Convergence and Divergences: Unravelling the Challenges and Opportunities of the Future Combat Aircraft of Europe, a key element for European Interoperability

The Russian war in Ukraine has reiterated the significance of air superiority in achieving war objectives. “The war in Ukraine shows what fighting without air superiority looks like – massed armies relying on ground-based artillery firepower for their lethality, with hundreds of thousands of dead in the first year”. So, preventing long and deadly campaigns for Land Forces is critical for Europe, which strong air capabilities can accomplish. The Western world and Russia have been on the vanguard of air combat technology for decades. Since the end of the Cold War, many further countries have embarked on developing their aircraft capabilities, with China putting together one of the most severe efforts to counter Western technologies. Nowadays, building advanced aircrafts requires heavy investment in technological warfare. It is also a simultaneous sign of geopolitical strength. Thus, the possession of self-made aircrafts is proof of having not only the industrial and financial capability to reach higher levels of defence autonomy, but also the will and determination to achieve such goals. In that regard, it is worth to analyse whether Europe has the capability and determination to achieve such a milestone in defensive capabilities as having a standard combat air system.

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A Threatening Heat for the European Defence: How the EU Shaped its Defence Policy to Adapt to Climate Change: Assessing the Recent Defence Policies

As stated by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in 2020, our environment is disastrous and immediate action is required. In an environment where individuals have to flee uninhabitable areas and conflicts arise over key natural resources, the question raises how the EU intends to prepare the military to enable a green transition and how European defence policies adapted the militaries for the challenges caused by climate change.

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An Analysis of the Interplay between Environmental Regulations and Armed Forces

In an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront of international discourse, this paper examines the intersection of legislation governing environmental protection and the activities of military forces worldwide with a particular focus on European Union Member States. To this end, case studies such as that of the 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires and oil spills are employed to illustrate instances where armed forces have disregarded environmental mandates. The tension between military necessities and environmental protection forms a central theme, prompting a critical evaluation of the inherent conflicts and potential synergies. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for more consistent legislation as well as a more holistic approach to the protection of the environment. In essence, this paper highlights that there is no complete and comprehensive legal framework regarding the protection of the environment in general, let alone in military contexts.

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A Comparative Study of Article 5 of the NATO and Article 42(7) of the Treaty on The European Union

Over the past decades, Europe has enjoyed an extraordinary period of peace, but this has not been achieved without any cost. Indeed, the membership of European states within the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has played a key role, primarily through their commitment to mutual defence, contained in Art. 42 (7) of the Treaty of the European Union and Art. 5 NATO Charter. By establishing such clauses, the signatory parties commit to support each other in case of attack against any of them. Despite their importance in ensuring the security of all allies, scenarios such as the 9/11 terrorist attack on the US or the 2016 terrorist attacks in Paris showed their limitations when the affected states invoked these clauses.

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Politics of Aid During the War on Ukraine

It is becoming difficult to analyse the 2022 conflict in Ukraine without also evaluating the political debate in Washington, D.C. This debate is becoming particularly relevant among 'America First' supporters who question the continued financial and military aid provided by the United States. Despite initial bipartisan support for aid packages, dissent has been growing, with critics arguing for fiscal caution rather than continued support. This paper outlines the aims of the ‘America First’ foreign policy. The primary aim of ‘America First’ politicians is that US allies contribute their fair share to collective deterrence in NATO and internationally. This paper highlights that since 2022, many European allies have contributed more than their fair share of defence spending. ‘America First’ poli￾ticians also demand that the foreign policy focus on cost-effectiveness. Understanding the specifics of this term is critical to measuring the success of the US aid program to Ukraine.

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