Articles in this Cluster
13-02-2026
NATO allies met in Brussels to discuss the alliance's future despite the absence of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was replaced by Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby. European allies downplayed Hegseth's absence, with some even joking about it. The meeting focused on the US's reduced role in NATO under the Trump administration, with the US guaranteeing NATO's nuclear deterrent while European allies increase their spending on conventional weapons and defense. The allies also discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the UK announcing an additional $682 million in air defense aid to Ukraine. The meeting resulted in the formal announcement of Arctic Sentry, a NATO mission aimed at countering Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic region.
Entities: NATO, Pete Hegseth, Brussels, United States, Europe • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
13-02-2026
The article discusses the NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels, where Germany's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, called for NATO to become 'more European' to remain transatlantic. The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, missed the meeting, sending his deputy Elbridge Colby instead, sparking concerns about the US's interest in European security. Other NATO allies downplayed the absence, with Iceland's foreign minister, Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, saying Hegseth was 'missing a good party'. The meeting came after NATO announced an enhanced mission to protect the high north, called Arctic Sentry, amid threats from Russia and China.
Entities: NATO, Pete Hegseth, Brussels, Germany, Boris Pistorius • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-02-2026
The US Under Secretary of War, Elbridge Colby, has told European NATO members to take primary responsibility for their own defense, as the world becomes more militarized and the US prioritizes its own interests. Colby stated that the alliance needs to become a modern version of its original Cold War status, with hard and credible fighting strength. He emphasized that the US is not abandoning NATO, but rather, it's a return to the alliance's foundational purpose. European members were urged to step up their defense spending and assume primary responsibility for their homeland defense, as US forces may be focused elsewhere, such as in the Western Hemisphere or in potential conflicts with China over Taiwan.
Entities: Elbridge Colby, NATO, Europe, United States, Donald Trump • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
13-02-2026
The partial federal shutdown has led to the cancellation of the official congressional delegation to the Munich Security Conference, a major annual security summit. The delegation was expected to be the largest ever, with around 50 lawmakers planning to attend. However, Speaker Mike Johnson canceled the trip due to the funding battle that is expected to shutter the Department of Homeland Security. Top Democrats criticized the decision, arguing that it was the wrong move at a time when trans-Atlantic relations are strained. Several senators still traveled to the conference, including a bipartisan group led by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Some House members also attended the conference on their own, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Entities: Munich Security Conference, Mike Johnson, Department of Homeland Security, JD Vance, Donald Trump • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
