Western Europe

Iceland should keep its faith in NATO

By Vera Knútsdóttir, the Guardian

From Vera Knútsdóttir, the Guardian:  Formal talks on Iceland’s accession to the European Union started on 27 July, spurring heated debates between the pro-EU and anti-EU camps. Some of the more optimistic EU advocates believe that once Iceland joins the EU there will be no need for Iceland to stay in Nato. … These optimists […]

U.S., British troops to train with Kazakh forces

By Robin Paxton, Reuters

From Robin Paxton, Reuters:  British and U.S. troops will join Kazakh forces for 10 days of military exercises from Monday, culminating in a mock peacekeeping operation to strengthen links between the three countries on Central Asian soil. More than 1,000 military personnel, including a large contingent from the air mobile force of the Kazakh armed […]

Danish PM hopes troops can leave Afghanistan by 2015

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

From Adrian Croft, Reuters:  Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Thursday he hoped Denmark could withdraw many of its 700 troops from Afghanistan by 2015, or even earlier.

Russian Espionage Targeting New NATO Members

By Gregory Feifer, RFE/RL

From Gregory Feifer, RFE/RL:  The three Czech generals make an impressive roster: the head of the president’s military office, the country’s NATO representative in Europe, and a deputy head of the chief of staff.

Afghanistan Clock Ticking

By James Joyner, the New Atlanticist

From James Joyner, the New Atlanticist:  The Netherlands became the first NATO member to quit Afghanistan Sunday, when it withdrew its 1955 troops.

What’s going on inside David Cameron’s foreign policy?

By Will Inboden, Foreign Policy

Britain’s first National Security Advisor stepping down

By David Stringer, the AP

Dutch become 1st NATO member to quit Afghanistan

By  Robert Reid, the AP

From Robert Reid, the AP:  The Netherlands became the first NATO country to end its combat mission in Afghanistan, drawing the curtain Sunday on a four-year operation that was deeply unpopular at home and even brought down a Dutch government. The departure of the small force of nearly 1,900 Dutch troops is not expected to affect […]

German army cuts to push Europe closer on defence

By Dave Graham, Reuters

From Dave Graham, Reuters:  The biggest cuts in military spending in decades in Germany, Britain and France could encourage Europe to move closer to a joint defence policy to pool resources and eliminate costly duplication. Germany, increasingly active in international military missions in recent years, is poised to shrink its army by up to 40 […]

British PM in Turkey: ‘I will remain your strongest possible advocate for EU Membership’

By David Cameron, British Prime Minister's Office