Category: NATOSource

Germany’s troop proposal indicates acceptance of leadership role in post-2014 Afghanistan mission

By Matthias Gebauer, Spiegel

From Matthias Gebauer, Spiegel:  In a surprise move, Germany’s government announced on Thursday plans to keep up to 800 military trainers in Afghanistan after NATO combat troops withdraw in 2014.

NATO Secretary General welcomes ‘historic agreement’ between Serbia and Kosovo

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I congratulate all parties for their constructive approach to finding a lasting solution in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Germany decides to keep up to 800 soldiers in Afghanistan after 2014

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Germany wants to keep between 600 and 800 soldiers in Afghanistan from 2015 when most international troops will have withdrawn, Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Thursday.

Restructured missile defense system will still defend ‘all NATO European territory in the 2018 timeframe’

By Frank A. Rose, Department of State

From Frank A. Rose, Department of State:  On March 15, Secretary Hagel announced changes to U.S. missile defense policy to strengthen U.S. homeland missile defenses due to the growing ballistic missile threat from Iran and North Korea.

After Donilon visit, Russia says U.S. must do more to address missile defense concerns

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters

From Steve Gutterman, Reuters:  Russian officials said on Thursday the United States had not done enough to address their concerns about an anti-missile shield it is deploying in Europe, indicating U.S. moves to scale down its plans will bring no quick breakthrough.

Bahrain and NATO agree to strengthen cooperation

By Bahrain News Agency

Iceland has become an object of inordinate interest to Chinese policymakers

By T. P., Economist

From T. P., Economist:  With a population of 320,000—just one tenth that of the Beijing district where it keeps its embassy to China—Iceland has recently become an object of inordinate interest to Chinese policymakers.

Germany honors SACEUR Stavridis with medal

By SHAPE

From SHAPE:  Adm. James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander United States European Command, receives the “Grand Merit Cross with Star” from the German Minister of Defence, Dr. Thomas de Maiziere