United States and Canada

Despite tensions, US rescues 13 Iranian seamen from pirates

By Jim Miklaszewski and staff, MSNBC

From Jim Miklaszewski and staff, MSNBC:  Casting aside current tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. Navy on Friday rescued 13 Iranian seamen who were being held captive by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Oman.

What does the Pentagon’s new strategy mean for NATO?

By Andrew Chuter and Kate Brannan, Defense News

From Andrew Chuter and Kate Brannan, Defense News:  Just before the Pentagon unveiled a new military strategy that emphasizes a shift in focus toward the Asia-Pacific region, Britain’s Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond urged the U.S. government to maintain the strength of its commitment to the NATO alliance.

Obama vows not to repeat mistakes of defense cuts after WWII and Vietnam: “Not on my watch”

By Barack Obama, the White House

From Barack Obama, the White House:  The United States of America is the greatest force for freedom and security that the world has ever known.  And in no small measure, that’s because we’ve built the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped military in history — and as Commander-in-Chief, I’m going to keep it that way.

Obama to Make Rare Visit to Pentagon for Rollout of New Strategy

By Yoichi J. Dreazen, National Journal

From Yoichi J. Dreazen, National Journal:  President Obama will pay an unusual visit to the Pentagon on Thursday for the public rollout of the military’s new strategy for countering emerging threats in an era of shrinking resources, according to senior military and administration officials.

US to withdraw 4,000 troops from Europe

By Chris Lawrence, CNN Security Clearance

From Chris Lawrence, CNN Security Clearance:  The United States should give up the capability to fight two major ground wars simultaneously, according to a Pentagon review that will be presented this week, a U.S. official said Wednesday. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said the strategic review presents priorities to guide the […]

2012 and NATO’s unresolved capabilities gap

By Richard Weitz, World Politics Review

From Richard Weitz, World Politics Review:  The past year was an eventful one for NATO, but despite the success of the alliance’s intervention in Libya, persistent problems will continue to affect trans-Atlantic defense relations in the new year. The United States will need to redouble its efforts in 2012 to make progress, with the NATO […]

NATO to Pull $30B Worth of Gear From Afghanistan

By the AP

From the AP:  As the drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan steps up in 2012, NATO military planners are trying to figure out the logistics of how to ship out the massive quantities of alliance vehicles, weapons and other equipment from the mountainous landlocked country.

Ten Most Viewed NATO Stories of 2011

Ten most popular stories on NATOSource in 2011.