Why the West is losing Ukraine – POLITICO

Not so dynamic duo Beyond fear, diplomats and experts pointed to the dynamic between Scholz and Biden as a driving force behind the West’s overriding strategy of incrementalism and escalation management, rather than a focus on strategic outcomes, in dealing with Ukraine. Despite a 16-year age difference, both men came of age politically during the … Read more

EU competitiveness and licensing of essential technologies – POLITICO

The authors regularly advise the automotive and IT/tech industry. The views expressed in this article are personal. As things stand now, European manufacturers are at a disadvantage, as patent owners from around the world can exclude devices that implement standards from the market unless manufacturers give in to their royalty demands. The proposed EU SEP … Read more

Germany’s Scholz wants European allies to up defense spending – POLITICO

He said Germany, often criticized in the past for not spending enough on defense, would meet NATO’s target of spending 2 percent of GDP on the military through “the 2020s, 2030s and beyond.” Germany is, by far, Ukraine’s leading supporter in terms of military aid in Europe, according to data compiled by the Kiel Institute. … Read more

Russia’s nuclear space weapon a risk for all, says German Space Command chief – POLITICO

The worst-case scenario of an indiscriminate nuclear blast in space radiating out a satellite-frying electromagnetic pulse across low earth orbit would be devastating for everyone, Traut said. “If somebody dares to explode a nuclear weapon in high atmosphere or even space, this would be more or less the end of the usability of that global … Read more

China can’t be cut out of global economy, warns foreign minister – POLITICO

Wang said the global economy is like “a big ocean that cannot be cut into isolated lakes,” adding: “The trend toward economic globalization cannot be reversed.” On the sidelines of the Munich conference, Wang met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a meeting that was as “candid, substantive and constructive,” according to a … Read more

Russian police detain Western journalists at protest by soldiers’ wives – POLITICO

Upon his release, one of the detained journalists said he and others had been held in a police van for some three hours after which they were brought to a police station, questioned and issued with an official “warning” for having participated in an “unsanctioned protest,” before eventually being released.  Notably, no women were detained. … Read more

In Northern Ireland, ‘a Protestant state’ finally has a Catholic leader – POLITICO

Demands and priorities Britain is providing the executive an extra £3.3 billion to start patching holes in services and pay long-delayed wage hikes that just triggered the biggest public sector strike in Northern Ireland’s history. The trouble is, the head of Northern Ireland’s civil service, Jayne Brady, has already told the new leaders that these eye-watering sums are still … Read more

EU mulls emergency aid for collapsing solar producers – POLITICO

The talks come as the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC), the body representing photovoltaic producers, this week sent a letter to Brussels appealing for “urgent” measures including a swift, EU-led buyout of their inventories. The group argues that subsidized Chinese mass production of solar modules — which currently sell for half the price of their … Read more

Connectivity can steer Europe back to competitiveness – POLITICO

Via Vodafone. Joakim Reiter, Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone In 2023, Boston Scientific adopted a 5G-connected service that allows cardiologists to interact with holographic replicas of a patient’s heart through augmented reality (AR). As well as creating the perfect environment for training new surgeons, 5G AR can also play a role in supporting … Read more

Georgia PM Irakli Garibashvili resigns – POLITICO

Georgian Dream seeks a fourth consecutive victory in the parliamentary ballot, but Ivanishvili said his latest comeback did not aim principally to strengthen the party going into the election. Instead, he said, he wanted to protect the party’s leadership from possible corruption and internal rifts. Key election for Georgia’s EU bid Georgia became an EU … Read more