Articles in this set
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A row over who should get the contract to build US air-tankers is about much more than money and jobs.
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The EU should do more to apply the rule of law across the world.
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What does the US want from the EU? The answer to this question should be obvious, given the state of the world. A strong and reliable strategic partner speaking authoritatively with one voice and meeting all its commitments to stability and peace in its neighbouring regions and around the world. But the US consistently undermines this valid strategic aim by its unilateral actions.
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Responsible leaders need to explain, not just to Irish citizens, but to all Europeans, some fundamentals about European defence.
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The cyclone disaster in Myanmar shows the limits of our commitment to prevent genocide.
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Instead of displaying a united front to the world, NATO summits throw up a long list of winners and losers, which undermines the alliance.
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Russia knows how to exploit European divisions in foreign affairs.
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The European Union and its main protagonists bear a growing likeness to a television sitcom.
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Instead of displaying a united front to the world, NATO summits throw up a long list of winners and losers, which undermines the alliance.
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European politicians are being presented with stark practical questions about the role of soldiers in modern peace-keeping and about the relative status of soldiers and civilians.
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Ambassador Victoria Nuland, the US permanent representative to the North Atlantic Council of NATO, is not usually noted for her speeches. Like her overall performance in alliance headquarters, they tend towards the hard-working, discreet and determined. And overall that is a good thing as within the micro-world of NATO she has often been discreetly blessed by her European colleagues simply for not being her uncompromising predecessor, Nick Burns.
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The term Realpolitik tends to be bandied about somewhat recklessly, often as a code for hardnosed policy that is necessary, if unpopular. Most recently, the term has been applied to Kosovo's declaration of independence and the EU's mission there – as if it could explain the inadequacies and incompetence associated with these moves. If nothing else, this is an insult to history.
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Chad and Afghanistan are currently among the two most violent and conflict-ridden corners of the world. That is just about the only common ground between them, since they are several thousand kilometres apart and afflicted by distinct ailments.
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The primaries in the US have already supplied a much-needed boost for dreary New Year television viewing: Hillary Clinton crying, Barack Obama orating and John McCain offering a glimpse of grace, enjoying the fight and his own beliefs. He stands little chance of winning: his politics appeal to everyone and no-one; and anyway, Americans seem systematically to vote for the candidate who is not a war hero with a strong record of subsequent public service.
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On Monday (10 December) the United Nations deadline for reaching an agreement on Kosovo expires. Unless a miracle occurs – one that would have to include a deep-rooted identity replacement for both Serbia and the Albanian majority in Kosovo, coupled with a hint of inspiration in the EU foreign policy establishment – no agreement will be reached and the region will officially be in crisis.
Europe Inside Out
A regular appraisal of the foreign-policy challenges facing the EU.
