Security & Defense

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.

Senior NATO Military Leader: Biggest Threat Facing the Alliance is ‘Massive’ Defense Cuts

By Jane Taber, Globe and Mail

NATO plans a summit in September to consider its future. General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, told The Globe that the biggest threat facing the alliance is the “massive reduction in defence budgets” of its members.

NATO Officials Questioning Canada’s Commitment

By Globe & Mail and Chronicle Herald

Canada’s commitment to NATO is being questioned by the military alliance, says its deputy secretary-general Alexander Vershbow, who suggests Canada is backing away.

Report: NSA Bugged Merkel’s Phone at Request of State Department

By Siobhan Gorman, Wall Street Journal

Shortly after former government contractor Edward Snowden revealed himself in June as the source of leaked National Security Agency documents, the agency’s director, Gen. Keith Alexander, offered to resign, according to a senior U.S. official.

Now for the hard part

By Matthew Kroenig

Early Sunday morning in Geneva, the P5+1 and Iran announced that they had reached an interim deal on Iran’s nuclear program. Many are heralding the agreement as an historic breakthrough, and the deal does indeed buy us time, but it is much too early to declare victory. Indeed, the Iranian nuclear crisis might still very […]

NATO’s Naval Leaders Meet to Discuss Global Security Challenges

By NATO Maritime Command

Today marks the beginning of a major conference in central London to address significant challenges to the future of global security and in particular maritime security.

Montenegro Aspiring to Join NATO

On November 22, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record strategy session with President of the Parliament of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić and representatives of the transatlantic community in Washington, DC to discuss NATO’s open door policy and Montenegro’s role in the future of the Alliance. Discussions revolved around assessing the country’s path toward NATO membership and […]

US May Cut Military Spending in Europe by 20 Percent

By Peter Apps, Reuters

The United States may be compelled to cut its military spending in Europe next year by as much as a fifth in the latest round of reductions under “sequestration”, America’s top general in the region said on Thursday.

Lessons Learned from STEADFAST JAZZ

On November 21, the Atlantic Council hosted a non-for-attribution roundtable with top Allied military and government officials to discuss the 2013 STEADFAST JAZZ exercise and the lessons learned for the future readiness and capabilities of NATO.