Security & Defense

A Conversation with Nigerien Prime Minister Brigi Rafini

By The Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a conversation with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, H.E. Brigi Rafini. Also in attendance was H.E. Maman Sidikou, ambassador of the Republic of Niger to the United States. Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham moderated the not-for-attribution session, which focused on economic, security, and development priorities […]

German Defense Minister: ‘Russia Has Destroyed a Massive Amount of Trust’

SPIEGEL: So is the Ukraine crisis a case for defense policy?

Putin Has Exposed Divisions in Europe

By Matthew Kaminski, Wall Street Journal

To the east Russia is on the march. After a spike in violence over the weekend in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin on Monday cut gas exports to the country, using an economic cudgel to go with the military one.

Is Germany’s Framework Nations Concept a ‘Substantial NATO Compromise?’

By Jan Techau, Carnegie Europe

Something is sprouting in Germany.

Reexamining Article 5: NATO’s Collective Defense in Times of Cyber Threats

By Klara Tothova Jordan, Huffington Post

Facing an adversary that does not shy away from including cyber tools in its playbook, the time has come for NATO to substitute strategic ambiguity for clarity in formulating how the collective defense pledge plays out in times of cyber threats.

NATO Says Russia Considers it an Opponent, Prepares Ukraine Aid

By Tracy Rucinski, Reuters

NATO is preparing measures to help Ukraine defend itself in its stand-off with Russia, and must adapt to the fact that Moscow now views it as an adversary, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an interview published on Sunday.

Obama’s Billion Dollar Initiative Important to Security of Central Europe

By Eric Auner, World Politics Review

In Warsaw, Obama also announced a $1 billion “European Reassurance Initiative” to support regional partnerships and fund U.S. presence in the region.

NATO Bases in Eastern Allies will Help Deter Further Russian Aggression

By Franklin D. Kramer and Hans Binnendijk, The Hill

In dealing with Russia, the U.S., together with its allies, must enhance deterrence, reduce strategic economic dependency, and retain diplomatic cooperation when interests coincide.

US Calls for Europe to ‘Take Defense Spending Seriously’

By Susan Rice, White House

Collective action has long been the hallmark of effective American leadership. The United Nations, NATO and our Asian alliances were all built on the foundation of American strength and American values.