Rappler's latest stories on NATO
Germany to let NATO use its cyber skills
German officials used a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels on February 14 to tell allies Berlin would make its cyber capabilities available, including offensive elements, sources say

Macedonia takes major step on road to NATO membership
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says it is a 'historic day' which will lead to Macedonia becoming the 30th alliance member once the deal has been ratified by all the other capitals
NATO leaders to meet in London in December
'Brexit will change the United Kingdom's relationship to the European Union but it will not change the United Kingdom's relationship to NATO,' says Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

NATO door opens for Macedonia
Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov will attend the ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels

NATO says no progress in Russia talks on arms treaty
'There was no real progress in the meeting today because Russia did not indicate any willingness to change their position,' says NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

Macedonia starts crunch debate on controversial name change
But the switch to 'the Republic of North Macedonia' is an uphill task involving 4 constitutional amendments and the support of two thirds of the 120-member parliament

Kosovo votes to create its own army, enraging Serbia
The legislation transforms the small Kosovo Security Force into a defense army with 5,000 troops

Ex-diplomat Zurabishvili elected Georgia's first woman president
With all votes counted, the French-born ex-diplomat has taken 59.52% of the vote in the second round run-off
NATO calls emergency meeting with Ukraine on sea clash
A naval standoff between Ukraine and Russia off the coast of Crimea spikes tension in Europe

Macron hosts Trump amid row over European defense
Their body language are markedly less warm than during Trump's last visit to Paris in July 2017, underscoring a general cooling in relations

Russia turns up uninvited to major NATO wargames
Russia has already made clear its displeasure at NATO's Trident Juncture exercises, the largest by the alliance since the end of the Cold War

NATO urges Russia to comply with nuclear treaty
After a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, a statement by the transatlantic alliance says they 'urge Russia... to ensure full compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty without delay'

NATO shows Russia its military might in giant exercises
Some 50,000 soldiers, 10,000 vehicles, 65 ships, and 250 aircraft from 31 countries are taking part in Trident Juncture 18, which is aimed at training the Atlantic Alliance to defend a member state after an aggression

NATO flexes muscles in show of strength to Russia
Exercises like Trident Juncture 18 are designed to teach troops how to move a large force quickly in the event of an invasion against a NATO member triggering the allies' 'Article 5' mutual defense clause

NATO military exercise to be biggest since Cold War
NATO's Trident Juncture 18 exercise will bring 45,000 alliance troops, equipped with 150 aircraft, 70 vessels and around 10,000 land vehicles across northern Europe

Macedonia PM defies low turnout to push name change
More than 90% of those who voted in the referendum on Sunday, September 30, supported the name change, but only a third of the electorate turned out, results show

Russia launches biggest ever war games
(UPDATED) The week-long deployment dubbed 'Vostok-2018' is condemned by NATO as a rehearsal for 'large-scale conflict'

Tributes pour in for former UN chief, Nobel laureate Kofi Annan
(4th UPDATE) World leaders and organizations pay tribute to the former UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

U.S. slaps sanctions on Turkey ministers as pastor row ramps up
The sanctions freeze any property or assets on US soil held by two Turkish ministers, and bar US citizens from doing business with them

The week in photos: July 7-13, 2018
This week's selection of photo highlights here and around the world

Trump piles pressure on NATO over defense spending
Trump set the scene for more tension at the meeting in Brussels, renewing his criticism of European allies – and of Germany in particular

Trump and Merkel clash at fraught NATO summit
(UPDATED) The meet in Brussels is shaping up as the alliance's most difficult in years, with Europe and the US engaged in a bitter trade spat and Trump demanding that NATO allies 'reimburse' Washington for the cost of defending the continent

Trump, at NATO summit, says Germany is 'captive' of Russia
'Germany is captive of Russia because it is getting so much of its energy from Russia,' Trump says, referring to Berlin's deal for the Nord Stream II gas pipeline

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, July 11, 2018
Hello! Here's a roundup of news you need to know this Wednesday.

Trump lashes out at NATO allies as he lands for tense summit
President Donald Trump vows not to be 'taken advantage' of by the European Union, which he accuses of freeloading by relying on the United States for its defense while blocking US imports into the bloc

Norway wants to double U.S. troops and deploy them closer to Russia
Since last year, 330 US Marines have been deployed on rotation at Vaernes in the center of Norway, despite loud protests from Russia

NATO, Russia to hold 1st talks since Skripal attack
NATO has vehemently criticized Moscow over the attack in March and has expelled 7 Russian diplomats as part of a coordinated international response

Colombia to become first Latin American NATO 'global partner'
In addition to Colombia, NATO lists Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan as 'global partners'

Trump-Merkel meeting set for April 27 – White House
After enjoying a close relationship with president Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has seen ties with Washington worsen under Donald Trump

NATO expels 7 Russian diplomats, denies accreditation to 3 more
'This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behavior,' NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says

Estonia marks 100th anniversary of independence declaration
'The war of independence sent a clear message: anything is possible if a nation really wants it,' says General Riho Teras, Estonia's chief of staff
'Game changer': Afghan conflict to intensify in 2018
US aircraft dropped 4,361 munitions across Afghanistan in 2017 alone. They are deploying more troops and aircrafts to battle Islamist militants this year.
Angelina Jolie is working with NATO to combat sexual violence
'We are very clear that this effort must be about practical results that make a real difference on the ground in conflict-affected areas and in changing attitudes towards women globally,' says the actress

Under-fire Tillerson flies U.S. flag in skeptical Europe
The US secretary of state is working with one eye looking back over his shoulder to Washington, after leaked reports last week from Trump's White House suggested his own job was on the line

Tillerson meets EU, NATO leaders amid doubts on his future
His visit comes against a difficult backdrop – a rift with President Donald Trump has led to reports he could be replaced within weeks, calling into question his authority to speak for Washington

NATO takes 'disciplinary' action over Turkey 'enemy' insult
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the actions of the individual in question 'do not reflect the views of NATO'

Bulgarian pilots refuse to fly MiG-29s over safety concerns
Out of a fleet of 16, Bulgaria's air force currently has just seven aging MiG-29 aircraft in good flying order

NATO chief urges U.S., Turkey to 'find solutions' to row
'We are always ready to help, but I know there are direct contacts so I am certain Turkey and the United States are talking to each other directly and addressing some of this disputes,' NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says

U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis, NATO chief Stoltenberg in Kabul
The unannounced high-level visit comes as Afghan security forces struggle to beat back the Taliban which has been on the offensive since the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat troops at the end of 2014

NATO condemns UN nuclear weapon ban treaty
NATO says the treaty 'disregards the realities of the increasingly challenging international security environment' in the face of growing threats, particularly from Pyongyang, which recently carried out its sixth nuclear test

North Korea's 'global threat' requires global response – NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls for North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs

NATO chief sees no 'imminent threat' in Russia war games
We will monitor the Zapad activity closely and we are vigilant but also calm because we don t see any imminent threat against any NATO ally NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says

16 Afghan police killed in US strike
The incident took place as Afghan security forces were clearing a village of Taliban elements

The week in photos: July 15-21, 2017
This week s selection of photo highlights here and around the world

Trump backs NATO as he warns future of the West at stake
3rd UPDATE On the eve of what is likely to be a prickly G20 summit with Trump facing animosity from traditional US allies he uses his keynote address in Warsaw to warn that a lack of collective resolve could doom an alliance that endured through the Cold War

7 U.S. soldiers wounded in Afghan 'insider attack'
UPDATED The so called green on blue attack at Camp Shaheen is the latest incident where Afghan soldiers turn their weapons on international forces assisting them

Trump says U.S. committed to NATO's mutual defense pledge
Trump makes the statement after failing to endorse Article 5 in a speech at last month s NATO summit in Brussels

New Trump attack on Germany widens transatlantic rift
Trump takes to Twitter to once again demand that Germany renegotiate the terms of transatlantic trade and boost its defense spending

Trump berates NATO for dodging defense dues
Twenty three of the 28 member nations are still not paying what they should be paying and what they re supposed to be paying for their defense says US President Donald Trump

Trump, Erdogan vow friendship despite anger at US arming Kurds
Both leaders try to put a brave face on their differences and to renew a key alliance between NATO s leading power and its biggest Muslim member partners in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq
