US Defense Secretary to Allies: Throw Out the Cold War Playbook

Defense Secretary Ash Carter is expected to encourage Germany to step up its role in global security. The country has been hesitant to send troops abroad since World War II.

“He will encourage Germany, under the firm leadership of the minister of defense, to increase their security role in the world, commensurate with their political and economic weight,” said a senior US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

While in Germany and in Estonia, Carter will take a glimpse at NATO’s new rapid response forces and climb aboard a U.S. warship fresh from Baltic Sea drills.

Ties between Russia and the West have been at a severe low since Moscow annexed Ukraine. NATO maintains that Russia is supplying military support to separatists in Ukraine despite Moscow’s denial. Russia also plans to strengthen its military power while adding 40 more intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal this year.

NATO defense chief meetings on Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels are expected to focus on ways to develop a strong alliance role in Iraq in order to strengthen its institutions.

“Carter … will really push the alliance to think about new threats, new techniques urge them to kind of dispose of the Cold War playbook and think about new ways to counter new threats,” the official said.