Robert Gates says NATO expansion "changes the geopolitics of Europe in a dramatic way"
CBSN
Days after Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO — essentially ending decades of neutrality on the world stage — former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called the development "huge" and a major defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin's decision to invade Ukraine was partly driven by a desire to prevent the country from joining NATO, which would put the military alliance right at Russia's border. But last week's move by Finland and Sweden suggests that plan has backfired, Gates told "Face the Nation" Sunday.
"I think it changes the geopolitics in Europe in a dramatic way. Now he's got NATO on his doorstep, not only in Ukraine and elsewhere," Gates said, referring to Putin.
Washington — The Supreme Court is set to consider Thursday whether former President Donald Trump is entitled to sweeping immunity from federal prosecution for conduct that occurred while he was in the White House, thrusting the justices into election-year politics in a historic case with significant ramifications for his legal and political future.
A bottlenose dolphin was found shot to death on a Louisiana beach last month and now authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information that aids their investigation into the incident. NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement said the dead dolphin was found on West Mae's Beach in the state's Cameron Parish with multiple bullets lodged in its brain, spinal cord and heart.