However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen organized a meeting with party leaders on Thursday to discuss the issue, while Rasmussen backpedaled on his initial nonchalant reaction. “We are taking this very seriously, but we don’t have any ambition to escalate a war of words with a president that is on the way into the White … Read more
One of the most politically sensitive topics in Brussels, the €1.2 trillion budget governs spending on anything from support to Ukraine to film subsidies. Hawkish Eastern European and Nordic countries including Poland and Sweden are keen to boost EU spending on defense, while Southern ones such as Italy and Greece would like more cash to … Read more
“It is true that we spend more on defense now than we did a decade ago,” said Rutte. “But we are still spending far less than during the Cold War. Even though the threats to our freedom and security are just as big — if not bigger.” “During the Cold War, Europeans spent far more … Read more
However, this might prove difficult. “Russia treats dual nationals exclusively as Russian nationals and therefore generally refuses consular access on the grounds of Russian nationality,” the ministry added. The arrest follows the detention of another German national last month in Russia, also on charges of sabotage. The FSB alleged he was working for Ukraine and … Read more
Joe Biden took office nearly four years ago with a promise to mend America’s relationship with Europe after years of strained ties during the Trump administration. Trump frequently targeted Germany in particular for its lagging defense spending, calling the country “delinquent.” In a campaign rally earlier this year, Trump said he would not protect “delinquent” … Read more
The proposal to rehouse Tito has caused rifts within Serbia’s ruling coalition, which although led by the center-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) also includes the Socialist Party of Serbia and the Movement of Socialists, as well as the ultranationalist Serbian Oathkeepers. Outside the government, prominent intellectuals in Serbia have balked at the idea of disinterring … Read more
China is reviving aspects of a Mao Zedong-era plan to relocate critical facilities away from the country’s most densely populated areas to its western hinterlands. Mao’s 1964 “Third Front Construction” initiative was motivated by Cold War fears of nuclear attack, fuelled by the deepening American involvement in Vietnam and increased hostility between China and the … Read more
The Iranian missiles, equipped with 150-kilogram warheads, pose a much greater threat to Ukraine than the Shahed drones Iran has previously been selling to Russia. While less accurate than cruise missiles, the Iranian missiles approach their targets at speeds of up to 3,200 kilometers per hour and are difficult to shoot down. Blinken, on the … Read more
The affidavit of an FBI special agent, and the Russian documents attached to it, offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a vast Russian network of disinformation. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted two Russians — both employees of state broadcaster RT — accused of illegally funnelling $9.7 million into a Tennessee media company. … Read more
They said they were “working ceaselessly” for a cease-fire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip. The two spy chiefs also said they saw the war in Ukraine coming “and were able to warn the international community,” in part by declassifying secrets to help Kyiv. Burns and Moore said their agencies “exploited our intelligence channels … Read more
