Citing changes towards fighting terrorism, Trump says NATO is ‘no longer obsolete’

Citing changes towards fighting terrorism, Trump says NATO is ‘no longer obsolete’

In a meeting with the NATO Secretary General, President Trump voiced strong support for the historic alliance, causing many in the media sphere to label it a “major reversal” in the President’s opinion. Citing the strong critiques Trump made of NATO during the 2016 presidential campaign, saying that NATO was not doing enough to fight […]

‘I totally agree with him’ — NATO secretary cosigns Trump’s demands for more spending

‘I totally agree with him’ — NATO secretary cosigns Trump’s demands for more spending

Both NATO and the US appear to be coming to friendlier terms after recent interviews with the press. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that the organization “can do more” in efforts to combat international terrorism and increase investments into defense expenditures — a topic President Donald Trump routinely grumbled over during the 2016 presidential […]

Baltic states think Russia is laying the groundwork for looming ‘kinetic operations’

Baltic states think Russia is laying the groundwork for looming ‘kinetic operations’

Signs of an intensifying Moscow-led information campaign have the Lithuanian government worried that Russia is laying the groundwork for “kinetic operations” — a euphemism for combat — similar to its recent actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Lithuania’s defense minister and military communications officials told The Guardian that they were “taking very seriously” Russia-organized propaganda efforts […]

NATO leader says Germany must increase military spending

NATO leader says Germany must increase military spending

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has joined calls for Germany to spend more money on its military. Stoltenberg insists the move is not to “make the U.S. happy,” but because “Europe is much closer to the crises and threats than the U.S., closer to Russia, closer to Syria and Iraq.” Diplomatic tensions between the United States […]

Secretary of State Tillerson alludes to possible settlement between Taliban, Afghan government

Secretary of State Tillerson alludes to possible settlement between Taliban, Afghan government

Speaking at an assembly of Foreign Ministers from NATO countries, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the United States and NATO should plan on an eventual settlement between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan. In his remarks, Tillerson also reaffirmed American commitment to NATO missions in Afghanistan like Operation Resolute Support, a military […]

Tillerson to attend his first NATO meeting, push allies to increase defense spending

Tillerson to attend his first NATO meeting, push allies to increase defense spending

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Brussels for his first NATO meeting on Friday pushing the U.S. agenda of increased defense spending by member states and a greater role in the fight against terrorism before President Trump arrives in May. NATO member countries have until 2024 to meet a shared pledge to spend 2 […]

British troops deployed to Estonia to stand up to Putin

British troops deployed to Estonia to stand up to Putin

A few weeks ago, I reported on a series of attempted breaches of security as Russian jets headed toward U.K. airspace. Jets were scrambled from all over the country and the Russian bombers changed course as if nothing had ever happened. Earlier still, a Russian ship steamed on past England’s shores, a bit close for […]

Russia may be helping supply Taliban insurgents: U.S. general

Russia may be helping supply Taliban insurgents: U.S. general

The top U.S. general in Europe said on Thursday that he had seen Russian influence on Afghan Taliban insurgents growing and raised the possibility that Moscow was helping supply the militants, whose reach is expanding in southern Afghanistan. “I’ve seen the influence of Russia of late – increased influence in terms of association and perhaps […]

Exclusive: Tillerson plans to skip NATO meeting, visit Russia in April – sources

Exclusive: Tillerson plans to skip NATO meeting, visit Russia in April – sources

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plans to skip a meeting with NATO foreign ministers next month in order to stay home for a visit by China’s president and will go to Russia later in April, U.S. officials said on Monday, disclosing an itinerary that allies may see as giving Moscow priority over them. Tillerson […]

U.S. general says Russia has violated a landmark arms control treaty

U.S. general says Russia has violated a landmark arms control treaty

The Russians have reneged on a historic arms control treaty signed between the United States and Russia, an Air Force General said yesterday. The treaty, the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, was a critical aspect in ending the Cold War. It explicitly bans the testing, production, and possession of intermediate-range missiles fired from land-based […]