With a brutal war raging in neighboring Ukraine and wary of nearby Russia, the Eastern European democracy of Moldova is rapidly strengthening its national defense — and looking to the North Carolina National Guard for help. 

Representatives from the United States, allies and partner nations joined together to toast the work the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has been doing for more than a half century.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine dominated the NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels, but the ministers — including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III — also considered a range of actions and programs in preparation for the Madrid Summit.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III urged nations to "not lose steam" in their efforts to supply Ukraine with the means to defend itself from the Russian invasion during the third meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.