Teri Schultz

I asked #NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg after the fall of Kabul whether the Taliban won the war. He deflects that question (x 2) and insists the international community maintains significant leverage over the Taliban to hold it to its word(s).

.@MFAestonia has summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires after a Russian SU-30 fighter jet violated Estonia's airspace near Vaindloo Island on March 18, remaining for about one minute. I can confirm that NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission responded swiftly, with Italian Air Force units deployed. There was no threat to Estonia’s security. vm.ee/en/news/foreig…

Always happy to speak with @terischultz on @NPR

This reporter refused to be shushed: Yesterday Mariam Khan (@MKhan47) was the TV pool representative aboard Air Force One, meaning she was there on behalf of all the major networks. Khan brought up the fact that "your PAC put out a fundraising email" using photos taken at a dignified transfer of US service members killed in Kuwait. She asked: "Do you think that's an appropriate email to send?" Trump said yes, and that he didn't see the email, then defended himself, then asked, "Who are you with?" Trump genuinely didn't recognize Khan — it was actually her first time aboard Air Force One with him. (She reported from Capitol Hill for ten years and recently switched beats to cover the State Department, Pentagon and foreign affairs.) When she answered Trump's question and said ABC, he said, "I don't want any more from ABC," and looked around the plane for other questioners. But Khan was undeterred. She tried asking about the deaths of US service members. He didn't respond. She later said, "Can you explain why we’re sending 5,000 marines and sailors?" and he replied with the shush, adding, "You're a very obnoxious person." Khan kept trying — recognizing, again, that she was there on behalf of CNN, Fox and other networks. She asked about the Pentagon investigation into the missile strike at the school in Minab, Iran. He said, "We don't know." She asked about the deaths of service members again. He ignored her. Khan was exemplary. She was, as one ABC colleague said, "steady as can be." She was respectful and persistent. She refused to be shushed.

Just in case anyone was wondering...🤔

No objections raised. Silent procedure started. 🇷🇺Sanctions to be extended, including on Usmanov.

Our team is now on its way to the Gulf region, where they can help protect lives and stabilize the situation. We see the challenges that exist now: the Iranian regime has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz – one of the main routes for supplying oil and gas to the global market. This is a major source of instability. No one in the world can yet say how long all of this will last, but it is important that the protection of life starts working effectively as soon as possible. Stability is important for us as well. Those now seeking Ukraine’s help must continue to assist our own defense – first and foremost, our air defense. Last year we already proposed a drone agreement to the United States. This is the right way forward: to partner with us in the production and use of drones, and everyone now sees that there is no alternative to this approach. Ukraine has the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones, and without our experience it will be very difficult for the Gulf region, the entire Middle East, and partners in Europe and America to build strong protection.

Super mega press release in Germany. Ukraine will receive another 35 interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system "in the coming weeks," reports Spiegel. Germany has reached an agreement with its European partners on this package. ❗️35 missiles might be enough for one night. The magazine writes that Defense Minister Boris Pistorius proposed this concept to partners before the Munich Security Conference: Germany would transfer 5 PAC-3 missiles from its Bundeswehr stockpiles if other countries collectively provided an additional 30 guided missiles. Several countries, including the Netherlands, gave their preliminary approval. And now they have confirmed it.

NATO has again intercepted a missile heading to Türkiye. NATO stands firm in its readiness to defend all Allies against any threat

The network linked traffickers from Sweden through Germany, Spain, Australia and Thailand. On Weds "Operation Candy" staged raids across the globe, resulting in 13 arrests in Spain, Sweden and Thailand and a seizure of €4 million of assets with more to come. 2/2

Fascinating presser today by @Europol on the results of a 2-yr (so far) investigation that began with the seizure of 2 mobile phones in a small drug bust in w. Sweden. Unlocking them shocked officials by revealing a massive int'l drug trafficking/money laundering network. 1/

We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against "shaheds" in the Middle East region. I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security. Ukraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people. Glory to Ukraine!

Interestingly, Finland is NOT among those countries which have announced increased nuclear cooperation with France and the UK, Europe's only nuclear powers. 2/2

JUST IN: Defense minister @anttihakkanen says Finland will change legislation banning nuclear weapons on its territory. Häkkänen declared the ban no longer suits Finland's security needs and that if necessary, nuclear arms could be used for nat'l defense. h/t @yleuutiset 1/

It cost Denmark more than USD 1 million for added security when JD Vance and his wife and team visited Greenland.

This is flat-out disinformation. No such thing has been said by the secretary general or any other NATO official.

"... as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region. Our deterrence and defense posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense." 2/2

#NATO chooses its words purposefully, and in the case of a missile intercepted as it headed for Turkey, Spokesperson Allison Hart says the trajectory was deliberate: "We condemn Iran’s targeting of Türkiye. NATO stands firmly with all allies, including Türkiye ... 1/

“U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for “Armageddon,” Return of Jesus Advocacy group reports commanders giving similar messages at more than 30 installations in every branch of the military”: open.substack.com/pub/jonathanla…

Rutte would not answer whether he'd been given any heads-up about the US/Israeli strikes in order to help allies prepare for the possible retaliation. He expects the campaign to continue possibly for weeks.

#NATO chief Rutte on BBC says European leaders "are all extremely glad with this action" because they consider Iran a threat. "[A]llies, wherever they can enable the US campaign together with Israel, they are doing that." He says Merz in particular is "absolutely supportive."