EU security: a multipolar Europe

Source: European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)

The European Council on Foreign Relations has published a major report on European security architecture called ‘The spectre of a multipolar Europe’, written by Ivan Krastev and Mark Leonard, with Jana Kobzova, Dimitar Bechev and Andrew Wilson. The report argues that Europe is becoming increasingly multipolar, and in danger of lapsing into separate spheres of influence. It argues that the US is no longer willing to engage in Europe’s internal security, and instead, the main actors – the EU, Russia and Turkey – must come together in a trialogue to build a new European security architecture. Turkey’s EU accession process must also be strengthened alongside recognition of its recent emergence as a credible regional power.

Lives at risk at the UN

Source: European Council on Foreign Relations | By Richard Gowan*

Europe has always been seen as a human rights champion. It is viewed the world over as model for an open, democratic society, with its governments protecting rights as a given. But the EU is undeniably losing influence at the UN, and its ability to push the human rights debate on the world stage is dwindling with it. And as European power at the UN declines, human rights standards drop and lives are put at risk as the EU is outplayed in power politics.

UK urges America to lead global effort on climate change

Source: The Guardian | by Patrick Wintour and Ewen MacAskill

Gordon Brown yesterday invoked the spirit of American optimism as he challenged Congress to let Barack Obama lead the world away from self-defeating protectionism and the perils of irreversible climate change.

EU’s climate aid to the developing world

Source: Bloomberg | by Jonathan Stearns

European Union governments kept their options open on how to help the developing world pay for climate- change protection, one of the hurdles to reaching a new United Nations accord.

Obama and the EU: an Atlantic agenda for globalization

Source: EU Delegation to the US

The inauguration of incoming President Obama is not just an American event, it is a global event and Europeans are following it with interest and fascination. In a letter sent to the incoming President of the United States, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso outlined his vision for a more outward-looking and engaged transatlantic partnership.

France and Germany call for a UN Economic Council and ask US to listen to G20

Source: Reuters | by Anna Willard and Francois Murphy

France and Germany said on Thursday Washington was no longer able to impose its views on other major powers and they hoped incoming U.S. President Barack Obama would listen to them at a summit on overhauling the financial system.

Czech Euro-dissident takes EU helm after Sarkozy

Source: The Christian Science Monitor | By Jeff White

He has called global warming a myth, backed Russia’s recent invasion of Georgia, likened bank bailouts to socialism, and refuses to fly the European Union flag over his office in the Prague Castle. On nearly every issue of significance, Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus is at odds with Brussels, and he seldom misses a chance to make note of this.

With Obama and Clinton, a new era for US foreign policy

Source: The New York Times | By David Stout

President-elect Barack Obama called for “a new dawn of American leadership” on Monday as he formally introduced his national security team, led by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as his nominee for secretary of state.