Foreign Policy Blogs

Euro-Atlantic Security

Culture, the missing link to cooperation?

Culture, the missing link to cooperation?

As promised, here are my thoughts and reflections on the 2012 Security Jam. First of all, over this weeklong discussion, the numbers have been quite impressive with over 15.000 logins, 3.000 posts, and experts from 110 countries. These facts give an idea of the …

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Follow the Rhythm: Security JAM

Follow the Rhythm: Security JAM

One of the largest cyber discussions on global security and transatlantic relations kicked off several hours ago. From March 19th to 23rd, the 2012 Security Jam offers a week long platform of discussion, allowing world experts and non-experts to debate, interact, and present ideas on …

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America Recalibrates Its Israeli Alliance

America Recalibrates Its Israeli Alliance

The following is an excerpt from Atlantic Council Senior Fellow and fellow of the Foreign Policy Association Sarwar Kashmeri. Read the complete article here.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned home without receiving an American endorsement for an Israeli attack on Iran. Neither did he …

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The Case for NATO in an Age of Austerity

The Case for NATO in an Age of Austerity

The budget cuts experienced by much of the Western world are predominantly viewed through the prism of job loss, shrinking pensions, and healthcare cuts. While these concerns are absolutely legitimate, the public as a whole – as opposed to a narrow group of politicians and policy experts – …

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Great Decision 2012 – Assessing Cyberthreats in the Digital Age

Great Decision 2012 – Assessing Cyberthreats in the Digital Age

“Is the US at risk?” is the extremely relevant question raised by this outstanding discussion, part of the 2012 Great Decision eight mini-episodes, on the threat of cybersecurity. Cyberthreats have been at the heart of a new body of literature in International …

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2012 State of the Union – America is Back, Europe is Gone

2012 State of the Union – America is Back, Europe is Gone

In Obama’s third State of the Union, foreign policy and defense achievements were only used as opening and closing components to his one hour long speech. This was not a surprise considering the current domestic and economic situation of the U.S., as well as …

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What Does a “Leaner” US Defense Mean for Europe?

What Does a “Leaner” US Defense Mean for Europe?

In an era of austerity, US defense is facing cutbacks, or to stick with the administration’s euphemism, the US military will become “leaner”. This much is clear following the release of the latest US defense review, Sustaining US Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st …

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A Passage to Kabul

A Passage to Kabul

A recent reading of E. M. Forster’s novel, A Passage to India, prompted me to reflect on the West’s drawn out engagement in Afghanistan. The centerpiece of this prescient narrative is an incident in an ancient cave in Northwestern India between an Indian doctor …

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The Return of Mars: Why Does Looking at the GOP Debate on Foreign Policy Matter for Europeans?

The Return of Mars: Why Does Looking at the GOP Debate on Foreign Policy Matter for Europeans?

On November 22, 2011, CNN hosted a debate between the Republican candidates for the presidential nomination, this time dedicated to the theme of national security. The debate was sponsored by the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), two of the …

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A Post-Libya NATO Assessment

A Post-Libya NATO Assessment

Guest Post: Dominik P. Jankowski
The last year has revealed to the Europeans three important truths about the American defense posture. First, spending on the military in the United States has reached such heights—almost $700 billion—that it has become too large for deficit-cutters to ignore. Therefore, reductions …

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Smart, Soft, Silent Powers: The UNESCO Problem of the Euro-Atlantic Community

Smart, Soft, Silent Powers: The UNESCO Problem of the Euro-Atlantic Community

UNESCO recently admitted Palestine as a full time member of the UN family. This decision has had considerable consequences: division among the EU powerhouses, U.S. suspension of its financial support to UNESCO, and the end of the Euro-Atlantic community unity as we know it. The 194 …

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‘Smart Defense’ or the Rise of Atlantilateralism

‘Smart Defense’ or the Rise of Atlantilateralism

On September 30th, Mr. Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, gave a talk underlining the themes that will be addressed in the Chicago Summit in May 2012. Mr. Rasmussen is facing a considerable challenge on top of the Afghan mission, namely the financial crisis. The crisis …

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Afghanistalgia

Afghanistalgia


Nostalgia is everywhere these days, a far cry from the good old days when we used to live for the future. Woody Allen. South Africa politicians. Even Mad Men are in on the act.
But nostalgia for …

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‘The Path of Glory Leads but to the Grave’: The Most Important Battle Ever Fought in the History of Transatlantic Relations

‘The Path of Glory Leads but to the Grave’: The Most Important Battle Ever Fought in the History of Transatlantic Relations

On a moonless night in the morning hours of September 13, 1759, a procession of boats steered silently down the St. Lawrence River. The boats contained the small British expeditionary force under the command of 32-year-old, red-haired Major-General James Wolfe, who in a low voice repeated …

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Strategic Innovation And Contemporary Warfare: Where Have All The Mansteins Gone?

Strategic Innovation And Contemporary Warfare: Where Have All The Mansteins Gone?

Wired recently published this article entitled ” How Special Ops Copied al-Qaida to Kill it”. It outlines the work of General Stanley McChrystal and his efforts to defeat a Al Quaida, based on the realization that, “to defeat a networked enemy we had to …

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