United States and Canada

Iran Sends Flotilla of Warships to Atlantic Ocean

By FARS News Agency and ABC News

From FARS News Agency:  The Iranian Navy dispatched its first fleet of warships to the Atlantic Ocean in a ceremony participated by Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari

Vershbow: European Allies Moving Too Slowly to Address Defense Capabilities Gap in NATO

By Alexander Vershbow, NATO

[W]e need NATO. The European Allies need NATO; but so do Canada and the United States. We all need a proven, permanent framework in which we can discuss these issues, find a common strategy, and act upon the decisions we take.

Getting US Policy Right in Egypt: Where Does Democracy Promotion Fit?

Since the July 3 ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi, many have questioned whether efforts to transition to democracy in Egypt are working and whether democracy promotion should be part of US policy towards Egypt. On January 23, 2014, the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East hosted Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace […]

Get Ready, the Indispensable Americans are Pulling Back

By Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

[T]he most important emerging theme in world politics is America’s slow retreat from its role as global policeman.

NATO Project May Provide Allied Air Forces with ‘Plug and Play’ Precision Munitions

By Julan Hale, Defense News

Development of a NATO standard allowing aircraft from different nations to use precision-guided munitions (PGMs) from various sources and countries could reach a draft memorandum of understanding this year.

Obama to Participate in US-EU Summit and Meet with NATO Secretary General

By White House

As part of the United States’ ongoing consultations with our allies and partners in Europe and beyond, President Obama will travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy in March 2014.

UK Prime Minister Says Robert Gates ‘Wrong’ About British Defense

By Telegraph and BBC

From Raf Sanchez, Telegraph:  David Cameron has sharply rejected a claim by the former US defence secretary that the government’s military cuts will prevent Britain from being a “full partner” with America.

Defense Cuts Threaten US-UK Partnership, Says Robert Gates

By James Edgar, Telegraph

Defence cuts are limiting Britain’s capacity to be “full partner” with America, a former US defence secretary has said.

State Department: Implications of the Crisis in Ukraine

By Victoria Nuland, Department of State

Why does the United States have an interest in how this turns out? Because these same principles and values are the cornerstone of all free democracies, and America supports them in every country on the planet.