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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Nato. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A view of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. File photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

‘Stay inside’: Finland warns of drone scare near capital Helsinki

The early hours warning – the first for the capital city – said a drone could be heading towards an area on the south coast.

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Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

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US-China relations

Video | How can China profit from Trump’s latest rift with US allies?

US-China relations

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Nordic nations

Greenland PM hits out at reported bid to buy signatures for pro-US petition

Jens-Frederik Nielsen responds to report of a ‘mysterious American’ offering a Nuuk taxi driver US$200,000 to sign.

Central Asia

An Asian alternative to Nato? How Cica is rethinking Middle East security

Chief of lesser-known security forum says it provides ‘architecture for de-escalation’ and allows members to project soft power.

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Ukraine war

Sweden to form new spy agency in Ukraine war reset

The foreign intelligence service would start operations in January 2027.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (left) at a press conference with Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard in Stockholm in 2024. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Strait of Hormuz woes, US-Nato ‘crisis’: 7 global relations reads

From a possible Trump-Iran joint venture to Russia-China talks, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in April 2026.

Germany

German chancellor plays down row with Trump in fallout from US troop withdrawal

Friedrich Merz denies his criticism of the Iran war triggered Trump to announce drawdown of 5,000 soldiers.

Italy

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

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Pope Leo has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war with Iran, among other issues. Photo: TNS
Germany

‘Foolish decision’: Trump’s Germany troop removal rebuked by allies, Nato

Two US lawmakers said the move ‘risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal’ to Russia’s Putin.

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A US Air Force jet takes off from the Ramstein base in Germany in March. Photo: EPA
Germany

Trump-EU rift spurs Germany to boost military, add 75,000 soldiers

The German defence minister said the US withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany was expected, spurring Europe to improve its defences against Russia.

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United States

US to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, fulfilling Trump threat

The move comes after German Chancellor Merz said the US was being ‘humiliated’ by Iran’s leadership.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine sees path to Japanese arms after Tokyo eases export rules

Japan has linked Ukraine’s fate to its own security as it faces China’s growing military power.

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Ukraine’s Ambassador to Japan Yurii Lutovinov poses next to a mockup of a Ukrainian-made Vampire drone during an interview at the Ukraine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump may cut US troops in Germany after ‘humiliating’ Iran comment

The German chancellor has drawn the US president’s ire with his remarks about Tehran besting Washington at the negotiating table.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Saturday. Photo: AFP
King Charles III

UK’s King Charles commemorates 9/11 victims in New York visit

The monarch has been emphasising the military and cultural ties between the UK and US, at a time of high tension between the countries.

United States

US and Nato in frustrating ‘marriage crisis’, Belgian defence minister says

Theo Francken believed the strained transatlantic relationship should remain ‘united’, although sometimes Nato ‘can be a paper tiger’.

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Donald Trump

Nato considers end to annual summits to shield alliance from Trump

Nato summits have seen scenes of tension with the US president, and some members want fewer of them, possibly none in 2028.

US President Donald Trump at last year’s Nato summit in the Netherlands. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | 122 years on, Mackinder’s ‘heartland’ remains geopolitically decisive

Conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have returned strategic focus to the idea of Eurasia as central to the global power contest, challenging the viability of the Indo-Pacific pivot.

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European Union

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

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China-EU relations

Open Questions | ‘Saying you’re a geopolitical actor doesn’t make it so’: Sven Biscop on Europe

The Belgian political scientist on what the Iran war and the transatlantic collision reveal about Europe’s place in a fast-changing world.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France and UK to lead ‘defensive’ force for Strait of Hormuz

Trump, meanwhile, says he received a Nato offer to help secure the key waterway but told the alliance to ‘STAY AWAY’.

United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

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France

Macron woos Trump to G7 summit with French palace dinner. Will he bite?

An official said the French leader was ‘begging’ the US president to attend the June meeting.

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US President Donald Trump with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in 2019. Photo: AP
US-EU relations

What Trump’s Iran war ‘loyalty test’ may mean for Nato’s long-standing alliance

Transatlantic allies’ refusal to back the Iran war fuels latest Trump outburst after meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.

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US President Donald Trump meets Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland, in January. The pair held a closed-door meeting in the White House on April 8. Photo: AFP
United States

Greenland hits back at Trump, says ‘we’re not ‌some piece of ‌ice’

Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen defended his nation against Trump’s remarks, emphasising global unity and Nato’s importance.

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Spain

Opinion | In denying Trump airspace, Europe has drawn a line for Nato

Growing European defiance to US demands raises a critical question: is Nato a club of equals or a mechanism for enforcing one nation’s agenda?

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