United States and Canada

NATO Will Switch On Its (Tiny) Missile Shield in May

By Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room

From Spencer Ackerman, Danger Room:  Starting in May, Europe will have the beginning of an operational shield against ballistic missiles, courtesy of NATO. The system will be modest at first, not much more than SM-3 interceptor missiles aboard the U.S.S. Monterrey, a ship enabled with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system and stationed in the […]

Clinton calls for coalition of ‘friends of democratic Syria’

By Matthew Lee, AP

From Matthew Lee, AP:  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Sunday for "friends of democratic Syria" to unite and rally against President Bashar Assad’s regime, previewing the possible formation of a formal group of likeminded nations to coordinate assistance to the Syrian opposition.

Clinton: ‘Europe is and remains America’s partner of first resort’

By Hillary Clinton, Department of State

From Hillary Clinton, Department of State:  I have heard all the talk about where Europe fits in to America’s global outlook.

NATO’s Victory in Libya: The Right Way to Run an Intervention

By Ivo H. Daalder and James G. Stavridis, U.S. Mission to NATO

From Ivo H. Daalder and James G. Stavridis, U.S. Mission to NATO:  NATO’s operation in Libya has rightly been hailed as a model intervention.

What Is NATO Good For?

By Robert Haddick, Foreign Policy

From Robert Haddick, Foreign Policy:  In a briefing delivered at NATO headquarters on Jan. 30, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen declared that "NATO is the most successful alliance in history."

To the Afghan Exits

By the Editors of the Wall Street Journal

From the Editors of the Wall Street Journal:  Leon Panetta committed the gaffe of telling the truth on Wednesday when he revealed how eager the Obama Administration is to tell Americans it is heading for the exits in Afghanistan.

Cost drives NATO bid for smaller Afghan army

By David Brunnstrom and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters:  Afghanistan could end up fighting Taliban insurgents with a national army and police force two-thirds the size envisaged

Republicans question new Obama policy on Afghanistan

By Barbara Starr and Adam Levine, CNN Security Clearance

From Barbara Starr and Adam Levine, CNN Security Clearance:  The United States and NATO want to end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year

German Defense Minister: ‘Europe remains the biggest base for US soldiers abroad’

By Bernd Riegert, Deutsche Welle

From Bernd Riegert, Deutsche Welle:  During the NATO summit in Brussels, US Defense Secrety Leon Panetta once again briefed his partners on Washington’s military plans.

NATO allies complain they were blindsided by Panetta’s remarks on Afghanistan

By David S. Cloud, the Los Angeles Times