NATO in January 2026: the most important developments in security
NATO's security agenda in January 2026 was led by the Arctic and Greenland. European allies discussed a NATO mission to increase military presence on Greenland, and by 14 January several were moving to reinforce it; on 16 January Germany joined allies in what was described as a symbolic mission. Reports on 12 January said NATO was considering a major Arctic deployment. On 13 January US senators introduced a bill to stop the military from occupying NATO territories, and on 21 January the US was reported to plan staff cuts at NATO command centers.
Relations with Russia were the second theme. On 20 January Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said NATO is preparing for war against Russia, and on 21 January the NATO chief said the danger the alliance faces is real and lasting and urged preparation for a long-term confrontation. By 29 January NATO was carrying out a major naval deployment, with more than a dozen ships sent to Germany for a large-scale exercise, and a senior diplomat said the alliance is preparing for a potential conflict with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron urged NATO to catch up with Russian advances in hypersonic missiles, after Russia fired a hypersonic missile at a target near Ukraine's border with NATO on 9 January.
Separately, Turkish authorities arrested six people suspected of spying for Iran and targeting a NATO-operated air base.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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