Security & Defense

US Is Syria’s Only Hope

By R. Nicholas Burns

Syria’s savage civil war may have just entered a new and darker phase. During the past few weeks, momentum has shifted sharply away from the rebels in favor of the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. The real possibility that his government, long presumed to be on life support, may now survive is bad news for rebel […]

Why NATO Won’t Intervene in Syria

By James Joyner

NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen reiterated Friday that the Alliance will not intervene militarily in Syria. While he repeatedly made the same assurances regarding Libya before NATO’s ultimate action, there’s good reason to believe him this time.  First, as Rasmussen noted, “There is a clear difference between Libya and Syria. We took responsibility for the […]

SACEUR Sees ‘Uncertainty and Insecurity’ Along Europe’s Borders

By Philip Breedlove, Department of Defense

From Philip Breedlove, Department of Defense:  These are dynamic times, and I’m invigorated by the challenges and opportunities in front of us today, and encouraged by the passion and the professionalism of the whole NATO team to meet those challenges and to address those opportunities. 

Germany and Italy Commit to Leadership Roles in Post-2014 Afghanistan Mission

By Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times

From Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times:  Germany and Italy have committed to join the United States in helping to train Afghan troops after combat operations cease at the end of next year, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

The Ghosts of Task Force Smith

By Pete Dillon

Here we are again. Since World War I the United Sates has consistently entered into a post conflict reduction of military capacity that attempts to rebalance the national ledgers and reign in spending.  The contemporary conversation inside the Beltway is saturated with opinions on the best way to proceed this time, even though our nation is […]

Hagel: NATO’s ‘Over-Dependence’ on US Capabilities ‘Brings with it Risks’

By Chuck Hagel, Department of Defense

NATO Boosts Cyber Defenses but Members Differ on Its Role

By Adrian Croft, Reuters

From Adrian Croft, Reuters:  NATO ministers agreed on Tuesday to strengthen the organization’s cyber defenses but differed about how much NATO should do to protect smaller allies from potentially devastating hacking attacks.

NATO’s Cyber Defenses to be Fully Operational by Autumn

By NATO

NATO in a New Security Landscape

By Jason Harmala

On June 5, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security and the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS) held a conference on NATO in a New Security Landscape.