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Showing posts from May, 2016
Europe Facing a ‘Stress Test’ Europe is facing a “stress test” in the form of challenges from a “belligerent” Russia, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, a historic influx of migrants, high rates of unemployment, and low levels of trust in European institutions, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to the United States, Kim Darroch, said at the Atlantic Council on May 25. Given this reality, he added, it is important for the UK to remain in the European Union.
Taliban Leader’s Death Puts Pakistan on Notice The US drone strike that killed Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour in Pakistan over the weekend should send a clear signal that the United States will no longer tolerate terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan, said the Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham.
A ‘Shortsighted’ US Embrace   The Obama administration has, in the conduct of its war against terrorism, embraced a “shortsighted” approach that sets aside a democratic agenda and overlooks human rights abuses committed by some of its closest allies and partners in the Middle East, Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said on May 18.
Failure to Quickly Ratify TPP Will Delay Trade Deal by ‘at Least a Decade’ A failure by Congress to speedily ratify a free-trade agreement between the United States and eleven other Pacific Rim nations will mean that it would take “at least a decade” to muster the political capital needed to push the deal over the finish line, retired Adm. Michael Mullen, a former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the Atlantic Council on May 16.  
Libya Gets a Helping Hand in Anti-ISIS Fight   A decision by the United States and twenty other nations to provide weapons and training to help Libya’s UN-backed government fight the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) will put pressure on opponents—particularly a popular former General in Benghazi—to rally behind the new administration, said the Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran.
Contributions to NATO More Than Just Budgetary, says Canada's Defense Minister NATO member states’ defense expenditure must be measured in much more than just budgetary terms, Canada’s Defense Minister, Harjit Sajjan, said on May 12. 
Give (Arab) Peace (Initiative) a Chance   In the absence of a credible Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, Gulf Arab states and Israel will find it hard to elevate their security cooperation to deal with the threats posed by Iran and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, according to the Atlantic Council’s Bilal Y. Saab.
Brexit Could Lead to ‘Dismembering’ of the European Union A British exit from the European Union would weaken the United Kingdom, likely unravel the EU by setting off a “cascade of referendums,” and endanger US national security interests, two former US national security advisors said on May 11.
Chuck Hagel to Next US President: Talk to Putin As it ramps up its troop presence in Europe’s eastern flank, NATO must be careful not to get embroiled in a “Cold War buildup” with Russia, and the next US president must make it a priority to engage directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chuck Hagel, a former US defense secretary who currently serves as a distinguished statesman at the Atlantic Council, said in Washington on May 10.
A ‘Steady March to Authoritarianism’ in Turkey   Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet DavutoÄŸlu’s decision to resign following disagreements with President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan will heighten political polarization inside Turkey, said the Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein.
Brexit Would Have a ‘Dramatic Effect’ on the West’s Stability The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union would have a “dramatic effect” on the stability of the West, warned Lord George Robertson, who has served as Secretary General of NATO as well as the United Kingdom’s Defence Minister.
Former Defense Secretary Gates to America: ‘Reject Isolationism’ American leaders must “reject isolationism” and Europe must “get its internal security house in order,” former US Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Awards gala in Washington on May 3.