United States and Canada

Panetta expects European allies to address “key shortfalls” in time for next NATO summit in May

By Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, the Department of Defense:  The reality is that the United States military alone cannot be all things to all nations.

Germany’s Military Reform: An American Perspective

By Peter Flory, the New Atlanticist

From Peter Flory, the New Atlanticist:  [T]he steps announced to reshape German armed forces and meet Germany’s stringent budget cutting goals are cause for concern for the U.S. and NATO, especially at a time when other leading European powers are also scaling back their capabilities.

NATO is a shell of its former self

By  J.L. Granatstein,the Ottowa Citizen

Counter-Piracy Task Force: Strategic Approaches to the Piracy Challenge

By Adrienne Chuck

On November 21, 2011 the International Security Program and the Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a meeting of the Atlantic Council Maritime Piracy Task Force, chaired by Atlantic Council Board Director Franklin D. Miller.

Missile defense is not expendable

By Bruce Klingner and Sally McNamara, CNN

From Bruce Klingner and Sally McNamara, CNN:  Ballistic missiles pose an increasing risk to the United States and its allies, particularly as more nations strive to acquire nuclear weapons. The once exclusive nuclear weapons club now has nine members, and Iran is knocking on the clubhouse door. Altogether, at least 32 countries have ballistic missile capabilities. […]

Does Turkey see itself as a power broker between NATO and China?

By Gökhan Bacik, Zaman

From Gökhan Bacik, Zaman:  It would not be wrong to describe the huge area from Spain to eastern Turkey, including North Africa, as the “NATO zone.” NATO is the most important rule-maker in this large geographical area.

Why Russia is no closer to working with NATO on missile defense

By the Economist

From the Economist:  The hopes at NATO’s 2010 Lisbon summit that Russia might be a partner in the missile-defence system meant to protect Europe from a nuclear-armed “rogue” state are looking increasingly forlorn.

US budget woes could hit European missile defense

By Desmond Butler, the AP

From Desmond Butler, the AP:  A breakdown in high-stakes budget talks in Congress could threaten plans for a missile defense shield in Europe.

Do Not Attack Syria

By Aaron David Miller, the International Herald Tribune

From Aaron David Miller, the International Herald Tribune:  The Arab League suspends Syrian membership; the king of Jordan calls for Bashar al-Assad’s departure; Turkey appears ready for more aggressive anti-Assad measures; defectors from the Syrian Army are attacking regime targets.