European Union

Goodbye to Europe?

By James Joyner

"It is more than a little ironic that NATO has committed itself to defining a new strategic concept at precisely the moment the transatlantic relationship counts for less than at any time since the 1930s."  So begins an FT op-ed by CFR president Richard Haass.

The EU, NATO and the Limits of Burdensharing

By Charlemagne, the Economist

From Charlemagne, the Economist: Since 1949, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty has bound NATO members to a solemn vow: an armed attack on one of the alliance shall be treated as an attack against all. With international markets closed to Greece, and contagion threatening Portugal and Spain, European Union leaders agreed to a […]

In First Move, Cameron Cultivates UK Role in Europe’s “Triangle of Power”

By the New York Times

Greek, Turkish PMs Meet, Discuss Defence Cuts

By Reuters

From Reuters: The prime ministers of longtime rivals Greece and Turkey met on Friday to ease tensions and discuss cuts in defence spending, a crucial step for Athens as it struggles with a debt crisis that is shaking the euro. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Athens with 10 ministers and about 80 businessmen to […]

Whither Europe (and NATO)?

By Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy

From Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy:  In the past, Euro-optimists like Princeton’s Andrew Moravcsik have argued that crises like this just make Europe stronger, by forcing it to get its house in order and strengthen the relevant supra-national institutions. Maybe, but I’d be more convinced if my friend Andy hadn’t described Europe as being "stronger than […]

Biden Seeks Cooperation from European Parliament

By the Financial Times

From the Financial Times:  Joseph Biden, the US vice-president, on Thursday sought to win over members of the European parliament opposed to a bank data sharing system that Washington believes is crucial to winning the war on terror. Mr Biden, the most senior US leader to address the European parliament since Ronald Reagan in 1985, […]

VP’s Trip to Europe Billed as “a Big Freaking Deal in the Security Sphere”

By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy

From Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy: President Obama had to cancel his most recent trip to Europe due to the huge ash cloud, but this week Europeans will get the next-best thing — a visit from Vice President Joseph Biden. The White House is billing the trip as a big freaking deal in the security sphere, […]

EU Mission Reports Russian Oil Tanker Seized by Pirates

By Interfax

From Interfax: The Russian oil tanker Moscow University has been seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the EU anti-piracy naval campaign (Operation Atalanta) said on Wednesday. The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Moscow University was hijacked by pirates early on May 5, it said. … Swedish Rear Admiral Jan Thornqvist, one of the Operation Atalanta […]

Europe Lacks Plan on Nuclear Arms

By Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, the New York Times: The European Union, which includes the nuclear powers France and Britain, goes into the major United Nations conference reviewing nuclear nonproliferation on Monday having failed to unite on how to reduce its nuclear weapons. Diplomats involved in the negotiations called the stance a disappointment for the bloc’s ambitions […]

Greece to Cut Defense Expenses, But Keep Balance with Turkey

By Zaman

From Zaman: Greek Defense Minister Evangelos Venizelos has said his government was preparing for “colossal” cuts in military operating costs to help the debt-ridden country emerge from its financial crisis and speed up plans to modernize the armed forces, but emphasized the reduction would not affect the strategic balance with neighboring Turkey. … In a […]