolsover, Deutsche Welle:  German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said he is willing for Germany’s military to share some of its duties with other armies in Europe. In an opinion piece written for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily on Thursday, Guttenberg said there could be a "sharing of roles and duties" among European countries. […]

EU calls for more joint defense projects such as the European Air Transport Command

By the AP

From the AP:  European defence ministers are urging member states to pool their defence resources in order to maintain military capabilities at a time of economic austerity and sharp cuts in defence spending. Ministers say the newly launched European Air Transport Command [EATC] should serve as an example of how greater integration in strategic transport […]