United States and Canada

Gates makes DoD give NATO allies access to secret websites

By Spencer Ackerman, the Danger Room

From Spencer Ackerman, the Danger Room:  It’s been nearly nine years since NATO entered Afghanistan. But it’s only been a few months since the U.S.’ allies in Afghanistan got to log on to a secret website run by the Pentagon’s anti-roadside bomb team to pool information on the war’s signature weapon. Run by the Joint […]

British Cuts to Military Concern U.S. Officials

By Michael Gordon and John Burns, the New York Times

From Michael Gordon and John Burns, the New York Times:  Plans by the British government to make significant cuts in defense spending have spurred concerns among American military experts about Britain’s ability to carry out its role as the United States’ most dependable ally.

Europe faces higher threat from al Qaeda

By Eli Lake, the Washington Times

From Eli Lake, the Washington Times:  Al Qaeda and its allies are taking aim at Europe, according to U.S. and Western intelligence officials, who say there are indications a terrorist plot is in the offing. "Despite the significant counterterrorism pressure abroad, al Qaeda continues to be committed to high-profile attacks directed at the West, including […]

State Department: “The Russians keep asking hard questions” about missile defense

By Philip H. Gordon, U.S. State Department

From Philip H. Gordon, U.S. State Department:  The Russians keep asking hard questions. We have been, I think, making it very clear, first, that our missile defense programs are not designed, they’re not targeted at Russia.

Clinton: Restoring CFE important part of reset with Russia

By Andrew Quinn, Reuters

From Andrew Quinn, Reuters:  NATO and Russia should step up cooperation on missile defense, aiming to endorse a plan by November to resume missile defense exercises and explore ways to link early warning systems, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday. "In the longer term, NATO and Russia should work together to develop […]

At the U.N., Turkey Asserts Itself in Prominent Ways

By Mark Landler, the New York Times

U.S. Lauds Russia on Barring Arms Delivery to Iran

By David Sanger and Andrew Kramer, the New York Times

From David Sanger and Andrew Kramer, the New York Times:  The White House praised Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, on Wednesday for publicly barring the shipment of an advanced antimissile system to Iran, even as American diplomats here discussed a plan to reopen negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

NATO’s communication strategy and public support

By Stefanie Babst, atlantic-community.org

From Stefanie Babst, atlantic-community.org:  Most citizens find the policy- makings of large international organisations like the EU or UN too complex and far away from their day-to-day concerns. Where does the Transatlantic Alliance fit in this, in particular now that NATO approaches another Summit that will take place in Lisbon at the end of the […]

Bomb Explodes Near U.S. Embassy in Georgia

By the Voice of America

From the Voice of America:  Georgian authorities say a bomb has exploded near the U.S. embassy in the capital, Tbilisi, without causing injuries. Officials say the blast took place in a cemetery about 100 meters from the embassy before dawn Wednesday, damaging a cemetery building. Georgian authorities found another suspicious device in the cemetery and […]

Woodward Book Says Afghanistan Divided White House

By Peter Baker, the New York Times

From Peter Baker, the New York Times:  The book, “Obama’s Wars,” by the journalist Bob Woodward, depicts an administration deeply torn over the war in Afghanistan even as the president agreed to triple troop levels there amid suspicion that he was being boxed in by the military.