Category: NATOSource

EU and NATO to overhaul Kosovo security after German criticism

By Angelika Stricker and Sebastian Moffett, Reuters

From Angelika Stricker and Sebastian Moffett, Reuters:  NATO plans to refocus its security operation in Kosovo on a mostly Serb northern border region after major contributor Germany said the EU’s police force was "on the wrong track" and placing too great a burden on NATO forces there, officials said on Wednesday.

Italian radar passes NATO missile defense test

By NATO Communications and Information Agency

From NATO Communications and Information Agency:  A successful ‘Ensemble Test 2’ conducted by the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency confirmed the compatibility of a new Italian sensor with the Alliance’s ballistic missile defence architecture.

NATO leaders unanimously vote for Gen. Allen to be new Supreme Allied Commander in Europe

By NATO

From NATO:  The North Atlantic Council has approved the appointment of General John Allen, currently the commander of the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan, as the new Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR).

U.S. military task force sent to help Jordan with crisis in Syria

By Michael R. Gordon and Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times

From Michael R. Gordon and Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times:  The United States military has secretly sent a task force of more than 150 planners and other specialists to Jordan

Turkey: ‘We will respond with greater force’ if attacks from Syria continue

By Joe Parkinson, Wall Street Journal

Russia repeats warning to NATO to stay out of conflict in Syria

By Sebastian Moffett and David Alexander, Reuters

From Sebastian Moffett and David Alexander, Reuters:  Russia, which has blocked U.N. Security Council resolutions that would allow greater western intervention in Syria, warned NATO not to intervene after the Syrian shelling.

NATO aims to help defend Turkey if requested: U.S. official

By Sebastian Moffett and David Alexander, Reuters

From Sebastian Moffett and David Alexander, Reuters:  NATO ambassadors threw their support behind Turkey in an emergency meeting last week after Syrian shells struck a border town in Turkey killing five civilians.

Turkish president says “worst case” unfolding in Syria

By Hamdi Istanbullu, Reuters

From Hamdi Istanbullu, Reuters:  Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Monday the "worst-case scenarios" were now playing out in Syria and Turkey would do everything necessary to protect itself, as its army fired back for a sixth day after a shell from Syria flew over the border.

Ministers try to limit impact of defense cuts on NATO

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

From Adrian Croft, Reuters:  NATO ministers wrestled on Tuesday with how to prevent austerity-driven defense cuts in many member countries from undermining the power of the 63-year-old Western alliance.