Welcome to the Streit Council's Website
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. Read more about us.
Our Publications
Freedom & Union:
Streit Council's Journal
Clarence K. Streit
Union Now
Édouard Balladur
For a Union of the West
What We Are Saying
One Reason to Support the Greek Bailout, Jay Chittooran and Carlos Aramayo, May 2010
Creating a Transatlantic Market, Dario Zuddu and Jay Chittooran
The Transatlantic Economy: Current Trends and Prospects, Dario Zuddu and Jay Chittooran
What Others Are Saying
Completing Europe: A Response to Ronald Asmus, Iris Kempe, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, July 2010
Paradigm Lost: Euro in Crisis, Uri Dadush et al., Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 2010
The Disconnect Behind Europe's Financial Free Fall, David Ignatius, The Washington Post, May 27, 2010
NATO 2020: Assured Security; Dynamic Engagement, May 17, 2010
The Euro Remains on the Right Side of History, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, The Financial Times, May 14, 2010
Europe's Choice is to Integrate or Disintegrate,Wolfgang Münchau, Financial Times, May 3, 2010
Greece's Debt Crisis Strains European Unity, David Ignatius, The Washington Post, May 2, 2010
Climate Crisis, Credit Crisis: The Quest for Green Growth Kemal Dervis, Abigail Jones, Karen Kornbluh, and Sarah Puritz, Brookings, April 2010
The Future of NATO, James Goldgeier, Council on Foreign Relations, February 2010
The Transatlantic Economy 2010: An Annual Survey of Jobs, Trade, and Investment between the United States and Europe, Daniel S. Hamilton and Joseph P. Quinlan, Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS, 2010
Connect with Us
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Uniting democracies has been the key international political trend of the last hundred years. Understanding this trend and enabling it to continue is the key to world political development.
What's New
Get to Know the Face of the EU: Belgian EU Presidency
Belgium assumed the EU presidency on July 1, 2010. The Presidency's goals include economic recovery and growth, deepening social cohesion, and creating specific goals to preserve the environment. The presidency plans to work towards implementing the 2020 Strategy, adopted under the Spanish EU Presidency, which focuses on jobs and economic growth in the next ten years. It also plans to create a common external policy among the 27 member states and develop a dialogue between the institution and its citizens. Finally, the Presidency plans to represent the EU in international climate change negotiations, focusing on energy and transport policies. For more information on the Belgian Presidency, click here.
Get to Know the Face of the EU: Spanish EU Presidency
The first EU Council presidency to begin after the Lisbon Treaty came into force, the Spanish Presidency focused on economic recovery and the future of the European Union. Under the presidency, the 27 member states approved the creation of an EU "economic government" in order to create a more unified response in future times of economic crisis. The Council also agreed on the objectives of the EUrope 2020 Strategy, setting goals for jobs and economic growth in the next ten years. In addition, the presidency managed to make progress in Justice and Home Affairs, as well as increasing cooperation with the United States regarding banking data interchange. For more information on the Spanish Presidency, click here.
Discover the 2010 G8 and G20 Summits
The G8 Summit convened in Muskoka, Canada on 25-26 June 2010 as a forum for the world’s major industrialized democracies to discuss challenges facing the world. The discussions focused on the global economy, but touched on topics related to climate change and global security. Shortly thereafter, the G20 Summit convened in Toronto, Canada as an expanded discussion between industrialized and developing countries on issues of global economic stability. The Streit Council maintains the importance in preserving the integrity of the G8 and G20 as separate entities. Historically, the strength of G8 decision-making has supported and added value to the function and existence of larger groups such as the G20. For the Streit Council's perspective and additional information, click here.
Advisory Board Member Stanley Sloan's new book, Permanent Alliance? NATO and the Transatlantic Bargain from Truman to Obama, provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of transatlantic security relations. Focusing on European integration, global security, and emerging powers, Sloan has written the third in his series studying transatlanticism. The newest installation discusses whether NATO has become the 'permanent alliance' which President George Washington warned against or if it is nearing the end of its utility. It also reflects on the administrations of the last decades, breaking down their contributions and strategies when faced with changing transatlantic policy. The book is a key text for anyone interested in or studying transatlantic security relations and international relations. To read more about this book, please click here.
Steve Hanke Joins Streit Council's Board of Directors
The Streit Council is pleased to announce that Steve H. Hanke will join the Streit Council's Board of Directors effective immediately. An internationally known economist specializing in international economics and monetary policy, Hanke is a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute and Professor of Applied Economics and Co-Director of the Institute for Applied Economics and the Study of Business Enterprise at The John Hopkins University. He is also a member of the International Advisory Board for the National Bank of Kuwait, a member of the Financial Advisory Council of the United Arab Emirates, and a columnist with Forbes. Hanke has taught economics at the Colorado School of Mines and the University of California at Berkeley. For more information on Dr. Hanke, please click here.
Transatlantic Relations News
Karzai slams rising civilian casualties
3 September 2010 - PressTV
After a US-led coalition air strike on a vehicular convoy that killed 10 campaigners and wounded a parliamentary candidate, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in a press conference with United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Commander of US and NATO forces Gen. David Petraeus, condemned the attacks, and characterized the coalition's strategy as "not effective in the fight against terrorism." Secretary Gates denied that the attack had taken any civilian toll, but the Department will investigate the incident, as civilian casualties are making relations with Kabul very difficult as of late.
European Parliament Members Question Legality of Roma Returns
3 September 2010 - The Sofia Echo
Questions about the legality of the recent French government's expulsion of Roma were raised by members of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties yesterday. The European Parliament as a whole is set to debate the issue in a plenary session next week. The European Commission is currently looking into the legality of the matter, with officials currently examining evidence provided by the French government. The issues raised involve the legality of the expulsion under European law, which protects the free movement of people within the EU, and also under the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, which upholds the principle of non-discrimination. European Commission Director General for Justice Françoise Le Bail stated that the Commission will make a decision once it has all the facts.
(Read More)
EU seeks 5-year duties on Chinese car wheels
3 September 2010 - Reuters
A new EU draft law seeks to establish a 22.3 percent duty on Chinese wheels, which the European Commission says have been serially dumped by exporters over the past few years at illegally low prices, harming continental producers. This law, which must be passed by Parliament by mid-November, shows the EU's concern that the Chinese are making headway in crucial European high-tech sectors. If passed, the duties could create a further strain on EU-China relations, which have be hampered by earlier European challenges of Chinese export pricing. European manufacturers still worry that the increase duties, up from 20.6 percent in May, may not be enough to blunt Chinese competition.
Lidington: 'Democratic' Belarus will join EU
3 September 2010 - Charter 97
If Belarus commits itself to adhering to the political and economic values of the European Union, it could eventually become a member, David Lidington, the UK's Minister for Europe, said Thursday in a lecture at the Institute of International Affairs of Vilnius University. Such a scenario could only occur if Belarus would like to become an EU member and creates a democratic political system and an independent judicial system, Lidington said.
Britain and France will not share aircraft carriers, officials say
2 September 2010 - Guardian UK
Reports earlier this week that Britain and France had agreed to share aircraft carriers are false, according to high level officials from both parties, who will engaged in defense talks in Paris today. However, according to sources, the two nations are hoping to engage in previously unprecedented military cooperation to save money while maintaining military capabilities. British officials say that specific plans for cooperation will not be announced until November's Franco-British summit, but the two parties may cooperate on mutually beneficial humanitarian missions, as well as providing escorts for one another's aircraft carriers and synchronizing naval patrols.
U.S. to start NATO talks on Afghan transitions: Petraeus
2 September 2010 - Phil Stewart - Reuters
The United States will soon begin preliminary discussions with its NATO allies on next year's planned transition of power to Afghan forces, which will include the withdrawal of some U.S. forces. General David Petreaus said he would commence discussions in mid-September based on initial assesments. These assessments, based on input from low-level and local commanders, would be updated as the November NATO summit in Lisbon approaches. NATO allies are more and more uncomfortable with the war effort and are looking to begin the handover of power to Afghan forces. At the Lisbon summit, Petreaus hopes to be able to produce a projection of what will be likely in terms of transition next year.
Kosovo Offers to Bury Differences with Serbia
2 September 2010 - The Guardian - Ian Traynor
The prime minister of Kosovo has offered to resolve differences with Serbia. Serbia and Kosovo are both concerned that their disputes could jeopardize their bids to become EU member states. Earlier in the week, British foreign minister William Hague warned Belgrade that its refusal to deal with Kosovo would compromise their application for EU membership. Hague advised Serbian president Boris Tadic to shelve a proposal for the UN General Assembly to condemn Kosovo's secession. Hague, along with German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle, assured Tadic that if the resolution was dropped, both Britain and Germany would fully support Serbian accession to the EU. Serbian accession is years away and is not likely occur unless Serbia recognizes Kosovo's independence.
(Read More)
Only Stable Bosnia Can Ensure Balkan Peace - Turkey
2 September 2010 - Reuters - Daria Sito-SucicOn Thursday, Turkish President Abdullah Gul encouraged Bosnian leaders to speed up their efforts to join regional organizations such as NATO and the EU. Gul further stated that only a united Bosnia could bring peace and stability to the Balkans, which has been working to overcome deep ethnic cleavages since the 1990s. Bosnia, which is composed of two autonomous regions, the Muslim-Croat federation and the Serb Republic, is confronted by a possible secession by the Serb Republic. Bosnian Serbs have criticized Gul's comments, saying that seeks only to support the political interests of Bosnian Muslims. In response, Gul stated that the Balkans represents a door to the West for Turkey, and that he sees the region's future as crucial for political, business, and energy reasons. Gul called on Bosnian leaders, regardless of their ethnic background, to make the upcoming election on October 3 a turning point that will lead to a more united Bosnia
European Parliament President Backs Israeli - Palestinian Direct Talks
2 September 2010 - The Sofia Echo - Clive Leviev-Sawyer
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek announced today that the European Parliament fully backs the resumption of direct talks between Israel and Palestine. The direct negotiations, which begin today in the United States, are an attempt to bring a final agreement between the two parties which would create what Buzek described as "an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state living side by side, in peace and security, with Israel." Buzek also noted that the European Parliament plans to remain actively involved in supporting the negotiations by working closely with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and through the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. President Obama has said that the goal of the talks is a final resolution of all status issues and a negotiated settlement that will lead to an independent Palestinian state.
Polish Leader Urges EU to Keep Generous Aid Funds
1 September 2010 - Reuters - Marcin Grajewski
During his trip to Brussels to meet with EU officials, Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski announced his hope that the EU would continue to set aside funds to help poorer regions. The EU budget for the 2014 - 2021 period is set to be negotiated by member states next year. Komorowski's plea comes on the heels of many European politicians' calls for budget austerity following the global downturn. The EU's current budget allots 130 billion euros ($164.3 billion) to cohesion funds, which go toward helping poorer economic regions within the EU and throughout the EU neighborhood. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has stated that the EU plans to back the poorer states in what is expected to be a tense budget dispute. Currently, Poland is the biggest beneficiary of EU cohesion funds and is expected to receive some 69 billion euros in regional aid between 2007 and 2013. Diplomats have stated that they expect the future budget to remain around the current level, which is about one percent of the the EU's economic output.
Europe Manufacturing Growth Slows as Germany, Italy Ease
1 September 2010 - Bloomberg
A new survey released today by London firm Markit Economics showed the Eurozone's overall manufacturing growth slipping in August. European Union manufacturing slowed from 56.7 to 55.1 primarily because of slippage in Germany (from 61.2 to 58.2 in July), England (where manufacturing grew at its lowest rate in nine months), and Italy (which fell to 52.8), and falling export demand, which led to strong growth in the second quarter. New manufacturing and export orders lagged last month, with the former falling to its lowest point in 2010. However, Eurozone employment increased for the fourth straight month. ECB Councilmember Axel Weber said in a statement that the numbers verified that the recovery is still "on track."
(Read More)
EU diplomatic service a 'Western European old boys club'
1 September 2010 - The Telegraph UK
Several MEPs are attacking Baroness Ashton, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, for failing to address a substantial imbalance in the EU Diplomatic Service against female and Eastern bloc representatives. This development follows the recent release of a study by the state-run Polish Institute for Foreign Relations, which showed that just 11 of the current 115 ambassadors are women, and that Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom account for 86 of the heads of delegation positions. MEPs are arguing that this substantial lack of gender and geographic balance defies the EU laws that created EEAS, and are threatening to stall the introduction of the new services unless Baroness Ashton commits to recruit more women and Eastern Europeans.
(Read More)
MEPs call for ‘better’ EU-US security after Dutch arrests
1 September 2010 - EurActiv
Following the recent arrest of two Yemeni terrorists in Amsterdam, MEPs in both parties of the European Parliament have called for ‘better’ as opposed to ‘more’ security checks on airlines worldwide before the start of Passenger Name Records (PNR) negotiations with the United States. The men are currently being held by police in the Netherlands on suspicion of conducting a “dry run” to test airport security systems for a potential future terrorist act. Despite TSA agents discovering mobile telephones & watches taped together, resembling a possible explosive, as well as knives and a box cutter and $7,000 in US dollars in their checked luggage, the men were allowed to fly to Europe, and officials allowed the bags to travel from Chicago to Washington. The European Commission is set to publish a draft mandate to negotiate with third parties by September 21st.
EU Law to crack down on abusive short-selling
1 September 2010 - Reuters
A draft EU law, released to UK News Services Reuters on Wednesday, will allow regulators to prohibit short-selling of shares, naked sales of credit default swaps (deals made with un-borrowed assets), and sovereign debt for up to three months or more. The draft will be made public on September 15th by EU Financial Services Chief Michael Barnier, following calls from member states to crack down on debt market speculators. If passed by EU states and Parliament, the European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA) would enforce this law, and would be able to exercise the option to renew the ban every three months (as an emergency measure), and overrule unilateral action by EU member states.
Poland to end shift in NATO air policing mission in Baltic states
1 September 2010 - Xinhua Net
Polish pilots patrolling Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian airspace as part of the NATO Air Policing Mission will conclude their duties today, after a four-month shift that began on April 30th and included a contingent of 100 military personnel and 4 MiG-29 aircraft. NATO introduced the air-policing program in 2004 to protect Baltic airspace from unwanted intrusion, as these nations do not maintain combat aircraft. The mission’s tasks included 24-hour patrols of Baltic airspace and intangible operations, such as providing emergency aid and assistance for military and civilian aircraft in the region.
(Read More)
Russia expects progress from NATO in fighting Afghan drugs trafficking - Lavrov
1 September 2010 - Rianovosti
In an address to the Moscow State Institute for International Relations on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of the threat that the Afghan drug trade poses to international security, arguing that the central tenet in improving relations with NATO would be “real progress” in the fight against drug traffickers in the Kush. Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Russia has seen a drastic increase in heroin abuse nationwide, one of Afghanistan’s top exports. According to Lavrov, Russia believes the trafficking is financing a global network of extremism, which is a “real threat” to international security. Bilateral relations between Russia and NATO have improved since Washington began its “reset” policy with Moscow, and in July, military chiefs from both parties agreed to combine their efforts to protect international security.
(Read More)
This past August, German unemployment declined for a 14th month, fueled by a surge in exports and investment. This surge has prompted such companies as Daimler AG and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG to add workers. Overall, the number of people out of work has declined in Germany by 17,000 to 3.19 million according to the Federal Labor Agency based in Nuremberg. The jobless rate remains unchanged at 7.6 percent. As economist peruse the order books of various other German firms, they highlight signs that this growth will continue throughout Germany. Also, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet is set to approve a second package of spending cuts and revenue-raising measures to close budget gaps and fall in line with the overarching goals of austerity set by the European Union. The German economy is Europe’s biggest; and it’s recent growth advances hope for a greater European economic recovery.
Next page: About Us