Category: Blogs

Nordic-Baltic Chiefs of Defence Discuss Planned Military Exercises

By Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense

From Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defense: Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius took part in the Nordic-Baltic CHODs meeting in Helsinki (Finland) where he convened with Chiefs of Defence of Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Leading military officials addressed security situation in the Baltic Sea region, upcoming multinational military exercise, […]

NATO and Russia Formally Resume Military Ties

By the AP

From the AP: Russia and NATO formally resumed military ties Tuesday in the latest sign of improving relations between the Cold War rivals as they move to boost cooperation in the fight against insurgents in Afghanistan. It was the first meeting between NATO and Russia military officials since relations broke down in the wake of […]

Germany Pledges 500 Extra Troops Plus Big Aid Increase

By Spiegel

From Spiegel: Berlin has announced it will send an extra 500 troops to Afghanistan, plus an additional 350 soldiers as a “flexible reserve,” and will contribute €50 million towards a program to reintegrate Taliban fighters. It’s Germany’s answer to calls for more troops at the London Afghanistan conference on Thursday. The German government, facing pressure […]

France Snub Germany at Financial Meeting

The recent pressure on Angela Merkel to enact further stimulus measures for Germany’s economy continues, the WSJ reports:     German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing mounting pressure to boost her stimulus plans for Europe’s largest economy and reverse a thrifty strategy that has her out of step with other nations.     She will likely be […]

Miliband: Fund Needed to “Reintegrate” Taliban Fighters

By NATO

From NATO:  Well the drive for reintegration, which I think is the term that’s used for the low to mid-level fighters, is very, very important. It’s one that we strongly support. And it’s one which does need a fund to back it up… Governance of that fund will also be very important because it’s our […]

Spanish Spy for Russia to Face Closed Trial

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti: A Madrid court has agreed to hold a behind-closed-doors trial of a former Spanish intelligence officer accused of selling classified information to Russia, a Spanish newspaper said. Roberto Flores Garcia, 44, was arrested in 2007 on suspicion of selling secrets to Russia for at least $200,000 from 2001 to 2004. He resigned […]

Finland Sends More Peacekeeping Troops to Afghanistan

By the People's Daily

From the People’s Daily: Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the Finnish government’s committee on foreign and security policy decided to send more peacekeeping troops to Afghanistan, according to a statement released by Finnish government on Friday. Finland will first deploy a further 50 peacekeeping soldiers to Afghanistan and the total strength will be brought up […]

NATO Chiefs of Defense to Meet January 26-27, 2010

By NATO

From NATO: NATO’s Military Committee will meet in Chiefs of Defence Staff (CHODs) session on 26 and 27 January 2010 in NATO HQ, Brussels. The various meetings will focus on the progress made in ongoing operations and the New Strategic Concept for NATO. Together with the Chiefs of Defence of all 28 NATO member states, […]