United States and Canada

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 […]

Fidel Castro says US plans NATO invasion of Libya

By Andrea Rodriguez, the AP

From Andrea Rodriguez, the AP:  Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro said Tuesday that unrest in Libya may be a pretext for a NATO invasion.

Battling US for huge deal, Eurofighter woos Japan

By Eric Talmadge, the AP

From Eric Talmadge, the AP:  In a deal that could be worth billions of dollars and determine one of the primary fighter jets in Asia for decades to come, European aircraft makers are trying to convince Japan to do something it has never done before – snub America.

NATO unity succeeding in Afghanistan

By Nathaniel Fick and John Nagl, the New York Times

From Nathaniel Fick and John Nagl, the New York Times:  It is hard to tell when momentum shifts in a counterinsurgency campaign, but there is increasing evidence that Afghanistan is moving in a more positive direction than many analysts think.

Pentagon strategy highlights threats against U.S. satellites

By Lolita C. Balder, the Washington Post

No more Western hugs for Russia’s rulers

By the Washington Post

From the Washington Post:  Contrary to the wishful thinking many in Russia and abroad expressed when [Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev took office – by de facto appointment – in 2008, his presidency has demonstrated no signs that his pro-democracy rhetoric might turn into real action.

Deja vu: Russia, US at odds over missile defense

By Douglas Birch, the AP

From Douglas Birch, the AP:  Talks between the U.S. and Russia over a new anti-ballistic missile system for Europe are stuck on a key point, with Moscow demanding to jointly run the system and the U.S. refusing to yield.