Last week, a donor conference comprised principally of the U.S. and European nations pledged $4.22 billion for reconstruction efforts in war-torn Mali, most of which is contingent upon Mali holding elections on July 28. The size of the pledge indicates the myriad problems facing the African nation, problems that a …
Germany is moving closer to supporting a move by the European Union (EU) to list Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, according to news sources. If true, this is a welcome development. German support for listing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization would help rectify the glaring and inexcusable omission by other …
Earlier this week the Arctic Council met in Sweden for its biannual meeting. At this time, the applications of 14 countries and organizations, including the European Union Commission, were considered by the Arctic Council to become observers. In what can only be described as a boost for sovereignty and democracy …
Definition of an American neo-conservative: A liberal mugged by reality. The new poster child for the budding European neo-conservative: Oskar Lafontaine? Lafontaine, German history majors will recall, is the Social Democrat and former German finance minister who helped launch the European Monetary Union (EMU). He is also the latest European-style …
Results from Parliamentary elections in Iceland last week reflect public concern over the nation’s application to join the European Union (EU). The parties that did the best in the election, the Independence Party and the Progressive Party, both are skeptical of the EU. The Progressive Party will form a new …
Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Shia terrorist organization, engages in numerous illicit activities around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Europe, South America, and the United States. A close observer of Hezbollah, the Washington Institute’s Matthew Levitt, discussed how Hezbollah’s criminal network is expanding: An extensive 2011 Drug Enforcement Agency investigation …
The world has reacted to the Boston marathon bombings with horror and compassion, much as it did to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This reaction reflects normal human emotions when confronted with acts of such evil, and Bostonians will appreciate the common humanity expressed by so many the …
The life of the late Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, offers many interesting and instructive examples of statesmanship. Not only for what the Iron Lady did, but what she did not do—her ability to resist the prevailing winds of peer pressure and public opinion in favor …
European troops have begun training Malian forces to help ensure security and stability following a planned French withdrawal in July. From the start, the mission is unlikely to succeed. The program has too few European trainers and will train a paltry four Malian battalions—roughly 2,600 soldiers—to secure a country twice …
