Category: Blogs

Looted arms from Libya may have turned the tide in Mali conflict

By C.J. Chivers, New York Times

From C.J. Chivers, New York Times:  Since the war that toppled Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi began in 2011, arms-tracking analysts have warned that weapons looted from the colonel’s stockpiles could find their way to militants in sub-Saharan Africa.

NATO Combined Air Operations Center activated in Spain

By Allied Command Operations

From Allied Command Operations:  In the presence of Spanish Minister of Defence, D. Pedro Morenés Eulate, and the Spanish Chief of Defence, General Admiral Fernando García Sánchez, NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre Torrejón (CAOC TJ), Spain, was activated during a ceremony at its new premises north east of the Spanish Capital of Madrid

The Egyptian Civilizational Model

By Yussef Auf

Among the many external and internal challenges facing Egyptian state and society, the issue of how to reclaim Egypt’s historical regional leadership is the most pressing. In my opinion, creating an ‘Egyptian civilizational model’ is the key ingredient to renewed regional influence.

Top News: Marches head to Tahrir against Brotherhood rule

By Egypt Source

Hundreds marched from Mostafa Mahmoud mosque in the Cairo suburb of Mohandeseen to Tahrir Square in an anti-government demonstration. 

China underbids Raytheon proposal for Turkey’s new missile defense system

By Hurriyet Daily News

Defense Reduction through Security Force Assistance

By Derek Reveron

With dozens of treaty allies and a strategic priority of promoting the sovereignty of weak states, the US military has been gradually shifting from a force designed for confrontation to one intended to promote international cooperation. 

How is the Obama administration using social media to disarm Syria’s chemical arsenal?

By Eli Lake, Daily Beast

From Eli Lake, Daily Beast:  If you are a Syrian military officer in charge of some nasty chemical weapons, you’ve probably been friended or Skyped by the U.S. government. The message is simple: think twice before using or selling that mustard gas you are guarding.

U.S. Navy: Sequestration will limit missile defense deployments to Europe

By Brock Vergakis, AP

From Brock Vergakis, AP:  The USS Barry left its home port on Thursday to load weapons for its journey to Europe as part of a NATO defense plan to provide a ballistic-missile shield for U.S. allies.

Bipartisan Senate bill expedites energy exports for NATO allies, Japan, and others

By Office of Senator John Barrasso

From Office of Senator John Barrasso: U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the “Expedited LNG for American Allies Act of 2013 (S.192).