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New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

National Security Strategy 2015: Platitudes R Us

By Robert A. Manning

My first thought upon seeing the long-awaited National Security Strategy was to recall the comments made to me some years ago by a prominent international leader when asked why he said certain things that seemed well beyond his ability to deliver, “Les mots, n’importe pas.” (Words don’t matter). For an administration six years on, its […]

National Security
Security & Defense
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Munich Security Conference, Feb. 6, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 6, 2015

NATO Secretary General Sees Danger in Russian Aggression and Annexation

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

Last year was a turning point. For European security. And for the global order. Here in Europe, we see a dangerous pattern of Russian behaviour. Annexation. Aggressive actions. And intimidation.

Middle East
NATO

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

Three Elements of the NSS that Deserve More Attention

By Richard LeBaron

Other than a necessary new focus on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the new National Security Strategy is largely consistent with past reports. The document is an important statement of intent, but we can be pretty confident that no one in the US foreign policy apparatus will sleep with it next to […]

National Security
Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

Middle East Needed More Attention in National Security Strategy

By Bilal Y. Saab

The National Security Strategy released on February 6 is solid for a second-term president who has two more years in office. The document puts a premium on and is crystal clear on leadership. That is comforting following accusations by international partners and allies  — some legitimate, others unfair — that the United States was disengaging […]

National Security
Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 6, 2015

National Security Strategy Fails for Not Being Prescriptive

By Alex Ward

The fact that the 2015 National Security Strategy was released a year before the Obama administration becomes a lame duck has made it almost inevitable that it will become an after-the-fact justification for the administration’s national security policy to date. Nonetheless, the NSS is an important document. Here’s why: we now know that the Obama […]

National Security
Security & Defense
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Nov. 22, 2013

NATOSource

Feb 5, 2015

Putin Could Attack Baltic States Warns Former NATO Chief

By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Telegraph

Vladimir Putin has dangerous ambitions beyond Ukraine and aims to test Western resolve in the Baltic states, the former head of Nato has warned.

NATO
Northern Europe
Spanish paratroopers in Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2008

NATOSource

Feb 5, 2015

Spain to Lead New NATO Spearhead Force in 2016

By Naftali Bendavid, Wall Street Journal

Six European countries said Thursday they would rotate the leadership of NATO’s new rapid-response force, and the U.S. pledged to contribute intelligence, airlift capacity and other key support.

NATO
Security & Defense

In the News

Feb 5, 2015

Kramer: Cyber Sanctions After Sony

By Franklin D. Kramer

Atlantic Council Board Member and Scowcroft Center Distinguished Fellow Franklin Kramer cowrites for The Hill’s Congress Blog on utilizing sanctions as a response to cyber attacks:

Cybersecurity
Security & Defense
Royal Marines training in Norway, Feb. 17, 2014

NATOSource

Feb 5, 2015

Defense Minister Fallon: Britain to Lead ‘High Readiness’ NATO Force

By BBC and Reuters

From BBC:  The UK will play a lead role in a “high readiness” Nato force that will be established in Eastern Europe, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has announced.

NATO
Security & Defense
Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos and Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Feb. 4, 2015

NATOSource

Feb 4, 2015

Greek Defense Minister Reassures NATO Over Russia Ties

By AFP

Greece’s new government remains committed to its NATO role despite close ties with Russia that have worried its allies, Defense Minister Panos Kammenos told AFP on Wednesday.

Greece
NATO

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