Western Europe

Olympic London

By Julian Lindley-French

Nineteenth century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once described London as the modern Babylon. Today, the Games of the XXX Olympiad begin in London. Over five weeks both the Olympic Games and the Paralympics will, to employ one of the many Olympic cliches now in the starting blocks, shine the light of the world on […]

Alleged Canadian spy caused ‘massive security breach’ of shared Western intelligence

By Philip Dorling, the Sydney Morning Herald

From Philip Dorling, the Sydney Morning Herald:  An alleged Canadian spy compromised Australian intelligence information in an espionage case that has sent shock waves through Western security agencies.

Euro-Realism 2: How Safe is My Money?

By Julian Lindley-French

Lucullus, in Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens (spot the irony) warns, “This is no time to lend money, especially upon bare friendship without security.” As a Dutch tax-payer that warning carries little irony as billions of our hard-earned tax Euros have already vanished down the black hole of a failing currency – either in direct transfers […]

75% of Scots support an independent Scotland in NATO

By Tom Peterkin, the Scotsman

From Tom Peterkin, the Scotsman:  Three-quarters of Scots believe that an independent Scotland should stay in Nato, according to a new poll published as the SNP considers ending its long-standing opposition to the nuclear defence alliance. The overwhelming popular support for Scotland remaining within the Nato fold after any break-up of the UK will boost […]

Euro-Realism: Why We Need a New European Security Strategy

By Julian Lindley-French

I am a Euro-realist, neither a Euro-sceptic, nor a Euro-fanatic. My motivation is to drive through the fathoms of political fantasy and folly pouring forth from the current crisis, much of its cascading down from on high as a generation of failed political leaders try to hide behind a rhetorical deluge.

Confrontation in the Med? EU to enforce arms embargo against Syria

By Slobodan Lekic, the AP

UK Defense Chief To NATO: Pull Your Weight In Europe While US Handles China

By Otto Kreisher, AOL Defense

US State Department considered leader in e-diplomacy

By Nick Bryant, BBC

From Nick Bryant, BBC:  With its 140-character limit, Twitter hardly lends itself to diplomatic nuance.

UK spy agencies urged to wage war on cyber enemies

By the BBC

From the BBC:  Britain’s spy agencies and military have been urged by MPs to wage cyber warfare in the interests of national security.