NATO

23 October 2009 NATO Looks at Boosting Afghanistan Support, Defense’s Gates Says  Defense Secretary Robert Gates said NATO allies are considering sending more military forces and civilian aid to Afghanistan as President Obama also is considering what course the United States will take there. Gates attended an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 22–23, and Afghanistan was a featured topic on the ministers’ agenda.

19 October 2009 Biden to Visit Poland, Romania and Czech Republic  Vice President Biden will travel to Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic to discuss a range of issues at a critical time for East European nations that are transitioning from local agendas to a broader global security environment. All three nations are NATO members, all are involved in security operations in Afghanistan, and all are involved in the advancement of democracy, Tony Blinken, national security adviser to the vice president, said in a briefing with reporters before Biden leaves for Europe October 20. Biden will consult with leaders in Warsaw, Bucharest and Prague October 20–23.

29 September 2009 Obama, Rasmussen Consult on Afghanistan Strategy  President Obama and new NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen agreed at a White House meeting that the important thing to do in Afghanistan is first determine the best strategic approach, and then develop the resources to support it. "The first thing is not numbers. It is to find and fine-tune the right approach to implement the strategy already laid down, and all NATO allies are right now looking at [Army General Stanley] McChrystal’s review," said Rasmussen at a brief press conference.

08 June 2009 U.S. Ambassador Daalder’s Speech on NATO’s Agenda in 21st Century  Outlines a new opportunity for a new alliance.

15 April 2009 Partnerships Hold Key to Success in Europe, Beyond, General Says  Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe, emphasized international partnerships as being a key element in military operations.

06 April 2009
Movie of the original signing session of the North Atlantic Treaty (1949) including speech from President Truman:

01 April 2009 North Atlantic Treaty Travels for First Time to Europe  The treaty that brought the North Atlantic Treaty Organization into being on April 4, 1949, has left the United States for the first time to be featured at the 60^th anniversary NATO Summit. The North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, is a 14-article text that pledges its members to maintain international peace and security and promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.

26 March 2009 Obama Urges Renewed NATO Effort in Afghanistan  As NATO prepares to celebrate its 60th birthday, President Obama calls for a renewed commitment to Afghanistan and other shared security challenges facing the 26-nation alliance.

23 March 2009 NATO Faces Growing Challenges as 60th Anniversary Approaches  Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will gather in France and Germany in April to celebrate the alliance's 60^th birthday. The adjacent French and German cities of Strasbourg and Kehl on either side of the Rhine River will host the April 3–4 summit. Officials will welcome France back into the alliance as a full member, select a new secretary-general and forge a way ahead in Afghanistan.
 • Obama Welcomes France's Full Return to NATO

05 March 2009 NATO Agrees to Resume High-Level Ties with Russia  NATO must find ways to manage differences with Russia and work constructively in areas of common interest, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says. "It's time to explore a fresh start. We can and must find ways to work constructively with Russia where we share areas of common interest, including helping the people of Afghanistan, arms control and nonproliferation, counterpiracy and counternarcotics and addressing threats posed by Iran and North Korea," Clinton said at an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.

February 2009

19 February 2009 Defense Secretary Gates Reflects on the Changing Nature of NATO  The U.S. believes that its NATO allies can make a significant, longer-term contribution in Afghanistan on the civilian side while U.S. forces work on strengthening the military side, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says.

05 February 2009 The United States and France Pledge Continued Transatlantic Alliance  Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner after their meeting.

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