Category: NATOSource

Italian Minister Backs Gates on Turkey Moving “Eastwards”

By AFP

From AFP:   Italy’s foreign minister indicated Thursday he agreed with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates that the European Union’s refusal to embrace Turkey had pushed Ankara "eastwards.

Turkey Calls Charges Turning from West “Dirty Propaganda”

By AFP

Dutch Voters Split, and Right Surges

By Stephen Castle and Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Stephen Castle and Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  After the first election in a euro-zone country since the European economic crisis, Dutch voters found themselves divided politically on Thursday and surprised by the surge in popularity of an anti-immigrant party.

Europe Remains America’s Most Powerful Ally

By Joseph S. Nye, Gulf News

From Joseph S. Nye, Gulf News:  The American political scientist Andrew Moravcsik makes the argument that European nations, singly and collectively, are the only states other than the US that are able to "exert global influence across the full spectrum from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ power.

Afghanistan and Defence Spending Top NATO Defence Ministers Agenda

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  There are fundamental issues on our agenda, today and tomorrow – with our highest priority being the mission in Afghanistan. Our aim is to help Afghanistan stand on its feet as a sovereign country that can defend itself against terrorism. Because a stable Afghanistan means a safer world. Tomorrow, with […]

Getting Russia Right

By Wolfgang Ischinger and Ulrich Weisser, the New York Times

From Wolfgang Ischinger and Ulrich Weisser, the New York Times:  At a NATO summit in Strasbourg in April 2009, a group of experts headed by Madeleine Albright was directed to prepare the ground for a new “strategic concept.

Turkey Proposes NATO Mission to Lift Gaza Blockade

By AFP

From AFP:  A top Turkish official on Wednesday proposed a NATO naval mission to lift the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian Gaza Strip. "NATO should send a fleet to put an end to the embargo," Turkey’s chief negotiator with the European Union, Egemen Bagis told reporters during a trip to Brussels. "It’s just an idea," […]

Post-War Croatia and Serbia Ink Landmark Military Deal

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Former Balkan foes Croatia and Serbia signed a military cooperation deal on Tuesday in another sign that the region of former Yugoslavia is overcoming the legacy of ethnic wars fought in the 1990s.

NATO Allies Poised to Slash Military Budgets

By Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post

From Craig Whitlock, the Washington Post:  European allies are bracing for their deepest cuts in military spending since the end of the Cold War, fueling concerns in Washington that an already wide gap in military power between the United States and the rest of NATO will grow.

Gates: If Turkey is Moving Eastward, It was “Pushed by Some in Europe”

By Reuters

From Reuters:  The United States is concerned at a breakdown in Turkey’s relations with Israel and fears Europe’s rebuff of Ankara’s EU aspirations is pushing the pivotal country "eastward," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.