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Europe Európa
Germany
MAY 14, 2025 ’The federal government will provide all the financial resources that the Bundeswehr needs to become the strongest conventional army in Europe,’ Merz said in a speech in the Bundestag today. ’Our friends and partners also expect this from us, and what's more, they are actually demanding it.’ This come after Merz led a historic U-turn on German fiscal policy, including a drastic 'loosening of the country’s constitutional debt brake to potentially unlock hundreds of billions of euros of borrowing for defense. That cash can also be used to finance military support for Ukraine’. Our goal is a country, a Germany and ’a Europe that are together’ so strong that we never have to use our weapons, the new chancellor added. Merz vowed that Germany would continue to back Kyiv and revamp Germany’s struggling, export-driven economy, which has contracted for two years in a row. Gen. Breuer, Germany’s top military commander, told an audience at the German Council on Foreign Relations in April that Germany needs 100,000 additional troops ’as quickly as possible.’ Yet, despite intensified recruitment efforts, troop levels have flatlined at around 182,000 as many young people in Germany shun military service. (Source: Politico - U.S.)
May 14, 2025 Merz woos Trump with invitation to German ancestral village Kallstadt, where the president’s grandfather, Friedrich was born and raised before emigrating to the United States at the age of 16 in 1885. (Source: Politico - U.S.)
14 May 2025 German prosecutors said three Ukrainian nationals have been arrested in Germany and Switzerland on suspicion of acting as secret agents and planning to send parcels with explosives to Ukraine in an act of sabotage for Russia. (Source: LBC - United Kingdom)
Románia
2025.05.14. Nem egyszerű feladat; izgalmas a közélet Romániában. (Forrás: Index - Magyarország)
European Commission
(14 May 2025) The case T-36/23 Stevi and The New York Times v Commission. European Commission President der Leyen lost a court fight against attempts to force her to disclose ’secret’ text messages with Pfizer Inc.’s boss as the bloc was negotiating massive vaccine deals at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Judges at the EU’s General Court in Luxembourg backed a challenge from the New York Times against the commission’s refusal to disclose the texts - message exchange between der Leyen and Pfizer’s chief executive officer, Bourla, that could show how a costly vaccine deal was struck in 2021 -saying it has not given a plausible explanation to justify the non-possession of the messages. Moreover, the commission has not sufficiently clarified whether the requested text messages were deleted and, if so, whether the deletion was done deliberately or automatically or whether the president’s mobile phone had been replaced in the meantime, the court said. The Brussels-based commission argued that while it couldn’t deny that text messages were exchanged between der Leyen and Bourla - as nations rushed to secure enough vaccines for their populations - it never kept hold of any records of them ’as they were not considered important’. Der Leyen announced a new contract in May 2021 for Pfizer to supply as many as 1.8 billion shots between 2021 and 2023. A New York Times article claimed that the deal was negotiated over text. (Source: Luxenbourg Times / Bloomberg - U.S.)
Russia
May 14, 2025 'Russia is probably testing its Oreshnik in order to prepare it for an imminent strike.' It is believed that the Oreshnik, which hit incredible speeds of up to Mach 10 (over 7,500 miles per hour) with a range of around 3,000 miles, can hit anywhere. The November 2024 strike, while caustic, was nowhere near as destructive as the Russians could have made it. That’s because they chose not to load the kind of warhead on the Oreshnik that they otherwise could have - and likely would have done, if Moscow truly wished to end the war as quickly as possible. As a hypersonic weapon, there is next to no serious defense against this system. The THAAD system is advanced, but it has never demonstrated a real-world capacity for both tracking and knocking out incoming hypersonic weapons. The Russian military’s recent “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) alert was set for May 12-13, restricting access to the airspace around the legendary Soviet-era Kapustin Yar missile test range. NOTAM restrictions were previously issued for the airspace around Kapustin Yar in December 2024. Those tests were followed on by a large-scale Russian missile strike on Ukraine that month, involving ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles. By preparing, Moscow is sending a clear message to Kyiv: negotiate. (Source: The National Interest - U.S.)
by Weichert
14/05/2025 Putin will not travel to Turkey and is instead sending Galuzin and Fomin, the deputy foreign affairs and defence ministers, Kostyukov, the head of military intelligence agency (GRU) and the presidential aide Medinsky, who will lead the delegation, the Kremlin announced late today. (Source: Euronews - based in Lyon, France)
14 May 2025 Speaking at the 20th Congress of the Business Russia Organisation today, Putin blasted the West’s moron leaders for threatening Russia with new sanctions if he refuses to meet Zelensky for ceasefire negotiations tomorrow. Putin said: “You'd think they wouldn't do this or that, since it clearly hurts them, but nope, they still do it. Morons!' His comment was met with laughter from the audience, before Putin went on to apologise, adding: 'The world's top economies are tipping into recession just to spite us.' (Source: The Independent - United Kingdom)
Vatican
May 14, 2025 Pope Leo XIV offered to host or facilitate peace talks among countries at war, calling for world leaders to meet, talk, negotiate during an address to Eastern-rite Catholics at the Vatican today. Leo said leaders should view peace not as a political tool but as a moral imperative, grounded in respect for human dignity. "The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face-to-face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace," Leo said. The pontiff appealed to all global leaders to engage in diplomacy before resorting to combat. "Weapons can and must be silenced, for they do not resolve problems but only increase them." "Those who make history are the peacemakers, not those who sow seeds of suffering," he said. "The church will never tire of repeating: Let weapons be silenced," he said. He expressed gratitude for those who "in silence, prayer and self-sacrifice, are sowing seeds of peace," mentioning Christians in the Middle East who remain in their homelands despite conflict and instability. He insisted that Christians must be allowed to stay in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence. He noted the importance of Eastern-rite Christian communities, highlighting their historical role as the birthplace of Christianity. He mentioned Pope Leo XIII's 1894 apostolic letter Orientalium Dignitas, which recognized the dignity of Eastern churches and called for the preservation of their rites and traditions. Citing war, persecution, and instability as reasons many have been forced to flee their homelands, the pope acknowledged the challenges facing by Eastern Christians in the diaspora, and the priceless heritage of the Eastern churches. He listed Eastern Christian communities affected by conflict, including the Holy Land, Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria, the Middle East, Tigray, and the Caucasus. Leo said these communities as martyr churches, quoting Pope Francis. He pointed to the endurance of Eastern Christians who continue to live in war-torn regions despite the risks, highlighting their resilience as a testament to faith. The new pontiff described the contribution of the Christian East as essential to the global church. "Preserving the Eastern rites is more important than is generally realized," Leo said. He urged the Vatican Dicastery for Eastern Churches to help define principles that would allow Eastern Catholics to preserve their traditions in the West. (Source: The National Catholic Reporter - U.S.)
05/14/25 Pope Leo XIV’s life: A timeline. (Source: Aleteia - an online catholic news website via Foundation for Evangelization through the Media based in Paris, France)
Asia
Gaza
May 14, 2025 To counter Israel Defense Force (IDF) superiority, Hamas long ago adopted the strategy of human shielding, one widely condemned as unlawful. But reports have also emerged concerning an alleged practice by some IDF ground units labeled the Mosquito Protocol, in which Palestinian civilians in Gaza reportedly have been compelled to enter dangerous areas ahead of soldiers. The analysis examines the law applicable in each of these cases. Concluding thoughts: The law of armed conflict unequivocally prohibits using human shielding as a method of warfare in international and non-international armed conflicts. This prohibition includes active human shielding, whereby civilians or other protected persons are used to shield or otherwise support military operations. Accordingly, the Israeli military’s decision to initiate investigations into the so-called Mosquito Protocol is consistent with its obligations under international law. Taking action to ensure its forces do not engage in active shielding in the future is not only a further legal obligation, but also an endeavor of strategic consequence. (Source: The United States Military Academy’s Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare, West Point)
by Schmitt, the G. Norman Lieber Distinguished Scholar at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Reading and Professor Emeritus and Stockton Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at the United States Naval War College; Major Hernandez, an active-duty Army judge advocate and a military professor assigned to the Stockton Center for International Law in Newport, Rhode Island.
14 May 2025 As indirect ceasefire talks continue in Qatar, at least 50 people were killed in attacks on northern Gaza, around Jabalia and 10 others in the southern city of Khan Younis, since the early hours today, according to medical sources. (Source: Al Jazeera - Qatar)
India
14.05.2025 India today rejected what it called preposterous attempts by China to rename places in the Indian northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state. Arunachal Pradesh is known as Zangnan in China, with Beijing stating it has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh. China’s Civil Affairs Ministry published its latest names for some 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which covers 15 mountains, five residential areas, four mountain passes, two rivers, and one lake. Beijing said: Zangnan is China’s territory. China considers the contested areas as part of ’its’ southern Tibetan autonomous region, which Beijing calls Xizang. ’Chinese government has standardized the names of some places in Zangnan, which is entirely within the scope of China’s sovereignty,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin told in Beijing. The statement coincides with New Delhi’s move to block the X accounts of the state-run Xinhua News Agency, as well daily Global Times in India today. Since May 2020, the two Asian giants had been engaged in a tussle along the 3,500-kilometer Line of Actual Control - their de facto border in the Ladakh area of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region. That tense and long-running standoff has seen both sides deploy thousands of military personnel and heavy weapons in the region. The India-China relations saw a thaw last year. Since then, both countries have been working to improve relations with each other. (Source: Anadolu Agency - Turkey)
Israel
4/05/2025 Spain and Ireland have undergone a significant change, becoming the most hostile states regarding the state of Israel and the Jewish community, Israel’s Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Chikli told. Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state last year. Chikli accused the French president of not supporting the Jewish community in France, the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world after Israel and the US. When Macron chooses not to attend the parade of the Jewish community against antisemitism, it sends a message, Chikli pointed out. Israel has found support with what used to be considered unimaginable partners, like the right-wing, including France’s 'far-right' National Rally party (RN). First, Le Pen removed her father from the party. And since 7 October she attended the parade of the Jewish community against antisemitism. She spoke very clearly against the ICC decision against (Prime Minister) Netanyahu and the defence minister Gallant, Chikli told. This is why Israel sees the RN and Spain’s Vox party as potential partners in the future, he concluded. (Source: Euronews - based in Lyon, France)
Syria
May 14, 2025 For more than a decade, Syria stood as one of the world’s most isolated nations, battered by civil war, economic collapse, and the unyielding grip of international sanctions. On May 14, US President Trump met with Syria’s new president, Sharaa - a former insurgent known under the nom de guerre Jolani. The two met briefly in Riyadh on the sidelines Trump’s meeting with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council. It is the first meeting between the leaders of the two nations in a quarter of a century. Speaking in the Saudi capital, Trump said the decision to lift sanctions, announced a day earlier, is meant to provide Syria with an opportunity for greatness as the country seeks to rebuild after more than a decade of civil war and economic devastation. The White House said Trump asked the Syrian leader to normalize relations with Israel by joining the so-called Abraham Accords, which have already been signed by some Gulf Arab states. He also pushed for Sharaa to deport Palestinian militants ’and take control of camps holding Islamic State fighters’ that are currently being run by Kurdish guerillas who are opposed by Turkey. Sharaa’s transformation from insurgent commander to head of state is both remarkable and controversial. While he has worked to project a pragmatic image, promising security for minorities and outreach to the international community, his past continues to raise concerns among Western and Israeli officials. Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Salman, played a key role in orchestrating the diplomatic breakthrough. Saudi Arabia, joined by Turkey and several Gulf Arab states, lobbied Washington relentlessly, arguing that engaging with Sharaa’s government was essential for stabilizing Syria and curbing Iranian influence in the region. Trump’s embrace of Syria’s new government is reverberating across the region. For Israel, the move is a source of deep unease. There are reports of indirect talks between Syria and Israel, possibly mediated by the United Arab Emirates, but Israeli skepticism remains high. Israeli officials, wary of Sharaa’s jihadist past and the communal violence that accompanied his rise, fear that US normalization with Damascus could limit Israel’s freedom of action and embolden hostile actors. For Iran, the developments represent a major strategic blow after already Iranian assets in Syria have been seized, and the new government has shown little interest in establishing relations with Tehran. Russia, too, finds its influence diminished. Russia is seeking ways to reengage with Damascus, but its leverage has waned. Moscow retains military bases on the Syrian coast. The new government has made it clear that Russia’s future presence will depend on agreements that serve Syrian interests. (Source: RFERL – U.S.)
North America
United States
5/14/2025 U.S. energy officials are reassessing the risk posed by Chinese-made devices that play a critical role in renewable energy infrastructure after unexplained communication equipment was found inside some of them. Power inverters, which are predominantly produced in China, are used throughout the world to connect solar panels and wind turbines to electricity grids. They are also found in batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers. While inverters are built to allow remote access for updates and maintenance, the utility companies that use them typically install firewalls to prevent direct communication back to China. Rogue communication devices not listed in product documents have been found in some Chinese solar power inverters by U.S experts who strip down equipment hooked up to grids to check for security issues. Over the past nine months, undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, have also been found in some batteries from multiple Chinese suppliers. In February, two U.S. Senators introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, banning the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing batteries from some Chinese entities, starting October 2027, due to national security concerns. It aims to prevent Homeland Security from procuring batteries from six Chinese companies:Contemporary Amperex Technology Company (CATL), BYD Company, Envision Energy, EVE Energy Company, Hithium Energy Storage Technology Company, and Gotion High-tech Company. Utilities are now preparing for similar bans on Chinese inverter manufacturers. Huawei is the world's largest supplier of inverters, accounting for 29% of shipments globally in 2022, followed by Chinese peers Sungrow and Ginlong Solis. Since 2019, the U.S. has restricted Huawei's access to U.S. technology, accusing the company of activities contrary to national security, which Huawei denies. Chinese companies are required by law to cooperate with China's intelligence agencies, giving the government potential control over Chinese-made inverters connected to foreign grids. In November, solar power inverters in the U.S. and elsewhere were disabled from China, highlighting the risk of foreign influence over local electricity supplies and causing concern among government officials. Household solar or battery storage systems fall below thresholds where security requirements typically kick-in, despite now contributing a significant share of power on many Western grids. In Europe, exercising control over just 3 to 4 gigawatts of energy could cause widespread disruption to electricity supplies, experts said. The European Solar Manufacturing Council estimates over 200 GW of European solar power capacity is linked to inverters made in China - equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants. At the end of last year, there was 338 GW of installed solar power in Europe. NATO said China's efforts to control member states' critical infrastructure - including inverters - were intensifying. 'If you remotely control a large enough number of home solar inverters, and do something nefarious at once, that could have catastrophic implications to the grid for a prolonged period of time,' said Sadot, cyber security program director at Israeli inverter manufacturer SolarEdge. (Source: MSN - U.S./ Reuters - United Kingdom)
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