BRUSSELS — The mood on China in Western capitals is beginning to darken. From cyber-attacks to obstinacy in Copenhagen, Beijing’s assertiveness and the hardening tone of its diplomacy are prompting a rethink. If the competitive aspects of the relationship with China are going to dominate in the years ahead, have … 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…
BRUSSELS — To many people outside of Brussels, the process that resulted in the selection of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as President of the European Council and Catherine Ashton to the dual-hatted position as High Representative for External Affairs and Vice President of the European Commission was a … 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…
BERLIN — Iran’s nuclear policy is a bit like a Persian veil dance – a lot of declarations, announcements and verbal promises that hide its real intentions and policies. To get a clearer picture of what is really going on, let’s look through the layers.
Various Iranian officials have indicated various … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON — On Saturday, the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Armenia met in Zurich and signed accords aimed at establishing diplomatic relations and opening their closed border. They also agreed to a series of consultations and confidence-building measures to resolve longstanding disputes and foster closer cooperation. These protocols still need … Continue Reading…
The September 17 decision itself seemed to strike the right balance between the need to keep U.S. missile defense options open, and to adjust the program to evolving strategic realities and political priorities.The strategic side was left to U.S. Secretary of State Robert Gates to justify, on the ground that … Continue Reading…
On September 24 the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-sponsored resolution aimed at slowing the spread of nuclear weapons and reducing global stockpiles. GMF’s John Glenn discusses what this decision means for future transatlantic relations and cooperation.
ANKARA — In the shadow of the White House announcement that U.S. President Barack Obama would abandon the missile defense system planned for Eastern Europe in favor of a ship-based missile defense system, the Pentagon notified Congress of a possible $7.8 billion sale of Patriot PAC-3 antimissile batteries and related … Continue Reading…