Category Archives: NATO

Michael Byers holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia

Dmitry Rogozin paid a surprise visit to this Norwegian outpost two years ago, on his way to a Russian ice-station near the North Pole. The Russian deputy prime minister tweeted a picture of himself standing outside the airport.

It was a deliberately provocative act because Mr. Rogozin is at the top of Norways sanctions list, having championed the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Yet, as a Russian national, he was legally entitled to visit Svalbard because Norways sovereignty over its Arctic islands is not absolute: Citizens of any of the 45 parties to the 1920 Svalbard Treaty have a right of free access.

Norway responded to the provocation by offering to host a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on Svalbard. The meeting took place this week.

Technically, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is not part of NATO but rather a parallel organization focused on discussion and networking among parliamentarians from the 28 NATO states. As a non-military organization, it could meet on Svalbard without violating another provision of the 1920 treaty; one that prohibits the islands from being used for warlike purposes.

Russia, however, condemned the choice of location as an attempt to drag Svalbard under the wing of the military political bloc. This, it said, violated the spirit of the treaty.

Now, this might seem like a tempest in a tea cup, but it is much more than that.

For decades, Norway has followed a policy of engagement and co-operation with Russia, especially in the Arctic. This policy has provided significant gains for both countries, including a jointly managed cod fishery in the Barents Sea worth billions of dollars each year.

But Vladimir Putin is restless. The Russian President has annexed Crimea, forcefully intervened in Syria, and conducted countless near-border exercises and airspace incursions in the Baltic and Arctic regions.

Most recently, Mr. Putin has intervened in elections in the United States, France, and other NATO countries with propaganda campaigns and computer hacking.

Cyber-attacks can constitute armed attacks under international law, for example, if they cause a nuclear power plant to meltdown. And Mr. Putins attacks have struck at the core of liberal democracy. Armed attacks generate a right of self-defence, and collective self-defence against Russia is the raison dtre of NATO.

Mr. Putins greatest victory involves the apparent capture of the U.S. President. Donald Trump has questioned the value of NATO and threatened to not come to the defence of member states that fail to meet the alliances spending target of 2 per cent of gross domestic product.

This week, Mr. Trump dismissed the director of the FBI in a blatant attempt to block an investigation of Russias involvement in the U.S. election. Then, he warmly welcomed a smug-looking Russian foreign minister to the White House.

At best, Mr. Trump is ignorant, naive and disinterested with respect to NATO and the Russian threat. At worst, he is working for Russia.

Canada and some other NATO member states have deployed small numbers of troops to the Baltic States. But would this trip wire function if the United States withdrew its support?

Would Canada be willing to go toe-to-toe with Russia if it called our bluff and sent tanks into Latvia? Or would Prime Minister Justin Trudeau order the Canadian troops to stand down? What if Mr. Trump asked him to stand down?

A popular Norwegian television show revolves around a fictional Russian occupation of that country. The plot seemed farfetched when the show was broadcast during Barack Obamas presidency, because it was based on the premise that the United States would abandon Norway to its fate. The same premise is far more plausible today.

By hosting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, little Norway pushed back against Mr. Putin in a small but symbolically important way. Having been occupied by Hitlers forces during the Second World War, it knows something about bullies and opportunists.

The threat is not so different today. It is time for NATO countries to stand firmly together. It is time to renew our commitment to collective self-defence, with or without the United States.

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How Norway stood up to Putin and what Canada can learn - The Globe and Mail

SYDNEY Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday he is considering a NATO request for more troops in Afghanistan, as U.S. President Donald Trump considers whether to expand the NATO-led mission there by several thousand.

Turnbull did not specify the details of the request from NATO's military authorities, which he received during a visit to Afghanistan late last month, although he said he was "open" to the idea.

"We are certainly open to increasing our work there, but we've obviously got to look at the commitments of the Australian Defense Force in other parts of the region and indeed in other parts of the world," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

"It is very important that we continue - we and our other allies in the effort in Afghanistan - continue to work together," he said.

Australia currently has nearly 300 troops stationed in Afghanistan, training and advising Afghan forces.

The top U.S. intelligence official said on Thursday security in Afghanistan would deteriorate even further without a modest increase in troops from the United States and its allies for the NATO-led force.

Afghan forces being trained by their NATO allies have only tenuous control in Afghanistan almost 16 years into the intractable war against the Taliban, the remnants of al Qaeda, Islamic State and other Islamist groups.

In February, U.S. General John Nicholson, commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan, told a Congressional hearing he needed several thousand more international troops to break a stalemate with the Taliban.

Reuters reported in late April that Trump's administration was carrying out a review of Afghanistan and that conversations were revolving around sending between 3,000 and 5,000 more U.S. and coalition troops to Afghanistan.

U.S. and NATO allies have since been receiving requests for more troops to boost the Resolute Support mission, which currently stands at about 13,450 troops, including about 6,900 U.S. military personnel training and advising the Afghan armed forces to take over Afghanistan's defense and security.

The United States also has about 1,500 more troops as part of a counter-terrorism unit that mainly targets the Islamic State militant group and remaining pockets of al Qaeda.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this week the alliance was considering a request for more troops, although NATO member Germany ruled out sending more of its forces back to Afghanistan.

(Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Paul Tait)

WASHINGTON The United States is close to completing a series of arms deals for Saudi Arabia totaling more than $100 billion, a senior White House official said on Friday, a week ahead of President Donald Trump's planned visit to Riyadh.

DOHA Gunmen killed a Saudi child and a Pakistani man during an attack on workers at a building project in restive eastern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the interior ministry said on Friday.

ANKARA President Hassan Rouhani cast his hardline clerical opponents as power-hungry pawns of Iran's security forces on Friday, going far beyond the traditional bounds of Iranian political discourse in a blistering final TV debate a week before an election.

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Australia considering NATO request to send more troops to Afghanistan - Reuters

By Tom OConnor, Newsweek

Canada is preparing to deploytroops to Latvia as part of a NATO plan to bolster the Western military alliances borders with rival power Russia, but Moscow has plans for a show of might that will likely dwarf NATOs efforts.

Latvian ambassador to CanadaKarlis Eihenbaums said Friday that his nation, which has previously expressed concern about Russian military activity in Europes Baltic region, was particularly on edge ahead of its neighbors quadrennial defense maneuvers called Zapad, or West, due to be held in August and September.Eihenbaums said the drills, which date back to the Soviet period, have left Latvia uneasy in past years, but that this yearsexercise would be especially concerning given the dueling military buildup that has occurred between NATO and Russia in the past few years.

You cannot feel safe, Eihenbaums told CBC News.

Servicemen take part in the joint war games Zapad-2013 (West-2013), attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, at the Khmelevka range on Russias Baltic Sea in the Kaliningrad Region, September 26, 2013. The quadrennial games were set to be held again in 2017 amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Moscow and NATO.ALEXEI DRUZHININ/RIA NOVOSTI/REUTERS

Canada has already begun sending vehicles and equipment to Latvia, which was designated by NATO last year as one of four battle groups to which the multinational force would devote its resources. In additionto Latvia, the groups also includefellow Baltic states Estonia and Lithuania as well as Poland. Canada is set to send the first of 450 soldiers to Latvia next month and will be joined by forces from NATO allies Albania, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and Spain. About 1,200 troops in all will be stationed in Latvia, with an additional 800 more in Estonia, 1,200 in Lithuania and 4,000 in Poland. Despite this escalation, however, NATOs moves have been described as merely a tripwire to Russia.

Russia already maintains a force numbering tens of thousands of troops at strategic border points in the region. In 2016, the Rand Corporation ran an analysis of multiple conflict scenarios and found that across multiple plays of the game, Russian forces eliminated or bypassed all resistance and were at the gates of or actually entering Riga, Tallinn, or both, between 36 and 60 hours after the start of hostilities. Russia has since announced wide-ranging initiatives to expand and modernize its defense capabilities,including more powerful submarines, more sophisticated missile defense systemsand the creation of a service branch dedicated specifically to electronic warfare. This years Zapad drills were set to see from 70,000 to 100,000 Russian troops join their Belarussian allies for a simulated battle with NATO forces, according to Russias state-run Sputnik News.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Wednesday during a trip to Lithuania, which will host a German-led NATO battalion, that Russias buildup was destabilizing and stated NATO would maintain a defensive posture. U.S. officials had earlier suggested that the Pentagon may authorize the deployment of a Patriot missile defense system to the region in preparation for Russian missile movements across the border, but Mattis and Lithuanian PresidentDalia Grybauskaite declined to comment specifically on the potential installation.

Both the U.S. and Russia have accused the other of trying to provoke a military showdown in Europe, but neither has expressed a willingness to engage the other in combat. After suffering a political falling out earlier this month over opposing policies toward war in Syria, the White House and the Kremlin have attempted to mend their political relationship, which suffered significantly under former President Barack Obama. However, a series of scandals and investigations centering around connections between the administration of President Donald Trump and Russia have left many U.S. officials suspicious of Moscows intentions. Russia denies interfering in U.S. politics and has called on Washington to restore relations between the worlds two foremost military powers.

Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Wednesday to discuss the countries positions on international affairs andRussian presidential aide Yury Ushakov called on the U.S. Friday to normalize the Russia-U.S. relations, according to Russias Sputnik News.

Source:http://www.newsweek.com/russia-military-drills-defeat-nato-forces-608382

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Russia to conduct drills that could defeat NATO in two days - AmeriForce Publishing, Inc.

New York Times

Jim Mattis, in Lithuania, Reaffirms US Commitment to NATO New York Times PABRADE, Lithuania If a shooting war ever breaks out between Russia and the NATO alliance, it could well be in a place like Pabrade, a little town near the edge of a little nation. But a different sort of conflict, waged with bytes rather than ... US defense secretary, in Lithuania, reaffirms commitment to NATO ...The Boston Globe US May Send Missiles to Russia Border as Moscow Prepares for War GamesNewsweek US, NATO prepared to deter Russia in Europe: Pentagon chiefPress TV SOFREP (press release) (subscription) all 73 news articles »

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Jim Mattis, in Lithuania, Reaffirms US Commitment to NATO - New York Times

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How Poland Is Casting Itself as the Leader of NATO's Eastern Flank - World Politics Review

US Defense Secretary James Mattis talked with NATO military officers in Lithuania as they met with US troops deployed in country.

PABRADE, Lithuania If a shooting war ever breaks out between Russia and the NATO alliance, it could well be in a place like Pabrade, a little town near the edge of a little nation. But a different sort of conflict, waged with bytes rather than bullets, is already being fought here.

Jim Mattis, the US secretary of defense, visited this Lithuanian town Wednesday to see how NATO is faring in that fight, and his guide was a German officer who has been a target in that war, falsely accused of being a rapist and a Russian spy.

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Whats the spirit of your troops? Mattis asked, walking past camouflaged tanks as soldiers with green-painted faces stood at attention.

He was assured by his guide, Lieutenant Colonel Christoph Huber, commander of the German battalion that recently took up station here, that morale could not be higher.

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Huber and his soldiers have been the subjects of two recent cyberattacks: false claims of wrongdoing that officials believe were put in circulation by an increasingly aggressive Russian intelligence operation that is meant to sow doubts and resentment of NATOs growing presence in the Baltics.

The first attack came Feb. 14. E-mails sent to the president of the Lithuanian Parliament and various media outlets falsely claimed that German soldiers had raped a girl. The story rippled through the country before the police determined it was untrue.

A few weeks later, another series of e-mails circulated with what seemed to be photos of Huber among a group of Russian partisans. The photos were faked.

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Then, in early April, came a phony story about a supposed chemical assault on US troops in nearby Estonia, which appeared mysteriously on a popular Lithuanian news site.

How did it feel to be the target of these attacks? Huber shrugged. We dont know for sure who was behind it, he said. But we take everything in the information environment quite seriously.

Darius Jauniskis, director general of Lithuanias intelligence agency, said that part of the countrys response to the incidents had been to openly discuss Russias efforts to undermine the NATO mission in the country.

We cannot remain silent and say everythings all right, Jauniskis said in a conference room in his agencys headquarters in Vilnius, the capital. We need to talk about that, so that the people and leaders know the threats are real.

Jauniskis and other Baltic leaders have been warning their counterparts in the West for several years about the growing menace they saw from Russia. Their warnings were often dismissed as alarmist. But after the apparent Russian efforts to influence elections in the United States, France and elsewhere, no one needs convincing any more.

We cant be glad that we were right all along, said Raimundas Karoblis, the Lithuanian defense minister. Its not always comfortable to remind people weve been telling them about the Russians for years.

Part of Mattiss reason for visiting the Baltic region was to reassure allies who were rattled when President Trump said the NATO alliance was obsolete and suggested the United States might protect only countries that had fulfilled their obligations to us.

Standing with President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania at the presidential palace on Wednesday, Mattis said, Have no doubt that we stand with you united in a common cause.

Grybauskaite described Mattis as a good friend of Lithuania, saying that he understands the threats facing us and that we can trust him.

During his Senate confirmation hearings, Mattis described the NATO alliance as essential. But he has also said since then that the amount of American support for the alliance could depend on whether other member countries meet their commitments on military spending. In that regard, the Baltic nations rightly stand as an example for all NATO allies, Mattis said, because they have rapidly expanded their military budgets.

The actions of President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Ukraine and elsewhere have left the Baltic nations deeply uneasy, prompting them to call on NATO to fortify its defenses against a possible Russian invasion. The alliance responded by stationing four additional battalions in the region, one in each of the three Baltic nations and one in Poland.

A parade of prominent Americans, including Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, have visited the Baltics in recent months to offer reassurances, but Mattiss visit was the most eagerly awaited. Its a historic visit, said Karoblis, the defense minister.

He and other Lithuanian officials said they were hoping for a promise from Mattis for a permanent US military presence and a Patriot missile battery to bolster the countrys air and antimissile defenses.

The alliance is expected to conduct a large air defense exercise in Lithuania in July, and Pentagon officials have said that a Patriot battery could be moved into the region as part of that exercise, but that the deployment may be temporary.

Mattis was asked by a reporter about the Patriot missiles, but said only that the specific systems that we bring are those that we determine are necessary, and that decisions would be made in consultation with the Lithuanian government.

Grybauskaite made clear that Lithuanians would welcome such a deployment.

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US defense secretary, in Lithuania, reaffirms commitment to NATO - The Boston Globe

The 15-year-long attempt to stabilise the country in the face of a Taliban-led insurgency needs a political solution, but bolstering Afghan forces would give the Kabul government a stronger hand, he told the Telegraph.

Nato commanders have said they need several thousand more troops as Afghan forces face heavy casualties, while the UN has warned President Ashraf Ghanis government is continuing to lose its grip on rural districts of the country.

Mr Stoltenberg said: We are now discussing the total troop levels and we are reaching out to all allies including all allies, including the UK, to generate the necessary forces.

A modest increase from allies will enable us to increase with a few thousand.

Sources have said the Prime Minister is likely to agree to a request for around 100 extra British troops, to join around 500 already stationed in Kabul.

Mr Stoltenberg said new troops will not be joining a combat mission he stressed, but more soldiers are needed to train and advise the Afghan army and police.

British troops are likely to be asked to expand their Afghan army officer training academy, nicknamed Sandhurst in the sand.

Mr Stoltenberg said: What we are now looking into is not a return to combat, but to adjust the level of forces training and helping them. It is important to understand the importance that the Afghans are now able to be in the front line. The Afghans are now able to fight the Taliban themselves.

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Tories 'will keep hitting Nato spending target' says Theresa May - Telegraph.co.uk

New York Times

Donald Trump, NATO, Turkey: Your Thursday Briefing New York Times Mr. Comey had requested additional resources for the F.B.I.'s investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election just days earlier. The White House denied a link, and Mr. Trump accused critics of hypocrisy. And more senators called for an ... and more »

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Donald Trump, NATO, Turkey: Your Thursday Briefing - New York Times

Angela Merkel met with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg two weeks before a Brussels summit of alliance leaders including Trump | NATO

Chancellors comments come two weeks before Trump attends alliance summit in Brussels.

By Janosch Delcker

5/11/17, 2:03 PM CET

Updated 5/11/17, 2:15 PM CET

BERLIN Germany will stick to its pledge to increase military spending to 2 percent of GDP,Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday, taking a swipe at her junior coalition partner and election rival.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that European allies increase their military spending so that the United States shoulders less of the financial burden for the Continents security umbrella.

However, German Social Democrat (SPD) leader Martin Schulzsaid last month he did not take the view that NATO members were obliged to reach the spending goal, which was included with phrasing that left room for interpretation in a declaration by alliance leaders at a summit in Cardiff in 2014.

Asked whether Berlin stood by the commitment in light of the doubts cast upon it by the SPD, Merkel noted that the German government as a whole had signed up to the Cardiff declaration a government composed of her Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats.

The entire German government agreed to the Cardiff agreement, Merkel told reporters after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, two weeks before a Brussels summit of alliance leaders including Trump. We will adhere to this, and we will work towards it.

Schulz is the Social Democrats challenger to Merkel in a September parliamentary election and his campaign strategy includes distancing himself from the current government.

Germany currently spends about 1.2 percent of its GDP on defense, compared with Americas 3.6 percent, according to NATO statistics.

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Merkel: Germany stands by NATO spending pledge despite SPD doubts - POLITICO.eu

Today (9 May 2017) marks another important step in the consolidation of NATOs support to Iraqi security institutions in strengthening their capabilities in the fight against terrorism. NATO trainers and advisors and Iraqi high ranking officers have concluded a three day-workshop designed to enhance Iraqi leadership and training skills in the domains of countering improvised explosive devices, explosive ordnance disposal, and demining.

Iraqi attendees included Generals from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, and the Counter-Terrorism Service.

The workshop provided the opportunity to strengthen the coordination between NATO experts and Iraqi Security Forces and to exchange views on the future outlook of the Iraqi security forces and institutions.

In January 2017, NATO deployed a Core Team to Baghdad. The Team includes eight civilian and military personnel. The Core Team provides advice to the Iraqi authorities and coordinates with the Global Coalition against ISIL and other stakeholders in Baghdad. Specialist training courses are delivered primarily by Mobile Training Teams (MTTs), provided by NATO Nations. These teams travel to Iraq, as required, to support specific training and capacity building activities agreed with the Iraqi authorities. These include the following: countering improvised explosive devices (C-IED), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and de-mining; civil-military planning in support of operations; civil emergency planning; training in military medicine; technical maintenance training on Soviet-era military equipment; and reform of the Iraqi security institutions.

NATOs goal is to increase Iraqs own training capacity in the medium and long term.

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Iraq further developing its capabilities in the fight against terrorism, with NATO support - NATO HQ (press release)