Western Europe

Britain’s coalition government attacked over withdrawal plans

By Alex Barker, James Blitz, and George Parker, the Financial Times

Obama strategist: ‘the durability of this mission has to be attended to’

By David E. Sanger, the New York Times

From David E. Sanger, the New York Times:  When President Obama announced a new strategy for Afghanistan in December, he argued that by setting a deadline of next summer to begin drawing down troops he would create a sense of urgency for the Afghan government to take the lead in the fight, while acknowledging the […]

Allies privately differ on defining July date and withdrawal plans

By  Alissa J. Rubin, Richard A. Oppel, Jr. and Mark Landler, the New York Times

From Alissa J. Rubin, Richard A. Oppel, Jr. and Mark Landler, the New York Times:  The United States, European and other foreign leaders met here Tuesday to pledge anew their support for Afghanistan as they committed to complete transition of security and budgeting responsibility to the Afghan government by 2014. They acknowledged that neither the public in their […]

It’s Time to Ratify the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties

By Jonathan Ruemelin, Damon Wilson, and Jeff Lightfoot

During David Cameron’s first visit to Washington as Britain’s Prime Minister, a new Atlantic Council issue brief calls for the White House and Senate to act to ratify the U.S.-UK and U.S.-Australia Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties. To affirm the U.S.-UK special relationship, and to advance timely military, economic and diplomatic interests, Cameron’s visit is the […]

Help Our Friends Fight with Us: Ratify the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaties with the UK and Australia

By Damon Wilson and Jonathan Ruemelin

President Obama will host British Prime Minister David Cameron for the first time at the White House on Tuesday as both sides try to reassure the other that the ‘special relationship’ is indeed special.  There is no better way to calm the waters in the special relationship than by decisive Senate action to approve the […]

Liam Fox: troops will leave Afghanistan by 2014

By Ben Farmer, the Telegraph

From Ben Farmer, the Telegraph:  Dr Fox said that within four years the Afghan army and police should take responsibility for security, leaving British troops to work only as military trainers. The date is a full year earlier than the deadline suggested by David Cameron this month, who said he wanted most troops back by 2015. […]

Defense system on NATO ships compatible with new anti-aircraft laser

By the BBC

Official – Troops out of Afghanistan by 2014

By Jonathan Owen and Brian Brady, the Independent

From Jonathan Owen and Brian Brady, the Independent:  A communiqué containing a blueprint for British troops to pull out from Afghanistan in four years’ time has been leaked ahead of a major international conference this week. British troops are to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, under a secret blueprint for drawing down coalition forces […]

Projects that may be hit by European defence cuts

By Reuters

From Reuters:  With governments across Europe planning to slash tens of billions of euros from their defence budgets, major projects are under scrutiny for possible cancellations or cuts.

NATO Secretary General warns that European defense cuts may make ‘the Transatlantic relationship less relevant’

By James Kirkup, the Telegraph