United States and Canada

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

Senators call for NATO missile defense in Georgia

By Josh Rogin, the Cable

From Josh Rogin, the Cable:  Four Republican senators are calling on the Obama administration to place a sensitive missile defense-related radar site in Georgia, rather than in Turkey, as is currently planned. "We believe that the U.S. should deploy the most effective missile defenses possible – in partnership with our allies – that provide for […]

Sovereignty Intact Despite French Defense Pact: UK

By Reuters

United States to hold talks on tactical nuclear weapons with Russia

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  The United States expects to hold talks with Russia on tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) within a year after the New START arms reduction treaty comes into force, President Barack Obama said in a message to the Senate on Wednesday.

U.S. and E.U. Join to Show Support for Belarus Opposition

By Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Judy Dempsey, the New York Times:  The United States and the European Union joined Wednesday in Warsaw in a show of support for the democratic opposition in Belarus.

Ireland expels Russian spy

By the Irish Examiner

From the Irish Examiner:  A diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Dublin has been fired and asked to leave the country after an investigation revealed Russian involvement in the forgery of Irish passports.