Category: NATOSource

Ashton Warns Europe it is Losing Influence in US

By Stephen Castle, the New York Times

From Stephen Castle, the New York Times:  In her first major report on foreign policy, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, acknowledged that Washington was focusing less on Europe, and warned that the bloc would need to show more unity if it hoped to change that dynamic.

Germany Will Begin Afghan Exit Next Year

By Judy Dempsey and Matthew Saltmarsh, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey and Matthew Saltmarsh, the New York Times:  Germany, which has the third largest military force in Afghanistan, will start withdrawing its 4,800 troops as early as next year, ending its mission there by 2014

China Expands Its Influence in Europe

By Wieland Wagner, Spiegel

From Wieland Wagner, Spiegel: [T]he rising superpower is cleverly capitalizing on the euro crisis to extend its long-term political and economic influence in Europe.

Obama’s next big Afghan battle: How many troops to withdraw

By Rajiv Chandrasekaran and Scott Wilson, the Washington Post

From Rajiv Chandrasekaran and Scott Wilson, the Washington Post:  President Obama’s national security team this week revisited the same vexing issues it worked through a year ago in devising the administration’s troop escalation in Afghanistan. This time, one key element was missing: impassioned dissent. While the group concluded that Obama’s counterinsurgency strategy is showing signs […]

NATO success in Kandahar and commitment of troops until 2014 shifting Afghan support

By Carlotta Gall and Ruhullah Khapalwak, the New York Times

From Carlotta Gall and Ruhullah Khapalwak, the New York Times:  As the Obama administration reviews its strategy in Afghanistan, residents and even a Taliban commander say the surge of American troops this year has begun to set back the Taliban in parts of their southern heartland and to turn people against the insurgency — at […]

NATO-Russia differences on a European missile shield

By Podolskaya Nadezhda, the Voice of Russia

From Podolskaya Nadezhda, the Voice of Russia:  The NATO-Russia differences on a European missile shield are essentially as follows:

NATO chief appoints US defense official as deputy

By the AP

From the AP:  NATO’s secretary-general says he will appoint Alexander Vershbow, the current U.S. assistant secretary of defense for international security, as his next deputy.

Nearly 200 Turkish military officers go on trial tomorrow

By Daren Butler, Reuters

Gaddafi proposes 1 million-strong African army to “confront NATO” and other powers

By Reuters

From Reuters:  African nations should join forces to create a one-million-strong army to protect the continent and confront outsiders like NATO and China, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Tuesday. Gaddafi, well known for his forthright rhetoric, has acquired growing influence in Africa but his ambition to build a united states of Africa is not […]

France, Germany, Poland propose special EU group for defense cooperation

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver