Western Europe

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New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

A man in a hurry: Keir Starmer’s early approach is making waves at home and abroad

By
Ed Owen

The new UK prime minister’s much-anticipated speech at the Labour Party’s recent gathering in Liverpool is a window into where the country may be headed.

Economy & Business
Elections

New Atlanticist
Oct 2, 2024

Three state elections have backed Germany into a corner

By
Jurek Wille and Friedrich Conradi

The recent successes of populist parties in Germany’s state elections could signal an imminent shift in Berlin’s policies on climate, immigration, and aid for Ukraine.

Elections
Germany

New Atlanticist
Sep 26, 2024

France’s new government aims to calm the political storm. What will it mean for foreign policy?

By
Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to follow the path of President Emmanuel Macron, but the big question is whether the delicate political context in Paris will allow ministers to focus on crises in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Europe & Eurasia
France

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Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2013

France’s Strategy for Success in Mali

By Sarwar Kashmeri

France’s military intervention is aimed at creating a stable state in Mali that is in French and EU strategic interests. What is France’s strategy in Mali? LTG Jean-Paul Perruche, former director-general EU Military Staff, in conversation with Sarwar Kashmeri, senior fellow, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and adjunct professor, Norwich University. (8 minutes)

France Sahel

NATOSource

Feb 4, 2013

NATO Chief: Mali and Libya exposed gaps in European defense capabilities

By James Blitz, Financial Times

From James Blitz, Financial Times: France’s military intervention in Mali has provided a fresh indication of how European states rely heavily on the US when trying to conduct their own operations, Nato’s secretary-general has warned.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Feb 4, 2013

Mali: Mission (pas) accomplie

By J. Peter Pham

The triumphalism of French President François Hollande’s visit over the weekend to the fabled desert city of Timbuktu less than a week after French forces pushed out al-Qaeda-linked militants had more than a passing whiff of George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln ten years ago. Hopefully, both France and the […]

Democratic Transitions France

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2013

Mali: Now What?

By Julian Lindley-French

Oscar Wilde once wrote “One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is that things are what they are and will be what they will be.” As I witness the French, British, and other Europeans rush to offer their very little militaries in support of an expanding Mali mission I am reminded of that […]

Sahel United Kingdom

NATOSource

Jan 30, 2013

RAF assumes command of air component of the NATO Response Force

By Britain's Ministry of Defense

From Britain’s Ministry of Defense: The current incumbents, the German Air Force, were represented by Brigadier General Nolte at a handover of the NRF lead duty to the RAF’s JFACC Air Commodore Martin Sampson at an official ceremony at HQ Air Command.

United Kingdom

NATOSource

Jan 29, 2013

Europe’s army?

By Paul Ames, Global Post

From Paul Ames, Global Post: [T]here are few troops anywhere in the world better prepared for their task than the marines, foreign legionaries, and other elite French units rolling north to confront the Jihadist militants controlling much of Mali.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2013

Britain’s History of Hedging on Europe

By Rajan Menon

First there was talk of a possible “Grexit,” the forced departure of a bankrupt Greece from the EU. Now, with British prime minister David Cameron’s Wednesday announcement that he will put the question of the UK’s continued membership to vote should his Conservative Party win the 2015 election, there’s speculation about what might be called […]

European Union International Organizations

NATOSource

Jan 28, 2013

Why France Can’t Fight

By Wall Street Journal

From Wall Street Journal: The French armed forces field some of the world’s most sophisticated fighter jets, nuclear submarines, attack helicopters and armored vehicles.

United Kingdom United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jan 24, 2013

The French Mess in Mali and Libya

By Rajan Menon

If you want an illustration of the law of unintended consequences, look no further than Mali. The drama that’s been unfolding there over the past nine months, and that has taken a new turn in the past week, is a perfect illustration.

France Libya

New Atlanticist

Jan 23, 2013

Euro-Realism: Well Said, Prime Minister!

By Julian Lindley-French

In November 1942 Winston Churchill famously said, “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning.” For two years I have waited for Prime Minister Cameron to stand up and make a speech that establishes Britain’s Euro-Realist principles and gives the EU […]

European Union International Organizations