Voice of America
The United States and Britain are planning to form a joint national security council, designed to allow the two allies close cooperation in dealing with security challenges.
The two are expected to officially announce the creation of the new National Security Strategy Board during U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to London this week.
Mr. Obama's national security adviser, Tom Donilon, and his British counterpart, Peter Ricketts, will head the group, which is to share information and deal with long-term security challenges.
Officials say the board also will discuss responses to recent developments in the Middle East and will examine rogue states.
The U.S. and Britain already have long-standing cooperation on a wide range of security issues, from terrorism to the war in Afghanistan. But officials say the new body also will address future challenges, not just immediate concerns.
Mr. Obama and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron reaffirmed their countries' close ties in a joint article published by The Times of London. They wrote that the U.S.-British relationship is not just special, but also essential to the two countries and to the world.
More by Mark Safranski at Zenpundit.