Search

tab bibliog

The article reports the increase in the strength of the defense collaboration between Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland and Iceland under the common Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) association. It highlights the areas covered under the cooperation which include operations, training and armaments. Topics discussed include the "Easy Access" agreement of the Nordic states, international operations and capabilities cooperation of the states.

The article focuses on description of the U.S. president Barack Obama as a last leader of the free trade. Topics discussed include description of Obama's concern over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), introduction of trade initiatives by Obama as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), development of negotiations by Obama for TTIP with European Union (EU) and illustration of the U.S. presidential candidates anti-trade sentiments in election campaign debates.

The article reports on the emergence of the pro-sequence and consequence of the close ties of Sweden and Finland with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It mentions the concern of the leaders of NATO over the ability of the alliance to defend against potential aggression of Russia. Moreover, the active contributions of both Sweden and Finland on the Partnership for Peace program of NATO since 1990 is also discussed.

The article considers the proposal of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for a peacekeeping operation in Palestine led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Topics discussed include Abbas' call for NATO troops to protect the West Bank and Gaza as well as checkpoints within East Jerusalem, the role of NATO in facilitating peace between Israel and Palestine, and the reluctance of the U.S. to get involved in another Middle Eastern crisis.

The author assets that the decision of Brazil to select Swedish defense company Saab over U.S. firm Boeing as its supplier of fighter jets underscores the negative impact of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) scandal on American defense industries and exports.

The article discusses the need for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) refocus its commitments, partnerships and missions to maintain its relevance. NATO has to widen the definition of Atlanticism to include the South Atlantic and the Arctic, an area of growing geostrategic competition and significant economic potential in resource exploration, fishing and tourism. It indicates that NATO can play a vital role in providing services needed to secure commercial shipping in the area.

The article emphasizes the need for Europe to enhance integration in the defense market to prevent a decline in military strategy. According to the author, aside from Europe's lower defense spending than the U.S., it is also not investing its defense budget appropriately. Europe should increase investments in key defense capabilities, the author notes. Also noted is that Europe will see a diminution in capability to deal with security threats, unless it will find a policy solution.