Backgrounder posted June 6, 2013 by Luke Coffey
EU Defense Integration: Undermining NATO, Transatlantic Relations, and Europe’s Security
When it comes to defense and military capability in the 21st century, it is clear that Europe is not pulling its weight. Spending and investment in defense across Europe has steadily declined since the end of the Cold War. The political will to deploy troops into harm’s way when it is in the national interest has all but evaporated for most EU countries. During the recent…
Issue Brief posted June 5, 2013 by Luke Coffey
The U.S. Should Back Montenegro’s NATO Membership
Montenegro, a small but geopolitically important Balkan nation, has made steady progress in its path toward NATO membership since it formally began a Membership Action Plan (MAP) in 2009. As one of the four official NATO-aspirant countries and currently in the third cycle of the MAP, Montenegro has made and continues to make significant reforms that are essential for NATO…
Issue Brief posted May 23, 2013 by Luke Coffey
Withdrawing U.S. Forces from Europe Weakens America
In the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, the House of Representatives passed an amendment that called for the removal of all four U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) currently based in Europe. It is likely that a similar amendment will be considered in the upcoming FY 2014 NDAA.
The sponsors of the amendment, Representatives Mike…
Issue Brief posted May 10, 2013 by Luke Coffey, James Phillips
On Hezbollah, the U.S. Should Work Around the EU
The European Union (EU) has repeatedly failed to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. This failure makes Europeans and the Euro-Atlantic region less safe. It also shows the EU’s shortcomings when it comes to agreeing on common positions and demonstrates why individual European countries need to develop their own policies regarding national security.
Since…
Issue Brief posted May 10, 2013 by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., Luke Coffey, Theodore R. Bromund, Ph.D.
In Meeting with Cameron, Obama Should Advance the U.S.–U.K. Special Relationship
President Barack Obama will host British Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House on May 13. Publicly, it has been announced that the visit will be dominated by events in Syria, economic cooperation, countering terrorism, and priorities for the next meeting of the G-8.
Privately, David Cameron is likely to raise a number of sensitive issues, such as the U.S.…
Issue Brief posted April 24, 2013 by Luke Coffey
Steadfast Jazz 2013 and America’s Commitment to NATO
In November 2013, NATO will conduct a military training exercise called Steadfast Jazz 2013. The exercise will be held in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. According to NATO, the primary purpose of the exercise is to certify command and control elements of its NATO Response Force. However, considering the size, timing, and location of the exercise, it will also help…
Issue Brief posted April 5, 2013 by Luke Coffey
No European Union Membership in the Arctic Council
In May, representatives from the eight Arctic countries that serve as permanent members of the Arctic Council will meet in Kiruna, Sweden, for the Arctic Council’s State of the Arctic meeting. At this time the applications of 14 countries and organizations seeking observer status in the Arctic Council will be considered. Among these applicants is the European Union (EU)…
Issue Brief posted April 2, 2013 by Brian Slattery, Luke Coffey
Strengthen the Coast Guard’s Presence in the Arctic
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly important to U.S. national interests. Ice in the Arctic has reached the lowest level since records began in 1979, opening up new possibilities for maritime trade, tourism, and natural resource exploration. Consequently, more actors than ever before will be operating in the Arctic region.
This reality will present both…
Lecture posted March 5, 2013 by Luke Coffey
Future of Europe: Political and Economic Realities Facing the European Union
I would like to begin by thanking the CATO Institute for hosting this event and for inviting me to participate. I am going to offer an alternative view of Europe today. I am a pro-states-rights American. I believe that power should be shifted to, and decisions should be made at, the lowest level closest to those most affected. My views on Europe are shaped first and…
Backgrounder posted March 4, 2013 by Luke Coffey, Theodore R. Bromund, Ph.D., Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
The United States Should Recognize British Sovereignty Over the Falkland Islands
In 1982, the United Kingdom, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, went to war with Argentina in the South Atlantic to retake the Falkland Islands. Unprovoked, Argentina had invaded the Islands and occupied them for two months. Against the odds, Prime Minister Thatcher assembled a naval task force and deployed it to the South Atlantic to liberate the Islands and their…
Audio Recorded on March 1, 2013
Heritage in Focus: Bullying the Falklands
Fellows Luke Coffey and Ted Bromund discuss the century-long feud between Argentina and the United Kingdom over sovereignty of the Falkland Islands on this week's Heritage in Focus. Jackie Anderson hosts.
To get regular updates on Heritage in Focus podcasts, visit our RSS feed or subscribe on iTunes.…
Issue Brief posted February 27, 2013 by Luke Coffey, Theodore R. Bromund, Ph.D., Nile Gardiner, Ph.D.
Falkland Islands: U.S. Should Support Right to Self-Determination
On March 10–11, the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, will hold a referendum to decide whether to maintain allegiance to Great Britain. The islands are self-governing but maintain the British monarch as their head of state. The referendum is an answer to Argentina, which, though defeated by Britain in the 1982 Falklands War, is again…