From Oxford Analytica, CNN: Every generation of Western politicians has dreaded the possibility of NATO's demise.

From Peter Apps, Reuters:  The European Union might appear a military superpower, at least on paper. It has more uniformed personnel than the United States and overall EU defense spending outstrips Russia or China.

From Clara Marina O’Donnell, the Center for European Reform:  Britain and France must work with Poland to refocus the EU debate on military capabilities.

From Benjamin Weinthal, the New Republic:  As the world witnesses the Syrian and Iranian regimes commit countless human rights abuses and, in Iran’s case, move ever closer to perfecting its nuclear capabilities, there’s a common belief that, short of military intervention, there’s nothing that can be done. As it turns out, however, that’s far from the truth

From Steven Erlanger and Stephen Castle, the New York Times:  [NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh] Rasmussen criticized a proposal from the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain to set up a defense-planning headquarters for the European Union based in Brussels.

From Benoit Gomis, defensemanagement.com:  The recent crisis in Libya has provided an illustration of the current and future opportunities and challenges for the alliance resulting from a renewed Franco-British partnership.

From Stephen Castle, the International Herald Tribune:  In addition to the European Union’s single currency and its passport-free travel zone, Britain now faces a new and unwelcome test of its engagement with Continental partners, this time over defense.

From Geoffrey Van Orden, the Telegraph:  Since the St Malo agreement of 1998 I have led the opposition to EU meddling in defence.