Category Archives: NATO

On Tuesday, under crisp blue skies at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minn., two bald eagles eased above the trees. But abruptly, they flew off. It wasnt the persistent wind that scattered them, but intermittent gunfire from a line of Minnesota National Guard and Norwegian Home Guard soldiers.

The troops training on a range were part of an exchange now in its 44th year, the most enduring engagement between a U.S. state and a NATO nation.

Its an experience of a lifetime, said visiting Home Guard soldier Torsten Bjornes, one of about 100 taking part alongside an equal contingent from the Minnesota Guard. Bjornes, who has a North Dakota-born grandmother, was eager for Minnesota troops to traipse to Norway for reciprocal training. Come on over were ready for you! Bjornes said, smiling.

Norway was also ready when the U.S. called on the transatlantic alliance to fight in Afghanistan. Bjornes himself served there after the one and only time that NATOs Article 5 has been invoked. Whether that call for collective defense will ever be triggered again is unknown. But like many members of the 28-nation pact, Norway is wary about Russian revanchism under President Vladimir Putin.

The threat is evolving, according to Maj. Gen. Finn Kristian Hannestad, the Norwegian defense attache in Washington, Maj. Gen. Tor Rune Raabye, commander of the Norwegian Home Guard, and Maj. Gen. Richard C. Nash, the adjutant general of Minnesota who oversees the Minnesota National Guard, all of whom flew to Camp Ripley in a Black Hawk helicopter that like the eagles seemed unfazed by the wind.

Raabye spoke of hybrid warfare, in which all the tools of the state could be used in operations against other nations everything from political information, economic, diplomatic and military pressure.

Increasingly, the military pressure is itself asymmetrical. Raabye referred to the so-called little green men Russian forces in unmarked army uniforms menacing eastern Ukraine, and added that the Baltics, Poland and non-NATO, Western-friendly Finland and Georgia share similar concerns.

Thats due to revisionists in Russia commanded by Putin, who knows how to work the fringes and seams, said Nash, adding: I think hes taken advantage of that asymmetrical warfare; he tries to test NATOs resolve.

Thats what seems to be transpiring, although the news is being blurred by the whirlwind in Washington including allegations regarding Russias role in the U.S. presidential election and reportedly with President Trumps campaign itself.

On Feb. 14 came news of this valentine from Putin: Russia secretly deployed a new cruise missile in violation of an arms-control treaty. A day later, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a Russian spy ship slipped within 30 miles of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn. While it was within international waters, it reflects Russian provocations in Europe.

The same day, Defense Secretary James Mattis addressed his NATO colleagues. While he did not reprise the presidents uncertain trumpet on the alliance itself Trump once labeled NATO obsolete he warned about U.S. impatience on uneven levels of defense spending by member nations. No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of western values, Mattis said.

The political uncertainty isnt the only dynamic different from the Cold War era, which however perilous presented certainties on both sides of the divide.

Were having a completely different political environment in Europe today and a different Middle East and a different environment with the media, the financial system, the stock market, everything is playing a completely different role than they did 40 years ago, said Hannestad.

Raabye agreed: For me the Cold War in a certain cynical way was stability, while the age we are in today is instability and everybody is insecure of what is going on.

Added Nash: When we had the Cold War, it was pretty simple. We lined up here, Warsaw [Pact nations] lined up there all was pretty well laid out.

Todays geopolitical complexity doesnt mean that fundamentals of military preparedness arent still essential. The Minnesota National Guard will take part in multiple joint exercises in Europe this year, including in June when a contingent of about 700 personnel and 500 pieces of equipment deploy to Baltic countries during an annual exercise called Saber Strike.

Any kind of training exercising is all part of signaling power, cohesion and that NATO is standing together and that Article 5 is real, Hannestad said.

Making Article 5 real requires civilian and military leadership, but also and especially troops training together, just like this week in Camp Ripley and in Camp Vrnes in Norway. Unlike Camp Ripleys raptors, the proverbial U.S. eagle and its transatlantic allies wont flee under fire, but coordination is essential.

You cant do it from an office with a bunch of generals sitting around, Nash said. You have to put soldiers on the ground to be able to use those skill sets, be able to practice those skill sets, and understand each others culture, language and capabilities and the common defense we all bring to NATO, because thats the power the common defense.

John Rash is a Star Tribune editorial writer and columnist. The Rash Report can be heard at 8:20 a.m. Fridays on WCCO Radio, 830-AM. On Twitter: @rashreport.

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Rash Report: At Camp Ripley training, 'NATO is standing together' - Minneapolis Star Tribune

The NATO chief says the alliance is ready to reestablish political dialogue with Moscow from a predictable position, which the Russian FM, during their meeting in Germany, quickly deciphered as a position of force for those unfamiliar with diplomatic parlance.

Im glad that NATO is still interested in talking to us... and look forward to discussing some practical things, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the start of the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

In a brief courtesy exchange that followed, NATOs chief noted that the alliance strongly favors a dialogue with Russia, to which Lavrov replied slightly laughing: I know, I know, from the position of force.

From a predictable and a predictable position,a seemingly confused Stoltenberg insisted, also with a smile, before the meeting between the Russian and the NATO delegations got under way behind closed doors.

Following the talks, Stoltenberg was quick to point out to reporters that the decision to unilaterally suspend cooperation with Russia in April 2014 still stands.

But we have underlined that the suspension of practical cooperation does not mean that we suspend political dialogue,Stoltenberg noted, according to TASS, adding that its useful to have dialogue also on issues where we have different views, like for instance Ukraine.

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The head of NATO said they discussed a wide range of issues, including Libya and Syria.

So there is room for dialogue and for engagement with Russia even though we continue to suspend our practical cooperation, he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said after the meeting that the parties had discussed the current state and prospects of relations between Russia and NATO, touching on a number of issues on the international and European agenda.

Relations between Russia and NATO ceased after Crimea voted to join Russia following a government coup in Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow has long been accusing NATO of threatening its borders with crawling expansion and a significant air and military buildup. NATO religiously says its a proportional counter measure to so-called Russian aggression.

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'From predictable position of force?' NATO's chief tells Russia's FM there's 'room for dialogue' - RT

Story Highlights

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While President Donald Trump has previously questioned the relevance of NATO, 80% of Americans say the alliance should be maintained. This is up from 64% when Gallup last asked Americans about their views on NATO in 1995, and the highest reading since Gallup first asked the question in 1989.

High U.S. support for NATO in Gallup's annual World Affairs poll, conducted Feb. 1-5, comes after Trump questioned the country's commitment to the alliance in mid-January, referring to it as "obsolete." Trump, however, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to NATO when he recently agreed to attend its summit in May. Defense Secretary James Mattis reiterated the country's commitment to NATO this week but said the U.S. could "moderate its commitment" to the alliance if other countries do not increase their defense spending.

When Gallup first asked Americans about their views on NATO in July 1989, 75% thought the alliance should be maintained. The percentage of Americans supporting the alliance dropped to 62% in May and June 1991, months before the Soviet Union's formal collapse. Three years later, support for the alliance increased to 70%, but it dipped back down to 64% in 1995 during's NATO intervention in the Bosnian War.

Fewer Americans have "no opinion" about NATO now than they did in previous times Gallup has asked this question, perhaps boosting this year's percentage of those supporting the alliance.

Democrats More Likely Than Republicans to Support NATO

President Trump questioning NATO's relevance may have affected partisan views of the alliance. Ninety-seven percent of Democrats now support the alliance, 31 percentage points higher than in 1995. Republican support increased by five points to 69%, now making Republicans much less likely than Democrats to want NATO maintained. Nearly three-quarters of independents (74%) support NATO.

The first time Gallup measured Americans' views on NATO, 80% of Republicans thought it should be maintained, compared with 69% of Democrats. The gap between the two parties shrank in each of the next three measures, and dwindled down to two points in 1995.

The 27% of Republicans this year who don't think NATO is necessary is up from 24% in 1995. One percent of Democrats now say NATO is not necessary anymore, down from 19% in 1995.

Bottom Line

The United States' commitment to NATO is at a critical point, as most member nations in Eastern Europe view it as a form of protection after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. While the Trump administration has voiced its concerns about the alliance -- specifically regarding member nations' defense spending -- it's clear that Americans want NATO to be maintained.

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Feb. 1-5, 2017, with a random sample of 485 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is 6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.

Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 70% cellphone respondents and 30% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods.

View survey methodology, complete question responses and trends.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

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Most Americans Support NATO Alliance - Gallup

New York Times

NATO, Donald Trump, Samsung: Your Friday Briefing New York Times At a NATO meeting in Brussels, the U.S. defense secretary, Jim Mattis, rejected closer military ties with Moscow. And NATO angered Russia by saying it would step up war games and surveillance in the Black Sea. In his first, somewhat awkward trip as ...

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NATO, Donald Trump, Samsung: Your Friday Briefing - New York Times

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2017 The bond between the United States and its NATO allies is a critical component in regional and global security, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said at an international security conference in Germany today.

"As guardians for our nations and as sentinels for new threats we all see our community of nations under threat on multiple fronts as the arc of instability builds on NATOs periphery and beyond," Mattis said at the Munich Security Conference.

Mattis, who as a Marine Corps general served as NATO's supreme allied commander for transformation, said the "transatlantic bond remains our strongest bulwark against instability and violence."

NATO exists, he said, to protect the way of life of its members, to include the exchange of free ideas that characterizes the annual Munich Security Conference.

The conference, which brings together more than 450 senior decision-makers from across the globe, is now in its 53rd iteration.

"Im grateful to be among so many leaders in our democracies as we forge our path ahead," Mattis said, adding, "This is how we build approaches to working together for a peaceful and prosperous future."

Vice President Mike Pence and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly are also attending the multi-day conference.

The threats to the alliance are numerous, Mattis pointed out. The best approach to protecting oneself is in tandem with others, he said, as "security is always best when provided by a team."

Full U.S. Support for Alliance

Mattis underscored U.S. support for the alliance, saying President Donald J. Trump has thrown his full support to NATO and believes in NATOs need to adapt to todays strategic situation for it to remain credible, capable and relevant.

As the NATO-European Union Joint Declaration signed in Warsaw reflects, American security is permanently tied to the security of Europe, Mattis said.

The U.S. defense chief, who met in Brussels earlier this week with his NATO counterparts, said the transatlantic bonds are strong and fellow defense ministers are under "no illusions about the threats our nations face together."

Unity in Recognizing Threats

NATO allies recognize 2014 was a "watershed year and we can no longer deny reality," Mattis said.

"Unified by these growing threats to our democracies, we possess strong resolve," he said, noting the alliance will adapt to the challenges.

Adapting, according to Mattis, is the hard part, as the alliance moves forward together, reinforcing deterrence and defense, and more directly addressing terrorist threats along NATOs southern flank from the Mediterranean to the Turkish border.

In a speech in Brussels earlier this week, Mattis noted that 2014 included Russia using force to alter the borders of one of its sovereign neighbors, and the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

(Follow Lisa Ferdinando on Twitter: @FerdinandoDoD)

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Mattis Stresses NATO Importance at Munich Security Conference - Department of Defense

Foreign Policy (blog)

Can Mattis Back Up His NATO Threat? Foreign Policy (blog) Jim Mattis delivered the goods at his first NATO defense ministerial as Secretary of Defense. There was a bit of whiplash during the first day as Mattis went from a reassuring public statement to a statement behind closed doors warning that the Untied ... Mattis's NATO WarningWall Street Journal (subscription) NATO's European allies take steps to meet US demandAljazeera.com Brexit Britain's Nato strategy is fatally flawedThe Guardian New York Times -Deutsche Welle -Business Insider all 1,081 news articles »

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Can Mattis Back Up His NATO Threat? - Foreign Policy (blog)

German soldiers stationed in Lithuania have been the target of false rape claims, German news magazine "Spiegel" first reported on Thursday. NATO diplomats told Spiegel that they viewed this as an attack aimed at undermining the presence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Eastern Europe, likely perpetrated by Russia.

Emails claiming that German soldiers had raped an underage Lithuanian girl were sent to the president of the Lithuanian parliament and various Lithuanian media outlets on February 14.

Lithuanian authorities investigated the charges and found no evidence that any of the claims made in the emails were true. "To our knowledge, Lithuanian police investigations came to the conclusion that there were neither a victim nor possible witnesses nor any perpetrators", a spokesperson for the German ministry of defense said.

Some smaller local news outlets reported on the charges, according to Spiegel, but Lithuanian officials quickly discounted the accusations.

Lithuanian police is investigating the incident. The address from which the emails accusing the soldiers were sent no longer exists, according to the German defense ministry, but authorities are looking to track the IP-address.

NATO is moving eastward

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels that there had been several previous attempts to spread disinformation about NATO and that the organization was on constant alert.

The German troop presence in Lithuania is part of an "enhance forward presence"mission in NATO's Eastern territories. The military alliance made up of Canada, the United States and 26 European countries is upping its military presence in response to Russia's annexation of Crimea and the Kremlin's involvement in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. NATO troops are stationed in Poland and in the three Baltic states - Lithuania, Estonia andLatvia. Germany is heading the recently begun mission in Lithuania and deployed its first soldiers in early February.

For many Germans, the alleged misinformation campaign in Lithuania echoesthe "Lisa case". In early 2016, Russian media outlets picked up the story of a 13-year old Russian-German girl named Lisa who claimed that she had been abducted and raped by Arab refugees in Berlin a lie the girl had made up in order to not get in trouble with her parents after spending the night at male friend's place. Hundreds of Russian-Germans took to the street in protests in response to the reports, claiming that German authorities were neglecting the "Lisa case" for political reasons.

mb/ss,kl(AFP, dpa)

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NATO: Russia targeted German army with fake news campaign - Deutsche Welle

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Finland are stepping up their cooperation on cyber defense in the face of increased threats in cyberspace and a resurgent Russia.

NATO and Finland on Thursday signed a political framework agreement on cyber defense cooperation that will allow them to better protect and strengthen their networks.

We look forward to enhancing our situational awareness and exchanging best practices with Finland, including through dedicated points of contact for rapid information exchange on early warning information and lessons learned, Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, NATOs assistant secretary general for emerging security challenges, said.

This arrangement is a good example of the cooperation between NATO and Finland it is practical, substantial and at the same time mutually beneficial, Juusti said in a statement. Finland sees many opportunities of enhanced cooperation for example in conducting training and exercises in the cyber domain.

The new agreement comes on the heels of the Russian governments alleged cyber meddling in the U.S. presidential election. The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Moscow used cyberattacks and disinformation to undermine confidence American democracy and damage Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonThe 16 most memorable quotes from Trump's press conference Trump airs grievances at first full press conference Trump to black reporter: Help me meet with Black Caucus MORE, which Russia has denied.

There are now suspicions that Moscow will also try to meddle in forthcoming European elections, including those in France and Germany.

NATO has focused more on cyber defense as cyber intrusions have become more pervasive and damaging, stoking concerns about the potential for attacks that might compromise critical infrastructure. At the Warsaw Summit last July, member states recognized cyberspace as a domain of operations in which NATO must defend itself.

NATO infrastructure came under threat from 500 cyberattacks each month in 2016, an increase of 60 percent over the previous year, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg revealed last month.

Finland and NATO actively cooperate on security and other operations, and the country has shown signs of wanting to boost cooperation with the alliance. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled that he might move troops closer to the Finnish-Russian border if Finland were to join NATO.

NATO member states have bolstered troop presence in the Baltic States and Poland to deter Russian aggression in eastern Europe, nearly three years after Moscows annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula.

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NATO, Finland deepen cooperation on cyber defense | TheHill - The Hill

There will be no military cooperation with Russia and Vladimir Putins government must show that it is ready to abide by international law, Americas Defence Secretary has declared, as he accused the Kremlin of interfering in a series of elections in democratic states.

The combative stance taken by General James Mattis at a Nato summit in Brussels appeared to contradict that of Donald Trump, who has declared that he wanted to cooperate with Mr Putin, a man he has repeatedly praisedon counter-terrorism, especially against Isis in Syria.

The US President has only belatedly acknowledged that Moscow carried out hacking operations in the election which brought him to power, after a long period denying that was the case.

Mr Putin raised the issue of security today, stating that it was vital to have cooperation with the US and Nato. Its in everyones interest to resume dialogue between the intelligence agencies of the United States and other members of Nato. It is absolutely clear that in the area of counter-terrorism all relevant government departments and international groups should work together,said the Russian President.

Speaking soon afterwards, Mr Mattis made it clear that there was a trust deficit with Moscow. Asked whether he believed that Russia interfered in the American presidential elections, Mr Mattis answered: There is very little doubt that Russia has interfered, or attempted to interfere, in a number of elections in democracies. On joint military action with Moscow in Syria, he was adamant: We are not in a position right now to collaborate on a military level.

Political talks will take place, said the US Defence Secretary, to seek a way forward where Russia, living up to its commitments, will return to a partnership of sorts here with Nato.

But, Russia is going to have to prove itself first, he said.

The Nato summit hosted discussions on counter-terrorism, but most of the agenda was designed to counter alleged Russian aggression ranging from conventional military to cyber attacks.

Several member states in eastern Europe have said they have been targeted in hacking operations. Earlier in the week, Ciaran Martin, the head of the UKs new National Cyber Security Centre, revealed that political parties in Britain asked for help following cyber attacks during the 2015 UK general election and the hacking of Democratic Party emails in the US elections.

Nato military units are continuing to be deployed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and the naval presence will be increased in the Black Sea region. Russia has complained that the build-up of troops at its borders is in breach of past pledges by the alliance, and spurious threats were being manufactured in the Black Sea region to justify an enlarged Western presence there.

Natos Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, insisted at the summit: Our aim is to prevent conflict, not to provoke it. We will not match Russia soldier for soldier, tank for tank, plane for plane. Our deployments are defensive and measured. Our presence in the Black Sea will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions.

Mr Mattis has demanded that Nato raise their defence spending to alleviate the disproportionate contribution being made to the alliances budget by the US. This would, in part, help Nato to negotiate from a position of strength, he held.

This led to another spat with the Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, saying that attempts to build a dialogue with Russia from a position of strength would be futile. The US Defence Secretary hit back: I have no need to respond to the Russian statement at all. Nato has always stood for military strength and protection of the democracies and the freedoms we intend to pass on to our children.

However, dialogue wastaking place with the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, and Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, meeting in Germany, and the military chiefs of the two countries, USmarine General Joseph Dunford and the Russian General Valery Gerasimov in Azerbaijan. Mr Lavrov repeated Russias denial of hacking during the American election. You should know we do not interfere in the domestic matters of other countries,he said.

The Kremlin continued to refuse to comment publicly on the turmoil which has enmeshed the Trump administration, with Michael Flynn, the Presidents national security advisor, being forced to resign over clandestine contact with the Russian ambassador to the US and an investigation under way into links between the Trump election team and Russia.

But Konstantin Kosachyov, the head of the international affairs committee in the Duma, protested that even a readiness for a dialogue with Russians is seen in Washington as a thought crime. Either Trump has not found an independence he was looking for, and is being gradually cornered, or Russophobia has infected the new administration top down.

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US officials adopt combative tone on Russia at Nato summit - The Independent

February 16, 2017 at 12:34 pm | The Associated Press

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, second right, speaks with Georgia's Defense Minister Levan Izoria, left, during a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, and British Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon, left, during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, second right, speaks with Georgia's Defense Minister Levan Izoria, left, during a meeting of the NATO-Georgia Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center, and British Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon, left, during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday told NATO ministers that the alliance is "a fundamental bedrock for the United States" while at the same time demanding an increased financial commitment from the 27 other alliance members. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

BRUSSELS (AP) NATO defense ministers have decided to beef up the military alliance's naval presence in the Black Sea in response to an increasingly aggressive Russia.

Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that NATO will hold more war games and training in the strategically important sea, which borders allies Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania, but also Russia, Ukraine and Georgia.

Russia's naval fleet based at Sevastopol in Crimea has been a major concern for NATO.

Stoltenberg told reporters after chairing the talks in Brussels that the move "will be measured, it will be defensive, and it will in no way aim at provoking any conflict or escalating tensions."

Several NATO allies are already providing troops to 3,000-5,000-strong land force in Romania.

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NATO to boost naval presence in Black Sea - Beloit Daily News