United States and Canada

French Defense Minister Le Drian trying to relaunch European defense initiative

By Pierre Tran, Defense News

From Pierre Tran, Defense News:  French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian was due to meet European Union and NATO senior officials in a first visit to Brussels as part of France’s drive to relaunch a European defense initiative

Taiwan investing in new ‘cyberwarfare’ capabilities

By Lo Tien-pin and Jake Chung, the Taipei Times

From Lo Tien-pin and Jake Chung, the Taipei Times:  With increasing numbers of cyberattacks targeting Taiwan, the US and Japan being traced back to China, the government has increased its budget for cyberwarfare capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a report on Friday.

Iran’s supreme leader says Nonaligned Movement, not NATO, should help resolve Syria crisis

By the AP

Germany and China: The New Special Relationship

By Stephan Richter, the Globalist

From Stephan Richter, the Globalist:  Now that the German Chancellor is once again visiting China, accompanied by scores of her top ministers and an outsized contingent of CEOs, the world is beginning to take note.

Afghan police recruits’ training halted after attacks on ISAF soldiers

By the BBC

From the BBC:  The US says it is suspending training for new recruits to the Afghan local police (ALP) while checks are carried out on possible ties to the Taliban.

US ‘extremely troubled’ Azerbaijan pardoned soldier that killed Armenian officer during 2004 NATO exercise

By the White House

From the White House:  President Obama is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the President of Azerbaijan has pardoned Ramil Safarov following his return from Hungary.

Reginald Bartholomew, 1936-2012; Former Amb to NATO and Atlantic Council Director

By Emily Langer, the Washington Post

From Emily Langer, the Washington Post:  Reginald Bartholomew, an unflappable U.S. diplomat who was entrusted with assignments in global danger zones and survived a bombing while serving as ambassador to Lebanon during that country’s long civil war, died Aug. 26 at a hospital in New York City.

U.S. Air Force soliciting cyber warfare capabilities

By U.S. Air Force

From U.S. Air Force:  The AFLCMC/HNJG Program Office is an organization focused on the development and sustainment of Cyberspace Warfare Attack capabilities that directly support Cyberspace Warfare capabilities for the operations Air Force.

U.S. urges African air forces to form NATO-style ties

By David Lewis, Reuters

From David Lewis, Reuters:  The United States urged African nations on Tuesday to pool their air force assets in a NATO-style effort to take on terrorists and international criminals rather than struggle to fund costly independent operations.

Turkey wants safe haven for refugees in Syria. Will UN or NATO oblige?

By Howard LaFranchi, the Christian Science Monitor