Category: NATOSource

Video: First live fire test of NATO’s missile defense system

By NATO

From NATO: Exercise Rapid Arrow, the first live fire exercise testing NATO’s Missile Defence System.   (graphic: NATO)

British intell services foiled Gaddafi attack on the leadership of Libya’s NTC

By Cassandra Vinograd, the AP

Obama says Europe’s problem is lack of political will

By Laura MacInnis, Reuters

From Laura MacInnis, Reuters:  President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he was deeply concerned about the continued euro zone crisis, blaming it on a lack of political will, and that market turmoil would continue until Europe has a concrete plan to deal with its debt woes. Obama praised French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor […]

Swedish Gripen Community Draws Libya Lessons

By Robert Wall, Aviation Week

From Robert Wall, Aviation Week:  Following its first operational deployment of Gripen fighters as part of the NATO-led Libya campaign, the Swedish military is assessing what improvements in equipment and processes need to be made for future deployments of the fighter.

Italian cabinet announced: di Paola new Defense Minister, Terzi di Santagata to lead Foreign Ministry

By Tom Kington, Defense News

From Tom Kington, Defense News:  Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, the former Italian military chief of staff, has been named Italy’s new defense minister, replacing Ignazio La Russa.

U.S. joining NATO’s fight against cyber threats

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  The United States will join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence during a formal ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the center’s headquarters in Estonia, a country that experienced a massive cyber attack that disabled websites of numerous government institutions in 2007.

Robert Simmons appointed policy coordinator for upcoming NATO summit in Chicago

By the State Department

From the State Department:  The United States will host back-to-back G8 and NATO Summits May 19-21, 2012, in Chicago.  The White House has the overall lead for summit planning through various working groups chaired by the National Security Staff.

Russian envoy visiting NATO capitals to warn of retaliatory “military steps” against missile defense system

By Kim Sengupta, the Independent

Russia Can Be a NATO Ally

By Steven Pifer, the Moscow Times

From Steven Pifer, the Moscow Times:  The major obstacle blocking missile defense cooperation stems from Moscow’s demand for a legal guarantee that U.S. interceptors would not be directed against Russian strategic missiles.

US purchasing entire fleet of British Harrier jets

By Christopher P. Cavas, Vago Muradian and Andrew Chuter, Marine Times

From Christopher P. Cavas, Vago Muradian and Andrew Chuter, Marine Times:  The Navy and Marine Corps have agreed to buy Britain’s entire decommissioned fleet of 74 Harrier jump jets, along with engines and spare parts