United States and Canada

Hollande victory shakes up NATO’s Afghan war plans

By AFP

From AFP:   [I]incoming president Francois Hollande will soon have to reassure NATO allies about his decision to end combat earlier than planned.

Hollande to officially announce early withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan at NATO summit

By Ben Farmer, the Telegraph

From Ben Farmer, the Telegraph:  Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the alliance’s secretary general, said he would speak with the new French president immediately amid concerns France would soon announce the withdrawal of its 3,600-strong contingent.

The Task Ahead: Memos for the Winner of the 2012 Presidential Election

In anticipation of the 2012 US presidential election, the Atlantic Council released a compilation of essays addressing the key issues each candidate will face during this election cycle and into the foreseeable future. Download the PDF

Obama invites Hollande to special meeting before G8 and NATO summits

By the White House

From the White House:  President Obama called President-elect Francois Hollande of France to congratulate him after the results of the French election were announced today.

UK urges Germany to pull its weight more on defense

By Gareth Jones, Reuters

From Gareth Jones, Reuters:  Britain urged Germany on Wednesday to beef up its contribution to European defence and security, in line with its economic might, as the United States focuses increasingly on the Asia-Pacific region.

UK Defense Minister: Germany can make biggest impact on NATO capabilities

By Philip Hammond, British Ministry of Defense

From Philip Hammond, British Ministry of Defense:  The responsibility of European nations to defend their citizens can no longer be discharged by a strategy of homeland defence and a Fortress Europe.

Russia’s military threatens preemptive strike if NATO goes ahead with missile plan

By the AP

From the AP:  Russia’s top military officer has threatened to carry out a pre-emptive strike on U.S.-led NATO missile defense facilities in Eastern Europe if Washington goes ahead with its controversial plan to build a missile shield.

Italian Defense Minister to U.S.: Respect MEADS Commitment

By Kate Brannen, DefenseNews

From Kate Brannen, DefenseNews: Italian Defense Minister Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola said the United States should respect the commitment it made to a tri-national missile defense program it began several years ago with Italy and Germany.

NATO and the Information War in Libya

By John Pollock, Technology Review

From John Pollock, Technology Review:  Publicly, NATO and its secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, do use social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and a video blog—albeit as an adjunct to standard press-office fare.