New-look New-Order NATO

NATO is to slim down on its forces to present a more flexible structure with a rapid reaction capacity while the hierarchy is restructured with all branches coming under the single command of a US military officer when SACEUR in Belgium and SACLANT in Virginia, USA, merge into one structure.

7 new countries are to be admitted to NATO in the Summit at Prague on November 21st, bringing the total number of member states to 26. New spending targets are being imposed on member states to upgrade weapons systems, including precision-guided ordnance, protection suits against nuclear, biological and chemical agents and hi-tech electronic jamming devices, as new military headquarters are being planned in Turkey, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany.

John ASHTEAD PRAVDA.Ru LONDON UNITED KINGDOM