Western Europe

Awkward Moment for Obama and Merkel

By John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune

From John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune:  There will be an interesting diplomatic moment at the White House next month when President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian distinction, to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Vive the refreshed Anglo-French alliance

By Zaki Laidi, the Financial Times

From Zaki Laidi, the Financial Times:  The Libyan crisis marks the beginning of a new cycle for the two countries because the American factor is no longer a source of divergence.

Is Britain a Pocket Superpower or Super-Belgium?

By Julian Lindley-French

Oh no, not again! The BBC’s Robert Peston has discovered that the two currently under construction and now infamous British aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will cost more than originally envisaged. One outlier estimate has the cost as high as £10bn, rather than the £3.9bn budgeted for. This is apparently […]

Justice for Osama bin Laden’s NATO victims

As the leader of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden authorized attacks which killed more civilians of NATO members than any other threat against the alliance.

Libyans burn British and Italian embassies after NATO strike

By the AP

From the AP:  Angry mobs attacked Western embassies and U.N. offices in Tripoli Sunday after NATO bombed Moammar Gadhafi’s family compound

What Is the Future of NATO?

By Joshua Foust, the New Atlanticist

From Joshua Foust, the New Atlanticist:  NATO is taking on new, out-of-area operations (two now in the last decade), both of which imply a huge, long-term military and economic commitment.

NATO in Libya: ” France and the US seem to have switched roles”

By  Dominique Moïsi, the European Voice 

From Dominique Moïsi, the European Voice :  France and the US seem to have switched roles from just a few years ago.

Liam Fox: “we’ve taken the side of the civilian population”

By the U.S. Department of Defense

From the U.S. Department of Defense:   The sooner that Colonel Gadhafi recognizes that the game is up, however, today or shortly, the better.

European mercenaries fighting for Gaddafi, expert says

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

From Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver:  Between 300 and 500 European soldiers of fortune, including EU nationals, are working for Colonel Gaddafi in Libya, a leading criminologist has said.