Security
Commission presents security strategy to tackle Europe’s evolving threat landscape
Better cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure, doubling down on tackling terrorism and organized crime, and preparing the bloc for emerging threats in “real and digital” environments, dominated the European Commission’s new EU Security Union strategy, presented on Friday (24 July)....
‘Sovereignty and solidarity’: Germany’s plans for the EU’s foreign policy
Solidarity and sovereignty is the name of the game for the German presidency, according to Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD). In a speech on Monday, he emphasised the need for greater EU independence from the current geopolitical power struggle between the US and China.
Virus lockdown could fuel radicalisation, Europol warns
Coronavirus lockdowns could radicalise more terror suspects, the EU’s police agency warned Tuesday (23 June), saying both right and leftwing violence were on the rise. The pandemic’s worldwide economic and social impacts could escalate existing discontents, Europol director Catherine De...
SPD leadership reignites German debate on US nuclear weapons
Germany should "exclude the stationing of US nuclear weapons in the future," Rolf Mützenich, the leader of the Social Democrats (SPD) in the Bundestag, has demanded. Foreign minister Heiko Maas has hit back, but other Socialist politicians intend to question Germany's role in NATO's nuclear strategy.
EU under pressure to broker online terrorist content agreement
The European Council and Commission are under pressure to make headway on rules to stamp out online terrorist content, the substance of which could provide a precedent for the upcoming Digital Services Act, an MEP involved with the matter told EURACTIV.
After the pandemic: COVID-19 exposes threat of biological warfare
The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has shaken confidence in governments’ capacity to respond to threats that the scientific and health communities have long have well aware of. From Asia to Europe to North America, health authorities are struggling to cope, writes Ellen Laipson.
Merkel and Putin’s forced ‘rapprochement’
Russia's international influence has led to stronger cooperation between German Chancellor Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But what can both leaders achieve? EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel does a Q&A.
France, UK say they look beyond Brexit in Mali cooperation
Sharing the cockpit of a helicopter on sizzling tarmac, French and British air force chiefs vowed to pursue the joint fight against jihadists in the heart of the Sahel even as the shadow of Brexit looms over their countries.
EU police deal ‘severe blow’ to Islamic State online propaganda
European police said on Monday (25 November) they had dealt a "severe blow" to the Islamic State group's web propaganda, stopping the spread of thousands of items glorifying terrorism.
US urges Europe to take back Islamic State fighters
The United States on Monday (18 November) stepped up its push for European countries to repatriate and put on trial their citizens who fought for the Islamic State, launching talks with officials in Brussels.
Turkey starts ‘sending home’ detained foreign fighters
Turkey said on Monday (11 November) it had deported two captives from Islamic State, a German and an American, starting a programme to repatriate detainees that has caused friction with its NATO allies since it launched an offensive in northern Syria.
Denmark to strip foreign fighters of Danish citizenship
Denmark will fast-track legislation allowing people with dual citizenship who have gone abroad to fight for militant groups like Islamic State to be stripped of their Danish nationality, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday (13 October).
A hair’s breadth from a massacre: a closer look at the Synagogue shooting in Germany
A gunman killed two people and injured several on Wednesday, but his failure to open the Synagogue's door spared the German city of Halle from a massacre. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
EU launches new counter-terrorism database
Eurojust, the EU’s agency on judicial co-operation, launched a Counter-Terrorism Register on Thursday (5 September), designed to streamline the exchange of information between EU member states for potential terrorist offences.
Trump ready to meet Iranian president in potential breakthrough
US President Donald Trump said Monday (26 August) at the G7 summit that he is prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart within weeks in what would amount to a stunning change of direction in the two countries' smouldering standoff.
Iran’s Zarif makes surprise visit to G7 summit
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the G7 summit on Sunday (25 August) in a surprise attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.
France continues to flourish on EU arms sales market
An increasing number of EU member states is buying weapons 'made in France'. After its exports were high in 2018, France is even expected to top those numbers in 2019. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Huawei blocks over a hundred products from market due to security concerns
The Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei has blocked more than a hundred products from being released on the market due to concerns that the items do not meet security standards, EURACTIV has learnt.
Finland kicks off EU presidency with bid to tackle ‘unfin[n]ished business’
"A sustainable Europe - a sustainable future". This is Finland's motto to kickstart its presidency in the European Council for the next six months. The Finnish programme seeks to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, expand the digital internal market and strengthen military cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU, France, Germany and UK urge Iran to reverse uranium decision
The diplomatic chiefs of the EU, France, Germany and Britain said Tuesday (2 July) they were "extremely concerned" and urged Iran to reverse its decision to breach a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal.
Finland to push EU review of internal security to face new threats
Finland will push for a review of the bloc’s internal security strategy to better face new challenges including hybrid threats, Finnish ministers explained on Thursday (27 June), as the country geared up to start its six-month-stint at the helm of the EU's rotating presidency.
EU backs cyber sanctions regime, following Dutch and UK pressure
Under new EU rules, individuals and groups conducting cyber-attacks from outside the bloc may be hit with potential sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes. But the measures announced on Friday will be applied only to "persons and entities" and not to national governments.
EXCLUSIVE: Germany blocking EU plans to stop spyware trade with dictators
EU proposals to establish export restrictions on spyware are being held back by Germany, which has adopted an ambiguous stance on the plans, EURACTIV has learnt.