Photo : Marijan Murat/dpa/picture alliance
13 March 2024, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #780
By Rosemary Kurian
GERMANY
Report finds shortage in military in aircraft, tanks and ammunition
On 12 March, Deutsche Welle reported that Eva Högl, the Bundestag’s Commissioner for the armed forces, presented a report stating that the Bundeswehr, the German military, “had too little of everything.” Despite having earmarked a special modernisation fund worth EUR 100 billion for the Bundeswehr two years back, Högl noted the need for improvements in infrastructure, equipment and personnel. The military faces shortages of aircrafts, ships, tanks, spare parts, radio devices and other ammunition. Högl however has noted that the Bundestag approved defence contracts amounting to EUR 47.7 billion in 2023, also planning for the use of two-thirds of the special defence fund. According to the report, German soldiers are “aging and shrinking,” suggesting an increase in troop numbers from 181,000 to 203,000 in the next seven years. (“Germany's military is aging and shrinking, says report,” Deutsche Welle, 12 March 2024)
SWEDEN
Greta Thunberg moved from entrance from protesting in the entrance of the parliament
On 12 March, Deutsche Welle reported that Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist was removed from the entrance of the Swedish parliament along with other climate activists for obstructing the entrance to the parliament. The climate campaign reached its second day where activists demonstrated a sit-down protest against the effects of climate change outside of the Parliament. According to Stockholm police, activists had the right to protest outside the parliament but not to block the entrance which led to actions against five to ten individuals. Thunberg became a significant figure in the global fight against climate change among the youth due to her sit-downs outside parliament since 2018. She was earlier removed by the German police during a protest against a coal mine in western Germany. (“Greta Thunberg removed from blocking Swedish parliament,” Deutsche Welle, 12 March 2024)
THE UK
Giant trees thrive better than in California due to higher carbon absorption
On 13 March, the BBC reported that the giant redwoods, world’s largest trees native to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, are flourishing in the UK, better than in California. The UK has around 500,000 of these trees compared to 80,000 in California, which are, however, shorter than their Californian counterparts. The latter can reach 90 metres in height compared to the former, the tallest being 54.87 metres. They could catch up with their 2000-years life span. Scientists have observed that the redwoods can absorb a considerable amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which could aid in tackling climate change. The trees in the UK, with a 45 metre height, have about 10 to 15 tonnes of carbon stored in them. The trees particularly grow in cool and wet climates, conducive in the UK. But with the effects of climate change causing a dry climate in California, the redwoods are under threat, which could be replicated in the UK too. (Rebecca Morelle and Alison Francis, “Giant redwoods: World’s largest trees 'thriving in UK',” BBC, 13 March 2024)
NORWAY
Trial begins for the 2022 gay bar shooting in Oslo
On 13 March, Deutsche Welle reported that Norway began its trial against Zaniar Matapour, a man accused of shooting at a popular gay bar in Oslo, killing two and injuring nine in 2022. Mantapour fired 10 rounds with a machine gun and eight rounds with a handgun, according to Sturla Henriksbo, the prosecutor, in the “London Pub” the night before Oslo’s pride parade, which got cancelled following the incident. Matapour claimed himself to have sworn allegiance to the Islamic State according to prosecutors, in a case that has been claimed by officials as an “act of Islamic terrorism” with Norway raising its threat assessment to the highest level. Matapour refused to speak to investigators in the case that could sentence him to 30 years in prison. He questioned the judge on the trial overlapping with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which the judge perceived as a non-conflict. (“Norway: Oslo terrorism trial for LGBTQ bar shooting begins,” Deutsche Welle, 13 March 2024)
REGIONAL
Romanian President joins the race for NATO's next secretary general
On 12 March, Politico reported on the joining of Klaus Iohannis, the Romanian President, against Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, in the race to become NATO's next Secretary General. Iohannis announced his candidacy citing the lack of an Eastern European presence in NATO’s decision making, becoming the first potential NATO chief from the former Soviet bloc. The Secretary General is chosen based on consensus from all 32 NATO Allies, and Rutte has failed to convince all 32, with significant opposition from Hungary due to Rutte’s earlier comment on Hungarian democratic backsliding. Romania, Turkey, and the Baltic countries haven’t yet expressed their support for him. The big four in NATO– the US, Britain, France and Germany– have supported Rutte’s candidacy, due to his skills as a consensus-builder, a much required skill provided the NATO sceptic Donald Trump returns to American presidency. Iohannis has claimed to be the harbinger of change in NATO, including mandatory defence spending of two per cent of the GDP, working with partners in the Indo-Pacific, and pitching NATO’s digital transformation and increased investment in technology. (Stuart Lau, “Romania’s president launches bid for NATO top job against Mark Rutte,” Politico, 12 March 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
First aid ship to Gaza sent from Cyprus
On 13 March, the BBC reported that ‘The Open Arms,’ a Spanish ship, with 200 tonnes of essential food supplies for Palestinians in Gaza, has begun from Cyprus. Gaza has no functioning port, which prompted World Central Kitchen, a US charity, to initiate the building of a jetty to receive aid. The success of the Spanish ship will prompt several European and Emirati efforts to get the much needed aid into Gaza, which would otherwise go into a state of famine. While the quickest way to take aid is via road, Israeli restrictions prevent it. Israel has stated that a maritime corridor facilitating aid into Gaza is welcomed. (David Gritten, “Gaza war: First aid ship sets off from Cyprus,” BBC, 13 March 2024)