Alliances December 20, 2015 Uncertainty over Afghan election clouds NATO summit This week's NATO summit was long planned as a celebration to mark the end of combat in Afghanistan and the coalition forces' shift to a largely advisory role. But the still-unsettled Afghan election has complicated the event, casting doubt on the transition and leaving the door open for all allied troops to be forced out at year's end.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Obama, Cameron to push for coalition against ISIS at NATO summit President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron will use this week's NATO summit to press for a multi-national coalition to carry out military action against the Islamic State militant group, formerly known as ISIS.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Kurdish official says US aid not ‘effective’ against ISIS, appeals for heavier arms A top Kurdish representative to the U.S. claims that the Obama administration is not doing enough to supply vital advanced weapons to Kurdish peshmerga security forces in their fight against Islamic State militants – amid signs that other nations may be eclipsing the U.S. in their level of support.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Obama announces plan to send Air Force units, aircraft to Baltics President Obama landed in the Baltic republic of Estonia early Wednesday for security talks with the leaders of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all of whom are expected to demand that the U.S. and NATO take firmer steps to ensure their security in the wake of the ongoing unrest in Ukraine.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Russia's gains cloud Obama's assurances to Baltic leaders For the second time this year, President Barack Obama will travel to Russia's backyard to assure nervous nations of his ironclad commitment to their security. But his objectives will be clouded by the West's inability to halt the Russian aggression in Ukraine that has stoked fears in other former Soviet republics.
Alliances December 20, 2015 US reportedly recruiting allies to support expanded airstrikes, Syrian opposition The Obama administration is pressing U.S. allies to increase their support for moderate rebel groups in Syria, as well as possible military operations, according to a published report.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Joint U.S.-Guatemalan anti-drug program jeopardized by Central American government's late payments A joint U.S. and Guatemalan anti-narcotics aviation program is in trouble after less than a year in operation due to chronic non-payment of a key contractor by the Central American nation's government.
Alliances December 20, 2015 US weighs rotating more fighter jets, bombers through northern Australia The U.S. is considering rotating more fighter jets and bombers through northern Australia as part of steps to deepen its defense ties with Asia-Pacific allies.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Africa summit begins in Washington despite Ebola fears, visitors face screening The White House was forging ahead Monday with a three-day Washington summit inviting delegations from nearly 50 African countries, despite growing fears about the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
Alliances December 20, 2015 US official: Number of foreign fighters in Syria spikes Matthew Olsen, the outgoing director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said Friday there are 12,000 foreign fighters in Syria – a significant jump from previous estimates, indicating a “greater and more complex” threat than in recent years.
Alliances December 20, 2015 Why perceptions of Obama's foreign policies may never turn around President Obama has never faced this many international crises at once. And it's never been so obvious that he lacks the silver bullet to fix them.