The Streit Council works toward better-organized cooperation between the US and Europe, along with other OECD democracies. Weaving academic research with policy work, the Streit Council provides a non-partisan forum where policymakers and scholars explore new approaches to inter-democracy relations and their impact on global stability.

What's New:

Further Integration on Transatlantic Aviation Cooperation
1 May 2008 - Flight Global
The United States and the European Union have agreed on a second round of negotiations following the Open Skies Agreement to further liberalize the aviation industry. The second round will begin in the middle of May in Slovenia. Some of the key decisions that need to be resolved for the second round of negotiations are the issue of ownership and control restrictions on US ­airlines. These latter agreements would allow European airlines to operate throughout  the United States, as well as directly invest in American airlines.  Daniel Calleja, director of the European Commission's air transport directorate and the chief negotiator, stated his goals for the second round: "What we want is a transatlantic common aviation area and this wasn't achieved in the first stage [of negotiations]." (Read More).

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Releases New Report on the Need to Resolve Transatlantic Regulatory Barriers
1 May 2008 - The Financial
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a report on April 30, 2008 indicating how the United States and the European Union could quickly add more than $10 billion to the transatlantic economic relationship, if the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) resolves regulatory barriers. In addition to this, more than 30,000 new jobs would be created argues Stan Anderson, Chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Global Regulatory Cooperation initiative. The U.S. Chamber and BUSINESSEUROPE have readily embraced the TEC as a unique opportunity to make tangible progress in removing long-standing trade and investment non-tariff barriers in very specific areas of regulations such as cosmetics and electrical equipment, as well as in broad cross-sectoral areas like accounting standards or secure shipper programs. The TEC is slated to next meet on May 13th in Brussels to announce progress made on its agenda. (Read More).

German Foreign Minister Speaks on Germany's Role in the World
12 April 2008 - Harvard University
German Foreign Minister, Walter Steinmeier delivered the key note speech at Harvard University's conference on Germany in the Modern World. He argued that the Atlantic partnership must adjust and transform to better address a series of new global opportunities to take on challenges such as scarce resources, people left behind by globalization, security and fighting terrorism. Mr. Steinmeir's speech echoed U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall's speech at Harvard University in 1947 when he outlined what was later going to be known as the Marshall Plan. The German Foreign Minister argued that just as Secretary Marshall's vision in a nutshell was "smart power," so too does the United States need to use "smart power" to serve its interests. "To use 'smart power,' America - with its global reach - needs allies, and Europe - for its global contributions - needs America." (Read More).

U.S. Department of Transportation and European Commission to launch joint research project on airline alliances and competition
17 April 2008 - Travel Daily News
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the European Commission have launched a new joint research project that seeks to study the impact of the new U.S.-EU Open Skies Agreement as well as how airline alliances have affected competition in transatlantic markets. (Read More).

United States Upbeat on Results of NATO Summit
7 April 2008 - Foreign Press Center Briefing, U.S. State Department
At a press conference, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Daniel Fried expressed how last week's NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania was one of the most open and sometimes dramatic and yet productive summits in the history of the alliance. The Assistant Secretary described the four major issues in which the Alliance had made significant progress: The first was  a renewed commitment to transatlantic unity on Afghanistan: "NATO's leaders adopted a statement of our commitment to see that Afghanistan is a success and that we support the Afghan Government." Secretary Fried further expressed satisfaction with the progress being made on missile defense and how the Alliance recognized the threat that ballistic missiles can pose. Mr. Fried was optimistic in regard to a more general architecture involving NATO and how he hoped the United States would be able to work with Russia on this.
In addition to this, there were other advances made during the NATO summit: a strong statement on NATO's commitment to Kosovo and keeping the peace there; work on issues like cybersecurity; NATO taking on a role in energy security; and NATO's overall transformation as a kind of underlying theme of the summit.
And finally, France announced its intention to reintegrate with NATO.
Secretary Fried expressed cautious optimism regarding  Georgia and Ukraine's Membership Action Plan. Mr. Fried also stated how "Greece has made clear that it wants a solution to the name issue, and the Macedonian Government has made clear that it wants a solution to the name issue. Both sides want to move ahead." (Read More).

European Commissioner Peter Mandelson Declares: Better Chances for a World Trade Deal
3 April 2008 - Domain-b.com
EU Commissioner Mendelson was hopeful in his remarks that Member nations of the World Trade Organization would soon be able to reach a basic agreement on the Doha Round of trade."I hope for an agreement in the next month," he said, adding, "I am more confident than I have been up to now."
Mendelson further stated  that both the European Union and the United States are facing demands to make deeper cuts in their agricultural subsidies and tariffs.  At the same time, the Commissioner stated how the European Union wants major developing countries such as India and Brazil to open their markets in exchange. The long-running Doha Round has faced a series of setbacks since it was launched in late 2001. (Read More).

EU Representatives To Hand Over Library Collection to University of Pittsburgh
7 April 2008 - Press Release, Delegation of the European Commission to the United States
The head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, Ambassador John Bruton and Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Žbogar representing the rotating EU Presidency, will visit Pittsburgh April 8-9, 2008 to officially hand over the Delegation's library collection to the University of Pittsburgh's Hillman Library.The collection constitutes the most extensive set of public European Community/European Union documents and publications in North America. "The collection will provide a wealth of information for the research conducted at the European Union Center of Excellence at the University of Pittsburgh," said Ambassador Bruton (Read More).

Georgetown Professor and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations Charles A. Kupchan: NATO Summit Shows Growing Difficulties in Reaching Solidarity in Western Alliance
7 April 2008 - Council on Foreign Relations
In an interview with Bernard Gwertzman, the Council's Consulting Editor, professor Kupchan outlines the the major issues discussed at the immediately past NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania. Early on, it became clear how difficult it would be to reach a general consensus among  the alliance since France, Germany and Italy refused to support President Bush on starting the membership process for Georgia and Ukraine. In addition to this, although a consensus was reached regarding supporting a missile defense system in Poland and Czech Republic, professor Kupchan states: "We're all going to all have to get used to a NATO that's going to be more unwieldy. It's going to take more to reach a consensus than in the past." (Read More).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and European Commission Adopt the Joint Roadmap Towards Mutual Recognition Trade Partnership Programs
28 March 2008 - TradingMarkets.com
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the European Commission's (EC) Taxation and Customs Union Directorate adopted "the U.S.-EU Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC) Roadmap towards Mutual Recognition of Trade Partnership Programs. "European Customs policy aims at achieving mutual recognition of security standards with our major trading partners and in particular with the USA," said Robert Verrue, the Director-General of the European Commission's (EC) Taxation and Customs Union Directorate (TAXUD). (Read More).

Op-Ed: All in a Name
Dora Bakoyannis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Greece 1 April 2008 - Wall Street Journal
The Greek Foreign Minister supports NATO's expansion to two members of the so-called "Adriatic Three," Croatia and Albania. As Southeastern Europe's oldest NATO and EU member, Greece feels a profound obligation to be constructive, supportive and practical regarding its neighbors. However, the Greek Foreign Minister falls short of supporting Macedonia's (Fyrom) NATO membership. (Read More).

The European Union Could Give U.S. A Green Ultimatum
20 March 2008 - Air Cargo New
EU Transportation Commissioner Jacques Barrot, wants carbon credits to play a significant role in the negotiation of a second phase of the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. A major motivator on the European side for this agreement, regulators say, is the belief that US carriers would have an unfair competitive advantage if they escape the European emissions trading scheme. (Read More).

The European Commission to Conduct Joint Transatlantic Air Alliance Study with U.S. Department of Transportation
18 March 2008 - CNN
The European Commission launched a research program with the United States Department of Transportation to research airline alliances, the effect of alliances on airline competition, and possible changes in the role of alliances following the EU-US Open Skies air transport agreement. (Read More).

Secretary Michael Chertoff: Three EU Members Will Pursue Visa-Waiver Program with the United States
17 March 2008 - The Associated Press
At least three more eastern European EU members will pursue visa-waiver agreements with Washington this week, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Sunday. Although Secretary Chertoff did not specify what countries would benefit from the US visa-waiver program, it is largely believed that Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania will follow the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia already have signed preliminary visa-waiver deals with the United States. (Read More).

New Poll: Europeans and Americans Seek Closer Transatlantic Cooperation
24 March 2008 - The Associated Press
Europeans and Americans prefer closer relations, according to a survey newly released by the British Council. "We started looking into this because we had the feeling that anti-Americanism in Europe was growing and that Europe was becoming less relevant in the United States," said Sharon Memis, the director of the U.S. branch of the British Council. According to the poll: "Most Americans seek stronger ties and 63% of Europeans long for the same. Both Europeans and Americans citing their biggest concern as the environment, followed by war and conflict." (Read More).

Sovereign Wealth Funds and Transatlantic Security
24 March 2008 - Al-Hayat, Sven Behrendt
The role of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) has long caused unease in many Western Capitals as the large state-owned investment vehicles start to serve a political agenda in Europe and the United States. According to the investment bank Morgan Stanley, the world's SWFs could grow from US$ 2.5 trillion now to nearly US$ 12 trillion by 2015. How this will impact on European and the American markets has caused concern on both sides of the Atlantic. (Read More)

Verheugen Wants Settlement on Divisive Poultry Issue
19 March 2008 - The Guardian
Guenter Verheugen, the EU's Enterprise and Industry Commissioner and lead European negotiator on the Transatlantic Economic Council, wrote a letter to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso saying that the ban on the importation of American poultry, issued in 1997 because of health concerns, should now be lifted. Verheugen claims that the poultry ban is impeding cooperation on more significant trade issues between Europe and the United States. By lifting the ban, the EU can demonstrate to the U.S., Verheugen contends, its commitment to transatlantic trade cooperation. The TEC was designed to negotiate over regulatory issues just like the poultry ban, and this letter is seen as trying to advance the Council's work. The letter comes ahead of the planned June U.S.-EU summit (Read More).

McCain Wants a Stronger Transatlantic Relationship as the Key to American Foreign Policy
18 March 2008 - Financial Times
John McCain, "America Must be a Good Role Model"
Senator John McCain, Republican nominee for President, writes in a Financial Times editorial that a strong transatlantic alliance can tackle many world problems. The United States and Europe must strengthen cooperation on defense and security, human rights, and climate change. "The key word - says McCain - is “together”. We need to renew and revitalize our democratic solidarity. We need to strengthen our transatlantic alliance as the core of a new global compact – a League of Democracies – that can harness the great power of the more than 100 democratic nations around the world to advance our values and defend our shared interests." (Read More).

European Parliament Celebrates 50th Anniversary
19 March 2008 - European Parliament Website
Today, the world's largest directly elected Parliament celebrates fifty years of operation. On March 19, 1958, the European Parliament was first convened, representing six member states and 168 million people. Today, it speaks on behalf of 500 million EU citizens from 27 nations. Speaking at the anniversary celebration in Strasbourg, France, President of the European Council Janez Jansa said that, thanks in large part to European integration: "practically all of wider Europe now also lives in freedom and democracy. This is an achievement worth embracing and celebrating." (Read More).

NATO Secretary General Wants New Strategic Concept
15 March 2008 - Bloomberg.com
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO's Secretary General, stated in a lecture to the German Marshall Fund that NATO needs an Atlantic Charter to guide the Alliance's actions. Scheffer said that by the 2009 summit meeting, NATO should adopt a Strategic Concept which increases NATO's budget outlays and cooperation with bodies such as the EU and the UN. By doing so, Scheffer hopes that reforms can make NATO a strong 21st century institution: "Challenges are multifaceted, interlinked and can arise from anywhere. We need to do a better job of scanning the strategic horizon. We can't just be reactive." (Read More).

EU Agrees to Binding Climate Change Measure
14 March 2008 - RTE News
EU leaders meeting in Brussels have, according to statements issued by Slovenia's Prime Minister, reached an agreement on binding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The member states have put the target C02 reductions at 20% by 2020. This is expected to be achieved primarily by conversion to clean renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind energy. The EU agreement comes a few months before July's G8 meeting Japan, where climate change is expected to be a the top of the agenda. (Read More).

EU Leaders Agree to Modified Form of Sarkozy's Mediterranean Union
14 March 2008 - EUObserver.
EU leaders, meeting in Brussels on Thursday, agreed to a modified version of a proposal put forth by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for a Mediterranean Union. The plan, as it now exists, would have a joint secretariat, a joint Presidency, and a summit meetings between the EU and nations in North Africa and the Middle East. Much still remains to be worked out before a July summit in Paris officially launching the Union of the Mediterranean. The Union is expected to encompass the EU and twelve other nations. (Read More).

Editorial Links NATO to Overall European Security
11 March 2008 - The Financial Times - Benjamin Schreer and Alse Toje, "If NATO Fails, So Too Does Europe on Security"
If the NATO alliance does not survive arguments over Afghanistan and Balkan expansion, it will spell further trouble for the European Union foreign and security policy. The lack of European consensus on issues like assistance to NATO's force in Afghanistan, the independence of Kosovo, and peacekeeping in Chad and Darfur, is emblematic of the EU's misplaced faith in the altruism of its individual members. The authors recommend that the EU adopt more measures to allow its member states to act without requiring the unanimous consent of all other nations. The EU must further recognize that NATO must succeed in its current operations if a common European security policy is to survive (Read More).

European Ambassador Wants Reciprocity on Cargo Scanning Law
10 March 2008 - The Guardian
John Burton, the European Commission's Ambassador to the United States, says that the law requiring shipping nations to scan all cargo bound for the United States is unfair because it puts the cost burden of security on other nations. The law, signed by President Bush last year, is due to go into effect in 2012, but the EU feels it disadvantages transatlantic trade. Amending the law to reflect this lack of equality would go a long way to furthering transatlantic economic integration, argues Burton, since the EU and the US would jointly work on a program amenable to both. (Read More).

July's G8 Summit to Be Most Inclusive Ever
6 March 2008 - Finchannel.com
July's summit of G8 Heads of State in Hokkaido, Japan will be the most inclusive ever. Representatives from 23 nations will sit down to discuss climate change and sustainable development. The Japanese are expected to follow up their proposal for all summit-attending nations to agree to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050. (Read More)

Finland Joins NATO's Rapid Reaction Force
7 March 2008 - YLE News
Finland approved a measure Friday to participate in NATO's Rapid Reaction Force. The decision was reached by President Tarja Halonen and Finland's Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy and authorizes the country, which is not a full-fledged NATO member, to decide on a case-by-case basis when to participate in NATO operations. Perti Salolainen, Chairman of the Cabinet Committee, stated that the decision is fully in line with Finland's defense posture: "It seems that the costs are not overwhelming. Two percent of our entire defense force budget is devoted to international operations, and this would also benefit our national defenses." (Read More).

Treasury Official Says U.S. Wants a Strong European Union
7 March 2008 - The Guardian
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt, speaking at a panel discussion in Madrid, Spain, stated that the U.S. sees a strong European Union as serving its economic interests. Kimmitt pointed to the 2007 creation of the Transatlantic Economic Council, which coordinates issues such as trade and accounting standards, as evidence of a growing trend of cooperation. Kimmitt foresees that the possibilities for trade ties are wide-open: "We're just beginning to tap the potential in the transatlantic area." (Read More).

Editorial Analyzes the Possibilities for a League of Democracies
Didier Jacobs, "A League of Democracies" - Policy Innovations
3 March 2008
In this editorial, Didier Jacobs, Special Advisor to the President of Oxfam America, argues that the idea of a League of Democracies, put forth most recently by Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, has a lot of promise. It could be especially effective if the United States is willing to include as many  nations as possible who share international norms regarding governance and human rights. Jacobs further argues that this inclusive spirit could avoid the paralysis which marks decision-making at other international institutions if it adopts a pure majority voting rule. He concludes about the possibilities of such a rule in the League by stating: "A League of Democracies that pooled the power and sovereignty of allies could act inclusively and decisively. If need be, after a period for mutual persuasion, the League could move to a vote. All allies would own the majority decision, and accept its consequences. No go-it-alone fiasco; no multilateral paralysis." (Read More).

Editorial Comment on the Transatlantic Alliance after the 2008 Presidential Elections
Daniel Rackowski, "A New Era for EU-US Relations?"
3 March 2008 - EU Observer
In this editorial, Daniel Rackowski, a Senior Fellow for EU Affairs at the Transatlantic Institute, based in Brussels, speculates on the future state of the European-American relationship after a new American President is elected in November of 2008. Europeans, he says, should be cautiously optimistic about a new administration. In general, Rackowski argues, EU reforms have made the impression in the United States that the Union can be an important partner in global affairs. This realization should bring with it both a change in tone as well as policies in Washington, D.C. In order to gain more respect in the United States, Rackowski believes Europe should increase its military capabilities. Rackowski concludes "a genuine alliance is attainable if both sides attempt to reconcile their strategic visions beyond an à la carte relationship. A US change in style and rhetoric will not procure a landslide of support in Europe, but it might well be a necessary precursor for a revived partnership." (Read More). 

Transatlantic Forum Consults on Chemicals Regulations, Other Issues
29 February 2008 - Chemical Watch
Companies are being consulted on the issues covered by a 'framework agreement for advancing transatlantic economic integration' adopted by the EU and USA last spring. Among the issues covered is a commitment to find ways to minimize the potential impact of chemicals regulation on transatlantic trade while maintaining health and environmental protection aims. Efforts to improve the transparency of regulatory regimes are encouraged as is increased cooperation on chemicals regulation issues through the OECD. The consultation precedes a second meeting of the Trans-Atlantic Economic Council - the body set up to oversee implementation of the framework - planned for this spring. TABD statement   TABD progress report  

World Bank and NOAA Develops Aid Package for Developing Nations
28 February 2008 - Environment News Service
The World Bank and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are cooperating on assistance for developing countries to handle climate change. The aid is designed to deal with such problems as droughts and water usage, as well as efforts to measure the effects of climate change on coastal soil erosion. The first countries to receive this package are Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Katharine Sierra, World Bank Vice President of Sustainable Development, welcomed the new initiative by saying "Today's agreement allows us to work more easily with an important partner in development and to bring the complementary strengths of our two organizations together for this common cause." (Read More).

EU Ambassador to U.S. Speaks to Wyoming Legislature, Discusses Trade Ties
28 February 2008 - Laramie (WY) Boomerang
John Bruton, EU Ambassador to the U.S., addressed the Wyoming State Legislature Thursday and expressed his confidence in the transatlantic economic partnership. Since 2002, the EU has only been second to Canada as a market for Wyoming's exports, around $76.6 million worth. Burton stressed the need for both sides to increase this profitable relationship, especially in a way that helps the environment. Burton highlighted what the U.S. and EU could accomplish together. (Read More).

G8 Research Group Commends G8, EU for Climate Change Efforts
27 February 2008 - Agence France Presse
A report by the G8 Research Group, based at the University of Toronto, states that most of the nations of the G8 and the EU have met a lot of their pledged commitments to combat climate change which were made at the 2007 G8 Summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The Research Group ranked the nations of the G8 in terms of number of commitments met for modifying trade, poverty, disease, and energy policies to be more environmentally friendly. The report treated the EU and its member states separately. The EU, Japan, Germany, the U.S., and Great Britain finished strongest. The report cautioned, however, that the lack of total commitments meant that many governments were still making "lofty and far-reaching policy statements that meet public expectations without implementing these into concrete policy actions." (Read More).

Deputy National Security Adviser Announces U.S. Intention to Accept Binding Climate Change Obligations
26 February 2008 - RTTNews.com
Daniel Price, Deputy National Security Adviser for international economic affairs, announced U.S. willingness to accept binding international controls on greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to global warming. Price stated that such an agreement would have to include all major economies, which are believed to account for up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. Price reiterated the multilateral necessity of any climate change agreement: "An effective framework requires the participation of all major economies, developed and developing alike. We would like to reach an agreement on a long term global reduction goal - this is a collective goal." (Read More).

Brazilian President Addresses Climate Change Forum
22 February 2008 - CCTV.com
Brazilian President Luiz da Silva addressed a climate change forum in Brasilia for legislators from the G8+5, saying that developed nations should support developing nations with climate change policies: "Many developed countries tend to leave the issue of environmental protection and reducing greenhouse gases to the developing ones". da Silva echoed statements from his Environment Minister, saying that environmental protections must be part of every nation's economic development. The forum will reconvene in June in Tokyo, Japan. (Read More).

U.S. Ambassador Presses the European Union to Spend Money and Cooperate on Defense Issues with NATO
22 February 2008 - IHT.com
Victoria Nuland, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, argued that the European Union and the NATO Alliance need to cooperate more closely on defense issues and that the EU does not spend enough on its military capabilities. Nuland dismisses the argument that the U.S. focuses on NATO to the detriment of the EU, saying that it is in the U.S.'s interests for both NATO and the EU to become stronger and work together. She is confident that France's tenure as EU President, beginning on July 1, will accelerate this process: "We hope France will lead an effort to strengthen European defense spending and to upgrade European military capabilities with badly needed investment in helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, special forces, interoperable communications and counterinsurgency trained soldiers and civilians". (Read More).

"Towards a Grand Strategy for an Uncertain World:" Top Former Generals Recommend Major Changes to NATO
In Towards a Grand Strategy for an Uncertain World, the authors argue the following changes need to be made for the NATO Alliance:
In the short term, a re-dedication to Afghanistan, together with a new funding structure to better distribute obligations, a majority voting rule to allow for quicker decision-making and giving full operational command to military leaders in the field. In the medium term, a redrawn Strategic Concept stressing non-military capabilities and continuation of its out-of-area strategic partnerships. In the long term, a security directorate encompassing the U.S., the EU, and NATO to coordinate security issues. (Read More)

NATO Foreign Ministers to Confer in Brussels ahead of Summit
20 February 2008 - NewsAhead World News Forecast
Ahead of a summit of heads of government in April, NATO's Foreign Ministers will hold a meeting of their own March 6-7 2008 at NATO headquarters in Brussels. It is expected that the foreign ministers will set the agenda for the April summit then. Among the issues at the forefront of NATO's responsibilities are enlargement, Afghanistan, Kosovar independence, and relations with Russia. Enlargement discussions center around the Balkans especially, with Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia having joined NATO's membership action plan, the penultimate stage before full membership. (Read More).

Legislative Representatives from the G8 + 5 Meet in Brazil
20 February 2008 - World Bank Website
A forum of legislators from the G8 plus five emerging nations (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa) begins meetings today in Brasilia, Brazil, with climate change as their central focus. The forum is being held as a preparatory step to the G8 Summit in Japan in July. The over one hundred participants will discuss a new climate change framework which is hoped to replace the Kyoto Protocols, which are due to expire in 2012. Pamela Cox, the World Bank's Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean stressed the importance of the forum: "It is critical that legislators from high-energy-consuming economies get together to build mutual confidence on what a post-2012 agreement on climate change would look like. As lawmakers they can influence the negotiations and create a positive atmosphere at the global level and in their respective countries."  (Read More).

NATO Secretary General Delivers Speech to Munich Security Conference
9 February 2008 - NATO Website
NATO's Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer delivered a speech to the 44th annual  Munich Security Conference, highlighting four points which he feels are important as the April Bucharest summit approaches. First, he says NATO must continue its mission in Afghanistan. Second, it must integrate more of the Balkans into the Euro-Atlantic security structure. Third, NATO must be willing to work with other international organizations, specifically the UN, the EU, the World Bank, and private non-governmental organizations. Lastly, NATO must strengthen its collective response to new threats - proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, terrorism (including cyber-based attacks), and threats to energy infrastructure. He also reiterated the need for a revision of NATO's Strategic Concept: "A year ago; from this platform, I called for thinking to begin on a new Strategic Concept for NATO.  I still feel that we need soon to start work to prepare the ground.  There are some important questions that need to be debated.  How should we see Article 5 in the 21st century?  What is the right balance between expeditionary missions and protecting our populations at home?  What is the future of NATO’s partnerships?" (Read More)

NATO launches website for 2008 Summit in Bucharest
In anticipation of the April 2008 Summit meeting of NATO member-states in Bucharest, Romania, a website has been launched detailing information. The website provides updated news, press releases, a list of planned events, and information about traveling to Romania. To visit the website, click here.

Climate Change a Major Campaign Issue for Republicans, Democrats
Brad Knickerbocker for the Christian Science Monitor
14 February 2008
The three major candidates remaining in the 2008 Presidential Race, Republican John McCain and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have all pledged action on climate change if they were elected President. All three support "cap-and-trade" systems which makes industry pay for pollution. They also endorse the power of individual states to set restrictions on the emissions of Carbon dioxide, believed to be a major contributor to global warming. Environmental groups still lean towards the plans set-out by Democrats, which they see as more comprehensive and taking into account current research. (Read More)

British Prime Minister Brown Sees Opportunities for Reform
Gordon Brown, "Ways to Fix the World's Financial Systems" for the Financial Times
24 January 2008
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is optimistic that reform can come out of recent financial turmoil. Increased transparency and supervision across borders has become important in a world dominated by global finance. Brown writes, "While financial flows and therefore risks have crossed borders effortlessly and reside in global companies, their supervisors and regulators are largely national. The world has no effective early warning system and no common approach to handling major global market disruptions. Many of the problems were identified in advance but were not acted upon. We need a clearer, more authoritative watchdog. Regulators need to be enabled to overcome their boundaries with common principles, shared analyses and information, and collaborative management of crises." Read More

US, EU, begin discussions on financial regulations agreement
2 February 2008 - Financial Times
Christopher Cox, Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and Charlie McCreevy, EU internal markets commissioner, agreed  on Friday, 2 February, to begin talks to standardize financial regulations, which will allow for easier transactions. The move is meant to accommodate the increased globalization of finance, and facilitate direct access to stock exchanges. In a speech to the European-American Business Council on the day of the announcement, Cox said, “The pace of events in the world’s capital markets over the last few years has made the ... integration of markets, hence global regulatory co-operation, the most pressing issue for both investor protection and healthy capital markets,” (Read More).

Manley Report Cites Discussion of Links Between NATO and the UN in Afghanistan
28 January 2008 - Olivia War for the Star.com
The Manley Report, an analysis of Canada's role within NATO in Afghanistan, has caused much discussion about the links between NATO and the United Nations within that country. Both organizations fill vital roles, but lack coordination between them. NATO is responsible for security, and tracking down remnants of al-Qaida and the Taliban. The United Nations has a much broader mandate, including humanitarian aid, reconstruction and development, and political restructuring. It remains to be seen whether this report will spur action towards the appointment of a coordinator, what the report calls a "high-level representative to lead and co-ordinate both the UN and NATO commitments" between the two leading international organizations. (Read More).

Ex-Service Chiefs Recommend Security Directorate for U.S., EU, and NATO
14 January 2008 - Mark John for Reuters
Five former service chiefs from the UK, the US, France, and the Netherlands have recommended in a jointly-authored report that the United States, the European Union, and NATO should set-up a common security directorate. The new body would help coordinate security planning to fight terrorism and respond to emerging threats from Russia and Iran. The authors feel that such a body could keep the U.S. closely involved in European defense policy (Read More).
The full-text of the report can be found here:
http://www.csis.org/media/csis/events/080110_grand_strategy.pdf.

C. Boyden Gray Appointed U.S. Special Envoy for European Affairs
White House Press Release - 11 January 2008
C. Boyden Gray, who until the end of 2007 had been United States Ambassador to the European Union, was appointed Special Envoy for European Union Affairs on January 11, 2008. Among the priorities which are expected to be on Gray's agenda are strengthening the recently created Transatlantic Economic council, coordinating climate change policies, and pioneering new energy security policies. (Read More).

Former French Prime Minister Calls for a Union of Western Democracies
John Vinocur, "A Union of the West? Balladur Says It's Time" - International Herald Tribune - 7 January 2008