United States and Canada

U.S. joining NATO’s fight against cyber threats

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  The United States will join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence during a formal ceremony scheduled for Thursday at the center’s headquarters in Estonia, a country that experienced a massive cyber attack that disabled websites of numerous government institutions in 2007.

Robert Simmons appointed policy coordinator for upcoming NATO summit in Chicago

By the State Department

From the State Department:  The United States will host back-to-back G8 and NATO Summits May 19-21, 2012, in Chicago.  The White House has the overall lead for summit planning through various working groups chaired by the National Security Staff.

Russian envoy visiting NATO capitals to warn of retaliatory “military steps” against missile defense system

By Kim Sengupta, the Independent

Russia Can Be a NATO Ally

By Steven Pifer, the Moscow Times

From Steven Pifer, the Moscow Times:  The major obstacle blocking missile defense cooperation stems from Moscow’s demand for a legal guarantee that U.S. interceptors would not be directed against Russian strategic missiles.

US purchasing entire fleet of British Harrier jets

By Christopher P. Cavas, Vago Muradian and Andrew Chuter, Marine Times

From Christopher P. Cavas, Vago Muradian and Andrew Chuter, Marine Times:  The Navy and Marine Corps have agreed to buy Britain’s entire decommissioned fleet of 74 Harrier jump jets, along with engines and spare parts

Fleet of U.S. drones now based in Turkey

By Greg Jaffe, Checkpoint Washington

From Greg Jaffe, Checkpoint Washington:  The U.S. military has begun flying unarmed Predator drones out of a Turkish air base as part of a joint Turkish-American counterterrorism operation in northern Iraq, according to a senior defense official.

Obama, Erdogan find shared interests

By Soner Cagaptay, the Washington Post

NATO Secretary General believes missile defense “protected against cuts”

By David Brunnstrom, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom, Reuters:  The head of NATO says he remains optimistic about U.S.-European defense cooperation, particularly in missile defense, in spite of the risk of massive new U.S. budget cuts and fears of recession in Europe next year.

Cyber-warfare is coming

By Ilmar Tamm, Public Service Europe

From Ilmar Tamm, Public Service Europe:  Various states have managed to agree on laws that govern borders, international sea and air space, even outer space – but now we are faced with the task of adapting or creating laws and precedents for cyberspace.