Category: Blogs

Azerbaijan the Energy Partner Europe Needs Most

By Borut Grgic

Yesterday’s meeting in Prague on the ‘Southern Corridor’ – the pipelines that will bring gas and oil to Europe – produced a decent result, though still missing are agreements on a transit regime with Turkey and on the volumes to be sold on the European market. The key lies in Azerbaijan.

Australia Prepares for U.S. Decline

By James Joyner

The release a week ago of an Australian defense plan calling for a substantial upgrade in forces based on the assumption that the United States will be reducing its commitments to the Asia-Pacific region has slowly gotten the attention of the foreign policy commentariat.

Ireland Bans Soccer for Chad Combat Troops

By James Joyner

Ireland’s defense minister has ordered that soldiers assigned to combat duty in Chad refrain from playing contact sports, including soccer and volleyball, lest they injure themselves on the hard dirt. Sadly, this is not a satire from The Onion.

FACTBOX: NATO military exercises in Georgia

By Reuters

From Reuters: NATO is holding two different exercises in Georgia between May 6 and June 1.The first exercise is named Cooperative Longbow 09 and aims to improve coordination between brigade commanders with procedure, coordination and command systems. It was scheduled to involve around 220 soldiers and does not involve tanks. The second exercise is named […]

NATO and Partner Chiefs of Defence to meet at NATO Headquarters – 4 May 2009

By NATO

From NATO: Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) from more than 40 countries, together with NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander for Operations and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation, attended the NATO Military Committee Spring Meetings in their various sessions over 6 and 7 MayChiefs of Defence (CHODs) from more than 40 countries, together with NATO’s Supreme Allied […]

Russian bombers continue routine patrols over Atlantic, Arctic

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti: During a 15-hour mission, the bombers conducted in-flight refueling from Il-78 Midas aerial tankers. The Russian planes were shadowed by NATO F-16 and Tornado fighters. (Photo: RIA Novosti)

Your Call, NATO

“In essence, the entire future of the Euro-Atlantic region is at stake. Missing this opportunity to come to an agreement is fraught with the danger of sliding into chaos on security matters. NATO will be the first to suffer, in terms of both the security and economic stability of its member-states. If there is no […]

Albania grants NATO permit to patrol its airspace

By SETimes.com

From SETimes.com: TIRANA, Albania — The government decided late on Wednesday (May 6th) to grant NATO permission to patrol its airspace until the Albanian air force starts patrolling it on its own. Parliament is expected to adopt the measure soon, without objections from the opposition. Albania joined NATO in early April.

NATO looking at extended anti-piracy mission

By GMANews.TV

From GMANews.TV: A senior NATO official says the alliance’s military planners are considering a long-term counter-piracy mission off the Somali coast. The naval mission would replace the fleet of four NATO warships that is due to return from the region next month.