Tag: NATO

London, Great Britain—Conservative MPs have vowed to bring down the government if the British Armed Forces suffer further cuts. Twenty-five MPs have penned a letter to the new Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson threatening to act if the Royal Navy’s only two amphibious assault ships (HMS Bulwark and HMS Albion, for which Turkey has expressed interest) […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that he will once again seek reelection, marking his fourth bid for the top office in his nation. Putin is expected to secure reelection quite easily, despite a growing opposition movement within his nation. Between terms as president and Russian Prime Minister, his reelection will mean Putin’s reign […]

Kiev, Ukraine — The European Union will continue to train and advise Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. The EU has renewed the deployment of the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM) until 2019. It also approved a $38 million budget. Although mostly manned by civilians, the EUAM essentially does the equivalent of foreign internal defence, except with law enforcement […]

Robust electronic-warfare drills during Russia’s Zapad military exercise in September came as a surprise to Estonia’s military-intelligence chief. Russia has geographic and logistical advantages when operating along its western frontier, he said, and NATO is watching Moscow’s activity in the region. NATO is also working to reassure its allies in Eastern Europe and improve its […]

The U.S. Navy has reported that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet executed an “unsafe” intercept of a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon over the Black Sea on Saturday.  The Navy aircraft had its transponder on and was conducting “routine operations in international airspace.”  The unprofessional behavior demonstrated by the Russian pilot was clearly intentional, according to […]

Wales, Great Britain—Four Albanian Commandos have deserted during a NATO exercise. The training exercise was taking place in the Brecon Beacons mountains in Wales. They have been named as Ylber Kotri, Alexander Shkulaku, Klevis Lamkaj, and Reni Ajazi. All four men are veterans of Afghanistan. They were assigned to the Special Operations Battalion (BOS), Albania’s […]

Athens, Greece—The Greek Navy SEALs are having an early Christmas. The US Navy just transferred four Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) to its Hellenic counterpart. The RHIBs will be issued to the Hellenic Navy’s Underwater Demolition Command (DYK).  DYK will utilize them according to operational needs. “It was in the best interest of the United States […]

In one of the first stops on a major visit with European allies, Secretary of Defense James Mattis praised U.S.-Finnish ties and Finland’s president for spearheading a response to Russian “hybrid warfare.” “With this center, Finland has created an institution fit for our time, and I thank you, Mr. President, for your foresight.” Mattis said […]

As the specter of conflict with Russia looms over Europe, NATO defense ministers decided Wednesday to expand the alliance’s operations for the first time since the Cold War, sharpen its focus on cyber operations, and boost its capability to respond to Kremlin aggression. The moves came as tensions with Russia remain the highest they have […]

In a move that supports President Trump’s message that Pakistan must do more about allowing the Taliban sanctuaries in their country, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Taliban bases in Pakistan pose a “big challenge” to efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. Stoltenberg said that he regularly brings this issue up to Pakistan’s […]

Iceland—In yet another European election Icelanders flocked to the polls to decide their nation’s future. Could the result spell trouble for NATO and U.S. interests in the Arctic? First some background. In the Second World War, the Allies had a strategically vital base in the small island nation. The Allied supply convoys from North America […]

Germany, Eckernförde—No more U-boats for the German Navy. Following an accident off the coast of Norway, the Deutsche Marine won’t have an operational submarine at least until late 2018. The latest casualty, U-35, collided with a rock formation and damaged its propellers.  The vessel was practising drills before an international exercise scheduled to take place […]