Category: NATOSource

The US declares peace in Europe, prematurely

By Tomas Valasek, the Center For European Reform

From Tomas Valasek, the Center For European Reform:  The Pentagon’s ‘strategic guidance‘, released on January 5th, makes three key changes

US should give NATO the Global Hawks it plans to mothball

By Jorge Benitez, Atlantic Council

The Department of Defense announced today that it is terminating its purchase of the Block 30 variant of Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawk. The Block 30 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and “multi-intelligence platform” designed to simultaneously carry imagery and signals intelligence.

Secretary General’s Annual Report: ‘For NATO, 2011 was one of the busiest years ever’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  Many will remember 2011 as a year of austerity. But it has also been a year of hope. The international community united in its responsibility to protect. Much of the Arab world took a new path forward. And the European Allies showed they were willing and able to lead a […]

Withdrawal of US troops from Europe may not save taxpayers money

By John R. Deni, the New Atlanticist

From John R. Deni, the New Atlanticist:  The recent announcement that the Obama administration plans to cut two of the four remaining US brigade combat teams (BCTs) in Europe came as no surprise to those tracking the ongoing debate over the future size of the American military and the Army in particular.

Lugar to scrutinize arms sales by NATO allies to Russia

Senator Richard Lugar has commissioned the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to examine the sale of military equipment and technology by NATO allies to Russia.

Digital Spies: The Alarming Rise of Electronic Espionage

By Adam Piore, Popular Mechanics

Ukraine Boosts Military Budget by 30%

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  Ukraine’s 2012 military spending will increase by around 30 percent, to about $2 billion or 1.1 percent of GDP, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s financial department said on Wednesday.

France to Lay Down First Mistral for Russia in February

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  The first Mistral class amphibious assault ship for Russia will be laid down at the start of February in a French shipyard, a military industry official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

Russia ‘to deploy missiles on EU border this year’

By AFP

From AFP:  Russia plans to deploy Iskander missiles on the European Union’s border later this year, a source in its western Baltic Fleet told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday.

Obama: ‘We’ve made it clear that America is a Pacific power’

By Barack Obama, the White House

From Barack Obama, the White House:  Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies.  From Pakistan to Yemen, the al Qaeda operatives who remain are scrambling, knowing that they can’t escape the reach of the United States of America.  From this position of strength, we’ve begun to wind down […]