NATO Summit 2025

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With the participation of a large number of NATO allies and partner nations’ heads of state, representatives, the official from defense and diplomatic ministries, various media and organizations, the NATO summit this year took place from June 24-25 in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The NATO 2025 Summit served as a pivotal event– reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to bolster its collective defense and strengthen the transatlantic partnerships.

Primary Accomplishment

Initiated by President Trump, the summit yielded a groundbreaking consensus on advancing the defense expenditure, as allies ratified a new comprehensive defense investment plan, elevating it to 5% of GDP by 2035.

The augmented investment will be instrumental in materializing NATO’s central objectives including:

  • Enhancing deterrence and defense capabilities,
  • Improving crisis prevention and management strategies,
  • And fostering cooperative security initiatives.

In today’s volatile and evolving geopolitical landscape, a strong, united and adaptable NATO that stands as a leading and a resilient force, is not merely necessary for the transatlantic security and defense but equally essential for global peace and stability.

Additional:

 

Acknowledgments. Sources: NATO. Image-1 President Trump and U.S delegation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO Summit 2025. June 25, 2025 © NATO /Photo by Martijn Beekman. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

ISRAELI ARMED-FORCES AND ITS MULTICULTURAL SYSTEM-2

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The State of Israel and its Armed-Forces have one of the most open multicultural political and military system.  The history of Holy Land can attest this fact, by having its 8th President an Iranian immigrant Moshe Katsav,  only a few years ago.

With the encouragement of PM  Benjamin Netanyahu  and religious leaders like Greek Orthodox Priest Father Gabriel Nadaf  more young Arab and Christian are joining the Israeli Armed-Forces, for a better life and future. 

The number of christians and Arabs serving in the Israeli Defense Force is increasing every year. 

“The traditional view of the Arab-Israeli conflict is of Jews fighting Muslims. But that image does not always reflect the truth. 

In fact, there are thousands of Muslim Bedouin who serve in the Israeli army, or IDF, and even bear arms against their fellow Muslims in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.”  Rachid Sekkai BBC Arabic Service, northern Israel. October 20, 2009

  1. Additional: Increased Coordination Between Israeli Armed-Forces and the Palestinians for Celebration of Christmas Season
  2. Thousands of Muslim serving in Israeli Army.  The Israeli Army does not publish statistics numbers of the non-Jewish enlisted soldiers. However it says hundreds of non-Jewish Israeli citizens – Muslims, Christians and Druze – join the IDF every year. by BBC documentary   

 

 

Acknowledgments: This article was originally published in October 2016 on U.S.Europe World Affairs and in PCDN Global Think Tank in the U.S. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

The U.S Flag Day June 14 2025

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June 14th holds a special significance for the United States. It marks both the U.S. Army’s birthday and U.S Flag day.

On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress recognized and adopted the Stars and Stripes as the  United States’ official flag. And years later in 1949 the formal recognition of June 14th as the Flag Day was established by President Harry S. Truman.

Throughout the centuries…… across the world, the U.S flag has been the leading defender of freedom, by fighting openly against tyranny, oppression, fascism and authoritarian systems.The Stars and Stripes is not only the representative of United States national emblem, but prominently on the international stage and….. for the rest of the world…..,it is the enduring aspirations of Freedom and Liberty, Human Rights and  Democracy.

About the United States Flag, by Smithsonian

Acknowledgments: Image © California NG. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

U.S Army Led- Exercise Defender 25

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DEFENDER 25 from April 10 through June 24, 2025, is a large scale exercise series led by U.S Army to demonstrate the United States commitment to Europe and NATO’s collective defense.

The exercise explores to increase operational reach and agility, to enhance a swift deployment of U.S forces, the military equipment and logistics to Europe, and to enhance joint operations.

With 25,000 military personnel from 29 NATO allied and partner nations, Defender 25 aims to fortify Transatlantic defense and security— extending its impact beyond the immediate region.

Get updated from U.S Army Europe and Africa

Acknowledgments: Sources U.S Army Europe and Africa. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

Upcoming article on U.S Army-led exercise Defender 25

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Stay tuned for the upcoming article  ‘The Multinational U.S Army-led exercise Defender 25 from April 10 through June 24, 2025′.                                                                                     

                                                                           
                          

Get update from  U.S Army Europe and Africa on  Defender Europe 25

The National Day of Prayer in the United States 2025

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Observed every year on the first Thursday of May, the National Day of Prayer was first established in 1952. And later in 1988 the day was designated by Congress as a time for all faiths to pray for the United States, its leadership, and the world. This important observance has its origin back to 1774, when the first Continental Congress invited the nation to this spiritual event. 

“From the earliest days of our Nation’s journey, America has been guided by the grace of Almighty God.  Beginning with the opening prayer at the First Continental Congress in 1774, our faith has perpetually stood as the summit of our strength, the source of our unity, and the fount of our greatness.  This National Day of Prayer, we thank God for His endless blessings ‑- and we ask Him to grant us fortitude, wisdom, and a renewed spirit of justice as we continue the work to save our country and restore our national promise.” Excerpt from President Trump’s Presidential Proclamation of the National Day of Prayer 2025 ©The White House May 1, 2025

“On this day, may our faiths enable us to sow the seeds of progress in our ever-changing world. Let us resolve to guide our children and grandchildren to embrace freedom for all, to see God in everyone, and to remember that no matter what differences they may have, they, just like we, will always be united by their common humanity.” Excerpt from President Obama’s Presidential Proclamation of the National Day of Prayer 2016 ©The White House May 2016

 “This event is a powerful reminder that prayer has the strength to connect and inspire us, fostering unity across all branches of service and the surrounding communities. Praying together strengthens not only individuals but entire families, creating a ripple effect that builds unit cohesion and enhances readiness for any mission,” Highlighted Maj. Joseph Okpe, Fort Buchanan’s Chaplain, on the National Prayer Luncheon May 1, 2025

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade Europe and Africa joined the Army and the Nation in the National Day of Prayer May 1 at the brigade headquarters on Daenner Kaserne in Germany (U.S Army Base)

 

Acknowledgments: Sources © U.S Army / The White House/ National Day of Prayer. Image: Service members, families, retirees, and veterans gathered in the National Prayer Luncheon, where they prayed for peace and unity in Puerto Rico, the United States, and around the world. May 1, 2025 ©U.S Army /David Hernandez. Video: 405th AFSB joins Army and Nation in the National Day of Prayer May 1 2025.©DoD/ 405th Army Field Support Brigade – Europe and Africa/ National Guard/ 405th Army Field Support Brigade- Europe and Africa. May 1, 2025, by Cameron Porter. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

NATO Allies and partners in a U.S Army multinational exercise Allied Spirit 25

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Led by a U.S Army and conducted by the 7th Army Training Command, Allied Spirit 25, the exercise-series that fortifies the transatlantic defense posture,

was held this year from February 22 to March 24, 2025 in the 7th Army Training Command in Germany. 

Military forces joined in the Allied Spirit 25 exercise were from: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as the Lithuania’s Infantry Brigade was the rotating primary training unit. 

“We’re always open here, because at the end of the day, if we can all get together and learn from each other, we’ll be better as a coalition,”  explained Brig. Gen. Steven P. Carpenter, Commanding General of the 7th Army Training Command.© U.S Army March 13, 2025.  
 

  • The exercise aimed to enhance and solidify interoperability and readiness among NATO allies and partners;
  • It also focused on a multinational brigade to bolster NATO’s deterrence efforts;
  • It highlighted once again the U.S. commitment to a strong NATO presence and the importance of the transatlantic collective defense.

Additional: Lithuania Excels as Allied Spirit 25 Concludes   by Army 

First USEUCOM event of large scale global Exercise 24, Allied Spirit, is underway  by USEUCOM

Acknowledgments: Sources © U.S Army Europe and Africa/ 7th Army Training Command/ U.S Army. Article by Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief. 

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