Michael Berendt's blog

Archives for International politics

Libyans win their freedom but Europe’s response falls short

October 22, 2011

The triumph of Libya’s National Transitional Council culminating in the death of Colonel Gaddafi owes everything to the support provided by NATO air operations under UN Resolution 1973, yet the UN involvement and the military action which followed would never have happened without the determination of President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister David Cameron. Their… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, EU Neighbourhood Policy, International politics, Mediterranean, NATO

Europe fails to prepare for impending dangers

July 7, 2011

Europe is blind to its longer-term interests in defence and foreign affairs, claim two speeches in London this week. Former NATO Secretary General George Robertson and Douglas Alexander, foreign affairs spokesman for the British Labour Party, both castigate the failure of European policy-makers to look ahead and prepare for impending dangers. US Defense Secretary Robert… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, Enlargement & Neighbours, EU Neighbourhood Policy, International politics, Mediterranean, NATO

EU gets its act together, but using Franco-British capabilities

March 27, 2011

The European Union has hardly covered itself with glory over the Libyan crisis, but as events unfold we may be witnessing a far more effective performance than seemed likely just two weeks ago. One thing has become clear though: hopes of creating a serious EU defence capability for the future have taken a serious knock.… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, EU Neighbourhood Policy, International politics, Mediterranean, Turkey

EU must build, not shout, in the year of revolutions

February 13, 2011

Watching events unfold in Cairo over the last two weeks, towards the dramatic climax of Hosni Mubarak’s resignation, has been an exciting and moving experience, reminiscent of those days when we watched the collapse of communism and the spread of democracy across central and eastern Europe 20 years ago. But it presents a formidable challenge… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Enlargement & Neighbours, EU Neighbourhood Policy, human rights, International politics, Mediterranean

Hague endorses EU foreign policy approach

July 7, 2010

So the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee has approved the set-up of Europe’s foreign service, as negotiated in Madrid two weeks ago. Formal agreement is expected in plenary after the holidays, allowing the European External Action Service (EEAS) to be operational by the end of the year. Creation of the EEAS is potentially the most… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

Defence, English, International politics, Treaty of Lisbon, Turkey, twitter, UK politics

Big changes on the way after UK election?

April 26, 2010

There’s never been a British general election campaign like this one! With just over a week to go before the May 6 election day it seems from the opinion polls that big changes could be on the way. Here the Brits stand, midway between a Continental tradition of coalition government with multiple parties, and a… » read more

Posted by Michael Berendt

English, EU Institutions, European politics, International politics, UK politics, Uncategorized

Michael Berendt's blog

Blogging commentary on current events from the perspective of someone who has been closely involved with the policies, the policy-makers and the whole complex network of people who make the process of European integration so exciting and absorbing.


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