Top NATO military commander in Europe says alliance needs to improve intelligence-sharing

NATO's top commander in Europe U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove gestures when addressing a conference in Soest, central Netherlands, Wednesday March 25, 2015. NATO defense ministers agreed last month to create a quick-reaction force of 5,000 troops to meet challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists, Breedlove said that alliance nations must be willing to share their intelligence faster if its new rapid reaction force is to be effective in countering threats. (AP Photo/Mike Corder)(The Associated Press)

NATO's top commander in Europe U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove gestures when addressing a conference in Soest, central Netherlands, Wednesday March 25, 2015. NATO defense ministers agreed last month to create a quick-reaction force of 5,000 troops to meet challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists, Breedlove said that alliance nations must be willing to share their intelligence faster if its new rapid reaction force is to be effective in countering threats. (AP Photo/Mike Corder)(The Associated Press)

SOEST, Netherlands NATO's top commander in Europe says that alliance nations must be willing to share their intelligence faster if its new rapid-reaction force is to be effective in countering threats.

U.S. Gen. Philip Breedlove says that "we need to change our culture of intelligence-sharing." He adds that NATO nations have a tendency to only share intelligence well "when we are scared."

NATO defense ministers agreed last month to create a quick-reaction force of 5,000 troops to meet challenges from Russia and Islamic extremists.

But Breedlove told a conference in the Netherlands on Wednesday that the troops can only be quickly and effectively deployed "if we have an indications and warning apparatus that tells us when we need its high readiness."

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Top NATO military commander in Europe says alliance needs to improve intelligence-sharing