Category: NATOSource

Who is NATO’s Miracle Worker?

When Barack Obama became President, the debate in European capitals was over how quickly they could decrease the number of troops contributed to NATO’s war in Afghanistan. Yet in the past week, something remarkable has happened in NATO, some of our European allies are actually sending more troops to Afghanistan, not just for temporary duty […]

Belgian Van Rompuy, UK’s Ashton win top EU jobs

By Reuters

From Reuters: European Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who is little known outside his own country, as the bloc’s first president on Thursday to lead efforts to make it more influential on the world stage. They also chose Baroness Catherine Ashton, a Briton little known even in her own country, as […]

Post-Crisis Defence Spending in the EU is Lower and Less Effective Than in the US

By the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

From the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Defence budgets worldwide have taken a knock as a consequence of the global financial crisis. But as the world’s economies start to show signs of recovery, a “big disparity” is emerging between the EU and North America. This may place a strain on the North Atlantic Alliance, according to Senior […]

Training of Afghan Police by Europe Is Found Lacking

By the New York Times

From the New York Times: Two and a half years after it was started, the European Union’s police training mission in Afghanistan is understaffed, lacks adequate security and transportation, and has yet to develop a uniform training program, according to diplomats and security experts involved in the mission. “The E.U. mission is a logistical nightmare,” […]

Slovakia to add 250 NATO troops to Afghan mission

By the AP

From the AP: Slovakia pledged about 250 extra soldiers Tuesday to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan, the first of what British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said would be a series of international reinforcements. The central European country will double the size of its 246-strong contingent in Afghanistan, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a […]

Poland, Lithuania, and Ukraine Form Joint Brigade for International Missions

By Reuters

From Reuters: Poland and Lithuania want to forge military cooperation with Ukraine to try to bring the former Soviet republic closer to NATO, Polish officials said. Under the plan, the three countries would form a brigade that could participate in international peacekeeping operations under the auspices of the United Nations, the European Union or NATO. […]

Italy’s Foreign Minister says post-Lisbon EU needs a European Army

By the Times (London)

From the Times (London): Italy is to push for the creation of a European Army after the “new Europe” takes shape at this week’s crucial EU summit following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. Franco Frattini, the Italian Foreign Minister, said that the Lisbon Treaty had established “that if some countries want to enter into […]

Secretary General Honors the Passing Away of Pierre Harmel

By NATO

From NATO: On behalf of NATO, I would like to express my condolences to the family of Mr. Pierre Harmel. Mr. Harmel’s career in politics was long, distinguished and influential. He helped to shape politics in Belgium and at the European level, throughout his 31 years in public life. He also played a crucial role […]

Germany sending 120 more troops to Afghanistan

By Reuters

From Reuters: Germany will send 120 more soldiers to northern Afghanistan to reinforce its base in the Kundus province, Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said on Friday. Guttenberg announced the modest increase during a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where Germany has the third largest contingent in the NATO-led mission with 4,200 troops. “I’ve made the […]

Barack Obama ‘risks Suez-like disaster’ in Afghanistan, says key military adviser

By the Guardian

From the Guardian: A key adviser to Nato forces warned today that Barack Obama risks a Suez-style debacle in Afghanistan if he fails to deploy enough extra troops and opts instead for a messy compromise… “Time is running out for us to make a decision. We can either put in enough troops to control the […]