United States and Canada

President of Estonia: a democratic world needs a strong NATO

By the Office of the President of Estonia

The case for military intervention in Syria

By Kurt Volker, the Christian Science Monitor

From Kurt Volker, the Christian Science Monitor:  In 1993, US Secretary of State Warren Christopher began consultations with European allies to gauge their level of support for military force.

State Department: Israel was never invited to the NATO summit

By Jennifer Rubin, the Washington Post

From Jennifer Rubin, the Washington Post:  Tuesday morning I had a post concerning difficulties the State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland had in responding to an objection by Turkey to Israel’s attendance at an upcoming NATO summit.

The ‘pivot’ to Asia versus Europe’s ‘Thucydidean nationalist passions’

By Victor Davis Hanson, the National Review

From Victor Davis Hanson, the National Review:  The administration has also quite publicly announced a shift in U.S. strategic attention to the Pacific, apparently on the premise of a rising China and a quiescent Europe and Mediterranean.

NATO Members Spar over Post-Withdrawal Financing for Afghanistan

By Spiegel

From Spiegel:  After the almost total withdrawal of ISAF troops at the end of 2014, according to the strategy, NATO members don’t want to leave the country entirely to its own fate.

Turkey blocking Israel’s participation in NATO summit

By Celil Sagir, Zaman

Reports cast doubt on European missile defense

By Desmond Butler, AP

From Desmond Butler, AP:  Major delays, cost overruns and critical technological problems are plaguing a missile defense system designed to protect the United States and Europe from an Iranian attack

U.S. seeks more money from Germany for Afghanistan

By Spiegel

From Spiegel:  Currently, the Western allies are deadlocked in the search for sufficient post-withdrawal funding for Afghanistan. The US has committed to covering half of the €3.1 billion ($4 billion) per year necessary to equip and train Afghan security forces.

Macedonia pushes NATO, EU membership

By Austin Wright, POLITICO

From Austin Wright, POLITICO:  Macedonia’s renewed push to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has drawn bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but its decades-long dispute with Greece remains a stubborn impediment.