Western Europe

Are fewer, yet more expensive military forces the best defense?

By Magnus Nordenman, the New Atlanticist

From Magnus Nordenman, the New Atlanticist:  While military forces have grown ever more sophisticated, their size and density have been on the decline for decades.

It’s Time for Free Trade With Europe

By Frances G. Burwell, U.S. News & World Report

From Frances G. Burwell, U.S. News & World Report:  European leaders have turned to economics as the basis of a renewed partnership with the United States—

Is China’s economic espionage the ‘most aggressive’ in the world?

By James A. Lewis, Foreign Affairs

From James A. Lewis, Foreign Affairs:  China is not the only country to use economic espionage, but it is the most aggressive. In key industries — telecommunications, aerospace, energy, and defense — the strategy has worked well. Now, the new Chinese leadership risks seeing the boost from spying undercut both China’s international leadership and its […]

British submariner admits trying to sell secrets to Russia

By Sandra Laville, Guardian

From Sandra Laville, Guardian:  A Royal Navy submariner was caught trying to sell secrets to Russia in a sting operation led by the security services, the Guardian understands. Edward Devenney, 30, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to collecting secret coding programs used by the British and attempting to pass the classified information on to Moscow. Devenney, […]

Britain and France in Flanders Fields

By Julian Lindley-French

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Turkey and UK push Syria as Obama’s first foreign policy priority after winning election

By David Stringer and Dale Gavlak, AP

From David Stringer and Dale Gavlak, AP:  Western efforts to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad shifted dramatically Wednesday, with Britain saying it will deal directly with rebel military leaders and Turkey saying NATO members have discussed protecting a safe zone inside Syria with Patriot missiles.

UK Defense Minister: ‘Europe must find the political will to take on more responsibility for our own back yard’

By Phllip Hammond, RUSI

The Turn Away From Europe

By Josef Joffe, Commentary

From Josef Joffe, Commentary:  It almost goes unnoticed that the United States is closing a long chapter in its Atlantic history.