Western Europe

National contributions to NATO’s Smart Defense initiative

By Nicholas Fiorenza, Aviation Week

From Nicholas Fiorenza, Aviation Week: The Chicago summit will adopt multinational projects in the areas of logistics and sustainment; joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); force protection; and effective engagement.

Anchoring NATO with Leadership

By R. Nicholas Burns and Damon Wilson, the New Atlanticist

From R. Nicholas Burns and Damon Wilson, the New Atlanticist:  Strong U.S. leadership of the alliance will be essential, just as it has been since NATO was formed in 1949.

The UK Will Continue to Be a Strong Ally to US and NATO

By Peter Westmacott, the New Atlanticist

From Peter Westmacott, the New Atlanticist:  I’m glad that experts of the calibre of Nick Burns and Damon Wilson are discussing the importance of NATO in the run-up to this weekend’s summit.

British Response to ‘Anchoring the Alliance’ Report

By Peter Westmacott

I’m glad that experts of the calibre of Nick Burns and Damon Wilson are discussing the importance of NATO in the run-up to this weekend’s summit. Their argument–that NATO matters as much now as ever, but that we all need to work to maintain it–is one the UK wholeheartedly supports. But I take issue with […]

Germany’s Reputation in NATO Has Hit Rock Bottom

By Ulrike Demmer and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

Welcome to Merklande?

By Julian Lindley-French

Tal-y-Wern, deepest, darkest Wales. Plinlimmon, Cader Idris, and Mount Snowdon slumber around me as I write.  Those great, sleeping Welsh dragons that legend has it will awake in the hour of Cymru’s (Wales) greatest peril.

A Five-Year Plan for Francois Hollande

By Nicholas Dungan

Today François Hollande has taken office as president of the French Republic. He has pressing priorities in his next five weeks but also a chance to make history in the next five years. Tonight he sees the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin. Hollande has said that he values the French-German couple but does not […]

The True Meaning of Solidarity, M. Hollande

By Julian Lindley-French

Cher M. Hollande, First, let me congratulate you on your victory. You are about to become president of a great country which is at the heart of European affairs and a major influence on world politics.