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Sabine Siebold
Members of the German Navy operate a submarine drone onboard German mine hunter FGS Weilheim during a NATO exercise led by the Finnish Navy, in the Baltic Sea in Turku, Finland, on Nov. 20
WORLD / Politics
Dec 3, 2024
As sabotage allegations swirl, NATO struggles to secure the Baltic Sea
The defense alliance conducted one of northern Europe's largest naval exercises on Nov. 18 to step up its protection of critical infrastructure.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in an interview on Monday that the alliance will do what's necessary to make sure that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not get his way.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 15, 2024
NATO will not be intimidated by Russia's threats, Rutte says
The NATO secretary-general made the remarks on his first visit to the alliance's Ukraine mission in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Sailors line the deck of the German frigate F222 Baden-Wuerttemberg as it arrives in New York Harbor in New York on May 22 during a parade of ships to kick off "Fleet Week 2024.”
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 19, 2024
German warships await orders on crossing disputed Taiwan Strait
While the U.S. and other nations have sent warships through the strait in recent weeks, it would be the German navy's first passage through it since 2002.
A German army Eurocopter Tiger helicopter flies during the Quadriga 2024 military exercises in Pabrade, Lithuania, on May 29.
WORLD / Politics
Jul 25, 2024
NATO planners count cost of hardening Europe against Russian threat
A recent analysis shows shortages in air defenses and long-range missiles, troop numbers, ammunition and secure digital communications on the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv on April 29
WORLD / Politics
Jul 9, 2024
How the NATO summit in Washington will affect Ukraine membership
This year, many NATO countries want to state that Ukraine's path to membership is "irreversible." 
Soldiers stand at attention on the day German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a Bundeswehr training exercise in Munster, Germany, on April 18.
WORLD / Politics
Jun 11, 2024
Infighting over budget imperils Germany’s defense upgrade
Uncertainty is growing about how to achieve a key spending goal when topped-off funds are exhausted in 2028.
NATO forces have to navigate a variety of national regulations before ammunition can be shipped.
WORLD / Politics
Nov 24, 2023
NATO urges members to get their logistics homework done
Red tape hindering troop movements across Europe could cause major delays if a conflict with Russia erupts, logistics chief says
Lt. Col. Marco Maulbecker (left), training manager on the Leopard 1A5, in Klietz, Germany, on Thursday
WORLD
Aug 18, 2023
Offensive tactics and leadership top Kyiv's training wish list
Western troops have trained some 6,200 Ukrainians in Germany this year in a wide range of skills.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 11, 2023
NATO head eyes 'strong message' on Ukraine's membership bid at summit
Divisions among the Western military alliance's 31 members on allowing Ukraine in mean there will not be a straightforward invitation for Kyiv to join.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 19, 2023
NATO revisits Cold War past with first major defense plans in decades
With Europe's bloodiest war since 1945 raging just beyond its borders, the alliance is warning it must have all planning in place well before potential conflict with a peer adversary.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Nov 23, 2022
On Europe's new front lines, red tape, politics and potholes hamper defense
Planners from the Baltics to Romania are scrutinizing potential military reinforcement routes, planning to fortify bridges and adding military transport functions to civilian airports.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 17, 2022
Stray missile hit in Poland casts spotlight on NATO air defense gaps
The incident underlines the urgent need for NATO to plug gaps in its defenses because even mistakes like this could lead to a dangerous escalation.
Japan Times
WORLD
Oct 12, 2022
NATO and partners aim to boost Kyiv's air defense after Russian strikes
The talks came two days after Russian air missile strikes killed 19 people in Ukraine and knocked out power supplies across the country.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 26, 2022
Tanks, but no ammo — Germany's Ukraine pledges show military muddle
The confusion underlines how Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 has caught Berlin on the back foot, revealing how starkly ill-equipped it is for military action.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Mar 21, 2022
Amid fears of further Russian expansionism, NATO looks to its weakest link
An emboldened Moscow could encircle NATO's new Baltic members, cutting them off from the alliance — if a new Iron Curtain is to fall, NATO needs to ensure its members are not behind it.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 28, 2022
Putin forces Germany to step up to role as global power
Moscow's invasion of Ukraine has inadvertently achieved what Western allies have long struggled with — getting Germany to push an assertive foreign policy backed by a strong military.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Feb 26, 2022
Putin's end-game? Split Ukraine and install 'tame' leadership.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine looks designed to take Kyiv and create a land corridor south to the Black Sea, splitting the country into two, military analysts and former officials said.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jan 19, 2022
Best supporting actor? NATO in secondary role if Russia invades Ukraine.
NATO would be likely to reinforce its troop presence in the Black Sea and the Baltics while fending off cyberattacks if Russia were to invade Ukraine, diplomats and former officials said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 30, 2021
U.S. warns Russia of 'serious consequences' for any new Ukraine aggression
Two Russian troop build-ups this year on Ukraine's borders have alarmed the West. In May, Russian troops there numbered 100,000, the largest since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Aug 19, 2021
Despite Taliban assurances, Afghanistan rout fuels fears about militant havens
The Taliban has said it will not allow Afghanistan to be used to launch attacks on other nations, but experts say ties remain with al-Qaida and other militant groups.

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