4 October 2013

United States and Japan agree to broaden their security alliance

The United States and Japan have concluded an agreement to broaden their security alliance. The agreement expands Japan’s role in the region, while affirming the US’ determination to remain a dominant presence in the region. It provides a basis for positioning surveillance drones, as well as navy reconnaissance planes, which will be used to patrol waters in the region, including those around disputed islands. Japan will expand assistance to Southeast Asian countries to help them resist Chinese territorial claims. The agreement also calls for trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea and Japan to face common threats, like North Korea’s nuclear programme.

Source: The New York TImes | U.S. and Japan Agree to Broaden Military Alliance

12 January 2013

Sharing and pooling no excuse for European states to invest less in (collective) defense

The International Herald Tribune reports that because of the financial crisis and euro crisis, most member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) will most likely spend less on, and invest less in, defense. EU governments hesitate ‘to really improve Europe’s military technology sector or its security.’ Analysts say that Europe should take ‘more responsibility for its own security’ now the Obama administration’s security agenda focusses more on Asia.

Both NATO and the EU believe there is one way to deal with reducing resources: through smart defense or “pooling and sharing.” In practice, it would mean NATO and EU members, the majority of whom belong to each other’s organization, cooperating much more on defense.

Source: International Herald Tribune | How Much Are Americans Willing to Spend to Defend Europe?