Special report: The new model armies - why are Western forces being deployed across Africa?
The new mantra of 'muscular soft power' is designed to fight insurgencies and prepare states to defend themselves while building up infrastructure and civic institutions. READ MORE
North Atlantic Council observes Steadfast Jazz live military demonstration in Poland
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen together with the Presidents of Poland and Latvia, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, the Ambassadors of the North Atlantic Council, and senior Allied military commanders watched a live-fire training demonstration involving forces from across the Alliance and NATO partner Ukraine at a military base in northwestern Poland on Thursday (7 November 2013). READ MORE
Conventional Prompt Global Strike and Russia's Nuclear Forces
On June 19, 2013—just hours before President Barack Obama called for further nuclear reductions in Berlin—President Vladimir Putin issued a preemptive rebuttal, stating that we see that work is active around the world on developing high‐precision conventional weapons systems that in their strike capabilities come close to strategic nuclear weapons. Countries that have such weapons substantially increase their offensive capability. READ MORE
AMBITIOUS KINGDOM IN NATO
Norway's military budget in the coming year once again increase. The Ministry of Defense announced the ambitious project of the kingdom. READ MORE
DOD to shift air transit from Manas to Romania
For the last six months of the Afghanistan war, U.S. military personnel and cargo headed into and out of Afghanistan by air will transit through Romania rather than Kyrgyzstan, the Pentagon announced late Friday. READ MORE
300 Lithuanian troops to take part in NATO exercises in Poland and Baltics
300 Lithuanian troops will take part in the so-called Chapter 5 exercises in Poland and the Baltic States, designed to test preparedness of the NATO Response Force to respond to an international crisis. READ MORE
NATO Secretary General praises Italy’s NATO contributions during Rome visit
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked Italy for its significant contributions to the Alliance during talks with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta in Rome on Thursday (25 July 2013). “Italy has been a staunch member of our Alliance since its creation and continues to demonstrate strong commitment to NATO every day in many different ways,” the Secretary General said. READ MORE
NATO to send observers to Russia-Belarus war games
NATO member-states will use Russia’s invitation to send military observers to the Russian-Belarusian war games Zapad’2013, a diplomatic source at the mission of one of the member-nations said upon the results of Wednesday’s session of the Russia-NATO Council. READ MORE
Commander of the Land Forces of Poland conducted a formal visit in Lithuania
On July 1-3 Commander of the Polish Land Forces Lieutenant General Zbigniew Glowienka and a delegation were conducting a formal visit in Lithuania. On July 2 the guest met with Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Major General Almantas Leika and Commander of the National Defence Volunteer Force Colonel Romualdas Moldaris, a meeting with Chief of defence Of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius at the Ministry of National Defence followed. The aim of the visit was to exchange information on relevant issues of the Lithuanian and the Polish Land Forces and to discuss plans and perspectives of further cooperation. READ MORE
Why the Sahel Is Crucial to Europe’s Neighborhood — and Its Security Strategy
The ongoing crises in Syria and Egypt have marginalized the conflict in Mali in the Western media. But the French-led military intervention in that country is facing a complex and challenging transitional period. United Nations Special Envoy for the Sahel Romano Prodi recently warned the international community to “not forget the Sahel, or you will have more Malis if you do.” That is a prospect that European countries — including France — will certainly not relish, yet they lack the political will or the capacity to ensure a favorable outcome. Transatlantic actors now, more than ever, need to rethink their cooperation in the region and strengthen their alliances with local powers. READ MORE