Western Europe

Republicans need more than rhetoric on defense

By George F. Will, the Washington Post

From George F. Will, the Washington Post:  The U.S. defense budget is about 43 percent of the world’s total military spending — more than the combined defense spending of the next 17 nations, many of which are U.S. allies.

Can Germany Summon the Will to Lead?

By John Vincour, the International Herald Tribune

From John Vincour, the International Herald Tribune:  Mr. Putin’s goal is not only to paint an American-led enemy in time for next month’s vote, but to get the West to back off on Iran and on deployment of NATO’s missile shield in Europe through threats and by sowing the notion that America is shoving its […]

Britain and France had to insist US allow their warships to join Iran flotilla

By James Kirkup, the Telegraph

From James Kirkup, the Telegraph:  Defence sources have revealed that the Americans only relented and allowed a Royal Navy frigate to join the mission following an intervention from Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president.

NATO allies complain they were blindsided by Panetta’s remarks on Afghanistan

By David S. Cloud, the Los Angeles Times

A Leaner NATO Needs a Tighter Focus

By Hans Binnendijk, the International Herald Tribune

From Hans Binnendijk, the International Herald Tribune:  European nations have slashed their defense budgets to record low levels without much regard for NATO’s overall defense requirements.

Now Not the Time to Retreat from Europe

By Chad Manske, Global Post

From Chad Manske, Global Post:  Critics do not recognize that we have significantly reduced our forces and installations in Europe since the end of the Cold War. Of the 1.4 million current US military personnel, only 90,000 are in Europe, or about 6.4 percent.

Is This David Cameron’s Munich?

By Julian Lindley-French

It is not without historical irony that the only other country to stand with Britain over the Fiscal Compact at yesterday’s EU Summit was the Czech Republic which Chamberlain sold out to Hitler at Munich in 1938. Last night Martin Callanan, the leader of British Conservatives in the European Parliament accused the Prime Minister of […]

U.S. Ranked 4th in Cyber Defense

By Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Defense News

From Zachary Fryer-Biggs, Defense News:  The U.S. ranked behind Finland, Israel and Sweden in a new report analyzing the ability of countries to defend themselves against cyber attacks.

NATO allies grapple with shrinking defense budgets

By Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post

From Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post:  NATO allies are confronting a sustained weakening of the military alliance as ailing economies are forcing nearly all members, including the United States, to accelerate cuts to their defense budgets at the same time. The Pentagon’s recent decision to eliminate two of the Army’s four brigades in Europe is […]

Coalition leaders respond to Sarkozy’s new timetable for Afghanistan

By the AP

From the AP:  In a gentle rebuke to France, British Prime Minister David Cameron said in London on Saturday that withdrawals should be dependent on security conditions on the ground.