Category: NATOSource

National Security Advisor wrestles with Pakistan problem

By David Ignatius, the Washington Post

From David Ignatius, the Washington Post:  "These safe havens are a big question mark in terms of our success rate," Gen. Jim Jones, the national security adviser, said in an interview Tuesday at the White House. He noted that the Taliban and its affiliates have used these havens to arm, train, regroup and gather intelligence […]

Afghan president asks why allies won’t act on Pakistan

By David Fox, Reuters

From David Fox, Reuters:  Afghan President Hamid Karzai questioned on Thursday the willingness of his Western allies to strike insurgent bases in Pakistan given the strong evidence of Islamabad’s support for the Taliban. "The war against terrorism is not in the villages or houses of Afghanistan … but in the sanctuaries, sources of funding and […]

Tonga sends troops to Afghanistan

By Bonnie Malkin, the Telegraph

From Bonnie Malkin, the Telegraph:  While most countries in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are plotting an exit date from the war-ravaged country, the Tongan government has committed 275 of its soldiers over two years. Ruling that Afghanistan was a safer destination for Tongan troops than Iraq, the government will send an initial 55 […]

Sweden Developing Greater Regional Defense Role

By Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council

From Magnus Nordenman, the Atlantic Council:  In August the sunny calm and quiet that is a Swedish summer will be shattered by the impact of Joint Direct Attack Munitions dropped by F-16CM Fighting Falcons from US Air Force Europe.

NATO’S enlargement policy in the post-Cold War era

By Vahit Redem, Hürriyet

From Vahit Redem, Hürriyet:  NATO’s expansion and global cooperation policies following the Cold War can be divided into three categories. The first category includes countries that have begun the accession process for full membership in NATO. Countries that initiate this relationship by indicating their political will for membership and fulfill the criteria required in the […]

German army cuts to push Europe closer on defence

By Dave Graham, Reuters

From Dave Graham, Reuters:  The biggest cuts in military spending in decades in Germany, Britain and France could encourage Europe to move closer to a joint defence policy to pool resources and eliminate costly duplication. Germany, increasingly active in international military missions in recent years, is poised to shrink its army by up to 40 […]

French diplomat to head EU intelligence agency

By AFP

EU appoints former French general to lead Kosovo mission

By AFP

From AFP:   The European Union appointed French general Xavier Bout de Marnhac as the head of its civilian mission in charge of strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo, a statement said Tuesday. De Marnhac, who had commanded NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Kosovo (KFOR) in 2007-2008, is to replace current EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon […]

GOP Senators connect Wikileaks to Obama’s withdrawal date

By Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy

From Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy:  Senior Republican senators continued to criticize the leakers and WikiLeaks for publishing the reports, while moving to tie the incident to their long held criticism of Obama’s July 11, 2011, date to begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops. "We need Pakistan’s help to rid the region of the Taliban, but […]

Report finds Russians may not be in compliance, could sink new START pact

By Walter Pincus and Mary Beth Sheridan, the Washington Post

From Walter Pincus and Mary Beth Sheridan, the Washington Post:  The United States believes Russia is not fully complying with international pacts involving chemical and biological weapons, although Moscow has settled most questions about violations of a nuclear arms treaty with the United States, according to a State Department report to be made public Wednesday. […]