United States and Canada

Save NATO: Merge it with CSDP

By Sarwar Kashmeri, the New Atlanticist

From Sarwar Kashmeri, the New Atlanticist:  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen would like to see NATO become a hub for an anti-missile shield with Russia that protects everyone from Vladivostok to Vancouver.

Obama Appoints Denis McDonough to be Deputy National Security Advisor

By the White House

From the White House:  President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint Denis McDonough as Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor. President Obama said, “For years, I have counted on Denis McDonough’s expertise and counsel on national security issues. He possesses a remarkable intellect, irrepressible work ethic, and a sense of collegiality […]

Will the U.S. Lose Europe to Russia?

By John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune

From John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune:  Germany and France, meeting with Russia in Deauville, northern France, last week, signaled that they planned to make such three-cornered get-togethers on international foreign policy and security matters routine

Ankara seeks guarantees on Israel in missile shield talks with US

By Zaman

From Zaman:  Turkey, in talks with the United States over a proposed missile defense system, has asked US officials whether non-NATO countries would have access to intelligence that sensors in the shield would gather

Former Amb. Robert Hunter on British defense cuts

By the European Institute

From the European Institute:  While Obama administration officials have voiced disappointment about UK cuts in the military budget and the possible risk of seeking it increase the load on Washington, a more nuanced reaction comes from a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Robert Hunter. “We should use this as opportunity for more serious discussion inside […]

Turkish diplomat: “We don’t want any problems at the NATO summit”

By Desmond Butler, the AP

From Desmond Butler, the AP:  The U.S. would like Turkey to host a radar installation for its European missile shield and to back a proposal to make missile defense a core mission for NATO. After initial enthusiasm about the radar, Turkey has hesitated. Its main concern is that it does not want the missile defense […]

Former Spanish PM: Obama is the least European president ever

By Josh Rogin, the Cable

State Dept. official evaluates transatlantic relations under Obama

By Philip Gordon, the U.S. Department of State

From Philip Gordon, the U.S. Department of State:  [O]n working with Europe on global challenges, we have worked together as never before with our European partners on Afghanistan, on Iran, on missile defense, and on global economic recovery.

Trans-Atlantic Austerity: Can NATO Remain Relevant Amid Defense Cuts?

By Ian Brzezinski & Damon Wilson, the New Atlanticist

From Ian Brzezinski & Damon Wilson, the New Atlanticist:  When NATO leaders convene in Lisbon in November to adopt a new Strategic Concept, the alliance’s blueprint for the future, they will find that trans-Atlantic security has entered an age of austerity.

Obama and Cameron discuss Britain’s defense cuts and NATO responsibilities

By the White House

From the White House: President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron spoke by telephone today.  The Prime Minister briefed the President on the U.K. National Security Strategy that was published today