United States and Canada

EUCOM commander says withdrawing 11,500 troops from Europe is a ‘manageable’ risk

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  While reducing the U.S. troop presence in Europe will mean assuming some additional risks, new measures such as a decision to deploy V-22s to Europe will help the military maintain its ability to respond quickly to a crisis in the region, the head of U.S. European Command told a […]

Koran burning leaves US with bleak options in Afghanistan

By Sarwar Kashmeri, the Huffington Post

From Sarwar Kashmeri, the Huffington Post:  Muslims believe the Koran is the very word of God. It is kept on top of book shelves and read by placing it on a wooden platform to prevent dirt from soiling it.

All NATO staff withdrawn from Afghan ministries after killing of US soldiers

By the BBC

From the BBC:  Two Nato officers have been killed in the interior ministry in the Afghan capital Kabul, coalition officials say.

The U.S. and Denmark – NATO Allies and Global Partners

By the White House

French Left seeks a little distance from U.S. and Germany, but plans to stay in NATO command structure

By John Irish, Reuters

How to Halt the Butchery in Syria

By Anne-Marie Slaughter, the New York Times

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.