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The concern is compounded because many believe Trump poses a threat to the future of NATO. Questions about Biden and his political future inject further uncertainty into a summit where key allies are also dealing with major political changes. However, as one former senior US diplomat said, there will “certainly be a spotlight” on Biden at the NATO summit. Adding to the pressure is the increased significance of this year’s NATO summit. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has sought to focus attention on the content of the summit and away from Biden’s debate performance.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Biden, — Keir Starmer —, Emmanuel Macron’s, —, he’s, Antony Blinken, spry, “, Lloyd Austin, Karine Jean, Pierre Organizations: CNN, NATO, Labour Party, Biden, Brookings Institute, North Atlantic Council, White Locations: Washington ,, Russia, United, US, Austin, European, Italy, Ukraine, United States, NATO

☆ Germany seals 2025 budget plan after weeks of tense negotiations
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz smiles during a question time on July 3, 2024 at the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) in Berlin. "It is about a strong defense, a strong [German army] that offers protection from the aggressive tyrants of our time. An economic growth initiative has been planned alongside the budget, Scholz said. But the budget must then be discussed by the German parliament after its summer break, before being finalized later in the year. Negotiations have been ongoing for weeks after spending plans shared by individual ministries exceeded constraints by billions.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Lindner Organizations: Bundestag, CNBC, NATO, German, Reuters Locations: Berlin

☆ 'We don't do God' and massive ad spends: How UK election races differ from American ones
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Here are a handful of them:1) CampaignsBy the time a presidential election takes place in the United States, the electorate will have already endured months of seemingly endless electioneering — with the entire election campaign process from candidacies and the campaign trail to the actual presidential election and inauguration taking up to two years. In the U.K., the time frame between a prime minister calling a general election to the actual vote is just six weeks. It sounds simple, and usually is, unless there's a "hung parliament" in which no political party wins a majority of seats. In the U.K., political advertising on TV and radio is not allowed, so U.K. voters are subjected to the somewhat quaint "party political broadcasts" during election campaigns. 6) 'Absurd' diversionsBritish political experts note that, unlike in the U.S., where broad political debates tend to remain the key focus, U.K. election campaigns can see more minor or fringe issues dominate the short election campaign.

Persons: Rishi Sunak, Joe Biden, Paul Ellis, Sir Keir Starmer, Stefan Rousseau, Bobby Duffy, Donald Trump, Tom Brenner, —, Britain's, Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, Ben Curtis, Blair, Dan Stevens, Joe Biden's, Trump, Brian Snyder, Keir Starmer, Institute's Duffy, Duffy, Biden, Rodin Eckenroth, Rodin, John Curtice, it's, Ludovic Marin Organizations: Britain's, North Atlantic Council, NATO, South Derbyshire College, Trent, Commons, King's College London, CNBC, Brit, Republicans, U.S, Federal, Former U.S, Republican, Reuters, Electoral Commission, Inverness Royal Academy, Labour, of, Exeter University, Trump . Democratic Party, Reuters Incumbent British, Labour Party, Trump, European, Conservative Party, U.K, UK Ministry of Defence, Royal British, Afp, Getty Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, United States, Burton, U.S, Britain, Philadelphia, Great Britain, England, Wales, Scotland, British, America, Western Europe, Atlanta , Georgia, Hollywood , California, European Union, Normandy, Ver, Gold, France

☆ The West is finally giving Ukraine a shot at 'cutting the head off the snake' rather than making it wait for Russia to strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Russia launches many of its drone and missile attacks from within its own borders, and it amasses troops and equipment at home for offensive pushes into Ukraine. But for a long time, Ukraine could only turn to options like long-range drones to go after targets in Russia. De Bretton-Gordon noted that many Russian missile and drone attacks are launched from Russia itself. Russia initiated a new offensive against Kharkiv on May 10, launching deadly missile attacks and slowly pushing its military forward. Ingram agreed, saying that in Kharkiv, Ukraine's new permissions have "made a huge difference.

Persons: —, It's, Hamish de Bretton, Gordon, de Bretton, Bretton, George Barros, it's, Barros, Philip Ingram, weren't, Michael Clarke, John Hamilton, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, ISW, Kostiantyn Liberov, Ingram, Cancian Organizations: Service, Business, NATO Chemical, Nuclear, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Russian, Getty, Russian Defense Ministry, British Army, Army Tactical Missile System, Kharkiv, Associated Press, Artillery Rocket Systems Locations: Ukraine, Russia, West, Kharkiv, Russian, Anadolu, British, Belgorod, Russia's, Crimea, Ukrainian

☆ Biden facing intense scrutiny as campaign ramps up unscripted events
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In a radio interview taped Wednesday that aired Thursday, Biden made some verbal missteps. Reached for comment Thursday night, a Biden campaign spokesperson slammed the “absurdity” of criticism of the president’s missteps. “It was clear what President Biden meant when he was talking about his historic record including a record number of appointments to the federal bench. This is not news and the media has passed the point of absurdity here,” Biden campaign spokesman Ammar Moussa said. I don’t debate as well as I used to,” Biden said last Friday at a Raleigh, North Carolina, campaign rally.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Biden, George Stephanopoulos, “, —, ”, Andrea, Sanders, ” Biden, Ammar Moussa said, bungle, Donald Trump, didn’t, you’re, CNN’s Phil Mattingly, Samantha Waldenberg, Arlette Saenz Organizations: CNN, Democratic, ABC News, NATO, Biden, Air Force Locations: Philadelphia, Wisconsin, France, United States of America, ’, Raleigh , North Carolina

☆ Biden tries to calm Democrats as 2024 drop-out pressure mounts: 'I'm not leaving'
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the Middle East in the State Dining room at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 31, 2024. For likely voters, Trump led Biden by a slightly smaller 6-point margin, though that was 3 points higher than before the debate. The New York Times poll surveyed 1,532 registered voters across the country from June 28 to July 2. While Biden's campaign continues its blitz, pressure mounts for the president to consider bowing out of the 2024 race. In response, the White House and the Biden campaign have rolled out a slate of events for the coming week to reassure the public.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Jim Clyburn, Hakeem Jeffries, Sen, Chris Coons, Earl Ingram, Andrea, Sanders, Karine Jean, Pierre, Trump, Pelosi, Clyburn, Lloyd Doggett, Jared Golden, Jean Organizations: White, White House, Democratic, NBC, Capitol Hill, Civic Media Network, WURD Radio, NBC News, Trump, New York Times, Siena, Biden, CNN, ABC, Democrat, ABC News, NATO Locations: Washington , U.S, D, U.S, Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania

☆ Ukraine is killing Russian missiles with hand-me-down air defense weapons the US retired decades ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Ukrainians are using an American-made air-defense system that the US retired from service more than two decades ago to successfully shoot down Russian cruise missiles. But the hand-me-down weapons have found new life in Ukraine, proving they are still useful tools after all these years. AdvertisementA MIM-23 Hawk air-defense system. Apparent kill marks on a MIM-23 Hawk air-defense system showing Russian drones and missiles it's taken down. The Biden administration has since donated an unspecified number Hawk systems and munitions to Kyiv and has committed to procuring more for the country over the long term.

Persons: it's, Oleksandr, Hawk, Biden Organizations: Service, Business, Russia's, Ukrainian Air Force, FIM, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Spain, Kyiv

☆ China can end the Ukraine war with a single phone call to Putin, says NATO member
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

China could end Russia's war on Ukraine if it wanted to, says Finland President Alexander Stubb. "Russia is so dependent on China right now," Stubb told Bloomberg on Tuesday. But some analysts believe that China doesn't really want the war to end. AdvertisementChina could hold the key to ending Russia's war in Ukraine, Finland President Alexander Stubb said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday. China's influence on Russia, Stubb said, stemmed from the latter's growing reliance on the Asian giant as it grapples with crippling economic sanctions from the West.

Persons: Alexander Stubb, Stubb, —, Xi Jinping Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Business Locations: China, Ukraine, Finland, Russia

☆ Deepfake video targeting Zelensky’s wife linked to Russian disinformation campaign, CNN analysis shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Gianluca Mezzofiore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Yet, it gathered some 18 million views in 24 hours on X, where it was reposted by pro-Russian influencers. A CNN analysis shows Verite Cachee was set up recently, on June 22, 2024, and some of its pages still have prompts with AI to create fake articles at the top of the piece. They then integrate the story through social media, starting with real pro-Russian influencers who are part of their network,” he told CNN. A report by Recorded Future, a leading cybersecurity company, also identified Veritee Cachee as being part of the same disinformation network. Given the size and resources of the network, it is likely some Russian support or financing is happening, Clément Briens, a senior threat intelligence analyst at the company, told CNN.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Olena Zelenska, Clément, Bugatti, Autofficina Parigi, “, ”, deepfakes, Cachee, Darren Linvill, they’ve, Patrick Warren, Zelenska, Veritee, Zelensky, Biden, ” Briens, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: London CNN, Bugatti, Lovers Group, Group, Schumacher, Bugatti Paris, CNN, Clemson University’s, YouTube, “, Clemson, DC Weekly, NATO Locations: Paris, Russian, France, Ukraine, “, Linvill, Cartier, New York, Europe

☆ A growing club led by Xi and Putin to counter the US is adding a staunchly pro-Russia member
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

After adding Belarus, it will boast 10 members, representing more than 40% of the world’s population and roughly a quarter of the global economy. Growing ambitionsAs the SCO grows in international visibility and economic weight, it has also broadened in geopolitical ambitions. Putin speaks to Xi at the SCO summit two years ago in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. But the Belarus membership also creates big question marks that will hang over the organization, Gill said. After the summit in Astana, China is due to take up the rotating presidency of the SCO for a year.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Moscow’s, ”, “, Eva Seiwert, Seiwert, Putin, Xi, Sergei Bobylev, Bates Gill, Gill, –, ” Gill, Modi, they’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Indian, SCO, Union, Mercator Institute for China Studies, ”, Putin, AP, National Bureau of Asian Research, “, Central, Modi, Astana –, Kremlin, Central Asia, NATO, European Union, Seven Locations: Hong Kong, China, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Belarus, Astana, Kazakhstan, Beijing, Moscow, United States, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Turkey, Berlin, “, Eurasia, Samarkand, Central Asia, New Delhi, Soviet, Xi’an

☆ White House fends off tough questions about Biden’s mental fitness after debate performance
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Michael Williams | Samantha Waldenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —The White House on Tuesday fended off tough questions about President Joe Biden’s mental fitness, acknowledging his poor performance in last week’s debate while maintaining the president is still able to hold and run for office. The president did not have a great night,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. Campaign officials are scrambling to calm donors who were shocked by Biden’s halting, hoarse performance. The White House announced Tuesday that Biden is expected to meet with Democratic governors and congressional leaders Wednesday after some demanded a meeting with the president. Jean-Pierre also addressed recent reporting that Hunter Biden had been joining his father in recent White House meetings.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre said, We’re, Biden, Biden campaign’s dismissiveness, ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Donald Trump, Jean, Pierre, he’s, “, ” Biden, ” Jean, Hunter Biden, Hunter, Camp David, MJ Lee, Kamala Harris outpacing Biden, Harris, ” Harris, Joe Biden, Trump, Betsy Klein Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Democratic, Biden campaign’s, House, NATO, ”, The New York Times, CNN, NBC, Camp David, Camp, Trump, CBS Locations: Washington, North Carolina, Europe, Virginia, Italy, Biden’s

☆ Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban — a key Putin ally — makes first wartime visit to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (L) talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) in the Europa building prior the start of the meeting on June 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday for his first wartime visit to the battle-torn country. Orban, meanwhile, communicated Hungary's intentions to improve ties with Ukraine and sign a broad bilateral cooperation agreement, while urging Zelenskyy to consider a quick cease-fire to accelerate peace talks, Reuters reported. Orban absented from last month's Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, where Hungary was instead represented by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The Hungarian prime minister has also been one of the few Western leaders to meet the increasingly isolated Kremlin leader Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Orban, Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Orban's, " Orban, Orban absented, Peter Szijjarto, Putin, Donald Trump, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: European Union, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Reuters, nonmember Kyiv, Ukraine Peace Summit, Foreign, Associated Press, NATO Locations: Europa, Brussels, Belgium, Hungarian, Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova, Switzerland

☆ Russian submarines fought a torpedo duel in waters surrounded by NATO allies
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewTwo Russian submarines recently fought a torpedo duel, conducting training that involved detecting enemies, evading attacks, and working combat maneuvers. The exercises took place in the Baltic Sea, waters sometimes referred to as a "NATO lake" due to its waters being surrounded by NATO allies since Sweden and Finland ascended into the alliance. The Kilo-class, diesel-electric submarines Novorossiysk and Dmitrov held a training duel involving torpedo fire, according to Russian state-run media TASS. After wrapping up the torpedo training, the two Russian submarines went on to conduct other combat exercises in the Baltic Sea, Russian media said. Ships from NATO navies sail in formation in the Baltic Sea during the exercise Baltic Operations 2023.

Persons: —, Shawn Coover Organizations: Service, NATO, Business, Russian Kilo, Ships, US Marine Corps, Staff Locations: Baltic, Sweden, Finland, Novorossiysk, Dmitrov, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Denmark, Germany, St, Petersburg, Primorsk, Kaliningrad, Moscow

☆ Viktor Orban, Putin’s greatest European ally, makes first trip to Kyiv since start of war
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

According to Zhovkva, Kyiv’s number one tool to end hostilities is through a second peace summit, which Ukraine is already preparing for. “We are saying that Ukraine will draft its peace plan, a roadmap for establishing peace in Ukraine. Orban also stated his desire to improve relations between Budapest and Kyiv, which have been strained by the Hungarian leader’s close relationship with Putin. Tuesday’s meeting comes as Orban and Hungary take control of the EU Council’s rotating presidency, which changes every six months. The agenda for that event is expected to be dominated by long-term plans to support Ukraine and conversations about its eventual accession to the alliance.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Zelensky, Orban, Vladimir Putin, “, ” Orban, Ihor Zhovkva, Orban “, ” Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron’s, Zhovkva, Putin, Donald Trump’s, Zoltan Fischer Organizations: CNN, Russian Federation, United, EU, White, NATO, Political Locations: Hungarian, Kyiv, Moscow, Ukraine, Hungary, Russian, Budapest, Russia, United Nations, Crimea, Tuesday’s, Washington , DC, Ukrainian, United Kingdom

☆ Ad protests target Wimbledon’s ‘strawberries and cream’ image over event’s ties with Barclays
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Brandalism said it launched the campaign against Barclays Bank, which has a multi-year sponsorship deal with Wimbledon reportedly worth more than $25 million, over its ties to the fossil fuel industry and companies that supply arms to Israel. “Wimbledon must stop providing cover for Barclays’ grotesque lack of morals and immediately end the sponsorship deal,” Speedwell added. One of the “hacked” billboards shows the body of a tennis player on a grass court. Another of the pieces of art -- by Matt Bonner -- protesting Barclays' sponsorship of Wimbledon. BrandalismIn the statement, the bank argued that investing in oil and gas assets would continue to be important as the clean energy industry develops.

Persons: Brandalism, “, Kit Speedwell, ”, Darren Cullen, Barclays “, embargos, Matt Bonner, Tom Pilston Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Barclays Bank, Barclays, Brandalism, Lawn Tennis, Palestine Solidarity, Wimbledon Foundation, NATO, Transition Finance Locations: London, Israel, Europe, Gaza, Palestine, Brandalism

☆ Estonia says it could hold out against a Russian attack 'for a couple of weeks' before NATO arrives
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Estonia could resist a Russian attack for two weeks before NATO support arrives, a top commander said. The Baltic states have ramped up their defense amid fears Russia's aggression could turn on them. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementEstonia could resist a Russian attack for two weeks before NATO support came in, a top Estonian commander said. The NATO country, which shares a land border with Russia, "would be able to resist an invasion for a couple of weeks," Colonel Mati Tikerpuu, the chief of one of Estonia's two army brigades, told El País.

Persons: —, Mati Tikerpuu, El País Organizations: NATO, Service Locations: Estonia, Russia, Estonian

☆ Russian glide bombs' faulty guidance systems may have led to dozens being dropped on its own territory, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewFaulty guidance systems on Russian glide bombs may have led to dozens of the bombs being dropped on its own territory, experts said, per The Washington Post. Cheap guidance systems could be to blameGlide bombs are older munitions retrofitted with guidance systems that allow them to be launched at a distance. In June, Russian opposition media channel Asta estimated that Russia had dropped a total of 103 bombs on its own territories over the past four months. In March, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said that Russia had dropped 700 glide bombs on Ukraine in just one six-day period between March 18 and March 24. Ukraine is now developing its own glide bombs and is continuing to request further air defense systems from its NATO allies.

Persons: —, Ruslan Leviev, Leviev, Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Washington Post, Business, Ukraine, Russian, Intelligence, Air Force, Asta, Foreign Affairs, NATO, Philadelphia Inquirer Locations: Belgorod, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Ukrainian, Kharkiv

☆ France’s far right may be on the brink of power after Macron’s gamble backfired. Here’s what comes next
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Saskya Vandoorne | Camille Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist alliance was crushed on Sunday after the far-right National Rally (RN) party surged in the first round of the country’s parliamentary elections. It would then become the first far-right party to enter the French government since World War II – although nothing is certain ahead of Sunday’s second round. “Tonight is not a night like any other,” Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said solemnly in an address to the French. The left-wing New Popular Front has announced that it will withdraw all candidates who came in third to help prevent far-right candidates from getting elected. A loss would force Macron to nominate a prime minister from whichever party wins – putting a political opponent in charge of running the government.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron’s, Gabriel Attal, It’s, “, Italy’s Giorgia, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Vladmir Putin, Le Pen, Vladimir Putin, Macron, Jordan Bardella, Bardella Organizations: Paris CNN, New, Ensemble, ”, European Union, Russian, NATO, National Assembly Locations: Sunday’s, Europe, Ukraine, Russian, France

☆ The reason why NATO and Europe found Biden’s debate performance so alarming
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Joe Biden’s performance at the CNN presidential debate against Donald Trump has raised concerns with US allies - particularly within NATO and Europe. Those concerns, to be clear, are not about whether or not Biden is fit to make decisions. Nor is the concern that Biden’s stumbling, at times incomprehensible, performance has ensured a second Trump term. That has been at the heart of European strategic thinking since Trump took office in 2016 and has continued through Biden’s presidency. The concerns that America’s allies have are that the most powerful country on earth cannot provide the one thing they most want: stability.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump Organizations: CNN, NATO, Trump Locations: Europe, China, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Russia can’t fight NATO on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

And while they might look minor in isolation, taken together these incidents amount to what security experts say is Russia’s hybrid war on the West. Thornton said Russia was resorting to a campaign of sabotage as an alternative to a full-on war with NATO, which would be disastrous for Russia. Article 5 is the cornerstone principle that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all members. Danylyuk said the Russian security apparatus doesn’t shy away from using criminals to do its dirty work, tapping into its links with international organized crime. Russia can only be strong if the West and NATO are weak.

Persons: –, Petr Fiala, Jens Stoltenberg, Rod Thornton, there’s, ” Thornton, Vladimir Putin, Thornton, “, ”, It’s, ” Nicole Wolkov, Andrei Averyanov, Averyanov, Sergei, Yulia Skripal, d’etat, Oleksandr Danylyuk, …, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Danylyuk, Olga Lautman, Fiala, Sergei Skripal, Yulia, Frank Augstein, ” Lautman, Lautman, Alexander Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, Theresa May, Nikolai Glushkov, Salisbury, Putin, ” “, let’s, ’ ”, that’s, Litvinenko, Skripal Organizations: CNN, Occupation, . Police, European Union, NATO, King’s College London, ”, Royal United Services Institute, Czech Police, GRU, London –, German Federal Public, Ukraine, Russian, Russia NATO, Center for, European, of Human, Duma, Metropolitan Police, Command, Soviet, West Locations: Prague, Czech, Moscow, Europe, Riga, London, Warsaw, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Russian, Spain, Lithuania, Canada, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia –, United States, al Qaeda, France, EU, Salisbury, England, Czech Republic, Vrbetice, Montenegro, Moldova, Macedonia, Ukrainian, Poland, Salisbury , England, Finland, Estonia, Lautman, Soviet Union

☆ Meet NATO's next chief, the 'Trump whisperer' and fierce critic of Vladimir Putin
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewNATO has selected outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next Secretary-General. Rutte, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, will take over from Jens Stoltenberg on October 1, ending the latter's decadelong run at the helm of the alliance. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Persons: —, Mark Rutte, Rutte, Vladimir Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, Philippe Dickinson, Dickinson, Trump, Rachel Rizzo, he's, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Michael O'Hanlon, Putin Organizations: Service, Dutch, Business, Transatlantic Security, Strategy, Security, Alliance, Trump, NATO, Atlantic Council's, Getty, Brookings Institution, Malaysia Airlines Flight Locations: Netherlands, Ukraine, Gaza, Russia, China, Dutch

President Joe Biden’s dismal showing at the CNN presidential debate against former President Donald Trump resonated around the world, with foreign diplomats expressing shock and concern. “Hard to watch” is how multiple foreign diplomats described Thursday night’s debate between Biden and Trump. Trump even suggested he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about his “dream” of invading Ukraine. He also attacked Biden over the Afghanistan withdrawal and argued it was the reason Putin invaded Ukraine in 2022. Read more on how the world is reacting to the CNN debate.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Trump, Biden, ”, “ Trump, “, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Read Organizations: CNN, Biden, NATO Locations: Europe, East, Asia, European, Arab, Asian, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Afghanistan

☆ France's army chief says small drones will lose their battlefield advantage. But Ukraine likely won't be changing tack anytime soon.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewSmall aerial drones have dominated the battlefield in Ukraine, but according to French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill, they could soon lose their combat advantage. "The life of impunity of small, very simple drones over the battlefield is a snapshot in time," Schill said. ADRIAN DENNIS/ Getty ImagesThe use of drones will likely fluctuateFormer British Army officer Christopher Lincoln-Jones told Business Insider that the use of small drones in warfare would likely "ebb and flow." Greg Bagwell, the UK Royal Air Force's former Deputy Commander, told BI "there is some truth" to Schill's comments about the future of small drones in battle. Both sides are also pumping money into developing AI-powered drones that can bypass electronic warfare systems.

Persons: —, Pierre Schill, Schill, ADRIAN DENNIS, Getty, Christopher Lincoln, Jones, they're, Greg Bagwell, it's, Bagwell, Forbes Organizations: Service, French Army, Defense, Business, British Army, Royal Air, NATO, FPVs, Lincoln, Atlantic Council Locations: Ukraine, Paris, Lincoln, Russia

☆ With Macron and Biden Vulnerable, So Is Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Roger Cohen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

This month, President Biden, flanked by President Emmanuel Macron of France, stood on the Normandy bluffs to commemorate the young men who clambered ashore 80 years ago into a hail of Nazi gunfire because “they knew beyond any doubt there are things worth fighting and dying for.”Among those things, Mr. Biden said, were freedom, democracy, America and the world, “then, now and always.” It was a moving moment as Mr. Macron spoke of the “bond of blood” between France and America, but just a few weeks later, the ability of either leader to hold the line in defense of their values appears more fragile. The United States and France — pillars of the NATO alliance, of the defense of Ukraine’s freedom against Russia and of the postwar construction of a united Europe — face nationalist forces that could undo those international commitments and pitch the world into uncharted territory. A wobbly, wavering debate performance by Mr. Biden, in which he struggled to counter the dishonest bluster of former President Donald J. Trump, has spread panic among Democrats and raised doubts about whether he should even be on the ticket for the Nov. 5 election.

Persons: Biden, Emmanuel Macron, “, Macron, Mr, Donald J, Trump Organizations: NATO, Russia Locations: France, Normandy, America, United States, Europe

☆ China and Russia are in a bad marriage that the West shouldn't try to break up
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Already, Russia's military and China's People's Liberation Army have held around 25 joint exercises since 2005, involving ships, aircraft and ground troops. Equally important is that China has become a key enabler of Russia's war in Ukraine. Advertisement"Policymakers and planners should avoid overestimating the state of military cooperation and operational integration that exists between Russia and China," RAND warned. AdvertisementDespite boasting of their military ties, Russia and China don't have much faith in each other's military prowess. In their 2001 friendship treaty, China and Russia did agree to consult with each other should either nation be attacked.

Persons: Mladen Antonov, Russia's, Mark Cozad, Cozad, Hitler, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Communist, Business, NATO, RAND Corp, Liberation Army, British, RAND, PLA, People's, Army, Russian, Grand Alliance, Western Allies, Central, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Soviet Union, China, Beijing, Moscow, U.S, Russian, Europe, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russia, Britain, South Korea, America, Vietnam, Korea, Syria, West, Central Asia, United States, Forbes

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