NATO

NATO: France Pulling Its Troops Out of Kosovo Mission

By AP and Reuters

From AP:  NATO’s supreme commander says France is pulling out of the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo because of commitments in Mali and Central African Republic.

NATO Says Karzai Failure to Sign Pact Would End Afghan Mission

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

NATO would have to pull all its troops out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014 if Afghan President Hamid Karzai does not sign a security pact with the United States, alliance chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Monday.

Swedish Fighter Jets to Join NATO Response Force

By Local (Sweden)

Sweden will contribute a squadron of Jas Gripen fighter jets as well as a mine-sweeping ship to join the Nato Rapid Reaction Force (NRF), the government decided on Thursday.

Discussing NATO’s Strategic Priorities

On December 2, the Atlantic Council’s Transatlantic Security Initiative hosted an off-the-record strategy session with General Sverker Göranson, supreme commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, to discuss strategic priorities for NATO’s partnership policy in light of ongoing NATO and Swedish armed forces reforms.

NATO Chief Urges All Parties in Ukraine to ‘Refrain from Violence’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

Tonight in Kyiv, many Ukrainians continue to show their strong support for their country’s closer relations with the European Union.

NATO Secretary General: ‘Vilnius Summit is a Defining Moment’

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

I welcome the results of the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius.

NATO Begins Annual Cyber Defense Exercise

By NATO

NATO on Tuesday (26 November 2013) launched a three-day cyber defence exercise “Cyber Coalition 2013” which will test the Alliance’s ability to defend its networks from attacks.

Taliban And NATO War on Twitter

By Sam Schneider, Daily Beast

[T]he Twitter accounts of the Taliban and ISAF reveal another war that is not so undecided— the struggle for the support and confidence of the Afghan people.

Will the US Cut NATO’s Credit Card?

By Jorge Benitez, Atlantic Council

Hagel warned earlier that “as NATO adjusts, it must address the gaps in military expenditures and capabilities of its partners. The tough decisions cannot continue to be deferred.”

Lavrov: Iran Deal Nullifies Needs for Europe Missile Shield

By RIA Novosti and RT

From RIA Novosti:  Implementation of a deal on Iran’s nuclear program reached in Geneva this weekend will make the US missile defense system in Europe unnecessary, Russia’s foreign minister said Monday.