United States and Canada

Rasmussen starts tour in the US with visit to wounded troops

By NATO

From NATO:  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen began his week long tour of America on the 7th of May with a visit to wounded troops at the National Naval Medical Center near Washington. Together with General James Cartwright the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary General met with servicemen injured […]

European press critical of US attack against Osama bin Laden

By Steven Erlanger, the New York TImes

From Steven Erlanger, the New York TImes:  Some are questioning whether “justice” in fact was done, as President Obama portrayed the killing

German media criticizes Obama and US for death of Osama bin Laden

By Charles Lane, the Washington Post

From Charles Lane, the Washington Post: [M]any of Obama’s erstwhile Euro-fans are feeling a twinge of buyer’s remorse.

New lead negotiator on missile defense?

By Bill Gertz, Inside the Ring

From Bill Gertz, Inside the Ring:  Undersecretary of State Ellen Tauscher, who has been leading U.S.-Russian missile defense talks that are largely kept secret from Congress and the public, was given a demotion of sorts

Why We Must Continue the Fight Against Terror

By Jose Maria Aznar, the Wall Street Journal

Awkward Moment for Obama and Merkel

By John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune

From John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune:  There will be an interesting diplomatic moment at the White House next month when President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian distinction, to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

France and US consider faster exit from Afghanistan due to death of Osama bin Laden

By the AP

From the AP:  The French foreign minister says France and the U.S. are considering the possibility of speeding up their timetable of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan after Osama bin Laden’s death.

Vive the refreshed Anglo-French alliance

By Zaki Laidi, the Financial Times

From Zaki Laidi, the Financial Times:  The Libyan crisis marks the beginning of a new cycle for the two countries because the American factor is no longer a source of divergence.

Russia charges US spy ring “traitor” Poteyev

By the BBC

From the BBC:  A former top Russian spy has been charged in Moscow over the exposure of 10 sleeper agents in the United States. The man, identified as Alexander Poteyev, will be tried in his absence with high treason and desertion, Russia’s secret service, the FSB, said. . . . Mr Poteyev was apparently exposed […]

US, Romania announce plan for missile defense site

By Alison Mutler, the AP

From Alison Mutler, the AP:  Romania’s president said Tuesday his country will host missile interceptors as part of a planned U.S. shield over Europe.