United States and Canada

Forum on the Ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention

By Adrienne Chuck

On May 9, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke to a gathering of US national security and business leaders in Washington, DC, convened by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Atlantic Council.

Turkey chooses NATO and the West

By Barçın Yinanç, Hurriyet Daily News

From Barçın Yinanç, Hurriyet Daily News:  Turkey’s decision to host an early warning radar as part of NATO’s nuclear defense system is a sign of the country’s realignment with the West, says Professor Mustafa Aydın.

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.