Security & Defense

Prime Minister Katainen: Finland is Not Neutral, NATO is an Option

By Yle

In an interview published on Sunday in the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen reiterated the country’s stance that Finland is not a neutral country, even though it is not part of any military alliances.

US Army to Proceed with Planned Exercise in Ukraine

By Nancy Montgomer, Stars and Stripes

Atlas Vision is canceled. But Rapid Trident is still a go.

NATO Chief: Referendum in Crimea Violates Ukrainian Constitution and International Law

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

I continue to follow developments in Ukraine with great concern. The so-called referendum in the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic of Crimea planned on 16 March would be a direct violation of the Ukrainian constitution and international law.

Obama Administration Turns Down Request from Ukraine for Weapons and Ammunition

By Adam Entous, Wall Street Journal

Ukraine’s interim government has appealed for U.S. military aid, including arms, ammunition and intelligence support, according to senior U.S. officials.

After Crimea, Sweden Flirts With Joining NATO

By Matt Ford, Atlantic

It’s a good time to have friends in Eastern Europe.

Ambassador Mark Brzezinski on Sweden, NATO, and the Future

On March 13, 2014 the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security hosted a strategy session with the US ambassador to Sweden Mark Brzezinski on Sweden’s role as a NATO partner and on the broader framework of US-Sweden security cooperation.  Visiting Stockholm in September, President Barack Obama underscored Sweden’s importance as one of the […]

In Ukraine, the End of Act One

By R. Nicholas Burns

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is nearing the end of Act One with this weekend’s trumped-up Crimean referendum for reunification with mother Russia. As we look ahead to Acts Two and Three, what have we learned so far?

Will Long Simmering Problems Make NATO a Relic?

By William Cohen and James Jones, Spiegel

[I]t’s important for our European friends to understand that discontent can, and does, flow in more than one direction.

Belarus to Ask Russia for Warplanes in Response to NATO Drills

By AFP and Reuters

From AFP:  Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday he would ask Russia to station up to 15 jets in his country in response to NATO’s moves over the Ukraine crisis.

NSA Nominee Promotes Cyberwar Units

By David E. Sanger, New York Times

All of the major combat commands in the United States military will soon have dedicated forces to conduct cyberattacks alongside their air, naval and ground capabilities