The J5/8 Directorate develops basic military/political policy and planning for command activities involving relations with other U.S. combatant commands, allied, and international military organizations, as well as subordinate commands.

Senior representatives from Ukraine's General Staff and U.S. European Command recently concluded the inaugural Ukraine-U.S. Joint Commission in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct 17.

Secretary Hagel spoke today via telephone with Turkish Minister of Defense Ismet Yilmaz. The two leaders focused their discussion on the regional threat posed by ISIL and the security situation in both Iraq and Syria.

The recent Vigilant Guard 2014 domestic emergency preparedness exercise conducted across the state integrated several Lithuanian military and civil response officers as part of Pennsylvania’s long-standing relationship with the Baltic nation.

Chiefs of defense from Central and Eastern reinforced the importance of NATO and their alliance and partnerships emphasizing proven partnerships built on shared values, experiences and vision.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, talks about how his state uses a "Whole of Iowa, Whole of Kosovo" approach to energize all aspects of society in their partnership.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, talks about how the State Partnership Program has branched off to benefit the whole of Iowa and whole of Kosovo.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, talks some lessons learned in this partnership: leveraging the skills of noncommissioned officers and sticking to their goals and overcoming challenges.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, the sense of pride Iowa Guardsmen have in their partnership with Kosovo and how that benefits Iowa, Kosovo and U.S. European Command.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, talks about what he looks forward to when he visits Kosovo.

The Iowa National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, talks about how the State Partnership Program helps the professional development of the noncommissioned officers and officers of the Iowa National Guard and Kosovo Security Forces.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Michael Cunniff, New Jersey National Guard Adjutant General, talks about the benefits of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and Albania.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about three deployments into Afghanistan with the Latvian military, the maturing of their joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, program and the Latvians ability to now train the Polish military.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais visits EUCOM and talks about his trip to Latvia.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about the past 20 years of Michigan's State Partnership with Latvia and the future of their program.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about Latvia's military progress over the last 20 years.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about the Latvian military's ability to punch above their weight class and their missions into Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about celebrating Latvian Independence Day with Michigan National Guardsmen and the Latvian military.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about personal ties beyond the military between Michigan National Guardsmen and Latvians.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about the capability of the Latvian military.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about growing the state partnership with Liberia and cyber defense.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Vadnais talks about the Michigan National Guard and Latvia's new partnership with Liberia.

Army Sergeant Jeffrey Hernandez takes us to the groundbreaking of a Ballistic Missile Defense site at Deveselu Air Base for the establishment and operation of an Aegis Ashore site, part of the U.S. contribution to NATO's collective security and missile defense in Europe.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Romania's Minister of Defense Mircea Dusa today at the Pentagon, a meeting that produced a number of significant agreements, which Pentagon Spokesman George Little said will enhance the strong and productive partnership the U.S. enjoys with Romania.

Frank A. Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, talks on European Phased Adaptive Approach and Ballistic Missile Defense.

Rear Adm. Michael E. Smith, Director, Strategy and Policy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, discusses the impact of rebalancing on Europe.

Last week planners, strategists, and defense cooperation and attaché officers from U.S. embassies across Europe gathered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, for the annual European Strategy Conference to take a hard look at where we are, where we are heading, and whether our route is both the most effective and most efficient in today’s fiscally-constrained environment.

State Senator Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge introduces Kosovo Security Force Minister Agim Ceku to the Iowa Senate. The Kosovar delegation were guests of Adjutant General Tim Orr at the Condition of the Iowa National Guard Joint Session on January 31, 2013. The Kosovo Security Force works closely with the Iowa National Guard.