Category: NATOSource

Will the U.S. Lose Europe to Russia?

By John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune

From John Vinocur, the International Herald Tribune:  Germany and France, meeting with Russia in Deauville, northern France, last week, signaled that they planned to make such three-cornered get-togethers on international foreign policy and security matters routine

Ankara seeks guarantees on Israel in missile shield talks with US

By Zaman

From Zaman:  Turkey, in talks with the United States over a proposed missile defense system, has asked US officials whether non-NATO countries would have access to intelligence that sensors in the shield would gather

Rasmussen to German Parliament: “NATO is today the most effective peacekeeper in the world”

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  I appreciate the opportunity to answer the question you have put on the table – is NATO a Cold War relic, or an instrument for peace?

German Committee Recommends Cutbacks in Defense Spending

By Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, the New York Times:  As major European countries seek to cut military forces in response to the economic slowdown and pressure from finance officials to rein in spending, the Defense Ministry of Germany has been advised to cut its staff by half

Russia plans to update Black Sea Fleet

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Russia plans to upgrade its Black Sea Fleet with 18 new vessels over the next decade after a deal with Ukraine to extend the lease on the fleet’s base, a navy source was quoted by Interfax as saying on Monday.

Former Amb. Robert Hunter on British defense cuts

By the European Institute

From the European Institute:  While Obama administration officials have voiced disappointment about UK cuts in the military budget and the possible risk of seeking it increase the load on Washington, a more nuanced reaction comes from a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Robert Hunter. “We should use this as opportunity for more serious discussion inside […]

Zapatero Shakes Up Spanish Cabinet

By Raphael Minder, the New York Times

Turkish police arrest 5 al Qaeda suspects

By Ece Toksabay and Simon Cameron-Moore, Reuters

From Ece Toksabay and Simon Cameron-Moore, Reuters:  Turkish police have detained five men suspected of having ties to a group fighting with the al Qaeda network in Afghanistan

NATO releases new documentaries: ”The NATO Chronicles”

By NATO

From NATO:  “The NATO Chronicles” are five documentaries and a web documentary (www.natochronicles.org) that take viewers to the heart of the Alliance’s missions. With a rigorous journalistic approach, the stories throw new light on programmes and initiatives that are little-known to the public. Combating piracy, air policing, energy security and scientific cooperation – the NATO […]

Turkish diplomat: “We don’t want any problems at the NATO summit”

By Desmond Butler, the AP

From Desmond Butler, the AP:  The U.S. would like Turkey to host a radar installation for its European missile shield and to back a proposal to make missile defense a core mission for NATO. After initial enthusiasm about the radar, Turkey has hesitated. Its main concern is that it does not want the missile defense […]