WASHINGTON — World leaders meeting in London to discuss Afghanistan’s future have dealt themselves a weak hand. The principal obstacles to success in Afghanistan have not been the adversary’s strength or any lack of support for the international mission by the Afghan public. Rather, the primary obstacles to victory have … Continue Reading…
In a GMF video feature, Senior Fellow Dan Twining explains the importance of the Afghanistan conference on January 28, and the key topics shaping the discussion.
BERLIN — One year after taking office, President Obama’s polls have plummeted, unemployment is at 10 percent, the loss of Ted Kennedy’s Massachusetts Senate seat endangers the administration’s health care reforms, and Iran has rejected a deal that would allow it to enrich uranium abroad. All of that is bad … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON – On December 1, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the United States will increase its military commitment as well as civilian engagement in Afghanistan. The President’s announcement has already resulted in the allocation of more than 5,000 additional European troops and trainers for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) effort. … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON, DC — On the eve of this week’s Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and NATO Ministerial meetings, in addition to a NATO-Russia Council gathering, Russian officials unveiled their long-awaited proposal for a new European Security Treaty. The Medvedev proposal, as it has become known, has been … Continue Reading…
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — For those of you who haven’t seen our tweets, facebook, e-mails, or any of the other ways we’ve been broadcasting this weekend, check out the Halifax Forum website for all sorts of good material: videos (including livestreams), … Continue Reading…
BRUSSELS — For a supposedly stillborn concept, talk of a G2 — actual or potential — has proved remarkably durable. Why, despite the implausibility of the notion, does it continue? Anyone looking for signs of an emerging Sino-American global condominium in Tuesday’s comprehensive joint declaration would indeed have had slim … Continue Reading…
BRUSSELS — Of all the regional actors engaged in Afghanistan and Pakistan, China’s role is perhaps the most opaque. Alternately coaxed as a potential savior and condemned as a parasitic free-rider, the transatlantic allies have not yet worked out how to harness Beijing’s undoubted influence and economic clout. This is … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON — It has been eight years since the United States and a coalition of allies first liberated the Afghan people from the horrific grip of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, its terrorist cohorts. It has been a little more than three years since NATO assumed all responsibility for security … Continue Reading…