Read more about the article A Step Forward for EU as a Defense Actor: The Jointly Procurement of Ammunition for Ukraine
Info Flash

A Step Forward for EU as a Defense Actor: The Jointly Procurement of Ammunition for Ukraine

This Info Flash analysis how from the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union member states took several steps against the Russian government, especially in terms of individual and economic sanctions to publicly condemn the illegal and unjustified aggression of February 2022. This war has been recognized as a wake-up call for the EU, which - for the first time - devoted funds for the supply of lethal weapons to a third country. Specifically, the European Peace Facility (EPF) has become the most important budget tool for the EU to implement a number of active military operations and assistance missions. The latest project put forward by the EU—and partially connected to the EPF—has been a three-track proposal meant to collectively provide Ukraine with additional artillery ammunition. Despite the criticism and doubts that have been raised on the subject, this Info Flash represents a landmark juncture for the EU in terms of military and defence efforts.

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27 April 2023
Read more about the article Approaching the 10th Anniversary of Yaoundé – Lessons for Regional Actors in Securing Meaningful Peace in the Gulf of Guinea
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Approaching the 10th Anniversary of Yaoundé – Lessons for Regional Actors in Securing Meaningful Peace in the Gulf of Guinea

This Info Flash approaches the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and its Architecture, taking stock of their impact on maritime security and safety in the Gulf of Guinea. The Code is a multilateral maritime security framework that coordinates State and regional involvement in combatting piracy, kidnapping and robbery in the Gulf of Guinea (Code, 2013, p. 1). To complement this strategy, the EU adopted its maritime security strategy in 2014, which sought to enhance the Code’s implementation and compliance (EU External Actions Service 2021). This was further supported by international partners such as the G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea (FoGG), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) (Côrte-Real 2022, p.69). As a result, this Info Flash will provide a brief overview of the impact of these regional initiatives and elaborate recommendations, coastal states and their partners should consider as we approach the 10th anniversary in June 2023.

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27 April 2023
Read more about the article Going Against Machiavelli: Russia’s Increasing Reliance on Mercenaries
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Going Against Machiavelli: Russia’s Increasing Reliance on Mercenaries

This Info Flash examines the recent history and attempts to regulate mercenaries on national and international levels, the history of Russian mercenaries, and the implications of the use of mercenaries in Ukraine. There is a focus on the Wagner Group, which has grown in importance due to the group’s recent size increase and its leadership’s growing influence in the Kremlin. Targeting these groups through their finances and contracts is a good way for the West to counter their activities in Africa and the Middle East.

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26 April 2023
Read more about the article Russia Spy Ships Gather Intelligence in the North Sea for Future Sabotages
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Russia Spy Ships Gather Intelligence in the North Sea for Future Sabotages

On 19 April 2023, a joint investigation of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish public broadcasters found that Russia has been using boats disguised as fishing and research ships to perform surveillance and gather intelligence in the North Sea.

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24 April 2023
Read more about the article Attrition in Ukraine: Where Kyiv Stands After One Year
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Attrition in Ukraine: Where Kyiv Stands After One Year

This Info Flash presents how the Russo-Ukrainian War has devolved into a war of attrition. With material in short supply, Ukraine depends heavily on foreign contributions to maintain the war effort. Furthermore, loss in revenue from decreased production, exports, and taxes leads to massive deficits for the national government. Post-war reconstruction is also expected to be expensive, requiring significant external assistance. As a result, while continuous military and economic support from NATO, the EU, and others is essential to Ukraine, it will be important for countries to increase the necessary defence production to maintain their stockpiles and to plan for continued financial assistance for the duration of the war and following its conclusion.

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19 April 2023