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 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 February 22, 2013 by Luke Coffey
U.S. Should Back a Robust Afghan National Security Force
Overshadowed by the announcement in President Obama’s State of the Union address that 34,000 U.S. troops will be brought home from Afghanistan was an acknowledgement that the capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) need to improve. The U.S. should argue that the ANSF should not be reduced in numbers as currently planned, and the White House should press…
Issue Brief posted January 24, 2013 by Luke Coffey
Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Senate Confirmation Hearings: U.S. Policy on Arctic Security
In the coming weeks, the United States Senate will begin the confirmation process for three key Administration positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House chief counterterrorism advisor John Brennan for director of the CIA. All three have been prominent backers of President…
Issue Brief posted January 9, 2013 by Nile Gardiner, Ph.D., Luke Coffey, Theodore R. Bromund, Ph.D.
Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan Senate Confirmation Hearings: U.S. Policy on Europe
In the coming weeks, the United States Senate will begin the confirmation process for three key Administration positions: Senator John Kerry (D–MA) for Secretary of State, former Senator Chuck Hagel (R–NE) for Secretary of Defense, and White House Chief Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan for Director of the CIA. All three have been prominent backers of President…
Issue Brief posted November 26, 2012 by Luke Coffey
Argentina No Longer Deserves to Be a Major Non-NATO Ally of the U.S.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton designated Argentina as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) of the United States—a highly sought-after status that includes exclusive military-to-military cooperation. Today, only 15 countries in the world enjoy MNNA status.
However, Argentina under the leadership of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is not the dependable and friendly Argentina…
Issue Brief posted November 13, 2012 by Luke Coffey
Removing Brigade Combat Teams from Europe Undercuts NATO Allies
In January 2012, the Obama Administration reversed an earlier decision to remove one Brigade Combat Team (BCT) permanently based in Europe sometime after 2015 and announced new plans to remove two BCTs by 2014. The current plan is to replace the two BCTs with a single U.S.-based rotational battalion. The re-election of President Obama makes these troop reductions from…
Issue Brief posted October 5, 2012 by Luke Coffey
NATO Must Refocus on Afghanistan
On October 9–11, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s 28 defense ministers will meet in Brussels. The top priority for the United States at this ministerial meeting should be ensuring that NATO demonstrates resolve and commitment to Afghanistan—especially in light of the recent “green on blue” attacks. The Alliance needs to realize that reforms such as Smart Defense…
Issue Brief posted August 15, 2012 by Luke Coffey
Arctic Region: U.S. Policy on Arctic Security
The Arctic region is home to some of the roughest terrain and harshest weather found anywhere in the world. Arctic ice is increasingly melting during the summer months, causing new challenges for the U.S. in terms of Arctic security. For example, the decreasing presence of ice will mean new shipping lanes opening, increased tourism, and further natural resource…
Issue Brief posted July 27, 2012 by Luke Coffey
NATO Should Improve Relations with Its Southern Neighbors
In light of the uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa, the continued threat in the region from al-Qaeda, and the nuclear threat and state-sponsored terrorism from Iran, many in NATO have rightly decided to place a renewed focus on working with regional partners on its periphery. NATO already has structures in place to better cooperate with partners in this…
Special Report posted July 11, 2012 by Luke Coffey
Keeping America Safe: Why U.S. Bases in Europe Remain Vital
Executive Summary
As part of a policy that is shrinking America’s military presence in the world, the Obama Administration’s recent defense cuts heavily impact the U.S. military footprint in Europe. These cuts are sending the wrong signal on America’s commitment to transatlantic security and will embolden U.S. adversaries in the Euro–Atlantic region. Most…
Issue Brief posted June 22, 2012 by Luke Coffey
NATO in the Arctic: Challenges and Opportunities
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for a number of geostrategic reasons. Thawing ice allows lucrative shipping lanes to open and increases the possibility of natural resource exploration. Since four of the five Arctic littoral countries, in addition to Iceland, are also members of NATO, the alliance cannot afford to ignore the Arctic.
The U.S.…