NATO “exploring possibility” of joining U.S.-led anti-IS coalitionFebruary 12, 2016 - 10:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO is considering joining the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State jihadists in Syria and Iraq, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday, February 11, according to AFP. "Thanks to the leadership of NATO (head) Jens Stoltenberg we are exploring the possibility of NATO joining the coalition as a member itself," Carter said after a meeting of the coalition in Brussels to discuss increasing their contributions to the campaign. The coalition already includes all 28 NATO member states individually but not the alliance in its own right. Some NATO member states have been wary of the alliance becoming directly involved in the IS campaign but the threat it poses, with some of its leadership moving to Libya and closer to Europe, has increased the pressure for change. Speaking after the meeting at NATO HQ in Brussels, Carter said getting the alliance on board would be a "significant development," AFP says. "NATO as a new member would bring unique capabilities ... including experience in building partner capacity, training ground forces and providing stabilization support," he said. "I look forward to discussing NATO's appropriate role with fellow NATO allies in the days and weeks ahead," he added. Stoltenberg has repeatedly said in the past that NATO supports the efforts of its member states in the fight against IS but has also stressed that the alliance had no direct role in the Syria and Iraq conflicts. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | About 173 million drams and more than 30 beneficiary funds. "The Power of One Dram" is 4 years old In June 2020, the exclusive joint corporate social responsibility initiative of Idram and IDBank "The Power of One Dram" was launched. CSTO budget “to be adjusted due to Yerevan’s non-payment of contributions” The CSTO budget for the current year requires adjustments due to the refusal of Yerevan to pay their share of contributions. Russia sends note of protest to Armenia over envoy’s trip to Ukraine’s Bucha Russia has sent a note of protest to Armenia over the visit of Vladimir Karapetyan and Tigran Ter-Margaryan to Bucha. Armenia: Protesters march to parliament, some spend the night on street The protesters did not disperse despite heavy rain that began at around 2 a.m. local time. |