Atlantic Council blogs

Russia alarmed at decision to station U.S. ships in Spain for NATO missile defense systerm

By Henry Meyer, Bloomberg

From Henry Meyer, Bloomberg:  Russia is alarmed at the U.S. decision to station four ships at a base on Spain’s Atlantic coast as part of an American-led NATO missile defense system, the Foreign Ministry said.

Spain to host U.S. missile defense ships

By David Brunnstrom and David Alexander, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom and David Alexander, Reuters:  The United States and Spain announced an agreement on Wednesday to base U.S. anti-missile warships at Rota on the Spanish coast, strengthening U.S.-led plans for a NATO-wide missile defense system in Europe.

Secretary General Rasmussen reinforces Panetta’s warning to NATO

By Lolita C. Baldor, the AP

From Lolita C. Baldor, the AP:  New U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned NATO allies Wednesday that they should not rest on any laurels from the success of the ongoing military campaign in Libya, and that a cash-strapped America cannot always foot the bill when the alliance falls short.

Update: NATO activities in Libya on October 4

By NATO

Panetta outlines key concerns to be addressed at NATO’s Chicago Summit

By Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense:  These are the concerns that we must work together to address as we look towards the NATO Summit next May in Chicago.  Ideally, we will be able to halt additional cuts in defense or at a minimum keep defense spending at current levels.

Panetta: Achieving fiscal and national security “will test the very future of leadership throughout NATO”

By Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense

From Leon Panetta, U.S. Department of Defense:  We are nearing the end of a successful campaign in Libya, and are closer than ever to achieving our shared goals in Afghanistan.  But there is no doubt that this is also a time of challenge to the alliance. 

France and Germany send NATO allies joint proposal on key nuclear policy committee

By Oliver Meier, Arms Control Now

From Oliver Meier, Arms Control Now:  On July 7, in a rare show of unity on nuclear issues between France and Germany, the ambassadors of both countries sent a joint proposal to NATO members on the future of the new Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disarmament Committee (WCDC).

Nord Stream Winners and Losers

By Morgan Aronson

The Nord Stream pipeline, a $10 billion venture that opened last month, will allow Russia to deliver 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas directly to Germany, bypassing the traditional transit countries in Eastern and Central Europe. This has the potential to destabilize political relationships in Europe by transforming Russia from a merely influential player […]