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With the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms expiring last December 5 and its successor held up almost three months in large part because of U.S. missile shield provocations in recent weeks, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is forging ahead with the formulation and implementation of a new Strategic Concept.

Developments related to military and security matters in Europe and Asia have been numerous this month and condensed into less than a week of meetings, statements and initiatives on issues ranging from missile shield deployments to the unparalleled escalation of the world’s largest war and from a new security system for Europe to a new Russian military doctrine.

The financial crisis that began in Greece last month and spread to other ‘PIGS’ countries (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Spain) is raising old doubts about the long-term viability of the EU’s monetary union.

Feb. 10 (BBC News) - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has said he will "take any necessary measures" to reduce Greece's deficit.

The defense chiefs of all 28 NATO nations and an undisclosed number of counterparts from non-Alliance partners gathered in Istanbul, Turkey on February 4 to begin two days of meetings focused on the war in Afghanistan, the withdrawal of military forces from Kosovo in the course of transferring control of security operations to the breakaway province’s embryonic army (the Kosovo Security Force) and “the transformation efforts required to best conduct the full range of NATO’s agreed missions.”

BRUSSELS December 22, 2009 (NY Times) — European Union leaders on Tuesday sought to deflect criticism that they had fumbled their strategy at the Copenhagen climate summit meeting, just as a feud between the British and the Chinese over whom to blame for the outcome worsened.

ANKARA November 20, 2009 (Reuters) - Herman Van Rompuy's appointment as the first European Union president provoked fears in Turkey that he might hinder Ankara's hopes of joining the bloc, with some media declaring outright that he is anti-Turkish.

November 19, 2009 (AFP) - EU leaders chose Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy Thursday as the European Union's first president, diplomats said, after Britain dropped its backing for Tony Blair.

KABUL November 13, 2009 (AP) — Europe may send 5,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan, Britain's prime minister said Friday — affirming support for the NATO mission as the Obama administration nears a decision on increasing American troop levels.

NEW YORK November 13, 2009 (Xinhua) - The U.S. dollar fell against major currencies on Friday as reports of Eurozone economic growth boosted investors' risk appetite.