EUROMIL holds its 130th General Assembly meeting
The European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions (EUROMIL) held its 130th General Assembly in Budapest, Hungary, hosted by member association HÉSZ. EUROMIL President, Emmanuel Jacob, opened the conference by welcoming representatives from across Europe and emphasizing the significant geopolitical challenges currently facing the continent, along key developments at …
16ICOAF Meeting in Berlin
The 16th International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (16ICOAF) took place in Berlin from September 30 to October 2, 2024. Co-hosted by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and the German Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, the conference brought together military ombuds institutions and …
Europe’s new College of Commissioners: Is it a turning Point for European Defence?
On September 17, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the new College of Commissioners, introducing a range of portfolios—some entirely new, others updated, and familiar ones like Budget and Transport. Notably, she announced the appointment of a Commissioner for Defence and Space. Over the past months various speculations …
Gender, Inclusivity and the Armed Forces
Gender inclusion is a concept that goes further gender equality, specifically it outlines the idea that all services, opportunities and institutions are open for every kind of people and that gender stereotypes are not able to define social roles and responsibilities. Firstly, to guarantee inclusion is important to use a …
News from Greece
A major meeting took place of the federations representing Greek security forces and armed forces personnel. It criticizes the government for its recent decision to raise night shift compensation by just 20%, amounting to an insufficient €0.55 gross per hour. The federations express frustration with this symbolic increase, viewing it …
The Draghi Report: A New Path for European Competitiveness in the Military Sector
The Draghi report, commissioned by the European Commission, sets out a vision for revitalizing Europe’s competitiveness in the face of growing global challenges, especially from China and the United States. The report, prepared by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, calls for unprecedented investment in the EU’s industrial, defence, and …
Balancing Justice and Duty: The Debate on AWOL and Desertion Reform in Ukraine
On 17 July 2024, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) adopted in the first reading of the draft law on the return to service of military personnel after the first absence without leave (AWOL) and desertion. As noted on the website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, “draft law No. …
Cοnscription Comeback: How Eurοpe is Reinventing Military Service
In respοnse to escalating glοbal tensions, particularly the war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Eurοpean nations are reassessing their military strategies. A notable trend emerging is the reintroduction or strengthening of conscriptiοn policies across the cοntinent, signalling a significant shift in apprοach to national and regional …
Navigating global security and defence challenges: a comprehensive outlook for the next months
The next six months are poised to bring significant security and defence challenges on multiple fronts, with Europe at the center of many developments. From the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine to the volatile situation in the Middle East, and from emerging tensions in Asia to the critical role …
Celebrating 75 years of NATO: Reflections from the 2024 Washington D.C. Summit
This year marks a significant milestone for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. The 2024 Washington D.C. Summit, held in the United States capital, served as a momentous occasion to reflect on the alliance’s rich history and its enduring commitment to collective defense and …