Auto Added by WPeMatico
Source: Europol
Operating under these false pretences, the 57-year-old suspect persuaded numerous investors to entrust him with funds, promising to channel their money into profitable projects. However, investigations have revealed that no such reinvestments occurred. Instead, the suspect allegedly established a complex network of opaque companies and foreign bank accounts to misappropriate the funds, which he used to finance his lavish personal…
Source: NATO
On 7 November 2024, the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) Office of the Gender Advisor (GENAD) hosted a monthly Deep Dive session on Drones and Gender Perspectives. It explored the gendered dimensions of drone warfare, highlighting how integrating gender perspectives in operational planning enables commanders to make more informed decisions that recognise the full spectrum of impacts on combatants and civilians.
Subject matter expertise was provided by Dr Lindsay Clark, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sussex, Major Philippe from the French Air Force currently serving in SHAPE’s Joint Targeting Branch and Mr Ross McKenzie, former Royal Air Force Wing Commander and current Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Officer at NATO’s Defence Investment Division.
Dr. Clark opened the session by sharing her research on the gendered aspects of drone usage and associated discourses. Her research, informed by former US, British, and Australian drone crews, illustrates the implicit gender categorisation in conflict zones. Terms such as “military-aged males” are often used for potential combatants, while “women and children” are assumed to be civilians, influencing targeting decisions and increasing the risk of misidentifying threats. She highlighted that this ingrained assumption underscores a broader thought process affecting how entire campaigns are constructed and how civilian casualties are perceived.
Dr. Clark examined the gendered language around drone warfare, explaining that drone pilots and crews are often viewed differently than fighter pilots. For instance, references to a “PlayStation mentality” or the idea that drone warfare lacks the physical risks of traditional combat subtly diminish the heroism and dedication of drone operators. This language casts drone warfare as “less masculine” and trivialises the emotional toll on operators. Furthermore, she noted that female drone operators are often portrayed as emotionally unstable, a depiction not commonly attributed to their male counterparts. This gendered expectation not only affects perceptions but also impacts the mental health and retention of personnel, as they may feel less inclined to seek psychological support due to a fear of appearing weak.
Next, Maj. Philippe outlined the technical complexities of drone targeting, emphasising that the term “drone” is overly simplistic. These remotely piloted systems can operate at various altitudes and drop munitions similar to fighter aircraft. He outlined processes such as Positive Identification (PID), Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Collateral Damage Estimation (CDE), each designed to minimise harm to civilians. Four guiding principles – distinction, proportionality, military necessity and humanity – help assess whether a strike is justifiable. In this framework, “collateral damage” is considered legally permissible if it is not excessive in relation to military objectives.
Pattern-of-life analysis, a critical tool used by remotely piloted systems, examine a target’s environment and behaviours to prevent misinterpretations that might lead to unnecessary casualties. However, Maj. Philippe noted that the risk of civilian harm remains, especially when women and children are deliberately placed in harm’s way as a tactic of deception. Common factors leading to targeting errors include cultural misunderstandings, poor analysis, psychological biases and behaviour misinterpretation, making it essential to integrate diverse perspectives, including gender, in the decision-making process.
Major Philippe noted that targeting decisions are traditionally made by the Commander and Legal Advisor (LEGAD), but now often include input from a Political Advisor (POLAD) and Gender Advisor (GENAD). GENADs play an increasingly significant role in targeting boards, contributing insights that can help assess the broader effects of military actions on men, women, boys and girls. This expansion of viewpoints helps commanders consider potential secondary effects, such as the impact of disrupted water supplies or other basic resources on vulnerable groups.
Mr McKenzie challenged the media’s use of the term “drone” which he argued implies an autonomous robot, obscuring the fact that a team of humans is operating the system. He noted that the language choice can deflect accountability, as public perception often associates automation with impersonal, robotic decision-making rather than a crew’s calculated judgment. He instead suggested the use of terms like ‘Unmanned Aircraft System’ or ‘Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems’.
This human aspect introduces psychological challenges. Mr McKenzie highlighted that pilots and analysts often work long, intense shifts followed by an abrupt transition to their civilian lives at home, a pattern that can lead to emotional detachment. This lifestyle imposes a unique psychological toll.
Another area of concern Mr. McKenzie raised is the rise of ‘swarming’ technology, where multiple drones operate together autonomously. These true ‘swarms’ could change combat drastically, allowing for complex collaborative tactics. He suggested that while many Nations prioritise keeping humans “on the loop” in decision-making, the potential shift toward entirely autonomous combat poses ethical questions and gender considerations that should inform policy as technology evolves.
Looking ahead, NATO’s policy indicates that within a decade, human pilots may no longer fly fighter planes. As drone technology advances, so too must the ethical frameworks and societal perceptions that govern its use. The perspectives shared by Dr. Clark, Maj. Philippe, and Mr. McKenzie underscore the urgent need to examine the gendered dimensions of drone warfare. Integrating gender perspectives into both operational planning and public discourse can protect personnel and help them make more informed decisions that recognise the full spectrum of impacts on combatants and civilians.
Source: NATO
To advance NATO’s digital transformation, the Digital Policy Committee met at NATO Headquarters for its Autumn Plenary on 12 and 13 November 2024, with a focus on implementation of digital strategies that will shape the future of the NATO Alliance.
Allied officials discussed key strategic policies, including a new the Data Strategy for the Alliance, a Digital Interoperability Framework, data governance standards and NATO-wide cloud adoption. They were updated on initiatives to boost NATO’s progress in the digital domain, including through the adoption of standardised operating models and data governance frameworks that could support NATO’s operational commands.
The Committee members also discussed proposals related to NATO’s Digital Backbone, which is designed to enhance the ability of Allied forces to operate effectively together and to strengthen NATO’s technological capabilities.
As NATO’s senior advisory body for Consultation, Command and Control (C3) overseeing the integrated use of NATO digital initiatives, the Digital Policy Committee drives the Alliance’s digital transformation process by offering strategic guidance to the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the Military Committee, and other NATO entities, so that NATO remains on the cutting edge of digital defence, cyber resilience, and technological interoperability. The meeting this week was chaired by NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Tarja Jaakkola.
Source: NATO
On Monday, 18 November 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will receive the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Ms Annalena Baerbock, at his official residence in Brussels.
There will be no media opportunity.
Photographs will be on the NATO website after the event.
For more information:
For general queries: contact the NATO Press Office
Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress
Source: NATO
On Monday, 18 November 2024, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will receive the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr Marcel Ciolacu, at NATO Headquarters, in Brussels.
Media advisory
+/-13:10 (CET) Joint press statements by the NATO Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Romania [Agora podium].
Media coverage
For more information:
For general queries: contact the NATO Press Office
Follow us on X: @NATO, @SecGenNATO and @NATOPress
Source: Eurojust
The network started its illegal activities in 2013. Its targets were recruited from Romania to work in a paper factory in Hungary. They were promised a job with eight-hour workdays for five to six days a week a salary paid in Hungarian forints and accommodation and meals.
After arriving in Hungary, the actual working conditions were much worse than promised. The victims’ documents were confiscated, depriving them of their freedom of movement. The criminals placed the victims under constant surveillance, took away their phones and withheld their salaries. Work in the paper factory was carried out in poor conditions in an isolated location, with victims working between 12 and 24 hours a day. Several of the victims were also forced to do domestic work at the criminals’ properties in Budapest. Seeking help or returning to Romania was made impossible for them.
The victims were primarily recruited from the foster care system, especially people with no family support and limited financial resources. This lack of support reduced the likelihood that family members could influence them to abandon their work in Hungary. The criminals took advantage of their victims’ plight to convince them to work in the paper factory, using them only to make significant illegal profits for themselves.
Investigations were launched by the Hungarian and Romanian authorities to take down the trafficking operation. Due to the international scale of the operation, a joint investigation team (JIT) was set up at Eurojust. The JIT enabled the authorities to share information and carry out joint operations against the network.
An operation to take down the criminal network by the Hungarian and Romanian authorities coordinated by Eurojust took place on 12 November. The authorities worked together in Hungary to identify 20 possible victims of human trafficking and seize over EUR 100 000, jewelry, cars, documents, pistols and other evidence. Eight suspects were arrested, all members of the human trafficking ring, and several properties were placed under sequestration.
The following authorities were involved in the actions:
Source: NATO
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Latvia on Thursday (14 November 2024) to observe Exercise Resolute Warrior 24, and to meet with President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Prime Minister Evika Silina.
Involving more than 3,500 Allied troops, Resolute Warrior 24 marks the first major field war-fighting exercise for the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. The Canadian-led brigade includes personnel from twelve other Allies and is part of NATO’s strengthened defence posture on the eastern flank.
During his visit to Ādaži Military Base, the Secretary General said that exercises such as Resolute Warrior, “give our forces experience of working together.” He added that such intense training, “will make us more prepared to deter any aggression, and demonstrate our ability to defend all Allies.”
During a press conference alongside President Rinkēvičs, Mr Rutte highlighted that Latvia spends more than 3% of its GDP on defence and supports Ukraine “with military equipment, ammunition and training”.
He called for more Allied support for Ukraine, including air and missile defence, to protect critical infrastructure during the winter season.
Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroups and exercises like Resolute Warrior serve as critical elements of NATO’s reinforced deterrence.
Source: Eurojust
Ongoing conflicts and evolving forms of warfare have increasingly highlighted the impact of military operations on civilian populations and infrastructure. During the two-day event, participants discussed the complexities of international humanitarian law and its application in modern conflicts, in particular in relation to war crimes investigations and prosecutions.
The Genocide Network also used the occasion to launch a new, searchable database of selected judicial decisions on core international crimes, translated into English. The database gathers key decisions from EU Member States focused on war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as other concurrent crimes such as terrorism related offences.
Prior to launching the database, the Genocide Network periodically published a compendium of translated national jurisprudence on core international crimes. These judgments will now be more easily accessible for practitioners.
The biannual meetings of the Genocide Network provide opportunities for participants to come together to exchange expertise and best practices with key stakeholders. Closed sessions also support the exchange of information on core international crimes cases and legal challenges between the Network’s national contact points and their counterparts from observer states.
The Genocide Network was established in 2011 and is hosted at Eurojust. Together, Eurojust and the Network enable close cooperation and information exchange between national authorities. Due to the often complex nature of cross-border investigations, the Agency’s support through judicial tools such as coordination meetings and coordination centres is a key success factor in many cases.
Source: Eurojust
During an international action, a major supplier of small boats to human smugglers was arrested in the Netherlands. Dutch, Belgian and UK authorities worked together with Eurojust and Europol to arrest the individual who is suspected of supplying engines and boats to smugglers.
The suspect was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after arriving at the airport of Amsterdam. He will be extradited by Dutch authorities to Belgium to face charges of smuggling of human beings in the context of the activities of a criminal organisation. He is suspected of running an operation that supplied small boats and engines to human smugglers who were active in Belgium and northern France. The 44-year-old Turkish national was shipping his supplies from Türkiye and storing them in Europe before transporting them to northern France for the smugglers.
Criminal networks often use the Netherlands as a hub for preparing the smuggling of humans. From there, the boats and equipment are transferred to France or Belgium, where smugglers put people on boats to cross the English Channel to the UK. The boats used are highly dangerous and unfit for open water, ultimately resulting in casualties. More than 50 people have died attempting to make the crossing so far in 2024.
The arrest is the result of a joint investigation team (JIT) set up at Eurojust between Belgian and UK authorities. By setting up a JIT, authorities were able to work closely together, exchange evidence and carry out joint actions. The JIT was set up following investigations conducted under the framework of a Europol Operation Task Force set up to combat migrant smuggling with small boats across the English Channel. Dutch authorities assisted with the arrest after it became clear he was travelling from Türkiye to the Netherlands and continue to support the work of the JIT where needed.
Following his arrest, the suspect will now be extradited to Belgium where he will face charges of smuggling of human beings in the context of the activities of a criminal organisation.
The following authorities were involved in the actions:
Source: Europol
The investigation, led by the EPPO offices in Milan and Palermo, targeted an organised crime network spanning multiple EU Member States and non-EU countries.Pan-European action dayThe action day mobilised law enforcement across Europe with 160 searches carried out in more than 10 countries. Investigative measures are ongoing in several EU countries, including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,…