United States and Canada

Why Is Europe a Dirty Word?

By Nicholas D. Kristof, the New York Times

From Nicholas D. Kristof, the New York Times:  The Republican candidates unleash these attacks on Obama because so many Americans have in mind a caricature of Europe as an effete, failed socialist system.

Turkey Issues Strong Critique of Perry’s Comments

By the Foreign Ministry of Turkey

Rick Perry Questions Turkey’s membership in NATO

By Joe Parkinson, the Wall Street Journal

From Joe Parkinson, the Wall Street Journal:  For Turkey, busy riding an economic boom and preoccupied with soccer scandals and revolutionary shifts across its borders, the race for the U.S. Republican nomination hasn’t exactly been a box office draw.  Until Tuesday, that is …

Canadian Naval officer accused of spying

By the Globe and Mail

From the Globe and Mail:  A Canadian Forces officer who served for a decade inside military intelligence has been charged with passing government secrets to foreign interests over the span of four and a half years – a case that threatens this country’s reputation among its closest allies.

How a self-sufficient America could go it alone

By Philip Stephens, the Financial Times

From Philip Stephens, the Financial Times:  What is true is that, as Washington’s will is increasingly contested, the US-led international system established after 1945 is cracking.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter ‘unable to land on aircraft carriers’

By Andrew Hough and Thomas Harding, the Telegraph

From Andrew Hough and Thomas Harding, the Telegraph:  The Royal Navy’s multi-billion pound fighter plane programme is under threat amid claims that its new all-purpose jets cannot land on aircraft carriers, it has emerged.

Polish General: “We are not very happy that the U.S. military involvement in Europe will be smaller”

By Marcus Weisgerber and Vago Muradian, DefenseNews

From Marcus Weisgerber and Vago Muradian, DefenseNews:  Gen. Mieczyslaw Cieniuch last week made his first official visit to the U.S., where he met with a number of U.S. leaders, including Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Defense Minister: Turkey’s new competitors are Germany, France and US

By Hurriyet Daily News

From Hurriyet Daily News:  “Our rivals are no longer the neighboring towns or provinces. The new competitors for the Turkish people are today those in Germany, France and the United States,” [Turkey’s Defense Minister İsmet] Yılmaz said

Norway: NATO Losing Self-Defense Ability

By Dave Majumdar , Defense News