United States and Canada

The United States of America: What NATO means for us

NATO has released new videos on YouTube providing national perspectives on the Alliance.

U.S.-Russia: A side meeting, and then a breakthrough

By Christi Parsons, the Los Angeles Times

From Christi Parsons, the Los Angeles Times:  "It’s interesting," deputy national security advisor Ben Rhodes said in retrospect, "how a bilateral meeting at one summit is necessary to yield results at another.

Polish ForMin: “We should be prepared for the day when Europe has to take care of its own security”

By Radek Sikorski, the Economist

Should NATO renew REFORGER exercises?

By Anne Applebaum, the Washington Post

From Anne Applebaum, the Washington Post:  When the International Security Assistance Force leaves Afghanistan in 2014 or thereabouts – as last weekend’s NATO summit has agreed – NATO’s soldiers can return home having proved, if nothing else, that the Western military alliance still exists.

Taliban Leader in Secret Talks Was an Impostor

By Dexter Filkins and Carlotta Gall, the New York Times

From Dexter Filkins and Carlotta Gall, the New York Times:  For months, the secret talks unfolding between Taliban and Afghan leaders to end the war appeared to be showing promise, if only because of the appearance of a certain insurgent leader at one end of the table: Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour

Children safer in Afghan cities than NYC: NATO envoy

By Jonathon Burch, Reuters

From Jonathon Burch, Reuters:  Children are probably safer growing up in Afghanistan’s major cities, including the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, than in London, New York, or Glasgow, NATO’s top civilian envoy to Afghanistan has said.

Taliban vows to force NATO out before 2014 pullout

By Patrick Quinnby, the AP

From Patrick Quinnby, the AP:  The Taliban on Sunday vowed to force the U.S.-led coalition to abandon Afghanistan before a 2014 date set by the alliance for handing over security responsibility to its allied Afghan forces. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in message e-mailed to the media that NATO will be unable to establish a […]

Russia to aid NATO on anti-missile network in Europe

By Edward Cody, the Washington Post

From Edward Cody, the Washington Post:  Russia agreed Saturday to cooperate with NATO on building a U.S.-planned anti-missile network in Europe as part of what was described as a new era in security relations between the former Cold War enemies.