Western Europe

Britain Balks at E.U. Defense Plan

By Stephen Castle, the International Herald Tribune

From Stephen Castle, the International Herald Tribune:  In addition to the European Union’s single currency and its passport-free travel zone, Britain now faces a new and unwelcome test of its engagement with Continental partners, this time over defense.

NATO Secretary General on impact of 9/11 on transatlantic alliance

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  Ten years ago today in the United States, terrorists killed nearly three thousand men, women and children. Citizens of 25 NATO Allied and partner countries died that day.

An EU military HQ would undermine NATO

By Geoffrey Van Orden, the Telegraph

Sarkozy’s Pro-NATO Policy Is Much More Than Symbolism: View

By the Editors of Bloomberg Businessweek

From the Editors of Bloomberg Businessweek:  French President Nicolas Sarkozy has ushered in a new era of cooperation with a foreign policy that brings the country closer to the U.S. than it has been in decades. Vive la France.

Cameron on Libya: “We are ready to extend the NATO mandate for as long as is necessary”

By David Cameron, Office of the Prime Minister

Libya’s Dark Lesson for NATO

By Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  The war in Libya may be one of those quietly telling moments in the history of more important nations.

Libya could be the last place where the West is allowed to intervene

By Shashank Joshi, the Telegraph

From Shashank Joshi, the Telegraph:  Nato’s job in Libya is all but done. As the conquering heroes met in Paris yesterday, there was no “Mission Accomplished” banner in sight. In place of triumphalism, we’ve substituted lessons galore

NATO Strikes Show Europe Defense Dilemma

By Lawrence Norman and Stephen Fidler, the Wall Street Journal

Libya reveals changes in NATO air power

By Craig Hoyle, Flightglobal

From Craig Hoyle, Flightglobal:  While aircraft from multiple nations continue to strike pro-Gaddafi assets as his supporters continue to oppose the regime change brought about as part of the "Arab Spring"