Western Europe

As NATO scales back in Libya, pressure mounts to end war soon

By Paul Richter, the Los Angeles Times

The Slow Death of Europe

By Walter Laqueur, the National Interest

From Walter Laqueur, the National Interest:  With all its importance, the economic crisis is only part of our sad story—and probably not even the decisive one. For the present debacle is also one of an apparent lack of a common European identity and values, of national interests prevailing over a shared European interest.

Churchill and the need for transatlantic leadership

By David Gergen, CNN

From David Gergen, CNN:  In Europe and especially in the U.S., the public is disgusted with politics because their leaders squabble like kids in a sandbox. Churchill lived in a day when there were bitter fights too. But upon taking the reins, he immediately formed a coalition government.

The Atlantic Charter’s enduring relevance

By William Inboden, the German Marshall Fund

From William Inboden, the German Marshall Fund:  Things may be hard today, but in the day of the Atlantic Charter they were much worse.  Remembering the Charter’s 70th anniversary should remind us that the transatlantic alliance was forged not in a time of tranquility but in the crucible of trial.

“About Time, Mr President.” The Atlantic Charter Then and Now

By Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist

From Julian Lindley-French, the New Atlanticist:  Seventy years ago . . . President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met for the first time off the Canadian coast. “About time, Mr President”, said as the two men met. What emerged from that fateful meeting was the “Joint Declaration by the President and the Prime […]

70th Anniversary of the Atlantic Charter

By NATO

From NATO: Declaration of Principles issued by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, August 14, 1941

Under NATO’s Flag: An Interim Assessment of the Mission In Libya (Part Two)

By Vladimir Socor, the New Atlanticist

From Vladimir Socor, the New Atlanticist:  Among European allies, many welcomed the chance to restore NATO’s credibility in Libya, after a long drawn-out failure in Afghanistan.

Former French general: NATO strike on Syria is technically feasible

By Andrew Rettman, EUObserver

From Andrew Rettman, EUObserver:  A Nato strike to disable the Syrian army is technically feasible according to experts, such as former French air chief Jean Rannou. But it could make the country’s internal situation worse.