European Union

EU envoy to US flaunts new powers

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

From Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver:  The EU’s new ambassador to the US, Joao Vale de Almeida, has underlined the new powers conferred on EU envoys by the Lisbon Treaty while taking up his post in Washington. In a series of interviews to US-based press on Tuesday (10 August), the ambassador noted that he is empowered […]

When Sanctions Work

By David Kramer and Damon Wilson

Almost as soon as the United Nations Security Council voted in June for a new sanctions resolution against Iran, doubters questioned whether it would have any real impact on Iran’s behavior. Indeed, some analysts have argued, sanctions never really work against their intended targets; they only harm average citizens, sometimes inadvertently help the targeted regime […]

Should Turkey Join the EU? The View from Europe

By Scott Bleiweis

During his recent visit to Ankara, British Prime Minister David Cameron made his stance on Turkish accession to the European Union plain and clear. “I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU membership,” he said. “Together I want us to pave the road from Ankara to Brussels.” The Belgian government also supports such a […]

Russian Espionage Targeting New NATO Members

By Gregory Feifer, RFE/RL

From Gregory Feifer, RFE/RL:  The three Czech generals make an impressive roster: the head of the president’s military office, the country’s NATO representative in Europe, and a deputy head of the chief of staff.

Why the U.S. can’t look to NATO or the EU to support its Russia strategy

By Stephen Szabo, Europe's World

From Stephen Szabo, Europe’s World:  America’s foreign policy leaders, both within the U.S. government and elsewhere, are losing patience with Europe.

Interpreting the Stress Tests

By Edward Hugh

Evidently there is now a considerable debate out there about the famous (or should that be infamous) CEBS stress tests. Methodologically all sorts of weaknesses have been identified, but in many cases these are decidedly beside the point. It is important to be aware what the tests were (and weren’t) designed to show. They were, […]

EU Hydra: Which Head to Talk To?

By Matthew Czekaj

Since the ratification of the EU Lisbon Treaty, a new joke has been circulating in Brussels: in response to Henry Kissinger’s inquiry as to who to call to speak to ‘Europe,’ that number finally exists.

Sweden Developing Greater Regional Defense Role

By Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council

From Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council:  In August the sunny calm and quiet that is a Swedish summer will be shattered by the impact of Joint Direct Attack Munitions dropped by F-16CM Fighting Falcons from US Air Force Europe.

French diplomat to head EU intelligence agency

By AFP

EU appoints former French general to lead Kosovo mission

By AFP

From AFP:   The European Union appointed French general Xavier Bout de Marnhac as the head of its civilian mission in charge of strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo, a statement said Tuesday. De Marnhac, who had commanded NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (KFOR) in 2007-2008, is to replace current EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon […]