United States and Canada

Obama’s Fuzzy Deadline: No to “switching off the lights,” Yes to “begin a transition phase”

By Barack Obama, the White House

From Barack Obama, the White House:  Our mission, first and foremost, is to dismantle and destroy al Qaeda and its affiliates so that they can’t attack the United States.  The reason we’re there in the first place is because 3,000 Americans were killed from an attack launched in that region.

White House: Georgia’s security has improved due to the Russian reset

By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy

British Lt. Gen. Nick Parker acting Commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan

By the White House

From the White House:  Following up on earlier conversations between their national security teams, President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron spoke today on Afghanistan.  The Prime Minister confirmed that U.K. Lieutenant General Nick Parker would serve as the acting Commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force mission until a new U.S. Commander is confirmed by […]

British Security Policy – the US or the EU?: Choose Your Partners

By Anand Menon, Chatham House

NATO Units discover live mine during exercise BALTOPS 2010

By NATO Maritime Command

From NATO Maritime Command: During the latest exercise, BALTOPS 2010, currently taking place in the Gulf of Finland NATO units not only found and destroyed the dummy exercise mines but they also found a few live mines and other underwater explosive devices which had lain on the sea bed since World War 2.

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Reset’ Button

By José María Aznar, Foreign Policy

From José María Aznar, Foreign Policy:  The United States and its allies have all the tools at their disposal to defeat our shared enemies. Success will depend on three basic commitments: American leadership, a stronger Europe, and a common transatlantic vision.

US Army to close almost all sites in two German cities

By DPA

From DPA:  The US Army said Wednesday it would close almost all its sites in two German cities, Heidelberg and Mannheim, where it has maintained bases since 1945.

Stephen Walt: “a large U.S. presence isn’t central to European security any longer”

By Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy

The merits of a Russian relationship

By John Kerry, Politico

From John Kerry, Politico:  One year ago, the Obama administration launched an initiative to “reset” relations with Russia. As Russian President Dmitri Medvedev lands in Washington Tuesday, it’s clear that the outreach — which carried significant diplomatic and political risk — is paying off. … The cornerstone of our new cooperation is a new strategic arms […]