Stoltenberg: Europe needs much heavier troops, capabilities for higher-end operations

For 40 years NATO’s task was to provide deterrence in Europe, and now these times are returning, according to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“What we need in Europe is much heavier troops, different kinds of capabilities for higher-end, heavier operations than crisis management in Afghanistan. It is a different kind of requirement. that is why I welcome decision by the United States to pre-position equipment [in Europe],” said Stoltenberg, according to the Wall Street Journal.

According to Stoltenberg, the military forces NATO has in Europe, although unused, are very useful “because they provide deterrence.” “NATO delivers something every day in Europe and that is deterrence,” the NATO Secretary-General said.

“Deterrence works when it comes to state actors. Deterrence is much more difficult with non-state actors,” said Stoltenberg.