AUKUS Forum’s Post

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released a report entitled Next Steps to Defend the Transatlantic Alliance from Chinese Aggression. It examines the threat China poses to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and China’s manipulation of subnational actors like state and local governments to undermine national government policy. This report builds on Risch’s November 2020 report that laid out a number of key areas where the United States should collaborate with European allies on the challenges posed by China. https://lnkd.in/gW-RGH5H

With Alexander Stubb as a newly elected president, Finland joins Estonia and Poland headed by a new cadre of European leaders, who understand the dangers of appeasement when dealing with autocrats. When asked about the US presidential election and it’s implications on European security, Stubb explains to CNN’s Amanpour that regardless of its outcome, the US and Europe will remain close allies, but highlights the importance of all European countries to bring their military spending up to par with NATO’s requirements. With one of the most capable ground forces in Europe, and its military and security spending well above of the required 2% of the GDP, Finland can lead the way as an exemplary NATO ally in an era when liberal democracy needs defenders more than ever since the 1940’s. Congratulations Alex, Finland could not get a more capable head of foreign policy. #finland #eu #europeancommission #ukraine #democracy #nato #geopolitics #foreignaffairs #diplomacy

Since the election of Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as the president of the self-governing democracy of Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC, 中華民國), Beijing has been turning the screws on the island-nation—and not just in the military domain. National security officials from Taiwan are now sounding the alarm about a noticeable shift in the Chinese multi-domain pressure campaign against the island democracy. Indeed, multiple indicators are pointing to a more aggressive turn in Chinese Communist Party (CCP, 中國共產黨) General Secretary Xi Jinping’s (習近平) approach to Taiwan in the months ahead. #TSICommentaries #TSIWeekly20240721 #TSICrossStrait #TSIDiscoursePower #TSIDisinformation #CrossStrait #TaiwanSecurity

"Despite strong bipartisan support for his appointment, Campbell may struggle to bridge the credibility gap the United States is facing in the region. The US Senate’s proposed budget dedicates very little funding to the Indo-Pacific, with funding instead being directed towards Ukraine and the United States’ southern border. The majority of the proposed US$4.4 billion for the Indo-Pacific will go to the US Indo-Pacific Command and Taiwan, mostly for military purposes." #usa #bidenadministration #indopacific #nsc #statedepartment #china #southeastasia #greatpowercompetition #internationalrelations https://lnkd.in/e3xbMXsc

Via Euronews: Fact-check: Is the EU setting up a European army? The idea that the European Union has created or is creating a pan-European army that will conscript citizens from member states is often used to attack the bloc’s leadership and general direction. It’s typically peddled by right-wing parties and Eurosceptics active on social media to accuse the EU of attacking its members’ sovereignty. But many proponents of "ever closer union" also invoke the idea, arguing that a European army as a way the continent can better defend itself and reduce its reliance on the US. One of the best examples of EU army scare stories came during the Brexit debate, when "Leave" supporters whipped up fears of British citizens being drafted into a Europe-wide military force without any having say in the matter. Is there any truth in this? To put it simply: no, there’s no such thing as an EU army, and nor will there be one in the near future. https://lnkd.in/e9YnRUsF

🇬🇪GEORGIA & ITS POTENTIAL NATO MEMBERSHIP IN 2023 💭Membership in the NATO is more questionable. At the moment, in short, it does not look like Georgia will be acting on its membership aspiration if still being in place at all, but the cooperation is deepening. ✨ Our Executive Director - Alexandra Tóthová, explored in more depth the situation with the membership. #georgia #nato #membership #russia 🔗Read more here: https://lnkd.in/egnqZ6Ga

Premiered Jul 11, 2024 Defense.gov | Pentagon Press Secretary Drops Major Announcement | US Senate Armed Services Committee Watch President Joe Biden deliver an intense response to questions during a press briefing at the conclusion of the three-day NATO summit in Washington. Get the latest insights and reactions to Biden's statements on key issues discussed during the summit. Stay informed on the latest developments in international relations and diplomacy. Don't miss this important moment in political history! Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on world events. #JoeBiden #NATOSummit #PressBriefing #InternationalRelations #politicalnews Biden slams Trump in closely watched NATO speech: ‘I will beat him again’ In a fiery NATO speech, President Biden takes aim at former President Trump, vowing to defeat him once more. Watch as Biden passionately defends U.S. alliances and promises to crush Trump in the political arena. Don't miss this intense showdown between the two political heavyweights! President Biden's remarks at the NATO Summit press conference have sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Tune in to hear the latest updates and insights from the three-day summit in Washington. Stay informed on the key issues discussed and the implications for international relations in 2024 and beyond. Don't miss out on this crucial update from the heart of global diplomacy. Watch President Joe Biden deliver an intense response to questions during a press briefing at the conclusion of the three-day NATO summit in Washington. Get the latest insights and reactions to Biden's statements on key issues discussed during the summit. Stay informed on the latest developments in international relations and diplomacy. Don't miss this important moment in political history! Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on world events. #JoeBiden #NATOSummit #PressBriefing #InternationalRelations #PoliticalNews Defense Now July - 2024     • DN July 2024  President Joe Biden holds a press briefing at the end of the three-day NATO summit in Washington. Film Credits: Defense.gov #PresidentBiden #NATOSummit #GlobalPolitics #BreakingNews #NATO2024Explore the podcast Defense.gov | Pentagon Press Secretary Drops Major Announcement | US Senate Armed Services Committee #DefenseNow

Russia and other anti-Western powers are looking for weak links, i.e. unconsolidated polities and vulnerable societies they can undermine and attack. Russia and its allies will attempt to transform such states’ military, institutional, and societal weaknesses into fundamental challenges not only of the target nations, but also for the rest of Europe. The Kyiv Independent

Via Euronews: Fact-check: Is the EU setting up a European army? The idea that the European Union has created or is creating a pan-European army that will conscript citizens from member states is often used to attack the bloc’s leadership and general direction. It’s typically peddled by right-wing parties and Eurosceptics active on social media to accuse the EU of attacking its members’ sovereignty. But many proponents of "ever closer union" also invoke the idea, arguing that a European army as a way the continent can better defend itself and reduce its reliance on the US. One of the best examples of EU army scare stories came during the Brexit debate, when "Leave" supporters whipped up fears of British citizens being drafted into a Europe-wide military force without any having say in the matter. Is there any truth in this? To put it simply: no, there’s no such thing as an EU army, and nor will there be one in the near future. https://lnkd.in/egrrzASn

Stepan Stepanenko, Director of Research at the Forum for Foreign Relations discusses the implications of recent political changes in #France and the #UK on #NATO's stance towards #Ukraine. He highlights the uncertainties surrounding the US-Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement due to potential shifts in #US political leadership, particularly with the looming influence of a possible #Trump administration. Stepanenko underscores the UK's strong commitment to Ukraine and examines the broader geopolitical ramifications, including #China's rising influence in regions traditionally aligned with Western interests. #Geopolitics #USPolitics #ChinaInfluence https://lnkd.in/grbbHCvJ