'Response force' hampered by European spending fall.

• Position: Washington PULSE - Brief article

Europe's declining defense spending is putting a damper on NATO's grand plan to create a fast-reaction force that would be ready to deploy on short notice. The top commander of NATO, Gen. James Jones, recently told reporters at the Pentagon that the so-called "NATO response force" is having a tough time getting financial support. Jones had hoped to declare the NRF operational on Oct. 1, but the force is far short of the 25,000 troops originally intended. The Pentagon agreed to supply 5,000 personnel.

"I continue to have questions about the willingness of nations to contribute forces to each rotation in the amount...