Northern Europe

Europeans Dither on Defense While Putin Laughs

By John Vinocur, Wall Street Journal

On one hand, there are European countries reasonably bemoaning years of declining American leadership and resolve.

Putin’s Unconventional Tools for Destabilizing Neighbors and Undermining NATO

By Massimo Calabresi, TIME

Over the last decade, Putin has established a well-organized, well-funded and often subtle overt and covert operation in the vast swath of neighboring countries, from Estonia on the Baltic Sea to Azerbaijan in the Caucuses, say western and regional government officials.

NATO Chief: Russia’s Actions in Ukraine are Outrageous, Irresponsible, Illegal, and Illegitimate

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine are outrageous. They are irresponsible, they are illegal, they are illegitimate.

US Deploying Special Forces in Baltics and Central Europe for Exercises

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

U.S. special operations forces are increasing their presence in the Baltics and eastern Europe with a continuous cycle of exercises planned as part of a new effort to maintain a “persistent presence” of elite U.S. troops in a region rattled by Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine.

Putin’s Nordic Shadow and Finland’s Growing Interest in NATO

By James Kirchick, Foreign Policy

[I]n the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the once-dormant debate about joining NATO is heating up in both Finland and its Nordic neighbor, Sweden.

NATO Countries Planning Comms Mission in Ukraine

By Paul D. Shinkman, U.S. News & World Report

NATO countries may be ramping up their war of words in the coming weeks in Ukraine, where Russian propaganda flows freely into the east while ill-prepared security forces can’t even talk to one another.

Defining a Strategy for Europe’s East

This special panel on Defining a Strategy for Europe’s East included national leaders from Lithuania, which hosted the last EU summit on the Eastern Partnership, and from Latvia, which will host the next Eastern Partnership summit in 2015.

Estonia Wants, Expects More NATO Troops on its Territory

By David Mardiste, Reuters

Estonia expects to see more NATO troops on its territory in reaction to what it fears will be Russian attempts to destabilize the former Soviet republic, the country’s defense minister said on Tuesday.

Central Europe Frets About NATO’s Ability to Curb Russia

By Steven Erlanger, New York Times

Today’s NATO, hollowed out by years of European military cuts and deployed mostly to help fight far-off battles in places like Afghanistan and Libya, is no longer as prepared to counter a newly assertive Kremlin, its own leaders acknowledge.

Finland Announces Cooperation Agreement with NATO

By Yle

Finland has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with NATO stating the nation’s readiness to receive assistance from foreign forces and to maintain military assets such as ships and aircraft.