NATO Approves Defense Capacity Package for Iraq

NATO approved a defense capacity building package for Iraq? that officials hope will utilize the Alliance’s strengths to build up the country. The program, which was developed at the request of the Iraqis, includes advising security sector reform, countering improvised explosive devices, explosive ordnance disposal and demining activity, civil-military planning, cyber defense, military medicine and medical aid, military training, and civil emergency planning, according to a July 31 release. NATO officials have worked on the package for several months, and the aid was a topic of discussion at its recent defense minister’s meeting in June. Iraqi experts will collaborate with NATO officials and finalize details of the training, which will be hosted by Turkey and Jordan. The package for Iraq is part of NATO’s defense capacity building initiative, which was launched at its 2014 summit in Wales.