NATO

Hesitation Within NATO will Encourage Russia to Test Alliance

By Artis Pabriks, atlantic-community.org

Since the end of the Russian-Georgian war in 2008, Russia has been seriously increasing its military budget (up 15-20% annually) and conducting military exercises with more than 100,000 personnel (Zapad 2009, Zapad 2013), targeted towards its western neighbours.

US May Accelerate Deployment of Missile Defense System in Poland

By David Larter, Defense News

The military could speed up deployment of a land-based missile defense shield in Europe to hem in a resurgent Russia, the Navy 3-star in charge of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said in early April.

Prime Minister: Montenegro Expects Invitation to Join NATO in September

Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic is optimistic about his country’s chances of receiving an invitation to join NATO in Wales at the September 2014 NATO summit. He praised US support for Montenegro’s ambition during his speech at the Atlantic Council on April 8. Djukanovic said that his country is in an “encouraging place,” and noted […]

Bulgaria Considering Air Policing with Turkey and Romania Due to Increase in Russian Flights Near Borders

By Lithuania Tribune

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has said Sofia should cooperate with NATO partners Turkey and Romania in the face of increased Russian surveillance flights coming close to Bulgarian airspace.

Crisis in Ukraine Highlights NATO’s Responsibility to Defend All Allies

By Andris Razans, National Interest

What is the strategic role and responsibility of NATO in this situation?

Secretary General Calls for More Robust NATO Exercises and Deployments

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

We are meeting at a defining moment for the security architecture we have built together over the last decades.

Ukraine Crisis: US Sending F-16 Jets to Romania for Exercises

By Luiza Ilie, Reuters

The United States will deploy F-16 fighter jets to Romania this month as part of planned joint exercises, the NATO member’s defense minister was quoted as saying, amid rising tensions in neighboring Ukraine after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Ukraine Crisis Exposes Gaps Between Germany and NATO

By Spiegel

Frank-Walter Steinmeier wasted little time after returning to Berlin from the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels last week.

Czech President says NATO Could Offer Troops to Ukraine if Russia Goes Beyond Crimea

By Robert Muller, Reuters

The West should take strong action, possibly including sending NATO forces to Ukraine, if Russia tries to annex the eastern part of the country, Czech President Milos Zeman said on Sunday.