U.S.

Senate confirms Breedlove as NATO's new Supreme Allied Commander Europe

Jorge Benitez — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:02:06 -0500

From Allied Command Operations: U.S. Air Force General Philip M. Breedlove was confirmed by the United States Senate as NATO’s next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)

On American Calls to Impose Conditions on Aid to Post-Revolutionary Egypt

Amr Abd El-Atty — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:12:48 -0500

There has been increased talk in US Congress lately on imposing conditions on American economic and military aid to post-revolutionary Egypt, which currently sits at $1.5 Billion annually. In the past week, four members of the US Senate proposed amendments to the federal budget concerning this aid.

Russia tones down criticism of new U.S. missile plans

Jorge Benitez — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:34:22 -0500

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters: Russia signaled on Thursday that a change in U.S. plans for a European anti-missile shield could help the two sides make progress towards resolving a dispute that has frayed their relations.

The United States Hasn't Helped Egypt's Liberals Nearly Enough

Tarek Radwan — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:11:24 -0600

US President Barack Obama stood at a White House podium, echoing the pride of the Egyptian people's call for freedom in a speech on Feb. 11, 2011, the same day that former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak finally relinquished power. In his remarks, Obama told the world, "The United States will continue to be a friend and partner to Egypt. We stand ready to provide whatever assistance is necessary--and asked for--to pursue a credible transition to a democracy."

Iran and Hezbollah building 50,000 strong militia in Syria for post-Assad contingencies

Jorge Benitez — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:23:47 -0600

From Karen DeYoung and Joby Warrick, Washington Post: Iran and Hezbollah, its Lebanese proxy, are building a network of militias inside Syria to preserve and protect their interests in the event that President Bashar al-Assad’s government falls or is forced to retreat from Damascus, according to U.S. and Middle Eastern officials.

U.S. said to be target of massive cyber-espionage campaign

Jorge Benitez — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:08:21 -0600

From Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post: A new intelligence assessment has concluded that the United States is the target of a massive, sustained cyber-espionage campaign that is threatening the country’s economic competitiveness, according to individuals familiar with the report.

Rasmussen: 'NATO cannot act as the world's policeman'

Jorge Benitez — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:49:54 -0600

From Andrew Rettman, EUobserver: Nato head Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that the alliance would only take action against Syria if Turkey is attacked.

Abandoning the MEADS missile defense program may cost the U.S. more than completing it

Jorge Benitez — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:00:57 -0600

From Tom Kington and Albrecht Muller, Defense News: Italy and Germany have warned the U.S. that it could be liable for penalty payments of $400 million if it pulls out of a trilateral anti-missile program, almost exactly the sum U.S. politicians want to save by canceling U.S. involvement.