United States and Canada

US May Accelerate Deployment of Missile Defense System in Poland

By David Larter, Defense News

The military could speed up deployment of a land-based missile defense shield in Europe to hem in a resurgent Russia, the Navy 3-star in charge of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said in early April.

Ukraine Crisis: US Sending F-16 Jets to Romania for Exercises

By Luiza Ilie, Reuters

The United States will deploy F-16 fighter jets to Romania this month as part of planned joint exercises, the NATO member’s defense minister was quoted as saying, amid rising tensions in neighboring Ukraine after Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

US Sends More Marines to Romania, Navy Vessel to Black Sea

By Nick Simeone, American Forces Press Service

The Defense Department is deploying additional Marines to enlarge a rotational crisis response force based in Spain, and is also dispatching a naval vessel to the Black Sea to conduct exercises with U.S. allies in the region, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Senator Warner Discusses Ukraine, Transatlantic Policy, and American Domestic Debates

After several years in which the Defense Department has struggled with continuing resolutions and budget uncertainty, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the interplay of such budget battles — particularly over defense — and geopolitical developments. US Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) spoke on this intersection of America’s domestic politics and its international power at an […]

General Amos Discusses Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Marine Corps

In an era of divergent threats and decreased budgets, the US military is pressed to formulate an overarching strategy that maximizes the limited resources available. The US Marine Corps, the nation’s smallest military branch, will have to confront these challenges with a smaller end-strength level around 175,000 and twenty-one Marine infantry combat battalions. Commandant of […]

US, Lithuanian, and Swedish Aircraft Participating in NATO Exercise

By Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

“As unrest has escalated in the near vicinity of the Baltic States, NATO has augmented the Baltic Air Policing mission with additional warplanes to be ensuring our security even stronger.

Pentagon Sees Russia Reinforcing Units on Border with Ukraine

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

Russia continues to reinforce units along the eastern and southern Ukraine border, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said during a news conference today.