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☆ Russia accused a longtime ally of 'distorting history' in an effort to break off relations with Moscow
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewRussia's foreign minister accused Armenia, a former ally, of "distorting history" in an effort to "break off" relations with Moscow. Last month, it said it had "frozen our participation" in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Collective Security Treaty Organization is considered Russia's equivalent to NATO , and Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped it could rival the Western military alliance. Advertisement"The Collective Security Treaty has not fulfilled its objectives as far as Armenia is concerned, particularly in 2021 and 2022. While tensions between Aremnia and Russia are clearly strained, experts on Russia and former Soviet Union countries say that relations between Russia and other CSTO members are also under pressure.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Sergey Lavrov, Lavrov, Nikol Pashinyan, Putin, Pashinyan, Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg's Organizations: Service, Security, Organization, NATO, Business, Russian, Ukraine's Kyiv, Russian Federation, Soviet Locations: Armenia, Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, South Caucasus, Central Asia, Aremnia

☆ This US state is not covered by the NATO treaty. Some experts say that needs to change
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Because in a quirk of geography and history, Hawaii is not technically covered by the NATO pact. Mengshin Lin/AP“People tend to assume Hawaii is part of the US and therefore it’s covered by NATO,” he says. The exception is spelled out in the Washington Treaty, the document that established NATO in 1949, a decade before Hawaii became a state. It also says any island territories must be in the North Atlantic, north of the Tropic of Cancer. Hawaii, Guam, Taiwan and North KoreaSome experts say times have changed in the decades since the Washington Treaty was signed – and argue today’s political situation in the Indo-Pacific might require a rethink.

Persons: “, ”, David Santoro, Mengshin Lin, ” Santoro, –, China’s, Xi Jinping, —, Joe Biden, John Hemmings, ” Hemmings, Hemmings, Forum’s Santoro, Amy Picard, Luis Simon, Simon, ” Simon Organizations: CNN, NATO, Hawaii, Pacific Command, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Aloha, Pacific Forum, Sailors, USS Arizona Memorial, USS, 82nd, Treaty Organization, Washington Treaty, Tropic, Cancer, US State Department, United, Argentine, South Atlantic, Communist Party, Taiwan Relations, White, Center, New, New American Security, Foreign, USS Arizona . US Navy, Interim, Andersen Air Force Base, Korean, . Air Force, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Force, . Air Force ‘ Coalition, Research Centre, Security, Brussels School, Governance, NATO Command, Union Locations: Sweden, United States, Hawaii, Pearl, Honolulu, USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu , Hawaii, California , Colorado, Alaska, North America, Washington, Europe, Argentina, Falkland, British, South, Guam, Taiwan, North Korea, New American, China, Beijing, Oahu, USS West Virginia, USS Tennessee, France, Nazi Germany, Japan, Italy, Korean, Soviet Union, Belgium, Ukraine

☆ The Moscow terror attack could drive a wedge between Russia and one of its longtime allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Russia says suspects in the Moscow terror attack came from Tajikistan, something the country denies. Tajikistan and Russia are allies, but tensions have been growing between them. AdvertisementRussia's response to the weekend terror attack in Moscow could drive a wedge between the country and one of its historic allies. Experts also said that ISIS likely took advantage of Russia being distracted by the conflict in Ukraine to attack. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Russia could have stopped the attack if it wasn't attacking Ukraine.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, STRINGER, Emomali Rahmon, Putin, Rahmon, scold Putin, Vera Mironova, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Crocus City Hall, Islamic, Security, Organization, NATO, Hall, Getty, Moscow Times, Terrorists, Regional, Collective Security, ISIS, Kyiv, Davis Center, Harvard University, Financial Locations: Russia, Moscow, Tajikistan, Soviet, Crocus, Islamic State, Central Asia, Soviet Union, Moscow's Crocus, China, North Korea, Ukraine

☆ Responding to Pope, NATO Boss Says Ukraine Needs Weapons, Not White Flags
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg made clear on Monday that he disagreed with Pope Francis’s comments that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate an end to the war triggered by Russia’s invasion. Asked about the pope’s remarks, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization told Reuters: "If we want a negotiated peaceful lasting solution, the way to get there is to provide military support to Ukraine." In an interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Stoltenberg said "what happens around a negotiating table is inextricably linked to the strength on the battlefield". Asked if his reaction meant now was not the time to talk about a white flag, Stoltenberg said: "It's not the time to talk about surrender by the Ukrainians. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 Images(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by GV De Clercq)Photos You Should See View All 60 Images

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Pope Francis’s, Stoltenberg, Andrew Gray Organizations: NATO, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Reuters, GV De Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Brussels

☆ Trump can insult Haley's supporters all he wants, but he'll need them in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

He did include a brief plea for Haley voters to back him, but he also insulted some of them. But the reality is simple: The former president will need Haley's voters come November. The Washington Post cited Quinnipiac University, which found that while a large portion of Republican and Republican-leaning Haley voters would back Trump, 37% would vote for Biden. Regardless, the GOP primary showed how Trump continues to struggle in suburban areas that often have more educated voters. Haley might have had key policy differences with Trump on foreign policy, such as supporting Ukraine and reassuring North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.

Persons: Donald Trump, MAGA, Nikki Haley, Trump, Haley, Biden, Nikki Haley's, Grover Cleveland, It's, Trump's, she's, it's, Margaret Thatcher Organizations: Service, Republican, ABC News, Trump, GOP, Washington Post, Quinnipiac University, Republicans, CBS, Treaty Organization, Trump Cabinet Locations: Vermont, Republican, Ukraine

☆ Jon Stewart says the Israel-Gaza solution could be a DMZ governed by an Arab NATO. Some experts say it's a pipe dream.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The DMZ would be enforced by an alliance of Arab countries, much like the North American Treaty Organization, Stewart said. While tongue-in-cheek, Stewart's solution isn't a new concept, experts on the Middle East told Business Insider. Advertisement"But really, Jon is conflating a Middle East 'NATO' with something else. Ironically, the very concept of the two-state solution could extend his political life, said Lord. "But only as part of a credible political process working toward a two-state solution, but unfortunately, this is something that the Israeli government rejects. "

Persons: Jon Stewart, Stewart, —, That's, let's, Jonathan Lord, Jon, Anna Jacobs, Jacobs, William Wechsler, Wechsler, It's, it's, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mohamed Chtatou, Chtatou, Israel, Weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu, Spencer Platt, Bibi, Mahmoud Abbas, Seth Wenig, Abbas, Lord Organizations: NATO, Service, American Treaty Organization, Treaty Organization, East, Business, Trump, East Strategic Alliance, Middle East Security, Center, New, New American Security, Getty, United, Rafik Hariri Center and Middle, Atlantic Council, United Nations, League, AFP, Mohammed V University, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, BI Locations: Israel, Gaza, Arab, Palestine, NATO, New American, Washington, DC, East, Iran, Gulf, Qatar, Belgium, Anadolu, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Rafik, United States, Cairo, Rabat, Europe, Korea, Palestinian

☆ Jon Stewart Takes on ‘Something Light’: Israel and Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Trish Bendix | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Look, the United States is Israel’s closest ally. Israel’s work emergency contact. Maybe it’s time for the U.S. to give Israel some tough moral love.” — JON STEWART“‘Hey, Israel, take it down a notch. But really, couldn’t the United States have told Israel that when we gave them all the bombs? This is like your coke dealer coming over with an eight ball and going, ‘Don’t stay up all night.’” — JON STEWART“Let’s just ask God.

Persons: Israel’s, ” — JON STEWART “ ‘, Don’t, ’ ” — JON STEWART “ Let’s, It’s, ” — JON STEWART “, Jordan —, ” — JON STEWART Organizations: Hamas, NATO, Treaty Organization Locations: United States, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar

☆ A longtime Russia ally suspended participation in Putin's NATO rival after calling it ineffective
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Armenia, formally a key ally of Russia, has suspended its participation in a Russia-led international alliance, according to its prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan. The Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO, is considered Russia's equivalent to NATO, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped it could rival the Western military alliance. But splinters have emerged in the group since Russia invaded Ukraine, and Armenia has repeatedly challenged its usefulness. Pashinyan has frequently expressed frustration with Russia and the CSTO in recent years, accusing the alliance of being ineffective and describing Armenia as no longer an ally of Russia. Frustrations with Russia have also risen among other CSTO members, experts told Business Insider last year.

Persons: Nikol, Vladimir Putin, Pashinyan, France24, Putin, snubs, Jaroslava Barbieri Organizations: NATO, Security, Organization, Moscow Times, Soviet Union, University of Birmingham Locations: Armenia, Russian, CSTO, Russia, Ukraine, Soviet, Azerbaijan, France, Eurasia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Iran, North Korea, China, tatters

☆ Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a defense boom. It’s likely to outlast the war
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“While some Ukraine-related orders are starting to come through, restocking and the impact of ongoing defense spending increases will be evident further down the line,” he noted. ‘Era of insecurity’Continued US military support for Ukraine on the scale of the past two years is looking increasingly unlikely. But the pressure on Western governments to beef up their military coffers will outlast the Ukraine war, analysts say, and it started to rise even before Moscow sent its troops marching toward Kyiv two years ago. The febrile global environment has helped lift the shares of Renk, a newly-listed German maker of military tank gearboxes, including those donated by Berlin to Ukraine. And this appeal is unlikely to fade soon, given growing defense spending by governments.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, That’s, Jens Stoltenberg, ” Trevor Taylor, Russia wouldn’t, Micael Johansson, Johansson, “, Charles Woodburn, ”, House Republicans —, Donald Trump, Moscow, Oli Scarff, Trump, Joe Biden, Houthi, It’s, Susanne Wiegand, Myles Walton, Sweden’s, … Organizations: London CNN, Russia, Kyiv, BAE Systems, Thales, Rheinmetall, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, Royal United Services Institute, CNN, Saab, Ukraine, House Republicans, Republican, Kiel Institute, European Union, Getty, International Institute, Strategic, Renk, Reuters, New, Wolfe Research, Sweden’s Saab Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, United States, Canada, Russia, London, Europe, Swedish, Poland, Kyiv, Congress, German, European, Newcastle, Tyne, England, AFP, Beijing, Taiwan, China, Israel, Red, Berlin, Frankfurt, Gaza, New York

☆ Trump Comments Show Europe Must Spend More on Defence, Latvia Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Trump sparked fierce criticism from top Western officials for saying that, as U.S. president, he had told an unnamed leader he would not protect countries that failed to meet NATO defence spending targets, and would even encourage Russia to attack them. "Many presidents have been saying for many years that in Europe, we - being a generally wealthy society - should invest more in our own defence," Karins said as he walked between events at the annual Munich Security Conference on Friday. Karins said part of Europe's response should be to continue to spend more on defence - a trend fuelled by Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Karins said Europe would still need the structures and coordination provided by the U.S.-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization for its forces to operate effectively together, as Europe was not a country with a single army. "We will still need NATO to help coordinate us."

Persons: Andrew Gray MUNICH, Donald Trump's, Krisjanis Karins, Trump, Karins, Andrew Gray, Jan Harvey Organizations: NATO, Latvian, Baltic, Reuters, Security, Treaty Organization Locations: Russia, U.S, Europe, Crimea, Ukraine

☆ NATO: Record 18 states expected to meet 2% defense spending threshold this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( James Frater | Joshua Berlinger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Eighteen of NATO’s 31 members are expected to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense this year, the treaty organization’s leader said on Wednesday. “That is another record number and a six-fold increase from 2014 when only three allies met their target,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday ahead of a meeting between the alliance’s defense ministers in Brussels. Former US President Donald Trump, who is running for reelection in November, brought renewed scrutiny to the issue of defense spending among NATO members last weekend, when he said at a rally he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member country that doesn’t meet spending guidelines on defense – effectively undercutting the collective defense clause at the heart of the treaty. The German Defense Ministry said Wednesday that its 2024 budget will see its defense spending meet the 2% threshold for the first time since the early 1990s. NATO as a whole is expected to reach the 2% threshold for the first time this year.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, –, Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, ” Organizations: CNN, NATO, Allies, German Defense Ministry Locations: Brussels, Russia, Canada, Germany

☆ Germany Hits 2% NATO Target for First Time Since 1992, Reports Dpa
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The German government is allocating the equivalent of $73.41 billion for defence spending in the current year, dpa reported. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had this week stated that Germany would meet the NATO target, but the government has not divulged precise figures so far. NATO defence ministers are due to meet in Brussels on Thursday. A separate meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, hosted by the United States, takes place on Wednesday. Scholz's government has spotlighted its rising defence spending at an uncertain time for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Donald Trump, Boris Pistorius, Trump, Pistorius, Trump's, Alex Ratz, Matthias Williams, Miranda Murray, Ros Russell Organizations: BERLIN, NATO, dpa, Ukraine Defence Contact, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Former, WELT, German, America Locations: Germany, Ukraine, Brussels, United States

☆ Fact check: Debunking five false Trump claims about NATO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

And Trump has for years made a variety of other false claims about spending by NATO and its members. As of 2023, 11 of 30 NATO members were meeting the 2% target, NATO estimates show. NATO members’ spending before Trump took officeAs president, Trump claimed that NATO members’ spending had declined “every single year” until he took office in 2017. Facts First: Trump’s claims that NATO members’ spending had declined every year until he took office are false. After referring to NATO members Trump said he pressured himself, he continued: “And then I hear that they like Obama better.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Russia “, didn’t, –, Stephen Saideman, ” Saideman, Erwan, George Washington University’s, ” Lagadec, “, recommitted, Jens Stoltenberg, Saideman, “ Putin, Joe Biden, Lagadec, Barack Obama, Obama, George W, Bush, we’ve, ” Bush Organizations: Washington CNN, Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, CNN, Trump, International Affairs, Carleton University, Elliott School of International Affairs, Transatlantic, Ukraine ”, NATO –, “, ”, EU Locations: Russia, Wales, Canada, Brussels, Ukraine’s Crimea, –, Crimea, Europe, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Romania

☆ NATO chief says Trump’s comments on abandoning alliance endangers US and European troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a statement Sunday, Stoltenberg said such comments put European and American soldiers at an increased risk. He also criticized American defense pacts with Asian allies Japan and South Korea. The conflict has raised concerns Putin may have further expansionist ambitions, which the leader denies, or that a NATO country may become directly embroiled. European Council President Charles Michel also hit back against the comments and said they reemphasize the need to keep the alliance strong. You got to pay your bills.”Biden said Sunday that Trump “is making it clear that he will abandon our NATO allies” and outlined the potential consequences of Trump’s comments.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, Trump, Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, “, NATO Ally, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Trump’s, Joe Biden’s, Charles Michel, ” Michel, ” Trump, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, NATO, International Criminal, Washington, European, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Sunday, Trump, “, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Europe, South, Taiwan, Asia, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, China, Korea, North Korea, Philippines, United States, Pacific, Soviet Union, Canada, Poland, Baltic States, Israel

☆ ‘US will be out of NATO’ in second Trump term, former senior adviser warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Jim Sciutto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The point is, he saw absolutely no point in NATO,” Kelly said in the book. “President Trump got our allies to increase their NATO spending by demanding they pay up, but Joe Biden went back to letting them take advantage of the American taxpayer. Kelly said he tried to explain the importance of NATO to Trump in terms he believed the president would understand. In the case of withdrawing from NATO, Kelly tried to convey to Trump that both applied. “US support for Ukraine would end,” said the senior US official who served under Trump and Biden.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Powers, Joe Biden, ” John Bolton, “, ”, John Kelly, ” Kelly, Vladimir, Putin, Kim, Jong, Putin wouldn’t, ’ ”, Trump, Obama, Biden, ” Trump, Jason Miller, can’t, Kelly, Mark Milley, Mark Esper, Bolton, I’d, what’s, ’ Organizations: CNN, NATO, Trump, US, Biden, ”, South, White, Russia, “, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Joint Chiefs, Fox News Locations: Russia, South Korea, Japan, North Korea, Europe, Brussels, “, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Bolton

☆ Trump says he would encourage Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to any NATO country that doesn’t pay enough
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Kate Sullivan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“NATO was busted until I came along,” Trump said at a rally in Conway, South Carolina. But his comments Saturday are his most direct indication he does not intend to defend NATO allies from Russian attack if he is reelected. NATO has a target that each member country spends a minimum of 2% of gross domestic product on defense, and most countries are not meeting that target. As president, Trump privately threatened multiple times to withdraw the United States from NATO, according to The New York Times. Trump has described NATO as “obsolete” and has aligned himself with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who wants to weaken the alliance.

Persons: Donald Trump, ” Trump, “, ‘ Everybody’s, ’, ‘, ”, Joe Biden’s, Biden, chief’s, Andrew Bates, Trump, haven’t, Vladimir Putin, Putin, CNN’s Kaanita Iyer, Daniel Dale, Marshall Cohen, Veronica Stracqualursi, Jim Acosta, Kevin Liptak Organizations: CNN, NATO, American, Atlantic Treaty Organization, The New York Times Locations: Russia, Conway , South Carolina, United States

☆ China's defense budget was reported as 3 times smaller than America's, but 2 analysts say the Pentagon is underselling Beijing's true military strength
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewBeijing's military spending and threat are likely far higher than portrayed by the Pentagon, which recently reported figures that indicate China's defense budget was nearly four times smaller than America's, two US analysts said on Monday. Peters and Beaver wrote that the Pentagon's assessment failed to account for China's military research spending. "Confusingly, the report does not attempt to account for either of these significant considerations in its treatment of China's defense budget topline," Peters and Beaver wrote. China's reported GDP for 2023 was around $17.8 trillion. "We should avoid overreacting to what seems to be this more accurate data of China's military push," Stavridis wrote.

Persons: —, Robert Peters, Wilson Beaver, Peters, Beaver, Sen, Dan Sullivan, James Stavridis, Stavridis Organizations: Service, Pentagon, Business, Allison Center for National Security, Heritage Foundation, The Defense Department, Beaver, Beijing's, National Atlantic Treaty Organization, Bloomberg, China's Locations: China, Beijing, Taiwan, United States, Alaska

☆ Ukraine losing Western support makes the US 'more vulnerable' because China is watching the war closely, NATO chief says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned that Putin achieving his goals in Ukraine sets an example for Beijing. China wants to see how long the US can keep up support to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said. He urged the West to continue aid to Ukraine as funding for Kyiv is questioned in Congress. AdvertisementChina is closely watching how long the US and Europe can maintain support for Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, said on Sunday. "So it's not only making Europe more vulnerable but all of us, also the United States, more vulnerable if Putin gets what he wants in Ukraine."

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Putin, Stoltenberg, —, Shannon Bream, Putin doesn't, Wang Yi Organizations: Ukraine, Service, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Fox News, it's, GOP, NATO, CNN Locations: Ukraine, Beijing, China, Europe, Kyiv, it's Ukraine, Taiwan, United States, Russia, Russia's

☆ Canada Drops Weapons Export Controls to Turkey, Including Drone Technology
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Monday said it had dropped weapons export controls to Turkey, including drone optical technology, according to a notice posted online, saying that from now on it would review all exports on a case-by-case basis. Canada had linked resolving the export freeze with Turkey's welcoming of Sweden into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which it did last week. Canada will examine each export on case-by-case basis and said it can cancel permits at any time if there is misuse, the statement said. The notification process, which is standard under the international arms trade, covers Wescam sensors used in Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones and other dual-use goods and arms-related exports. "The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) condemns the recent decision by the Government of Canada to lift its longstanding arms embargo on Turkey," the group said in a statement online.

Persons: Steve Scherer, Ismail Shakil, Marguerita Choy Organizations: OTTAWA, NATO, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Armenian National Committee of Canada, Government of Locations: Canada, Turkey, Turkish, Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh, Baku, Sweden, NATO, Ukraine, Government of Canada

☆ Biden Urges Congress to Quickly Approve F-16 Sale to Turkey
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Edward Wong | More About Edward Wong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden sent a letter to four senior members of Congress on Wednesday urging them to quickly approve a $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, following the vote one day earlier by Turkey’s Parliament to allow Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to three U.S. officials. The White House sent the letter to the top Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which have oversight of arms transfers by the State Department to other nations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, a member of NATO, has linked his country’s approval of Sweden’s accession to the security organization to the F-16 sales, which had been pending. Both Sweden and Finland had asked to join NATO after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the vast majority of the alliance’s members soon agreed. Turkey approved Finland’s bid but, along with Hungary, has withheld approval for Sweden.

Persons: Biden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Organizations: Atlantic Treaty Organization, White House, Democratic, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign Affairs Committee, State Department, NATO Locations: Turkey, Sweden, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Finland, Ukraine, Hungary

☆ Belarus adopts new military doctrine involving nuclear weapons
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Mariya Knight | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Belarus on Friday adopted a new military doctrine that – if approved – would be the first step toward deploying nuclear weapons across the country. The Union State of Belarus and Russia Treaty sets up a legal basis for a wide-ranging alliance between the two countries. Baltic states reinforce bordersThe move by Belarus came as neighboring Baltic states signed an agreement to reinforce their borders with Belarus and Russia. During an interview with state news agency Belta in August last year, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said his country did not “bring nuclear weapons here in order to scare someone.”“Nuclear weapons represent a strong deterring factor. But these are tactical nuclear weapons, not strategic ones.

Persons: Viktor Khrenin, ”, Khrenin, “, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Hanno Pevkur Organizations: CNN, ” Belarusian, Belarus ’, Collective Security, Organization, Union State, NATO, The Union, The Union State of, Russia Treaty, Belarusian People’s Assembly, Novosti, UN, OSCE, ” Minsk, Estonian Defense Ministry, Estonian Minister of Defense, Belta Locations: Belarus, Republic of Belarus, Russian, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, The Union State, The Union State of Belarus, Ukraine, NATO, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Baltic, Estonia, Estonian

☆ NATO Accession Looks to Be 'Not a Priority' for Sweden, Hungary Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Sweden has not done anything to boost confidence in its suitability for NATO membership, and has given the impression that joining the alliance is not a priority for the country, an aide to Hungary's prime minister said on Thursday. Sweden applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in May 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine but the accession process, which requires the approval of all existing members, has been held up by Turkey and Hungary. Gulyas suggested that Sweden's foreign minister or prime minister should "get in touch and ask what concerns the Hungarian parliament has" about Sweden's NATO accession. Replying to a reporter's question, he said Hungary wanted to avoid being the last country to ratify Sweden's NATO accession, but "we will probably not manage to do so without Sweden's help. The Turkish parliament's general assembly may debate Sweden's NATO membership bid in the coming weeks, the ruling AK Party's parliamentary group chairman said last week.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, Gulyas, Gergely Szakacs, Anita Komuves, Marie, Alex Richardson Organizations: NATO, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Nordic, Turkish, AK, Marie Mannes Locations: BUDAPEST, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, Hungary, Swedish, Moscow, Budapest, Stockholm

For 74 years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been America’s most important military alliance. Presidents of both parties have seen NATO as a force multiplier enhancing the influence of the United States by uniting countries on both sides of the Atlantic in a vow to defend one another. Donald J. Trump has made it clear that he sees NATO as a drain on American resources by freeloaders. In his 2000 book, “The America We Deserve,” Mr. Trump wrote that “pulling back from Europe would save this country millions of dollars annually.” As president, he repeatedly threatened a United States withdrawal from the alliance. Yet as he runs to regain the White House, Mr. Trump has said precious little about his intentions.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Mr, “ Organizations: Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, freeloaders, White Locations: United States, Europe

☆ British troops patrol Kosovo-Serbia border as tensions remain high
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Fatos Bytyci | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] British troops part of the NATO reinforcements patrol at the Kosovo-Serbia border in Jarinje, Kosovo November 24, 2023. NATO has sent 1,000 extra troops to the region, bringing its presence there to 4,500 peacekeepers from 27 countries. British soldiers are now being deployed in 18-hour shifts in freezing conditions to make sure no weapons or armed groups enter Kosovo. Kosovo, which has an ethnic Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and a 1999 NATO intervention. Around five percent of the population in Kosovo are ethnic Serbs, of which half live in the north and refuse to recognize Kosovo independence and see Belgrade as their capital.

Persons: Valdrin, Joss Gaddie, Jens Stoltenberg, Albin Kurti's, Fatos Bytyci, Mike Harrison Organizations: NATO, REUTERS, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Belgrade, KFOR, British Army, Reuters, Kosovo, Kosovo police, Thomson Locations: Kosovo, Serbia, Jarinje, NATO, Britain, Romania, Banjska, Balkans, Belgrade, Pristina

☆ Germany set to double Ukraine military aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a speech on the day of the opening of an electrolysis gigafactory in Berlin, Germany November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Nov 11 (Reuters) - German chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition has agreed in principle to double the country's military aid for Ukraine next year to 8 billion euros ($8.5 billion), a political source in Berlin said on Sunday. Defence minister Boris Pistorius, interviewed by broadcaster ARD, referred to the planned doubling of military aid to Ukraine. "Doubling the military spending is both the right thing to do and important," it quoted member of parliament Andreas Schwarz, who acts as an SPD military budget official, as saying. A European Union plan to spend up to 20 billion euros ($21 billion) on military aid for Ukraine is meeting with resistance from EU countries, diplomats said this week.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Annegret, Olaf Scholz's, Boris Pistorius, Andreas Schwarz, Gursimran Kaur, Holger Hansen, Vera Eckert, David Gregorio, Kirsten Donovan, Giles Elgood Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Scholz's Social Democrats, Free Democrats, Green, Bundestag, Bloomberg News, Germany's Ministry of Defence, ARD, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Ukraine, Bengaluru, Frankfurt

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