About: Nato
Norway cancels military exercise, Pentagon cuts troops for Europe war games
A major military exercise in Europe has been cancelled over coronavirus concerns as a "precautionary measure" on Wednesday (11 March), while Washington is considering reduced US involvement in another exercise amid the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
Germans and Americans ‘worlds apart’ on security issues, new study finds
Although Americans and Germans think transatlantic relations are in slightly better shape than last year, stark differences remain when it comes to defence spending and big power competition, a fresh poll by the US think tank Pew Research Center showed.
Eastern Europeans want more EU funds for military mobility
The EU should provide more funds to enable faster movement of military forces across Europe, defence ministers from four eastern European member states said on Tuesday (10 March), two weeks before the bloc starts a new round of divisive talks over the next seven-year budget.
Stern-faced EU leaders warn Erdogan to respect migrants deal
Stern-faced EU leaders warned President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday (9 March) to respect the terms of a previous deal to keep migrants away from Europe's borders, after the Turkish leader came to Brussels to demand more support.
Work with Turkey, NATO tells EU amid migrant crisis
With tensions growing and accusations flying between Turkey and the EU over an escalating migrant crisis, the head of NATO has warned Europe it must find a way to work with "important ally" Ankara.
Turkey says will not stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe after troops killed
Turkey will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe, a senior Turkish official said, as Ankara responded on Friday (28 February) to the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in an air strike by Syrian government forces in Syria's northwestern Idlib region.
Coronavirus threat hangs over Europe’s military exercises
As the coronavirus spreads in Europe, the US military is bracing for a possible spike in cases in Germany, which might put thousands of troops on lock-down or restricted movement across the continent, the head of the US European Command, Tod Wolters, announced.
US special envoy discusses Taliban deal with re-elected Afghan president
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday (19 February) discussed a US deal with Taliban militants on a weeklong reduction in violence, meeting the day after Ghani was declared a winner of a disputed presidential poll.
Berlin to limit sensitive military tenders to German firms
Angela Merkel’s government said on Wednesday (12 February) it would restrict tenders for the procurement of sensitive weapon systems to German companies, a protectionist measure by a chancellor who has come out strongly against such barriers.
North Macedonia ratifies NATO accession protocol, but still waiting for Spain
North Macedonia's parliament unanimously ratified NATO's accession protocol on Tuesday (11 February), taking Skopje a step closer to becoming the military alliance's 30th member in the coming weeks.
NATO willing to expand Iraqi training mission to meet Trump demand
NATO is considering an increase to its training mission in Iraq to relieve the burden on the US-led coalition against Islamic State, senior officials and diplomats said on Tuesday (11 February).
Georgia’s top court slaps 3-year jail term on opposition figure
Georgia’s top court on Monday (10 February) sentenced a leading opposition politician to three years and two months in jail for embezzlement, a move which he condemned as politically motivated. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Gigi Ugulava, the 44-year-old leader...
Confidence in NATO sharply declined in France, Germany, US, says study
NATO's public image in the US and France worsened sharply after US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron questioned the value of the Western alliance, according to a new Pew Research Center study published on Monday (10 February).
Russia not target in US army’s massive Europe deployment: NATO
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg insisted Monday (3 February) that a massive transfer of US and allied troops to Eastern Europe as part of a military exercise was not aimed at Russia.
Bulgaria accuses two more Russian diplomats of spying
Bulgarian officials said Friday (24 January) that two Russian diplomats spied in the EU member country and would probably be expelled.
Belgium debates phase-out of US nuclear weapons on its soil
It's one of Belgium's worst kept secrets. Lawmakers on Thursday (16 January) narrowly rejected a resolution asking for the removal of US nuclear weapons stationed in the country and joining the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Von der Leyen fails to convince that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’
New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was put on the spot during her visit to Zagreb on Friday (10 January). Asked how she would prove that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’, given the EU's weak response to growing challenges in the region, von der Leyen failed to provide convincing answers.
Iran ready to ‘stand down’ says Trump, urges greater NATO involvement in Middle East
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (8 January) that Iran appeared ready to 'stand down' from further conflict with the US, stating that Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq had not harmed any US troops stationed there.
NATO, EU call on Iran to avoid ‘further provocations’
Tehran should avoid “further violence and provocations”, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Monday (6 January) evening following an extraordinary meeting between Alliance members, as tensions mount in the Middle East after US forces killed Iran’s top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani....
Europeans brace for fallout from Soleimani killing
Fearing the fallout from the killing of Iran's General Soleimani, Europeans on Sunday (5 January) called to de-escalate the crisis which threatens to collapse the landmark 2015 nuclear deal and puts NATO's training mission in Iraq in jeopardy.
Trump threatens to hit 52 Iranian targets, Borrell urges ‘de-escalation’
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday (4 January) stressed the "need for de-escalation" after the US assassination of a top Iranian in Baghdad, while US President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites “very hard” if Iran attacks Americans or US assets.
Wind of change in Europe’s defence policy
As Europe struggles with financial and political obstacles besetting its joint defence policy efforts, and NATO faces internal rifts and an increasingly assertive Russia and China, here are six issues to watch in Europe's security and defence in 2020.
The Year in Review: Challenges and Choices of 2019
It’s been a very busy European election year and most of us are heading for a well-deserved Christmas break. Meanwhile, if you do fire up your browser, here you can catch up on our 30 most read stories that made waves in 2019.