|
GERMANY
Interior Minister confirms the operation of “Border Checks” to reduce illegal migration
On 15 May, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, there have been 729 attempts to illegally enter Germany, and they have been returned at the border itself. Currently, with the changes in the immigration policies, there has been a new initiative, “border checks,” has shown to be working, which was confirmed by Dorbrindt’s and Bavarian Premier Markus Soder’s visit to the town of Kiefersfelden, Germany-Austria border. Dobrindt made it clear that the border checks do not mean border closure, and that these checks have eased the pressure put upon the border police, resulting in traffic jams. Soder added that, with the stricter immigration rules, the crime rates and illegal activities have come down. (Jon Shelton & Matt Ford, ”Border checks are working,' says German interior minister,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2025)
German and UK Defence ministers announce developing long-range missiles
On 15 May, Germany and the UK Defence Ministers Boris Pistorius and John Healy announced that both governments are to join forces in the design, manufacturing of long-range missiles. This partnership comes from reducing the dependence on the US and enhancing their diplomatic partnership. The new missiles are to go a distance of 2,000 kilometers and more. Pistouris added that, with the current issues going on, it is necessary now to be ready than ever, and very quickly. Pistouris and Healey are also discussing future projects and the possibility of establishing a defence tech forum. Germany and the UK are leading the European Long-range Strike Missiles Approach (ESLA), with several countries signing a letter to join in the efforts to develop strong ammunition that can destroy military installations and infrastructure behind enemy lines. (Jon Shelton & Matt Ford, “Germany, UK team up to develop new, long-range missile,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2025)
Foreign Minister approves the US proposal to increase five per cent for NATO’s defence spending
On 15 May, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accepts the demand made by the US on increasing NATO defence spending to five per cent of their GDP. Other countries are committed to spending two per cent of their GDP, which only comes to one-third of the target number. Countries like Portugal, Italy, Canada, Belgium, and Spain are committing to around 1.50 per cent. This goes as part of the plans and budget designed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With member nations committing to less than two per cent, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that the members spend at least three per cent, and the remaining 1.5 per cent will be invested in defence-related infrastructure. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the five per cent target is not met, it will pose a financial challenge in the future, and for the US, since it spends around 3.37 per cent of its GDP. With Merz, Wadephul, and Soder of CDU/CSU approve the defence budget, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) does not completely agree with this. Foreign Policy spokesman, Adis Ahmetovic, said that the US proposal looks good, but the CDU must not accept it immediately and should take its time and think about it. The discussions on the budget will be made within the coalition. (Matt Ford, “Germany backs 5% NATO defense spending target,” Deutsche Welle, 15 May 2025)
GREECE
Tsunami warning issued after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake
On 14 May, Greek emergency services released a warning to the people to move away from the coast, after an offshore earthquake struck the island of Kasos. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in the southeast region of Kasos, and the Ministry of Climate Crisis has warned of a possible tsunami. According to the German Research Center for Geosciences, the depth of the earthquake was at 83 kms. Tremors were felt in parts of Israel, Turkey, and Egypt. The geographic positioning of Greece lies between several fault lines. (Kate Hairsine, “Greece issues tsunami warning after strong earthquake,” Deutsche Welle, 14 May 2025)
ROMANIA
Disinformation surge ahead of presidential elections
On 16 May, Euronews reported on the tense presidential run-off scheduled this week, while the battle of disinformation aimed at destabilizing trust in democratic institutions continues. The contest involves ultra-nationalist Eurosceptic George Simion against pro-EU centrist Nicușor Dan, following a controversial annulment of last November’s vote due to intelligence reports of foreign interference via TikTok. Disinformation campaigns, often linked to pro-Kremlin actors and amplified through Telegram channels, are spreading false claims of electoral fraud and government crimes. Analysts warn these efforts are eroding public trust and deepening voter apathy in a country already marked by institutional skepticism. Open Minds reports a persistent presence of Russian-aligned propaganda networks, while experts highlight Romania’s vulnerability as a frontline state in Eastern Europe. Simion, who has made anti-Ukrainian statements and is barred from entering Ukraine and Moldova, leads in some polls amid mounting mutual accusations of misinformation between the two camps.
SWITZERLAND
Government approves five clean electricity plants
On 15 May, the Swiss government approves the five electricity reserve plants, powered by CO2-neutral fuel, that hold the capacity of 583 megawatts. The plants are to be operational between 2027 and 2030. The Getec plants will be located in several areas across the region, including one in Monthey, Valais, two in Eiken, Aragau, one in Axpo’s Auhafen, Muttenz, Basel, and one in Stien, Aragau. The Getec plants will be powered by hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which is obtained from food fats, leftovers, and animal waste. The cost of electricity reserves will be charged to the consumers via the grid usage tariffs, which are proportional to electricity consumption. The Federal Department of the Environment is working on a transitional solution that could replace the reserve power plants by the time winter 2026 arrives. (“Switzerland approves clean reserve electricity plants,” Swiss Info, 15 May 2025)
REGIONAL
Europe’s defence product SG-1 to be powered by the AI platform Lura
On 13 May, Europe’s defence start-up Helsing has released its latest product, which is the autonomous mini-submarine for underwater reconnaissance. The SG-1 Fathom is the latest edition of the growing defence fleet, which aims at protecting the ships and sub-sea infrastructure from surveillance, sabotage, and. It is designed to slowly patrol the oceans for three months at a time. It is powered by an AI platform, Lura, a large acoustics model built like a large language model (LLM), but for sound. Lura can detect and classify sounds made by ships and submarines and locate them precisely. Helsing products are designed to detect ultrasounds and work 40 times faster than any human operator. (“Helsing’s AI submarine joins Europe’s growing ocean drone fleet,” TNW, 13 May 2025)
EU aims to strengthen collective defence clause
On 16 May, the EU announced to revamp of its mutual defence clause, Article 42.7, to bolster military cooperation and mobility across member states, as the US increasingly pivots toward the Asia-Pacific. Triggered only once after the 2015 Paris attacks, Article 42.7 is often viewed as weaker than NATO’s collective defence provision. General Robert Brieger, head of the EU Military Committee, emphasized the need for a more defined and operational version of the clause to address future threats and reduce dependency on external actors. With 23 of the EU's 27 members also in NATO, the goal is to complement rather than duplicate NATO’s role, particularly in areas like military mobility, critical infrastructure protection, and defence technology development. The European Commission is pushing for up to EUR 800 billion in defence investments over four years, including a proposed EUR 150 billion loan facility to support joint procurement of European-made military equipment. The initiative reflects growing recognition that Europe's security must be increasingly self-reliant and strategically integrated.
INTERNATIONAL
Reports on the brutal living conditions of the Senegalese fishermen
On 13 May, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) published a report on the link between illegal, unreported, unregulated and overfishing and its impact on Senegal fisheries and immigration to Europe. Senegal relies on fishing for maintaining their standard of living and food security. With the decline in the fish population, many are forced to migrate to Europe. The fishing sector employs only three percent of the workforce, and contributes to the total population intake. The gravity of the situation has become even more primarily because of the activities conducted by the EU and China. The CEO of the EJF said that the fishermen compete with the industrial vessels that have better resources, standard of living, and a socio-economic backbone. With Europe and China overtaking, the conditions among the locals continue to deteriorate, and the jobs that have kept them going for generations are starting to disappear. (Rob Hutchins, “Fisheries crisis in Senegal drives forced migration to Europe,” Oceanographic, 13 May 2025)
US releases an executive order that target the European pharma industry
On 15 May, US President Donald Trump announced an executive order to lower drug prices, which targets the European pharmaceutical industry. He commented that he is not knocking the pharma companies, but the countries producing them. This executive order plans to change the value of the drug prices to those paid by the consumers of other developed countries. This enables the prices of the drugs in the US to come down by at least 60 to 90 per cent. Looking at this case from Trump’s perspective, patients in the US are subsidising their medical bills and sending them to banks in other countries, which brings more profit for them. Based on the calculations made, the American population is around 4 per cent of the total, and 75 per cent of them seek healthcare in other regions. So the solution remains that lowering drug prices without cutting into the pharma profits is to sacrifice innovation in other countries, and they will have to pay more in Europe. Experts criticize this by saying that the prices are not about to rise anytime soon, and even if they did, it would not solve the problem completely. According to Kerstin Noelle Vokinger, professor of law and medicine at the University of Zurich and Federal Technology, the laws and policies in every country differ, and increasing the prices is not the solution without changing these laws. (Jessica Davis Pluss, “Despite Trump’s bold claims, medicine prices in Europe won’t rise anytime soon,” Swiss Info, 15 May 2025)
Iran and Europe to Resume nuclear talks in Turkey amid renewed diplomatic push
On 16 May, Iran will meet with the UK, France, and Germany in Istanbul for nuclear discussions following US President Donald Trump's statement that a deal with Tehran is "getting close." These talks come amid rising tensions over the possible reimposition of UN sanctions by the European powers, which Iran warns could lead to "irreversible" consequences. The original 2015 nuclear deal—abandoned by Trump in 2018—had provided sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, but has since unravelled. While Europe considers invoking a "snapback" mechanism to restore sanctions due to Iran's non-compliance, Tehran signals readiness to rebuild ties. The Istanbul talks follow a challenging yet "useful" fourth round of US-Iran negotiations, with Trump reiterating support for diplomacy while threatening renewed pressure if talks fail. Iran denies receiving a US proposal but expresses willingness to cooperate in exchange for sanctions relief.
|
