European Union

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.

U.S. and E.U. Join to Show Support for Belarus Opposition

By Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, the New York Times:  The United States and the European Union joined Wednesday in Warsaw in a show of support for the democratic opposition in Belarus.

U.S. and Europe Move Against Belarus’s Leader

By Michael Schwirtz, the New York Times

From Michael Schwirtz, the New York Times:  The United States and the European Union on Monday imposed sanctions against President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko and scores of other officials in Belarus for a broad crackdown on the opposition after the fraudulent presidential election late last year.

Crackdown in Belarus needs united transatlantic response

By John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, the Washington Post

From John Kerry and Joe Lieberman, the Washington Post:  Since the patently unfair and undemocratic presidential election on Dec. 19, Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, has reminded his countrymen and the world that the post-Cold War vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace remains sadly unfulfilled.

Britain, France and Germany issue joint statement on Egypt

By Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, the New York Times:  Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany — fell short of calling for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

Stop Albania’s Self-Destruction

By Daniel Korski, the International Herald Tribune

From Daniel Korski, the International Herald Tribune:  One moment Albania is Lonely Planet’s “must-see” destination for 2011, a NATO member whose citizens enjoy visa-free travel into the European Union; the next, government forces are shooting and killing protesters on the streets and the British Foreign Office is warning visitors to avoid large crowds in Tirana. […]

Who Will Play the Lead in Eurasia’s Pipeline Opera?

By Alexandros Petersen

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso was in Turkmenistan last week negotiating ways the Caspian country’s vast natural gas reserves might ameliorate European dependence on Russian resources through the so-called Southern Energy Corridor. Coming on the heels of a successful agreement inked in Baku to bring Azerbaijani gas to the European Union, Barroso’s meeting in […]

Dept. SecDef meeting with NATO and EU to improve cyber security

By Jim Garamone, defense.gov

From Jim Garamone, defense.gov:  Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III is meeting with NATO and European Union officials here to strengthen cyberdefense capabilities. This is Lynn’s second visit to the alliance in four months to discuss cybersecurity. “It’s an opportunity for Deputy Secretary Lynn to meet and discuss with NATO and EU leaders ways […]

Baltic states invited to join Nordic defense organization

By AFP

From AFP:  Nordic nations on Friday invited the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to join a body that aims to smooth cooperation among the region’s armed forces, the Estonian military said. Lieutenant Commander Ingrid Muehling told AFP that the Baltic trio were formally asked to join NORDEFCO at the close of a two-day […]

UK-Nordic-Baltic Summit to develop “alliance of common interests”

By George Parker and Andrew Ward, the Financial Times