Transatlantic Relations

Back on the "Special Relationship" Merry-go-round

Alex Massie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:49 -0500

Sure as eggs is eggs, the arrival of a new American president heralds fresh fretting in the British press over the precise state of the so-called "Special Relationship".

Counterterrorism Plan for Obama

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:47:09 -0500

Atlantic Council senior fellow David L. Phillips published an op-ed at the Boston Globe entitled, "A counterterrorism plan for Obama."

Bypassing NATO?: Ukraine and Georgia Seek to Strengthen Ties with U.S.

Peter Cassata — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0500

Will the U.S. extend security guarantees to Georgia and Ukraine on a bilateral basis? With NATO MAPs not on the table for the foreseeable future, pacts with the U.S. are emerging in both countries. However, Ukraine's is nonbinding, and as my colleague James Joyner points out, Georgia's seems largely symbolic. RFE/RL ran two articles about the deals late last week.

Fostering Civil Society in Georgia

Cynthia Romero — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:56:03 -0500

Standing in front of Sameba Cathedral in Tbilisi on a recent trip, I couldn’t help but be in awe of this striking building. The new church is a work in progress, abuzz with activity, and well attended by the city’s residents, including many of its young people.

NATO a House Divided Against Itself?

James Joyner — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:36:29 -0500

NATO must "find a political voice or collapse," says Times of London defense editor Michael Evans. "It has become so multi-tasked, so desperate to get involved in everything from cyber warfare to anti-piracy and missile defence, let alone a hugely draining and complex campaign in Afghanistan, that it has lost its way."

How Special is the Special Relationship?

James Joyner — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:19:08 -0500

Retired brigadier and author Allan Mallinson writes in the Times of London that the special relationship between the UK and the US "needs repair work."

Georgia and Ukraine: Circumnavigating the MAP

Jeffrey Mankoff — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:26:40 -0500

Washington and London have proposed dropping the NATO MAPs for Georgia and Ukraine, favoring instead an open-ended development plan to bring both countries closer to membership. While Germany and France protest such unorthodoxy, this more flexible approach may allow NATO to prudently balance its interests with Russia and for eventual Georgian-Ukrainian expansion.

Czech EU Presidency: New Euroskeptic Era?

Peter Cassata — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0500

At the new year, France will hand over the EU presidency to the Czech Republic. In addition to a probable marked decline in summits (Mr. Sarkozy's specialty as of late), the incoming Czech leadership has many European bureaucrats worrying: the French successor, Czech president Václav Klaus, is a fervent Euroskeptic.

NATO Says 'No' to Georgia and Ukraine ... For Now

Peter Cassata — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:00 -0500

It's official – NATO will not offer Georgia and Ukraine Membership Action Plans (MAPs), Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said after a two-day summit of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

Will Obama Fix Transatlantic Relations?

James Joyner — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:09:32 -0500

It's an article of faith that Barack Obama's inauguration will usher in a new era of transatlantic comity.