United States and Canada

Putin says the West is on the decline

By Thomas Grove, Reuters

From Thomas Grove, Reuters:  President Vladimir Putin said on Monday the West’s influence was waning as its economy declines but warned Russian diplomats to be on their guard against a backlash from Moscow’s former Cold War enemies.

Obama or Romney, Europe Is In for Disappointment

By Judy Dempsey, New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, New York Times:  Two major factors will severely limit the scope of action of any future U.S. administration.

President of Romania impeached amid EU, US concern

By Alison Mutler, the AP

A scapegoat for Syria?

By the Editors of the Washington Post

From the Editors of the Washington Post:  [T]he Obama administration’s Syria diplomacy is making it look foolish as well as feckless.

Turkey to hold off on missile-defense choice

By Ümit Enginsoy, Hurriyet Daily News

US concerned over political shake up in Romania

By the Department of State

From the Department of State:  We are concerned about recent developments occurring in Romania, our NATO Ally and partner, which threaten democratic checks and balances and weaken independent institutions, such as the courts.

Clinton slams Russia, China over Syria

By Elise Labott, CNN Security Clearance

From Elise Labott, CNN Security Clearance:  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lambasted Russia and China on Friday for blocking efforts to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

NATO signs deal for multinational Global Hawks system

By Ben Iannotta and Tom Withington, Defense News

From Ben Iannotta and Tom Withington, Defense News:  NATO’s 2011 air war over Libya was fresh on the minds of NATO officials in Chicago when they signed a $1.7 billion agreement with Northrop Grumman for five radar-equipped Global Hawks to be known as the Alliance Ground Surveillance system.

Russia is making a very good case for Finland to join NATO

By Edward Lucas, European Voice

From Edward Lucas, European Voice:  [Russia] has launched a campaign of verbal intimidation against Finland, seemingly aimed at stopping the country from joining NATO.

Bodies of Turkish pilots recovered from seabed

By Selcan Hacaoglu, the AP

From Selcan Hacaoglu, the AP:  The bodies of two Turkish pilots were recovered from the seabed on Thursday after U.S. ocean explorer Robert Ballard, best known for discovering the wreck of the Titanic, helped locate them nearly two weeks after their jet was shot down by Syria.