United States and Canada

Clinton reassures European allies in discussion of America’s Pacific Century

Hillary Clinton, Foreign Policy:  In the last decade, our foreign policy has transitioned from dealing with the post-Cold War peace dividend to demanding commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. As those wars wind down, we will need to accelerate efforts to pivot to new global realities.

Italy says US, UK forces free ship from pirates

By Alessandra Rizzo, the AP

From Alessandra Rizzo, the AP:  U.S. and British forces freed an Italian cargo ship on Tuesday that was attacked by pirates off Somalia and arrested the assailants, officials said.

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan poses challenge for Obama

By Paul Richter, the Los Angeles Times

Why the future of air power belongs to unmanned systems

By the Economist

From the Economist:  American officers, with their passion for acronyms, prefer not to call the machine that killed al-Awlaki a drone. They have a point. In nature, drone bees are poor, useless things that produce no honey and have no sting.

Lockheed’s THAAD missile defense system passes test under “operational” conditions

By Jim Wolf, Reuters

 From Jim Wolf, Reuters:  A multibillion-dollar missile defense system built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) successfully completed its most challenging test so far, downing two short-range targets in quick succession, the company said on Wednesday.

NATO’s Troubled Future

By Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia

From Walter Russell Mead, Via Meadia:  Robert Gates’s remarks last summer that NATO faces “a dim if not dismal future” unless European nations pick up the slack and coordinate on defense spending still reflects core US thinking about the future of the alliance.

Russia alarmed at decision to station U.S. ships in Spain for NATO missile defense systerm

By Henry Meyer, Bloomberg

From Henry Meyer, Bloomberg:  Russia is alarmed at the U.S. decision to station four ships at a base on Spain’s Atlantic coast as part of an American-led NATO missile defense system, the Foreign Ministry said.

Spain to host U.S. missile defense ships

By David Brunnstrom and David Alexander, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom and David Alexander, Reuters:  The United States and Spain announced an agreement on Wednesday to base U.S. anti-missile warships at Rota on the Spanish coast, strengthening U.S.-led plans for a NATO-wide missile defense system in Europe.

Panetta outlines key concerns to be addressed at NATO’s Chicago Summit

By Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense:  These are the concerns that we must work together to address as we look towards the NATO Summit next May in Chicago.  Ideally, we will be able to halt additional cuts in defense or at a minimum keep defense spending at current levels.