United States and Canada

Arab Awakening: Are the US and EU Missing the Challenge?

By Jason Harmala

Despite the desire to help Arab countries in the midst of political transitions, the United States and European Union have yet to seize upon opportunities to help generate economic growth and promote the growth of democratic institutions in these countries, according to a new report by Danya Greenfield, deputy director of the Rafik Hariri Center […]

US and Finland Sign Agreement to Increase Sharing of Classified Information

By the Department of State

From the Department of State:  Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Minister Tuomioja today signed the U.S.-Finland General Security of Information Agreement. This marks a significant step in facilitating information sharing between the two countries. The Agreement covers all classified information passed between the two governments, and ensures that each country has appropriate and equal […]

An omen of how Syria’s conflict could spread

By the Editors of the Independent

Turkish Border Is Crucial Link in Syrian Conflict

By Neil MacFarquhar, the New York Times

Cyber Weapons We Can’t Control

By Misha Glenny, the New York Times

From Misha Glenny, the New York Times:  The decision by the United States and Israel to develop and then deploy the Stuxnet computer worm against an Iranian nuclear facility late in George W. Bush’s presidency marked a significant and dangerous turning point in the gradual militarization of the Internet.

Turkey has invoked NATO’s Article 4 before, over tensions with Iraq

By Adam Levine, CNN Security Clearance

Members of Assad’s inner circle ‘making secret plans to defect’

By Ruth Sherlock, Suha Maayeh, and Peter Foster, the Telegraph

From Ruth Sherlock, Suha Maayeh, and Peter Foster, the Telegraph:  Members of Bashar al-Assad’s inner circle are secretly making plans to defect to the opposition

Syria’s role in loss of Turkish warplane could have major repercussions for NATO

By Adrian Blomfield, the Telegraph

From Adrian Blomfield, the Telegraph:  While the exact circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s disappearance remained far from clear, any indication that it was brought down by Syrian fire could have major international repercussions. As a member of Nato since 1952, Turkey could call on the alliance to support and perhaps even participate in any response it […]

Why should Germany take on everyone’s debts?

By Josef Joffe, the Guardian

From Josef Joffe, the Guardian:  The whole world is in the deepest economic mess since the Depression.

German helicopters participate in exercise in New Mexico

By Tony Osbourne, Rotorhub

From Tony Osbourne, Rotorhub:  The German Army has begun field tests of NH90 and Tiger helicopters in New Mexico in readiness for a possible deployment to Afghanistan later this year.