NATO’s top commander in Europe said Wednesday that alliance nations must be willing to share their intelligence faster if its new rapid-reaction force is to be effective in countering threats.
“Now we only share our intelligence well when we are scared,” U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove told a conference in the Netherlands.
NATO defense ministers agreed last month to create a quick-reaction force of 5,000 troops to meet challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists.
But Breedlove said that for the force to be quickly and effectively deployed it needs strong intelligence.
“So we have to change our culture of intelligence sharing so that we have a high level of sharing to understand and develop indications and warnings so we can see the problem before it happens,” he said.
Image: SACEUR Gen. Philip Breedlove, May 22, 2014 (photo: NATO)