United States and Canada

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

ISAF Commander: We can build a durable peace in Afghanistan

By John Allen, the Washington Post

From John Allen, the Washington Post:  Most Americans do not get to see Afghans’ commitment to their country or the improving security that has emerged from our fight together. But I do.

Canada uncertain about joining NATO’s Arctic war games

By the Canadian Press

From the Canadian Press:  The administrative wing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office worried about the optics of hundreds of Canadian troops taking part in a major NATO-sponsored Arctic war game in northern Norway earlier this year.

US military carried out cyberattacks against enemy in Afghanistan

By Raphael Satter, the AP

From Raphael Satter, the AP:  The U.S. military has been launching cyberattacks against its opponents in Afghanistan, a senior officer says, making an unusually explicit acknowledgment of the oft-hidden world of electronic warfare.

Should Canada participate in NATO missions not supported by US assets?

By Elinor Sloan, Canadian Defense & Foreign Affairs Institute

From Elinor Sloan, Canadian Defense & Foreign Affairs Institute: The clincher is the content of the generalized reference to “NATO” when we talk about a “NATO operation.”

Attacks on Afghan Troops by Colleagues Are Rising, Allies Say

By Richard A. Oppel Jr. and Graham Bowley, the New York Times

From Richard A. Oppel Jr. and Graham Bowley, the New York Times:  Even as attacks by Afghan security forces on NATO troops have become an increasing source of tension, new NATO data shows another sign of vulnerability for the training mission: even greater numbers of the Afghan police and military forces have killed each other […]

Why independent Scotland must stay in NATO

By George Kerevan, the Scotsman

From George Kerevan, the Scotsman:  [A]t its Chicago summit in May, under heavy German pressure, Nato altered its so-called “deterrence and defence posture”.

America Needs a Rudyard Kipling

By Sarwar Kashmeri

 Not long ago Britain was the world’s hegemon. Nothing stood in the way of British might. Or as the famous saying had it, the sun never set on the British Empire. As it was then with Britain, so it is now with the United States. Somewhere in the world the sun is always rising on […]

Panetta recommends Marine General to replace Allen as commander of mission in Afghanistan

By Phil Stewart, Reuters

From Phil Stewart, Reuters:  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has recommended General Joseph Dunford, the No. 2 Marine officer, to lead the war effort in Afghanistan once the outgoing commander of U.S. and NATO troops rotates out of the post, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday. The decision will ultimately rest with President Barack Obama […]