The Dutch government on Jan. 29 approved extending its mission against ISIS to include airstrikes in Syria, a week after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with coalition partners in Paris to discuss the military campaign. Dutch pilots were already flying missions over Iraq. “I am grateful for [Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine] Hennis-Plasschaert’s immediate action following last week’s meeting, and for the continuing commitment from the Dutch people to this fight,” Carter said in a written release. “They have provided a strong example for the 26-nation military coalition, which will gather in Brussels along with representatives from the Iraqi government in two weeks to discuss the progress of the campaign and what additional capabilities are needed from every member nation.” The Dutch government also announced additional funding to support moderate armed Syrian opposition groups, and more money for restoring damaged infrastructure, Carter said.
The Space Force should take bold, decisive steps—and soon—to develop the capabilities and architecture needed to support more flexible, dynamic operations in orbit and counter Chinese aggression and technological progress, according to a new report from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
