FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Merkel, Brown call for Afghan conference this year

New Atlanticist
Sep 19, 2025

Three things to note in the UK’s new Defence Industrial Strategy

By
Deborah Cheverton

“Defence is an Engine for Growth,” according to an important new British military strategy published on September 8.

Defense Industry
Defense Policy

Merkel, Brown call for Afghan conference this year

New Atlanticist
Jul 17, 2025

Macron and Starmer have a plan to reset Anglo-French relations. What’s in this ‘Entente Industrielle’?

By
Philippe Dickinson

The French president’s three-day trip to the United Kingdom saw several notable and welcome announcements. But the real test will be what comes next.

Defense Industry
France

Merkel, Brown call for Afghan conference this year

New Atlanticist
Jun 4, 2025

The UK Strategic Defence Review lays out an ambitious roadmap for reform. Will the government deliver?

By
AM Sir Christopher Harper, KBE, RAF (Ret.)

The review is a positive step toward revitalizing the United Kingdom’s defense posture, but its success will depend on funding and follow-through.

Conflict
Defense Industry

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NATOSource

Sep 7, 2009

Merkel, Brown call for Afghan conference this year

By Reuters

From Reuters: Germany and Britain called on Sunday for a U.N. conference on Afghanistan this year to set new targets for transferring security responsibilities to the Afghan authorities as a prelude to reducing NATO troop levels. Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Gordon Brown told a news conference in Berlin they were launching the initiative […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

NATOSource

Sep 4, 2009

PM Gordon Brown speech on Afghanistan

By the Office of the Prime Minister (UK)

From the Office of the Prime Minister (UK): When the stability of this volatile region, spanning the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, has such a profound impact on the security of Britain and the rest of the international community we cannot just do nothing and leave the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan to struggle with these global problems […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

NATOSource

Sep 4, 2009

Nato’s mission impossible

By the Guardian

From the Guardian: The question of Nato’s role in Afghanistan is certain to loom large. Hinting at potentially cooling relations between Washington and the transatlantic military alliance, McChrystal’s predecessor was reportedly excused from his post due to a perceived over-deference to Nato, among other concerns. General David McKiernan had initially seemed like an ideal choice […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

NATOSource

Sep 4, 2009

Scots MP quits defence role after hitting out over war in Afghanistan

By the Daily Record (UK)

From the Daily Record (UK): LABOUR MP Eric Joyce last night quit as an aide to the Defence Secretary over Afghanistan. In a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Falkirk MP claimed the public would not accept for “much longer that our losses can be justified by simply referring to the risk of greater […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Sep 2, 2009

U.S., UK Err on Security Decisions

By Amanda Bowman

In the late 80s, Margaret Thatcher warned George H.W. Bush “not to go wobbly” on her; in the past week both the Scottish Justice Secretary and the government of the United States have “gone wobbly” in the fight against terrorism.

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

NATOSource

Aug 28, 2009

Looking for Leadership: Europe fears Obama’s ignoring it.

By Newsweek

From Newsweek: The one policy Obama is firm on is his desire to see the U.S. and NATO allies emerge successfully from the conflict in Afghanistan. But he now faces the liberal FDP in Germany calling for the withdrawal of German troops as it appeals for votes in September’s elections. In Britain, opinion polls show […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Aug 20, 2009

Lockerbie Bomber Released Over U.S. Objections

By James Joyner

The man who murdered 270 people by bombing Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, has been given a compassionate release from prison so that he may spend his dying days with his family.

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Aug 14, 2009

Combined NATO-EU Operation Foils Piracy Attack

By NATO

From NATO: Dramatic events in the Gulf of Aden last night demonstrated the level of co-operation that now exists between the international counter piracy forces in that region. Following an approach by pirates, the Turkish flagged merchant vessel ELGIZ NUR CEBI issued a distress call. The rapid, determined and coordinated response by both NATO and […]

European Union
International Organizations

NATOSource

Aug 9, 2009

Britain’s Afghan role could last “30 to 40 years” – general

By Reuters

From Reuters: Britain could play some role in Afghanistan until 2050, the next head of the British army said in an interview published on Saturday. General Sir David Richards, who becomes chief of the general staff later this month, said Britain’s military involvement should only be needed for the medium term before giving way to […]

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Aug 5, 2009

Russian Subs Seen Off U.S. East Coast

By the Wall Street Journal

From the Wall Street Journal: Two Russian attack submarines were detected patrolling the waters off the East Coast of the U.S. in recent days, including one that came as close as 200 miles offshore, according to U.S. military officials . . . The senior military official said the two Russian vessels were nuclear-powered Akula class […]

United Kingdom
United States and Canada
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