United States and Canada

U.S. Senate Challenges President Obama With Missile Defense Vote

By Reuters

From Reuters: Riki Ellison, President and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/ has reviewed the missile defense vote in the Senate on Tuesday, October 6th, and concluded that the Senate wants to keep open the option for developing and potentially basing the ground-based interceptor in either Europe or the U.S… Last night, […]

New Missile Plan Would Link Allies’ Radar, Other Systems

By the Washington Post

From the Washington Post: Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, director of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, defended that decision Wednesday, saying that the linking of U.S. and allied radar systems with satellites and other sensors would allow officials to follow the path of launched missiles throughout their flight. “This capability did not exist five years ago,” […]

Vershbow on U.S./Russia missile defense links

Q.: In what particular areas can Russia and the U.S. cooperate on missile defense? Does Washington consider the possibility that the two countries could jointly operate the Russian radar station in Gabala, Azerbaijan, and its S-300 and S-400 air defense systems? A.: Secretary of Defense Gates and other senior defense officials have already pointed to […]

NATOSource: Was George Bush Also Responsible for the Georgia Conflict?

Jörg Himmelreich, one of the members of the commission that last week produced the EU’s report on the Georgia conflict, feels strongly that there was one important element missing from the report, blaming George Bush. Writing in the New York Times, Himmelreigh argues that; the report has a major flaw. It fails to thoroughly analyze […]

Nato commander warns of conflict with Russia in Arctic Circle

By the Times (UK)

From the Times (UK): Competition for resources in the Arctic Circle could provoke conflict between Russia and Nato, a newly appointed commander at the alliance warned yesterday. Russia has recently been aggressive in its pursuit of claims to parts of the region and in February sent a submarine to the floor of the sea symbolically […]

Pentagon sees U.S. defense in 2010 for Iran rockets

By Reuters

From Reuters: Ground-based interceptor missiles to be deployed in the western United States in 2010 will be able to shoot down long-range Iranian rockets, Pentagon officials said on Thursday, brushing aside criticism of the Obama administration’s European defense overhaul. Israel will also get added protection under the administration’s missile shield, the officials told Congress. U.S. […]

First strategic flight in support of ISAF

By NATO

From NATO: On 28 September 2009, the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) conducted its first mission in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The first ISAF-related flight by SAC’s operational component, the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) based in Papa Airbase in Hungary, delivered materiel to Mazar-e Sharif, to supply Swedish troops in […]

The End of the German Draft?

By World Politics Review

From World Politics Review: In addition to potential effects on Germany’s economic, energy, and foreign policies, the results of the Sept. 27 national elections raise questions about the future of Germany’s longstanding practice of military conscription. Although Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) continues to support compulsory military service more than any other major […]

President Obama: This is not a American battle; this is a NATO mission

By the White House

From the White House: This is not a [sic] American battle; this is a NATO mission, as well. And we are working actively and diligently to consult with NATO at every step of the way. And I’m very grateful for the leadership that Secretary General Rasmussen has shown in committing NATO to a full partnership […]

First Annual Members’ Conference – United States and International Law

By James Joyner

Summary of the breakout conversation “United States and International Law” at the 2009 Annual Members’ Conference. PARTICIPANTS: Ms. Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director, American Society of International Law Hon. John Bellinger, III, Former Legal Advisor, Department of State Moderated by Dr. Frances Burwell, Vice President, Atlantic Council