United States and Canada

Peter MacKay urges closer U.S.-Canada military ties and NATO reform

By the Canadian Press

From the Canadian Press:  The defence minister says there’s a greater need for stronger partnership between Canada and the U.S. in uncertain economic and political times. But at the same time, NATO’s global partnership is in need of reform to function effectively in a complex security situation, Peter MacKay said in a set of speeches […]

Turkey keeps plan to buy 100 F-35 fighter jets

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Turkey is sticking to plans to buy 100 of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets for $16 billion, with an initial order of two planes for delivery in 2015, its defence minister said, amid concerns about the project’s delays and rising costs.

Russia tells Norway to keep Aegis BMD system off vessels

By Gerard O'Dwyer, Defense News

From Gerard O’Dwyer, Defense News:  Russia has warned Norway not to get pulled into a possible area of conflict by bowing to U.S. pressure to equip its naval vessels with Aegis ballistic missile defense system missiles.

Two-Track Syria? Western allies continue diplomacy while regional powers arm the rebels

By Michael Peel and Roula Khalaf, the Financial Times

From Michael Peel and Roula Khalaf, the Financial Times:  “It doesn’t matter if [the intervention] is Nato or the Arab League – anything to protect civilians,” says Firas, a member of a co-ordinating committee in Zabadani.

Turkey And NATO Sixty Years On – Analysis

By Süreyya Yiğit, Eurasia Review

From Süreyya Yiğit, Eurasia Review:  In fact the past six decades have been quite eventful witnessing both strong cooperation as well as deep disagreement between Turkey and fellow NATO members.

Turkey and the Bomb

By Sinan Ülgen, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

From Sinan Ülgen, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace:  Though most states that want a nuclear weapon can get one through determined effort, the fact remains that most choose not to proliferate. Turkey is no exception.

Beginning of the End in Afghanistan

By the Editors of the New York Times

From the Editors of the New York Times: Like most Americans, we are eager to see an end to the war in Afghanistan.

Syria and the lessons from delayed military intervention in Bosnia

By Douglas Hamilton, Reuters

US defense spending on cyber, special ops stays flat

By Lolita C. Baldor, the AP

From Lolita C. Baldor, the AP:  Spending on two of the Pentagon’s top priorities, cybersecurity and special operations forces, would largely remain flat or dip slightly in 2013