United States and Canada

Leaked cables show US used informer in NATO chief’s office

By DPA

From DPA:  NATO staff under the command of both the current NATO chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and his predecessor Jaap de Hoop Scheffer supplied information to authorities in the US, according to the cables released by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks.

Joint Forces Command to be shut down by March 2012

By Robert McGabe, the Virginia Pilot

NATO’s role in the new National Military Strategy of the United States

By the 2011 National Military Strategy of the United States

From the 2011 National Military Strategy of the United States:  NATO will remain the most powerful military alliance, though some of its states are reducing defense spending as part of broader austerity measures.

The New Face of War? One in 50 Troops in Afghanistan Is a Robot

By David Axe, the Danger Room

From David Axe, the Danger Room:  There are more than 2,000 ground robots fighting alongside flesh-and-blood forces in Afghanistan, according to Lt. Col. Dave Thompson, the Marine Corps’ top robot-handler.

U.S. Has Secret Tools to Force Internet on Dictators

By Spencer Ackerman, the Danger Room

From Spencer Ackerman, the Danger Room:  When Hosni Mubarak shut down Egypt’s internet and cellphone communications, it seemed that all U.S. officials could do was ask him politely to change his mind.

Nato chief warns Europe over defence budgets

By James Blitz, the Financial Times

From James Blitz, the Financial Times:  Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato’s secretary-general, has issued a stark warning that European nations “cannot afford to get out of the security business” by slashing national defence budgets in order to help meet fiscal deficit targets.

Report: Russia warns US over missile defense plans

By Vladimir Isachenkov, the AP

NATO Chief warns of a weaker and divided Europe, “adrift from the United States”

By NATO

From NATO:  Over the past two years, defence spending by NATO’s European member nations has shrunk by some 45 billion dollars – that is the equivalent of Germany’s entire annual defence budget.

International naval forces unable to stop spread of Somali piracy

By the Economist

From the Economist:  According to the International Maritime Bureau, which posts live data on raids, Somali pirates hold 33 vessels and 758 hostages. In January alone the bureau recorded 35 attacks. The raiders took seven ships and 148 new hostages.

Irish newspaper discloses name of alleged Russian spy

By Mary Fitzgerald, the Irish Times