Category: NATOSource

German Foreign Ministry: NATO reforms moving at ‘snail’s pace’

By Matthias Gebauer, Ralf Neukirch, Gordon Repinski and Christoph Schult, Spiegel

From Matthias Gebauer, Ralf Neukirch, Gordon Repinski and Christoph Schult, Spiegel:  With unprecedented bluntness, a confidential analysis by the German Foreign Ministry reveals how few of the programs that were announced at the NATO summit in Chicago last year have been implemented.

Are Syrian rebels now armed with heavy weapons from Croatia?

By Michael Weiss, NOW

From Michael Weiss, NOW :  In one of the most strangely neglected stories in the two-year Syria conflict, beginning on January 1, four new weapon models began appearing in large quantities in Daraa province, none used at any time by the Syrian military.

US and allies should prepare for the coming Middle East cold war with Iran

By Michele Dunne and Barry Pavel,  Atlantic

From Michele Dunne and Barry Pavel,  Atlantic:  U.S. strategy for the Middle East in Mr. Obama’s second term should be organized around two strategic imperatives: containing new and old threats to U.S. interests, and embracing the opportunities inherent in the calls for dignity (citizenship, rights, and economic opportunity) that emerged in the Arab uprisings.

NATO Patriots to cost Turkey $8.3 million annually

By Today's Zaman

NATO Defence Ministers visit Patriot deployment in Turkey

By NATO

From NATO:  The German, Dutch and Turkish defence ministers paid a joint visit to NATO Patriot batteries in Turkey on Saturday 23 February, in a signal of Alliance solidarity.

Ukrainian Defense Minister: Russia plans to rearm its Black Sea Fleet

By Interfax-Ukraine

From Interfax-Ukraine:  Russia plans to rearm its Black Sea Fleet and is seeking talks with Ukraine on customs aspects of planned deliveries of new weapons to the naval force, Ukraine’s defense minister said on Saturday.

Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania to create joint peacekeeping force in 2013

By Interfax-Ukraine

From Interfax-Ukraine:  Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania are planning to create a joint peacekeeping team in 2013, the Defense Ministry of Ukraine has said.

Japanese Prime Minister invites Britain and France to participate ‘in strengthening Asia’s security’

By Shinzo Abe, Project Syndicate

From Shinzo Abe, Project Syndicate:  The ongoing disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea mean that Japan’s top foreign-policy priority must be to expand the country’s strategic horizons.

Mali mission spurs French interest in purchasing armed UAV

By Pierre Tran, Defense News

From Pierre Tran, Defense News:  France is deepening its interest in acquiring the Reaper UAV from the U.S., a move that would stir political sensitivities over purchasing a weapons-firing UAV, while Paris readies to cut its defense budget, government and industry sources said.