Category: NATOSource

French defense cuts ‘could harm British military partnership’

By Henry Samuel and Damien McElroy, Telegraph

From Henry Samuel and Damien McElroy, Telegraph:  French government plans for severe defence cuts could jeopardise its military entente cordiale with Britain, “kill” its conventional army and render interventions such as that in Mali impossible, Gallic defence officials have warned.

European allies key part of international coalition protecting Persian Gulf trade route

By Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News

From Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News:  Something that looks very much like a new Cold War is forming up here in the Arabian Gulf region.

Washington hosts historic meeting of U.S. and British defense staffs

By Vago Muradian and Marcus Weisgerger, Defense News

From Vago Muradian and Marcus Weisgerger, Defense News:  In what is believed to be the first time since the 1940s, the entire British defense staff will be here March 25 to discuss long-range strategy and the impact of budget cuts with their U.S. counterparts, according to U.S. and British sources.

Arms airlift to Syria rebels expands, With C.I.A. aid

By C.J. Chivers and Eric Schmitt, New York Times

From C.J. Chivers and Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  With help from the C.I.A., Arab governments and Turkey have sharply increased their military aid to Syria’s opposition fighters in recent months, expanding a secret airlift of arms and equipment for the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad

NATO and EU welcome Israel-Turkey rapprochement

By Anatolia News Agency

From Anatolia News Agency:  The United States welcomes the steps undertaken for the normalization of ties between Turkey and Israel following the latter’s apology for the Mavi Marmara raid of 2010

New Turkish-Kurdish opening ‘is remarkable, momentous, and fraught with risk’

By Ross Wilson, New Atlanticist

From Ross Wilson, New Atlanticist:  Turkey’s long-time nemesis Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the so-called Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), delivered an historic message on the March 21 Nowruz holiday that marks the beginning of spring calling for a new beginning between Kurds and Turks.

Kurdish leader Ocalan declares historic ceasefire with Turkey

By Abdullah Öcalan, euronews

From Abdullah Öcalan, euronews:  The struggle I initiated against our collective desperation, ignorance and slavery was aiming to form a consciousness, mentality and spirit albeit all challenges.

5 NATO countries agree to collaborate on cyberdefense project

By Julian Hale, Defense News

Russia tones down criticism of new U.S. missile plans

By Steve Gutterman, Reuters