Category: Blogs

Medvedev Announces Review of NGO Restrictions

By Peter Cassata

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev launched a legislative review of restrictions placed on non-governmental organizations under Putin’s tenure.

Turkey eyes NATO headquarters reform for high-level representation

By Hurriyet Daily News

From Hurriyet Daily News: “Turkey, one of the most significant contributors to NATO’s activities and operations worldwide, has been a member of the alliancesince 1952, but has not undertaken a prominent position within the alliance since 1979. The last time Turkey held high-rank positions was between 1968 and1971 as acting secretary general, and between 1973 […]

What is the Threat in Pakistan?

By Bernard Finel

Andrew Sullivan approvingly quotes an essay by Professor Manan Ahmed that attacks the claim that Pakistan is a failed state.

New Challenges for NATO in the High North

By defpro.com

Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen, Minister of Defense of Norway, addresses security issues in the Arctic and calls for changes in NATO. From defpro.com: “This view on possible challenges for NATO – not far away in another continent but on the continent where the it was founded 60 years ago – is being reflected in Norway’s recent efforts […]

NATO invites Kazakhstan to take part in peace-making operation in Afghanistan

By Kazakhstan Today

From Kazakhstan Today: “Almaty. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has officially invited Kazakhstan to take part in peace-making operation for restoration of Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons, informed, the agency reports citing Independent newspaper. According to R. Simmons, all the documents have been sent to the […]

ISAF Factsheet

NATO releases new report of Allied contributions to ISAF.

Energy conflicts could bring military clashes, Russian security strategy warns

By the Guardian

Medvedev signs new National Security Strategy which identifies NATO and conflicts over energy sources as threats to Russia. From the Guardian: “The document, which will form Russia’s national security strategy until 2020, also warns of the threat posed to Russia by Nato. The paper says Moscow wants a ‘fully fledged strategic partnership’ with Washington but […]

“Isolationism is passé – Sweden needs to join NATO”

By the Local

Birgitta Ohlsson, foreign policy spokesperson for Sweden’s Liberal Party argues for Sweden to join NATO. From the Local: “The EU is not a military alliance and is therefore not an alternative to NATO. The reintegration of the French military into NATO is a clear sign that even the French have given up on the idea […]

A new NATO for a new world

By the Boston Globe

U.S. Senator Jeane Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, draws attention to the need for hard choices within the alliance. From the Boston Globe: “NATO will simply not be able to meet every challenge that threatens its members. On some issues, NATO will take the lead. But on others, NATO […]