United States and Canada

Taliban says will attack Pakistan’s lawmakers if NATO supply routes are re-opened

By Haji Mujtaba, Reuters

From Haji Mujtaba, Reuters:  The Pakistan Taliban will attack lawmakers if they decide to re-open NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, the militant group’s spokesman said on Sunday

Russian experts warn that a new arms race with the West looks inevitable

By Fred Weir, the Christian Science Monitor

From Fred Weir, the Christian Science Monitor:  A top Russian defense official warned Thursday that NATO’s plans to install an anti-missile shield in Europe are a "litmus test" for future relations between Moscow and the West.

Hands Across the Pond

By Andrew Wilson, the New Atlanticist

From Andrew Wilson, the New Atlanticist:  Both Cameron and Obama, therefore, need friends; and friendship was, indeed, what the official visit was designed to project.

McCain: Syria, NATO Expansion Should Be on Summit Agenda

By Kate Brannen, Defense News

From Kate Brannen, Defense News:  At the upcoming May NATO summit in Chicago, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wants world leaders to address Syria and NATO expansion.

Rep. Turner presses NATO expansion to former Soviet states

By Carlos Munoz, DEFCON Hill

From Carlos Munoz, DEFCON Hill:  As the Pentagon gets smaller, the U.S. military is going to need more help from its friends around the world.

Europe’s lack of key defense capabilities raises doubts about NATO’s future

By Andrew Exum, World Politics Review

From Andrew Exum, World Politics Review:  Many Poles now worry the NATO alliance is but a shadow of its former self and wonder whether it can be counted upon for support in the future.

Russia: Missile defense ‘litmus test’ of West

By the AP

Clinton: U.S. on track for Afghan deal by NATO summit

By Arshad Mohammed, Reuters

From Arshad Mohammed, Reuters: The United States said on Wednesday it appears to be on track to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Afghanistan charting their future relations during or before a late May NATO summit.

NATO says Putin unlikely to attend Chicago summit

By Slobodan Lekic, the AP

From Slobodan Lekic, the AP:  Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to attend NATO‘s summit in Chicago due to his busy schedule at home, the alliance’s top official said Wednesday.