United States and Canada

A Real Presidential Agenda

By Harlan Ullman

The only downside to writing a Wednesday column recurs every fourth November and the day after the United States’ presidential elections.

Turkey and UK push Syria as Obama’s first foreign policy priority after winning election

By David Stringer and Dale Gavlak, AP

From David Stringer and Dale Gavlak, AP:  Western efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad shifted dramatically Wednesday, with Britain saying it will deal directly with rebel military leaders and Turkey saying NATO members have discussed protecting a safe zone inside Syria with Patriot missiles.

When is a cyberattack an act of war?

By Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post

From Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post:  On the night of Oct. 11, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stood inside the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, housed in a former aircraft carrier moored at a New York City pier, and let an audience of business executives in on one of the most important conversations inside the U.S. […]

UK Defense Minister: ‘Europe must find the political will to take on more responsibility for our own back yard’

By Phllip Hammond, RUSI

The Turn Away From Europe

By Josef Joffe, Commentary

From Josef Joffe, Commentary:  It almost goes unnoticed that the United States is closing a long chapter in its Atlantic history.

Georgian cyber counterattack exposes Russian hacker seeking NATO document

By Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service

From Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service:  In an unprecedented move, the country of Georgia — irritated by persistent cyber-spying attacks — has published two photos of a Russia-based hacker

CIA refutes Benghazi scandal by acknowledging covert operation in Libya

By Eric Schmitt, New York Times

From Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  Security officers from the C.I.A. played a pivotal role in combating militants who attacked the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11

Panetta: US ‘certainly had forces in place’ that could have reached Americans under attack in Benghazi

By Leon Panetta, Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, Department of Defense:  Excerpt from a Pentagon press conference by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey.

CIA timeline of the assault on U.S. facilities in Benghazi

By David Ignatius, Washington Post

From David Ignatius, Washington Post:  A detailed CIA timeline of the assault on U.S. facilities in Benghazi: