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Italian soldier in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Dec 13, 2013

For Sixth Year, EU Defense Spending Continues to Decrease

By European Defense Agency

In 2012, total defence expenditure of the 26 EDA pMS (1) amounted to € 189.6 billion – a reduction of € 1.1 billion or 0.6% compared to 2011.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
Officer in Armed Forces of Qatar

NATOSource

Dec 13, 2013

Gulf Nations Announce Joint Military Command

By KUNA and Defense News

In a big step forward to consolidate Gulf joint security, Arab Gulf leaders agreed Wednesday on the establishment of a joint military command and police.

Missile Defense Saudi Arabia
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey

NATOSource

Dec 12, 2013

Dempsey Backs Strong US Military Presence in Europe

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes

The U.S. military’s senior leader said Wednesday that he’s a strong supporter of maintaining a sizeable presence overseas, including in Europe, despite budget constraints, because of the proximity to potential hotspots.

Europe & Eurasia European Union
French soldier in Afghanistan

NATOSource

Dec 12, 2013

Is France Replacing the US as the World’s Policeman?

By Emily Cadei, OZY

With French troops on the ground in Mali and now the Central African Republic, French President Francois Hollande’s enthusiastic support for the aborted U.S. strikes in Syria and French diplomats’ tough line on negotiations with Iran

Africa France
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel

NATOSource

Dec 12, 2013

Hagel Warns Ukrainian Defense Minister Not to Use Military Forces Against Civilians

By Department of State

Today US Defense Secretary Hagel spoke by phone with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Pavlo Lebedyev.

Ukraine United States and Canada
French National Assembly

NATOSource

Dec 11, 2013

Legislation Will Soon Expand Cyber Power of French Government

By Wall Street Journal

The pending French measures would require Internet providers, telecom operators and content companies to give up “communications, information or documents processed or preserved by their networks or electronic communications services” when demanded by law enforcement.

Cybersecurity France
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, October 1, 2012

NATOSource

Dec 11, 2013

NATO Extends Rasmussen’s Tenure As Secretary General

By NATO

On 11 December, the North Atlantic Council decided to extend the Secretary General’s tenure of office to enable him to prepare and preside the NATO Summit which will take place in South Wales on 4-5 September 2014.

NATO Security & Defense
G 20 Meeting in St. Petersburg

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2013

Chinese Hackers Spied on Europeans Before G20 Meeting: Researcher

By Reuters and New York Times

From Jim Finkle, Reuters:  Chinese hackers eavesdropped on the computers of five European foreign ministries before last September’s G20 Summit, which was dominated by the Syrian crisis, according to research by computer security firm FireEye Inc.

China Cybersecurity
Russian President Vladimir Putin

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2013

Putin Orders Strong Military Presence in Arctic

By Reuters and RIA Novosti

From Thomas Grove, Reuters:  President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to increase its focus on the Arctic and finish plans by the end of the year to upgrade military bases in the resource-rich region where world powers jostle for control.

Europe & Eurasia Russia
Sukhoi Su-27 Fighter Jet

NATOSource

Dec 10, 2013

Russia Deploys First Fighter Jets to Belarus

By Defense News and RIA Novosti

From Jaroslaw Adamowski, Defense News:  Russia has deployed the first four Su-27SM3 fighter jets to Belarus. The aircraft will be stationed at the 61st air base in Baranavichi, reported local daily Belorusskiy Partizan.

Belarus Russia