Security & Defence

Promises and pitfalls in the Franco-German defense alliance in 2025

Promises and pitfalls in the Franco-German defense alliance in 2025

France and Germany, the European Union’s foremost military powers, renewed their public commitment to joint defense in 2025 amid mounting geopolitical pressures. With Russia’s war in Ukraine entering its fourth year and U.S. security guarantees becoming less predictable, the push for “European strategic autonomy” gained renewed urgency. Summits of leaders

Read More »
Macron and Merz strengthen Franco-German axis amid NATO and trade strains

Macron and Merz strengthen Franco-German axis amid NATO and trade strains

On July 23, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met in Berlin to recalibrate their countries’ positions on key transatlantic issues. With NATO’s eastern flank under continued strain and trade relations with the United States teetering under tariff threats, the summit marked a critical moment for

Read More »
Morocco-France Security Pact: A New Era in Transnational Crime Fighting

Morocco-France Security Pact: A New Era in Transnational Crime Fighting

One more milestone of dynamically developing security cooperation between two states, Morocco and France, is the signing of a large-scale program of action of the joint Rabat security actions, which took place on June 24, 2025. Abdellatif Hammouchi, the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance of Morocco, and

Read More »
France & Sweden sign defence deal on FDI frigates

France & Sweden sign defence deal on FDI frigates

Sweden’s naval ambitions are undergoing a transformative phase with the introduction of the Luleå-class surface combatants and the exploration of French Naval Group’s FDI frigates to bolster Baltic Sea security. This analysis examines the strategic, technical, and geopolitical dimensions of these developments, citing official statements, statistics, and expert insights to

Read More »
Ukraine conflict boosts demand for French military weapons

Ukraine conflict boosts demand for French military weapons

A few months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron declared in June 2022 that “we are entering a war economy.” He urged France’s arms producers to increase their output, be more creative, and work more quickly. KNDS, a French-German defense firm, reacted immediately. The Caesar truck-mounted self-propelled

Read More »
Paris says no to relaxing European arms export policies

Paris says no to relaxing European arms export policies

France objected to any modification of the existing EU export control rules for defence equipment in the EU, sources indicate. To streamline managerial procedures and accelerate weapons production, the Commission suggested easing the rules of national export controls to facilitate the transit of defence materials across European Union member states

Read More »
NATO unity tested by renewed uncertainty over US commitment

NATO unity tested by renewed uncertainty over US commitment

France has raised concerns about perceived fractures in NATO’s unity in light of recent actions and statements by US President Donald Trump. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot cautioned that the alliance is “being tested by the choices made and declared yesterday by President Trump,” as worries intensify in Europe regarding

Read More »
Macron’s military spending dreams clash with fiscal reality

Macron’s military spending dreams clash with fiscal reality

French President Emmanuel Macron has accelerated efforts to reshape European security. He is stepping up as the European Commission approves an €800bn strategy to strengthen European defense sovereignty, reacting to the closer ties between Russia and the US, along with US President Donald Trump’s growing disdain for both Ukraine and

Read More »
Trump’s role in European defense spending

How Trump plays an important role in European defense spending

When Donald Trump returns to the White House, defense spending will once again be one of the most important issues facing Europe. Trump highlighted NATO’s European members’ low defense spending throughout his first term and frequently attacked them for taking advantage of the US. In addition to threatening to leave

Read More »
French National Assembly ratifies landmark security pact with Ukraine

French National Assembly ratifies landmark security pact with Ukraine

In the 10-year security agreement with Ukraine, Paris pledged to increase armament deliveries, train troops, and provide up to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine by 2024. Macron has also taken a more assertive stand against Russia, pressing Ukraine’s friends to act immediately. A few Ukrainian

Read More »
UAE's Role in Sudan War Crimes

UAE’s Role in Sudan War Crimes

The Strasbourg Policy Centre, a renowned platform for international policy discussions, organized a highly anticipated event titled “UAE’s Role in Sudan War Crimes.” The event took place on February 12th, from 4 to 6 pm, providing much time for in-depth analysis and dialogue. Held at the prestigious Radisson Hotel Napoli,

Read More »
The Strategic Imperative: NATO's Preparedness for a Changing Global Landscape

The Strategic Imperative: NATO’s Preparedness for a Changing Global Landscape

Concerns over potential political weariness among some of Kyiv’s Western friends have prompted NATO to warn that the West should intensify preparations for the unexpected, including a conflict with Russia, as Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its two-year anniversary.  Giving remilitarization precedence above economic expansion is really naive. Eight

Read More »

The growing threat of ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Africa

By the Newafricanmagazine – From the Sahel to Mozambique, terror attacks by groups affiliated to ISIS and Al-Qaeda have been on the increase in recent years. Al Venter takes a detailed look what is happening in the terror hotspots and how African countries and their allies are responding to the problem Colonel

Read More »

NATO Public Diplomacy partners with the Fulbright

This new programme’s aim is to foster awareness and understanding of NATO and promote debate on security and defence on a transatlantic level. International scholars apply annually via the Fulbright Council for the International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). The Fulbright Commission in Brussels and the NATO Public Diplomacy Division will

Read More »

Estonian companies to develop a NATO cyber platform

The Tallinn-based companies, Guardtime and Cyber Technologies, will develop an automated command and development platform for the NATO Cyber Range. By Silver Tambur – The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment has signed an agreement with Guardtime and GT Cyber Technologies for the companies to develop over four years an automated command and

Read More »

Obstacles to a Pan-European Army

Rapidly Increasing European Defense Capabilities  By By Maxwell Zhu – American leadership and NATO have been the linchpin of European defense since the end of the Cold War, but the Trump administration’s actions have irrevocably damaged this relationship. President Trump has repeatedly and publicly called out European contributions to NATO, seriously considered withdrawing the United

Read More »

How the coronavirus affects NATO and security

Militaries will have to strike a delicate balance between juggling domestic obligations and external security threats. By Luke Coffey – The rapid spread of the coronavirus has dominated news headlines all around the world. Tragic images and heartbreaking stories emerging from places like China, South Korea, Iran and Italy have

Read More »