NATO finalises build-up details to counter Russia

NATO foreign ministers meet today to finalise the alliance's biggest military build-up since the end of the Cold War to counter what they see as a more aggressive and unpredictable Russia.
At a Warsaw summit in July, NATO leaders will sign-off on the revamp which puts more troops into east European member states as part of a "deter and dialogue" strategy, meant to reassure allies they will not be left in the lurch in any repeat of the Ukraine crisis.
Ministers will also discuss the growing challenges on NATO's southern flank, from conflict in Syria and Iraq to instability across North Africa amid fears terrorist groups such as Islamic State (IS) can exploit the turmoil.

In November, IS attacks in Paris left 130 dead and fellow jihadis followed that up with more killings in March in Brussels -- home to NATO HQ, the European Union and a host of diplomatic and corporate offices.
The EU is also grappling with the worst migrant crisis since the end of World War II and the bloc is anxious to increase cooperation with NATO to tackle the problem, notably trying to bolster the UN-backed government in Libya where IS has recently gained ground.
EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini will join the NATO ministers tomorrow to discuss the possibilities.

Of the 28 NATO member states, 22 also belong to the EU where Mogherini is overseeing a review of the bloc's global security strategy.

US Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute said yesterday foreign ministers would have a "very sober discussion on dealing with Russia... Which essentially has thrown out the rulebook."
"This is not the predictable partner we thought we had," Lute said, adding: "We might not have a partner open to dialogue but we have to show NATO is always open to dialogue."
A focal point is the signing today of an accession accord with Montenegro -- yet another bone of contention, this time over the future of the Balkans, home to historic Slav allies and a key strategic interest for Russia.

Russia's intervention in Ukraine and its 2014 annexation of Crimea stung NATO into action after years of complacency and defence cuts following the fall of the Soviet Union.
Moscow however says NATO is encroaching on its borders, while Washington builds a European missile defence shield which undercuts Russia's nuclear deterrent.
Mutual suspicion runs deep -- former NATO deputy supreme commander Richard Shirreff warned yesterday the West could find itself at war with Russia next year unless it boosted its defences.
His book, "2017 War With Russia," is based on what the publishers said were NATO "war gaming scenarios" -- in this case, Russia opening a land corridor to Crimea and seizing the Baltic states.