Browsing: War and Conflict

Protesters in Venice greeted American ambassador Tilman Fertitta’s luxury yacht with inflatable toys and signs reading “Venezia non si USA” during his visit on Friday. The demonstration, opposing perceived American influence, led to clashes with police as activists voiced opposition to current U.S. foreign policy.

Researchers have identified a social media video, linked to the Russia-associated Storm-1516 influence operation, allegedly showing Hezbollah militants threatening attacks in France ahead of the 14 July Bastille Day celebrations. The video appears fabricated, lacking Hezbollah logos and featuring linguistic errors, undermining its authenticity.

EU finance ministers convened in Brussels to deliberate on Spain’s proposal for a new joint borrowing mechanism, potentially allowing up to €850 billion annually. ECB President Christine Lagarde supports the initiative, emphasising its importance for economic stability amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his controversial claim that Greenland should be controlled by the United States, undermining diplomatic efforts made earlier this year. His remarks came shortly after arriving in Ankara for a NATO summit, as he criticised European allies for their military support.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed rising global executions at the ninth World Congress against the death penalty in Paris, condemning the highest toll since 1981 with 2,707 executed in 2024. He expressed concern over legislative moves endorsing capital punishment in regions like the Sahel and Israel.

Jacob Nagel, former national security advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the European Union’s pressing challenge lies within its own borders rather than external conflicts. He emphasised the strain in EU-Israel relations, particularly following Israel’s Foreign Minister severing ties with the bloc’s foreign policy chief.

Eylon Levy, a former Israeli government spokesperson, asserts that Israel’s campaign is generating urgency for Lebanon to address Hezbollah. He claims that successfully dismantling the group could pave the way for a “beautiful peace” between Israel and Lebanon.

European leaders, including France’s Macron and the UK’s Keir Starmer, convened in Berlin for an E5 summit aimed at strengthening defence collaboration amid shifting US commitments. The summit addressed support for Ukraine and strategic military projects, coinciding with a key NATO summit in Ankara in July.

The Secretary General’s meeting with Trump precedes a challenging leaders’ summit in July, as tensions persist over the US’s significantly reduced defence commitments to Europe amid ongoing conflicts, particularly concerning the war in Iran.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 despite a ceasefire, following projectiles fired by Hezbollah.