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Council News
Mihaela Carstei on the US-Canada Keystone Pipeline Project (CTV)
On the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit to the United States, Energy & Environment Program Associate Director Mihaela Carstei joins CTV to discuss the Keystone Pipeline project that would transport tar sands oil from Canada and the northern United States to refineries in the Gulf coast of Texas.
Frederic Hof on US Position in Syria Crisis (BBC World Service)
Hariri Middle East Center Senior Fellow Frederic Hof speaks with the BBC’s Tim Franks about the cautious US position with respect to resolving the Syria crisis.
Shuja Nawaz Response to Pakistan Election Results (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz joins a live Google Hangout organized by RFE/RL to discuss Pakistan’s historic elections.
Shuja Nawaz Speaks About Pakistan Elections (CCTV America)
South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz joins CCTV America to discuss Pakistan’s historic elections.
How to Keep Transatlantic Security AAA: Outsmarting the Crisis by Thinking Beyond Institutional Lines
January 12, 2012
On January 12, the Atlantic Council hosted H.E. Hans Hillen, the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for remarks on NATO defense spending in the context of the Eurozone crisis and the transatlantic economic downturn.
The European sovereign debt crisis threatens not only to undermine the credit ratings of European governments and banks, but also the relevance of the NATO Alliance and its credibility as a guarantor of European and global security. Despite its relatively strong fiscal position, the Netherlands has been forced to make its own spending cuts, including roughly $1 billion in reductions to defense spending that will eliminate the Netherlands tank force, eliminate 10,000 positions at the Ministry of Defense, and reduce the size of its navy and air force. In this context, Minister Hillen outlined a Netherlands perspective on NATO's Smart Defense agenda, and offered thoughts on how member states can enhance multinational cooperation to preserve critical Alliance capabilities.
Minister Hillen has served as the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands since October 2010. Prior to serving as the Minister of Defense, he served as Chairman of the Christian Democratic Alliance, as an elected member of the Senate and House of Representatives, and worked in the Ministry of Finance. Prior to serving in government, he worked in public broadcasting as a journalist for fourteen years and taught secondary school.
Remarks by
H.E. Hans Hillen
Minister of Defense
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Moderated by
Mr. Barry Pavel
Director Designate, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security
Director, Program on International Security
Atlantic Council
TRANSCRIPT
Minister Hillen's Prepared Remarks
AUDIO (.mp3)
MEDIA MENTIONS
- Netherlands asks Denmark, Norway to join F-35 buy - AFP
- The Holland Bureau: Maintaining a 'Triple A alliance 'in an age of austerity - DutchNews.nl
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