NATO plans bigger role for Izmir

Despite rumors that NATO's command in Turkey's Aegean province of Izmir would be shuttered, the bloc has decided to change the task of the command to a more important mission. The air command is now set to become a land base that will be used for critical assignments. NATO defense ministers meeting this week in Brussels are expected to take important decisions on the bloc's restructuring, including moving its Land Component Command from Spain to Izmir.