Make sure you know where the money goes, EU auditors warn about draft defence programme

The number one issue raised by the Court of Auditors (ECA) is the “risk” that the proposed budget of €1,5 billion for two years “may not be commensurate with the proposal's objectives,” Micheal Bain, key auditor behind this opinion, told Euractiv.

Frugal no more: new NATO chief Mark Rutte urges members increase defence spending

"To truly match the capabilities with the needs, we need significantly more defence spending," says Rutte in his inauguration speech to NATO members.

Stoltenberg’s last hurrah as NATO chief

Support to Ukraine, revamping the club's collective defence mechanisms and spending increases remain key highlights of Jens Stoltenberg's ten years at the head of NATO, as on Tuesday (1 October), he handed over the reins to Mark Rutte.

Five key issues that could define Rutte’s success as NATO boss 

When Dutchman Mark Rutte takes over as NATO's secretary general on Tuesday (1 October), his first five tasks may be obvious and unsurprising, but they will not be easy to navigate.

Challenges and high expectations as Rutte starts first day as NATO chief

Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will assume the role of NATO Secretary-General on Monday (30 September), marking the start of a new chapter for the North Atlantic Alliance as he takes over from Jens Stoltenberg.

EU funds for defence industry: member states set up a puzzle of rules and derogations

According to a draft document seen by Euractiv, member states are not convinced that the EU can scale up production to be sufficiently prepared for war.

Putin’s nuclear red line: Does he actually mean it?

President Vladimir Putin has drawn a "red line" for the United States and its allies by signalling that Moscow will consider responding with nuclear weapons if they allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range Western missiles.

China’s newest nuclear-powered submarine sank this year, US reveals

China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, a senior US defense official said on Thursday (26 September), a potential embarrassment for Beijing as it seeks to expand its military capabilities.

Almost 30 companies refine concept of European defence industry, without the French

Close to 30 EU defence companies participated in defining who could access EU funds under the European Defence Programme (EDIP), excluding the French industry's push for stricter criteria.

Brussels cancels New Year’s fireworks, festivities over terror threat

Belgian authorities on Wednesday cancelled the annual New Year's Eve festivities and fireworks in the heart of Brussels after revealing an alleged jihadist plot to attack the capital during the holiday.

France targets ‘low-cost’ terror financing at UN

France's finance minister is pushing for global standards to prevent small, anonymous money transfers believed to be used to finance attacks such as Islamic State's assault on Paris in November.

EU leaders silent on growing risk of an ISIS chemical attack

Plans to address the risk of a terrorist attack with non-conventional weapons are not part of the EU summit on 17-18 December, despite the growing risk of a such an attack by ISIS on European soil, according to analysts and EU institutions.

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Fearing escalation, NATO reins in Turkey

NATO plans to send air defence support to Turkey partly to minimise the risk of Ankara shooting down another Russian warplane, while assuaging its fears of a spillover from the conflict in Syria, senior alliance sources say.

France eyes European system to track terrorism finance

In the absence of better cooperation from Washington, France wants European countries to set up their own system to track terrorism finance.

EU lawmakers back air passenger data deal

EU lawmakers on Thursday (10 December) backed plans to track airline passenger names as part of efforts to prevent a repeat of the Paris attacks, some of whose perpetrators travelled freely across Europe before the carnage.

Davutoglu accuses Russia of attempting ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Syria

Turkey's premier accused Russia yesterday (9 December) of "ethnic cleansing" in northern Syria, saying Moscow was trying to drive out the local Turkmen and Sunni Muslim populations for military purposes.

Donald Trump stirs global outrage with anti-Muslim comment

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump yesterday (8 December) defended his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, comparing his plan to the World War Two detainment of Japanese-Americans in an attempt to dismiss growing outrage from around the world.

US passes bill to keep away ‘foreign fighters’

The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly yesterday (8 December) to tighten restrictions on travel to the United States by citizens of 38 nations who are allowed to enter the country without obtaining a visa.

Latvian PM Laimdota Straujuma resigns

Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma said today (7 December) that she was resigning her post after political squabbles within her centre right ruling coalition and dissatisfaction about her leadership.

France targets African renewables projects for climate finance

African countries are among the world's smallest emitters of CO2, but are on the front line of climate change. France has pledged additional funding for climate adaptation, amid accusations of recycling old money. EURACTIV France reports. 

Barnier: The EU is at risk of disintegration

Michel Barnier, former Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, now Special Counsellor for Defence Policy to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Wednesday (1 December) that he saw a serious risk of the EU disintegrating.

US mulls visa restrictions on EU travellers after Paris attacks

Lawmakers were introducing legislation this week tightening the program that allows millions to travel to the United States without a visa, as Congress moves to enhance security following the deadly Paris attacks.