3.U.S.: European Defense Cuts Cause Concern

U.S.: European Defense Cuts Cause Concern October 14, 2010 European defense cuts are a concern for the United States, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates during a NATO meeting that includes U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, AP reported Oct. 14. Gates said the more U.S. allies cut their capabilities the more the United States may be asked to pick up the slack, at a time when Washington is also facing budget cuts. The reform and streamlining of NATO’s massive command structure would top the November summit agenda, along with a plan to combine critical capabilities such as countering roadside bombs and aircraft command and control systems, Gates stated.