United States and Canada

Italy suspends treaty with Libya

By Alessandra Rizzo, the AP

From Alessandra Rizzo, the AP:  Italy has effectively suspended a treaty with Libya that includes a nonaggression clause, amid turmoil in the North African nation, the foreign minister said Sunday.

Obama consults with leaders of France, Britain, Italy and Turkey on Libyan crisis

By the White House

From the White House:  Readout of President Obama’s Calls with President Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy.

Reaction Muted in Europe to Losing U.S. Tanker Contract

By Judy Dempsey, International Herald Tribune

From Judy Dempsey, International Herald Tribune:  European officials seemed resigned Friday after a $35 billion U.S. Air Force contract for aerial fueling tankers went to Boeing rather than to European Aeronautic Defense & Space, the company that builds Airbus planes.

General Is Said to Order Effort to Sway U.S. Lawmakers

By Thom Shanker, the New York Times

From Thom Shanker, the New York Times:  The American commander in Afghanistan will order an investigation into accusations that military personnel deployed to win Afghan hearts and minds were instructed over their own objections to carry out “psychological operations” to help convince visiting members of Congress to increase support for the training mission there, military […]

UK urges pressure on Gaddafi, EU weighs intervention

By Adrian Croft and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters

Palin calls for NATO involvement in Libya

By Sarah Palin, Facebook

From Sarah Palin, Facebook:  It’s a little perplexing looking at the White House today.

U.S. officials deny military role in Libya

By Philip Ewing and Jen DiMascio, Morning Defense

From Philip Ewing and Jen DiMascio, Morning Defense:  There is no U.S. military role in Libya for now, officials across Washington said Wednesday.

US should continue funding Medium Extended Air Defense System

By Baker Spring and Michaela Bendikova, Heritage Foundation

From Baker Spring and Michaela Bendikova, Heritage Foundation:  The MEADS program is designed to protect the United States’ homeland, allies, and forward-deployed troops against a wide range of threats, including the next generation of tactical ballistic missiles.

France: Diplomats Take Sarkozy to Task

By Scott Sayare, the New York Times

From Scott Sayare, the New York Times:  An anonymous group of former and current French diplomats said Tuesday that President Nicolas Sarkozy’s approach to foreign policy was plagued by amateurism, impulsiveness and a preoccupation with media attention.

Gates: US has not discussed Libyan operation with NATO allies

By Stephen Hayes, the Weekly Standard

From Stephen Hayes, the Weekly Standard:  Defense secretary Robert Gates says the United States has not had discussions with its NATO partners about how to handle the unfolding crisis in Libya, and he believes that the United States could not quickly enforce a no-fly zone in the country to keep military jets from shooting on […]