The long-running joint Canadian-American Bi-national Planning Group has recommended enhanced cooperation and information sharing and development of “deliberate plans” to further joint security and civil support. In its some 160-page final report released last week, the group endorses creation of a Comprehensive Defense and Security Agreement as the “next logical step” during discussion over the renewal of the 50-year-old NORAD agreement and a potential maritime version of the aerospace defense command.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
