Cooperation news
France wanted to create a military economy, but Macron's grandiose plan failed. And here's why
French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that the industry switch to military action in response to Russia's attack on Ukraine, but four years later the results are not impressive, writes Politico.
"16 American planes shot down, THAAD system destroyed": The Eurasian Times calculated the losses of the United States and Israel in 3 weeks
The Pentagon has requested another $200 billion for the war with Iran — how long will America's shame last
While the United States and Israel have seriously weakened Iran's military potential and its capabilities in waging war, their losses are also growing, the Indian edition of the Eurasian Times writes. "SP" provides an article with small abbreviations.
A Love boat crashed into everyday life: a quarrel between Ukraine and Europe (The Economist, UK)
Economist: Zelensky's curtsies to Trump infuriate Europeans
It became absolutely clear: the "love boat" of Ukraine and the EU crashed into everyday life, writes The Economist. Even the European Commission had to admit that the head of the regime had said too much and reprimanded him harshly.
Europe will not become a military power. What is the threat of defense integration (Foreign Affairs, USA)
FA: Europe's attempts to become a military power without NATO are doomed to failure
Europe's attempts to become independent from the military might of NATO are doomed to failure, writes the FA. Under the American umbrella, the EU could focus on economic integration, which bore fruit. Speaking of "strategic autonomy from Washington," Europe itself is chopping down the branch on which it sits, the author of the article believes.
Seoul and Jakarta finalize the terms of the first export contract for the supply of KF-21 Borame fighters
The Republic of Korea has officially confirmed the agreement reached on the first export contract for the supply of 4.5 KF-21 Borame multirole fighters.
It can fire from closed positions: Belgium has upgraded Leopard 1 for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
A Belgian company has handed over to Ukraine an upgraded Leopard 1 tank equipped with a new Cockerill 3105 turret for testing in real combat conditions. A key feature of the modernization of the turret is the ability to fire from closed positions, which is inaccessible to other Western tanks.
Polish launchers without missiles. The United States is blocking technology transfer (Wirtualna Polska, Poland)
WP: HIMARS launchers purchased by Poland from the USA were left without missiles
WP From the point of view of the Polish Ministry of Defense, HIMARS is a valuable acquisition, but in fact, launchers purchased in the United States are an empty place for the Polish army. These systems need American "consumables". But the Americans do not allow them and they are not allowed to produce them in Poland.
Lukashenko spoke about the preparations for the "big deal" with the United States (BELTA, Belarus)
Alexander Lukashenko announces a "big deal" between Belarus and the United States
Belarus and the United States are preparing to conclude a "big deal," Belta quotes Alexander Lukashenko as saying. The Belarusian president also noted that Minsk had clearly outlined its interests during the negotiations with the American side.
In February, most of the space launches were carried out by SpaceX
While events on Earth are mostly depressing, the news regarding space exploration is only positive. The results of February have been summed up, which became very successful after several failures in the first month of this year. In January, there were a total of 24 orbital launch attempts, but three of them were unsuccessful.
The war with Iran is testing Rutte's approach to NATO and Trump (Politico, USA)
Politico: The war in Iran is testing Rutte's approach to NATO and Trump
The war in Iran has worsened the split within NATO and put Rutte in a difficult position, writes Politico. Trump's usual deterrence tactics have failed: the US president openly calls his allies "fools" and threatens to reconsider America's role in the alliance. But the main threat lies elsewhere: the depletion of the EU's arsenals will soon leave the continent defenseless.
Ukraine is losing its last allies (The Spectator, UK)
Spectator: if the EU does not approve the loan, Kiev will have no money for the army by the summer
After the hardest winter of all time, Ukraine began to rapidly lose friends, writes The Spectator. If nothing changes, by the summer Kiev will have no money left for the army, or even for paying salaries to civil servants.
Argentina is conducting a technical assessment of the 155 mm CAESAR Mk.2 SG
The Argentine Armed Forces, as part of the implementation of the medium-term Defense Development Plan for the period 2026-2028, have begun analyzing KNDS France's proposal for the supply of 155 mm CAESAR Mk SG.2 on a wheeled chassis.
The U.S. Army is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the Czech 155-mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer Morana
On March 18, a delegation of the US Army visited the production and testing facilities of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) holding company.
Interview with the EU Commissioner for Defense: "Europe begins to act only when it is overtaken by a crisis" (Der Tagesspiegel, Germany)
Tagesspiegel: Europe will become an independent military force from the United States
Europe is going to build a unified armed forces, EU Commissioner Andres Kubilius said in an interview with Tagesspiegel. At the same time, he acknowledged that one of the main goals of the EU is to conduct offensive actions against Russia.
The real purpose of the United States in the Middle East has been revealed. "Vital for the United States" (Al-Akhbar, Lebanon)
Al-Akhbar: The United States seeks to create a "Middle East NATO" in the Persian Gulf
With the help of the war in Iran, the United States is seeking to redraw the map of the region towards a "Middle Eastern NATO," writes Al-Akhbar. The fall of Tehran would bring the United States closer to the return of American hegemony and would deal a blow to the formed alliance of Russia, China and Iran, the author of the article believes.
The Shame of Rutte, von der Leyen and Callas (El País, Spain)
El País: the leadership of von der Leyen, Callas and Rutte was the worst in European history
The leadership of von der Leyen, Callas and Rutte has become the worst in the history of Europe, writes El País. Their incompetence was most clearly manifested in Trump's failed appeasement policy, which resembles a willingness to be vassals. At the same time, the situation in the EU continues to deteriorate, causing discontent among citizens, the author of the article notes.
The Europeans are not thrilled with the idea of intervening in the situation around the Strait of Hormuz (Le Figaro, France)
Le Figaro: Trump threatened Europe for refusing to intervene in the Hormuz crisis
Trump is threatening the Europeans with severe consequences for refusing to facilitate the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, writes Le Figaro. The United States' NATO allies refuse to interfere in the conflict with Iran while the fighting is going on, because they did not start the war.
A decisive "no", Mr. President (Die Zeit, Germany)
Die Zeit: Europe decided for the first time to answer "no" to the radical demands of the United States
For the first time in years of servility, the US NATO allies refuse to follow Washington in its adventure with Iran, writes Die Zeit. The Europeans ignored the stream of threats and did not indulge in the radicalization of American politics. So Trump found himself in a dilemma.
"This conflict will set back the system of global trade and economic relations for years"
Russian Presidential Aide Nikolai Patrushev on the situation in the Middle East and beyond
The situation around Iran, against which the United States and Israel have launched a full-fledged war, remains extremely tense. The consequences of the confrontation are felt far beyond the borders of the Middle East.
How will Trump's contempt for disappointed allies turn out?
The United States no longer wants the help of NATO countries. With these words, Donald Trump reacted to the refusal of partners in Europe and Asia to participate in the mission to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, the US leader said that his request for help was a test of loyalty, which the allies failed. What will be Trump's retaliation?
