oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | foreign policy, international relations, military, ukraine, ukraine politics
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Emmanuel Macron proposed sending “reassurance forces” comprising troops from various European nations stationed at specific strategic points within Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached between Ukraine and Russia.
“These forces would serve as a deterrence against possible Russian aggression,” he stated to journalists at a press briefing after a crucial “Coalition of the Willing” summit for Ukraine took place in Paris on Thursday.
Nevertheless, these reassuring forces “do not serve as peacekeepers,” since they won’t take over from the Ukrainian Armed Forces nor will they be placed at the forefront; rather, they’ll be stationed in “strategic cities” and bases.
This proposal will be handled by our military chiefs of staff over the next few weeks to decide on “the layout and structure” of these deployments.
These reassuring forces would in no way substitute for or decrease our commitments within NATO’s eastern border,” Macrone emphasized, adding that “they would be supplementary.
‘Not a unanimous’ decision
The French leader stated that all countries present at the summit did not concur with this proposal. He mentioned, “There was no consensus,” but added, “We don’t require everyone’s agreement to make it happen.”
The issue of deploying soldiers to Ukraine has sparked significant rifts between EU and NATO member countries.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that their country will opt out of this initiative. Meanwhile, Poland’s former prime minister Donald Tusk mentioned earlier this month, “There are no plans for deploying Polish troops within Ukrainian borders.”
Although Macron indicated his desire for U.S. backing should Europe decide to deploy forces, he simultaneously highlighted the importance of being ready for a situation where Europe must act alone.
The French leader additionally declared the deployment of a ” Franco-British mission to Ukraine” aimed at “setting up the structure of the future Ukrainian military.” This initiative seeks to assess what kind of resources Kiev requires to deter potential additional assaults from Russia.
Repeating what he said on Wednesday evening, the French President emphasized again that now is not the appropriate time to remove sanctions imposed on Russia.
The statement follows the US announcing on Tuesday that it plans to begin easing certain sanctions on Moscow, specifically regarding agricultural commerce.
The aim of the summit was to establish a foundation for enduring security assurances and transform the Ukrainian military into the primary defense force against potential future attacks.
growing threat from Russia.
The gathering in Paris took place amidst
stepping up attempts to mediate a truce
, spurred by the urging of U.S. President Donald Trump to conclude Russia’s ongoing four-year conflict in Ukraine.
The US-mediated accords aimed at protecting navigation within the Black Sea and ceasing attacks on energy facilities were welcomed as an initial move toward tranquility. Nonetheless, both Russia and Ukraine have expressed dissent regarding certain aspects and blamed one another for non-compliance.
Even with the accord in place, the fighting continues unabated. According to Ukrainian news outlets on Thursday, over the past day, Russian assaults resulted in injuries for several dozen individuals and led to one fatality.
Zelenskyy stated that these assaults provide additional proof that the US and Europe ought not relax the sanctions imposed on Moscow.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | armed forces, german, military, politics, politics and law
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In early March, Florian Hahn, who speaks on defense policies for Germany’s CDU and CSU parties, advocated for the reinstatement of mandatory military duty before the conclusion of the year.
“He warned against passively observing as insecurity grows around us,” he said to the German newspaper Bild.
The German parliament has approved a historic
debt-financed bill
For defense and infrastructure, the focus is shifting towards reintroducing mandatory military service. However, what would this reinstatement entail—and might it actually address Germany’s defense issues?
What were the reasons for suspending mandatory military service in Germany?
Conscription was established in 1956 and continues to be codified in Article 12a of Germany’s Basic Law.
Despite the conclusion of the Cold War and national unification, mandatory enlistment has persisted. Nevertheless, from the outset, people have had the option to opt out of military duty based on their conscientious beliefs.
In these situations, applicants needed to obtain permission for their conscientious objections and were subsequently required to undertake alternative service aimed at serving the public interest, referred to as civilian service.
Until 2011, all males at least 18 years old had to serve in the Bundeswehr. That year, the then Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg discontinued compulsory service.
Compulsory military service was suspended to reduce the size of the Bundeswehr from around 255,000 soldiers to 185,000. The reasoning at the time pointed to the significantly changed global security landscape, which did not pose a major risk.
According to the latest Bundeswehr data from May 2024, the total strength stands at just under 261,000 people. This includes 180,215 military personnel and 80,761 civilian employees.
However, the goal is to increase troop numbers to around 203,000 soldiers by 2031. This planned increase is driven by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting shift in Europe’s security landscape, as outlined in a draft law from December last year.
To reach this objective, the reinstatement of mandatory military duty is under discussion. However, despite appearing to be an easy fix, it isn’t quite so simple.
“Theoretical and practical answers both exist,” clarified Dr Frank Sauer, a political scientist from the Bundeswehr University in Munich.
Theoretically speaking, the answer is yes; legally, we could reintroduce mandatory military service. Practically though, this wouldn’t make much difference since there aren’t any mechanisms currently set up for drafting individuals.
This primarily pertains to logistics, which are no longer in place and thus can’t be utilized for recruitment. Should mandatory military service be reinstated, the Bundeswehr would face shortages not just in terms of manpower needed to train newcomers but also in facilities like barracks and regional defense headquarters.
As was mentioned by Sauer, the complete infrastructure required for this no longer exists.
Sauer does not see conscription as an easy fix and warns against employing it to tackle the Bundeswehr’s staffing shortfall or to achieve the goal of having 203,000 soldiers by 2030.
Sauer posed the query: “Why should we consider reinstating mandatory service when all it might lead to is my training with weapons or perhaps serving again as a Red Cross paramedic? What exactly is our objective here? Furthermore, do we genuinely possess the resources and capabilities required to accomplish the goals outlined in our current proposal?”
The ‘means-to-an-end discussion’
According to Sauer, before reinstating mandatory military duty, there needs to be a conversation about how to accomplish the desired outcome.
Currently, there is neither an agreement nor a distinct discussion about the role of conscription in Germany. Potential coalition partners for the upcoming government continue to differ on whether, or how, conscription should be carried out.
According to reports from Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, the CDU and CSU political parties advocate for reintroducing mandatory military service as part of their strategy to create a “strong deterrent.”
On the contrary, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) still supports voluntary service but suggests establishing a system for mandatory military registration and oversight.
Nevertheless, apart from political considerations, there needs to be a wider societal agreement on the place of mandatory military service. As Sauer points out, some argue that this could expand the size of the Bundeswehr.
Some view it as a means to instill discipline in youth once more. Others argue it will improve civil defense and supply additional staff to emergency services. Nevertheless, some perceive it as an opportunity to strengthen community unity.
Mandatory military duty cannot be implemented using a “one-size-fits-all” model and should consequently be customized accordingly.
It’s unclear whether there will be enough support in parliament for altering the rules around mandatory enlistment. The political analyst explained to Euronews, “Currently, what we can enforce is unchanged obligatory military duty.”
Currently, conscription is applicable solely to males. Thus, an updated system of conscription should take into account the potential inclusion of females too.
The Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder mentioned in a ZDF interview that the primary objective is not to emphasize the creation of a gender-equitable Bundeswehr, but instead to build a stronger and more efficient military force. Additionally, he stressed the significance of the deterrence impact that the Bundeswehr needs to maintain.
“Söder stated that we aim for a Bundeswehr so robust that potential adversaries would think twice before targeting us.” Nonetheless, even with the reinstatement of mandatory military duty, the strength of the Bundeswehr won’t dramatically improve immediately.
Sauer thinks there is minimal enthusiasm within the Bundeswehr for reinstating mandatory service. He states, “The armed forces are already grappling with significant staffing shortages, particularly concerning trainers.” The political analyst elaborates further.
In almost every discussion I’ve been part of, nobody has mentioned, ‘That’s an excellent concept; we should reintroduce mandatory military service.’ Additionally, if these professionals were tasked with training recruits as well, their resources would be even more strained.
Defending one’s country?
Politicians such as Söder and Hahn have stated that the main objective of mandatory military service was to bolster the Bundeswehr. Nevertheless, a recent Forsa poll conducted for RTL and ntv revealed that merely 17% of Germans expressed willingness to bear arms in defense of their nation should it face a military assault.
On the contrary, research conducted by the French Ministry of Defence indicated that 51% of individuals aged between 18 and 25 expressed willingness to combat in Ukraine should it become essential for defending their country. Furthermore, approximately 62% of people in France favor reinstating mandatory military service, a practice discontinued back in 1997.
According to a YouGov poll, 58% of Germans support the return of mandatory military service. Conversely, as reported by Die Welt, 61% of those aged between 18 and 29 oppose this reinstatement.
It is still uncertain whether and in what format the mandatory military service codified in the Basic Law will be reinstated. So far, the sole agreement is that this change cannot occur immediately.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | armed forces, military, myanmar, politics, politics and government
The head of Myanmar’s military has utilized an address during the annual Armed Forces Day to emphasize intentions of conducting a general election before the year ends and urged opposing factions battling the armed forces to participate in political parties and the voting procedure.
Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration plans to conduct an election in December, with the assurance that it will proceed based on the safety circumstances across various areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.
He addressed over 7,000 military members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
Servicemen and women carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle at the rear.
They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as they went, with fighter jets soaring above them, releasing flares into the dark evening.
Seizing power
In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically chosen State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power. This action faced significant backlash, leading to extensive demonstrations and igniting an armed rebellion that has caused many regions across the nation to descend into turmoil.
The military government has stated that holding an election is their main objective; however, they have continually delayed the scheduled date.
The overall strategy for holding a general election is largely perceived as an effort to validate the military’s takeover via voting processes, aiming to produce outcomes that guarantee continued dominance for the armed forces.
In his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged discrepancies during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a clean and impartial vote” before transferring authority thereafter.
The present security scenario in the nation, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of the regions, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.
Critics argue that the military-organized election won’t be free or fair since there’s no access to independent media, and many leaders from Suu Kyi’s well-supported yet disbanded National League for Democracy party remain detained.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently facing imprisonment for a total of 27 years after being found guilty in multiple cases that many believe were driven by political intentions.
The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, started their battle against the occupying Japanese forces that had seized control following the expulsion of the British.
During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.
He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed over their lists to take part in the elections.
The state media mentioned that he restated the election plans during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not clearly specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.
In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing had approved amnesty for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais imprisoned in the southern coastal town of Kawthaung; these individuals will be sent back to their home country.
It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | armed forces, military, myanmar, politics, politics and government
The head of Myanmar’s military reiterated during an annual Armed Forces Day address his commitment to holding a national election before the year ends. He also urged various opposition factions battling against the armed forces to participate in political parties and engage with the electoral system.
Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration was gearing up for an election scheduled for December, with the conduct of the poll contingent upon the varying security situations across different areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.
He addressed over 7,000 service members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
Service members carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle.
They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as combat aircraft zoomed above, releasing flares into the dark evening.
Seizing power
In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power, leading to significant backlash. This resulted in large-scale demonstrations and initiated an armed struggle that has brought about widespread unrest across many regions of the nation.
The military junta has stated that holding an election was their main objective; however, they have consistently delayed the scheduled date.
The proposal for a general election is broadly interpreted as an effort to legitimize the military’s takeover of power via democratic means and to produce outcomes that guarantee the armed forces maintain their influence.
During his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged irregularities during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a free and fair election” before transferring authority accordingly.
The nation’s present security scenario, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of its territories, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.
Critics argue that the military-organized election will lack freedom and fairness due to the absence of independent media and the arrest of many key figures from Suu Kyi’s once-popular yet now disbanded National League for Democracy party.
Suu Kyi is currently serving cumulative prison terms totaling 27 years following convictions in multiple cases that many view as politically motivated.
The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, commenced its battle against the invading Japanese forces that had ousted the British occupiers.
During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.
He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed in their lists to take part in the election.
The state media mentioned that he restated the election schedule during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.
In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing has approved pardons for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais incarcerated in the southern seaside town of Kawthaung, set to be expelled from the country.
It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | international relations, military, politics, russian politics, vladimir putin
Vladimir
Putin
Russia views the U.S. intentions regarding the potential annexation of Greenland as serious and is concerned that this might lead to the Western powers using the Arctic region as a launchpad for future confrontations.
“We are discussing significant proposals from the American side concerning Greenland. These initiatives have deep-rooted historical origins,” Putin stated at an Arctic conference in the northern town of Murmansk.
He stated that Russia plans to deploy additional military forces in the Arctic region and mentioned his nation would do so.
Would protect its interests in the area, emphasizing that despite Russia having never posed a threat to anyone in the Arctic, it is carefully observing the developments.
This might astonish some, but only at first sight,” stated the Kremlin leader, seeking support from Donald Trump regarding his assertions about Ukrainian territories. “It would be deeply mistaken to think these are merely outlandish statements from the incoming U.S. administration. That’s not the case.
It seemed Putin gave his approval to Trump for potentially seizing control of Greenland, and he also suggested that Iceland could be next for the US President.
He stated: “Actually, the United States had similar intentions as far back as the 1860s. At that time, the American government was contemplating the potential annexation of both Greenland and Iceland. However, this concept failed to garner sufficient backing.”
Congress
at the time.’
Russia
was concerned that ‘
NATO
In general, countries are progressively labeling the Far North as a potential launchpad for future disputes,’ he stated, and Russia was keeping an eye on the circumstances while getting ready to respond appropriately.
“It is clear that the significance and role of the Arctic are increasing for both Russia and globally. However, regrettably, geopolitical rivalry and the contest for influence in this area are becoming more intense,” Putin stated additionally.
This comes as
JD Vance
is scheduled to travel to Greenland with his spouse Usha on Friday, becoming the highest-ranking US official to visit the region during an escalating dispute after Donald Trump threatened to acquire the island.
Before the visit, the Vice President proposed that this autonomous region under Denmark’s sovereignty had not been granted sufficient defense backing from Copenhagen, contending that international security is jeopardized.
“Representing President Trump, our aim is to revitalize the safety measures for the residents of Greenland since we believe it plays a crucial role in safeguarding global security,” he stated in an online video.
On Monday, after comments emerged regarding his view that Europe is “free-riding” on U.S. defense efforts, Vance commented further: “Sadly, leaders in both America and Denmark, I believe, have overlooked Greenland for much too long.”
‘It has negatively impacted Greenland and global security as well. We believe we can steer things in a new direction, so I’ll be looking into it.’
Instead of Usha Vance’s previously scheduled solo journey to participate in the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race, the Vances will now make an alternative visit to the US Space Force base located in Pituffik, situated along the northwest coastline of Greenland.
I need to approach this with diplomacy, yet in numerous aspects,
it’s a masterful spin
“To make it appear as though they’re increasing tensions when actually they’re reducing them,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said to Danish broadcaster DR earlier on Wednesday.
However, Løkke also mentioned that it was ‘positive’ that the ‘صندrites’gc
Americans have decided to cancel their trip within Greenlandic society. ‘They will merely visit their own base at Pituffik, and we hold no objections to that.’
President
Trump
Has annoyed much of Europe with assertions that the US will gain control over the mineral-rich region ‘somehow or anyhow,’ leading to increased tension as leaders from Greenland and Denmark denounced the US stance as ‘aggressive.’
Putin pledged to increase Russia’s military footprint in the area. Additionally, he expressed interest in boosting tourism in the Arctic and revealed intentions to tap into the significant mineral resources found there.
Putin, eager to boost business along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) across Arctic seas, aims to redirect trade toward Asia instead of Europe due to Western sanctions. He stated that Russia has not posed a threat to anyone in the Arctic region but is ready to protect its own interests.
He stated during an important address in the northern city of Murmansk that foreign partners willing to collaborate with Russia in the area would receive assurances of substantial profits on their investments.
Putin advocated for increasing the capacity of Russia’s northern port facilities and developing a merchant marine presence in the Arctic region. This initiative would be backed by advanced icebreaker technology, including newer models powered by nuclear energy.
However, he mentioned that Russia currently lacks the necessary internal resources for this task, and it would necessitate acquiring ships as well as collaborating with international shipbuilding companies.
The Arctic contains untapped reserves of fossil fuels and minerals under both its terrestrial lands and underwater seabeds, which may become easier to access as global temperatures rise.
This region also serves as an arena for military rivalry, with defense experts noting that Russia has rapidly expanded its footprint more swiftly than the Western nations by reviving Cold War-era installations and enhancing its naval capabilities.
This is a
breaking news
story. More to follow.
Read more
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | military, military technology, military weapons, missiles, warfare
Since the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza last week, Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthi rebels have fired multiple long-range missiles at Israel. Though there wasn’t an instant acknowledgment from them, the group later admitted to launching two projectiles—one purportedly hypersonic—at Ben Gurion Airport and a military facility near Tel Aviv.
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US forces have been targeting Houthi strongholds in Yemen since 15 March, with President Donald Trump vowing to hold Iran accountable for attacks carried out by its proxies in the region.
The attack also disrupted commercial flights, causing Italy’s ITA Airways to reroute one of their aircraft; however, it successfully touched down in Tel Aviv.
In the meantime, the Houthis asserted that they had targeted US warships in the Red Sea with missiles and drones as well, including the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier.
As members of the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes Iran-backed paramilitary groups, the Houthis remain central to escalating regional conflicts. This has persisted for almost ten years amidst ongoing Saudi Arabian military efforts in Yemen.
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