Ukraine joins NATO counter-drone exercise for first time

Source: NATO

From 10 to 20 September 2024, over 450 participants from 19 NATO Allies and three partner-countries gathered in the Netherlands to test the ability of commercially available counter-drone systems to operate seamlessly together. Ukraine participated for the first time, alongside members of the private sector and research community.

During NATO’s annual Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE), more than 60 counter-drone systems and technologies such as sensors, drone-on-drone systems, jammers and cyber interceptors were tested live.  
 
Ukraine’s first active participation in the exercise is part of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap endorsed by Allied and Ukrainian Leaders at the Washington Summit. Exercises like the C-UAS TIE provide a unique opportunity to address pressing challenges together, such as drone autonomy and interoperability while also learning from Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering small drones. 
 
Integrating counter-drone technologies into NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) is important to the Alliance’s enhanced deterrence and defence posture. At the 2024 Washington Summit, Allies took steps to further improve the readiness, responsiveness and integration of NATO IAMD, and agreed to support the design and implementation of an integrated air and missile defence architecture for Ukraine.

Secretary General outlines key lessons for NATO’s continued success after a decisive decade at the helm

Source: NATO

Speaking at an event hosted by the German Marshall Fund on Thursday (19 September 2024), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared five key lessons for NATO’s continued success following a decisive decade at the helm of NATO.

 As part of his farewell speech, Mr Stoltenberg underlined the importance of continuing to increase defence spending and ensuring robust economic relations among Allies. He highlighted NATO’s steadfast support for Ukraine and how crucial this will be in helping to bring an end to Russia’s war. Reflecting on NATO’s experience in Afghanistan, the Secretary General also underlined on the need to clearly define the objectives of any future military operations beyond NATO’s borders.

Mr Stoltenberg concluded his speech by emphasising the importance of the transatlantic bond between Europe and North America, highlighting that “investing in the transatlantic relationship is the only winning way forward.”

NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood wraps up his first official trip to Egypt

Source: NATO

NATO’s Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Javier Colomina, travelled to the Arab Republic of Egypt on 17 and 18 September 2024 for his first visit to the region in this new capacity. He met with high level officials, including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to take stock of NATO-Egypt relations and exchange views on regional security issues.

Special Representative Colomina highlighted that “Egypt is a long-term partner of NATO and a key player in the region and beyond”. During his meetings in Cairo, he explored ways to enhance the partnership, especially in areas of particular interest for Egypt.
 
The Special Representative also outlined his three priorities. “It is vital that we strengthen dialogue and engagement with our Southern neighbourhood partners and other potential interlocutors in the region, which is more important than ever in the current regional context,” Colomina said. “We also want to ensure a coherent, effective and transparent approach to NATO’s efforts in the Southern Neighbourhood, and will work to enhance mutual understanding.”
 
During his visit, Special Representative Colomina also met with HE Mr. Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) and US Special Envoy for Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland. Additionally, he had a meeting with representatives of the Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding and delivered a keynote address at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies.

ICC and Europol sign Liaison Officer Agreement and SIENA Memorandum of Understanding

Source: Europol

The signatures of these two legal instruments put into practice the Working Arrangement between the International Criminal Court and Europol, which was concluded on 25 April 2023. This will allow the ICC to nominate a Liaison Officer to Europol. The signing will also allow the ICC to establish a SIENA connection with Europol, allowing for the secure exchange of sensitive…

51 arrests in wide-scale operation to take down encrypted communication platform used by organised crime groups

Source: Eurojust

Investigations into the communication platform started when authorities were alerted of a new encrypted service being used in Sweden, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Due to servers being located in France, French authorities started investigations into the platform. The platform’s robust encryption made it ideal for criminal networks to use for their activities. It was mostly used for drug trafficking but also for other criminal activities, such as arms trading, homicide, robbery, kidnapping, and money laundering.

The communication platform is a fully anonymised service. Users can purchase the solution without any personal information. The platform uses three encryption standards and offers the option to send a message followed by a specific code that results in the self-destruction of all messages on the target phone. By using multiple private servers around the world, third party or government agencies have difficulty tracking the communication solution.

As servers were found in France and Iceland, the platform was administered from Australia and Canada, and financial assets were located in the United States, a global operation against the phone service started. A joint investigation team (JIT) between authorities from France and the United States was set up at Eurojust, the second-ever JIT with the United States. This allowed them to exchange information and evidence in real time. Authorities from the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Australia were also involved in the investigations. Through coordination among the authorities, hosted by Eurojust, a strategy to take down the encrypted phone solution was defined.

To facilitate investigations into the illegal activities using this communication platform, an Operational Taskforce (OTF) was established at Europol in March 2022 involving law enforcement authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States.

A Joint Operational Centre was also established at Europol’s headquarters, where representatives from the OTF members and Europol’s officers provided support and facilitated the coordination of the simultaneous operational activities taking place around the globe.

The investigations culminated in a number of joint action days taking place across the globe against the phone service. 38 suspects were arrested in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Italy and one in Canada. A drug lab was dismantled in Australia and weapons, drugs and over EUR 1 million euro is cash was seized globally so far. Further actions are expected as the investigation progresses.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • France: Cybercrime unit Prosecutor’s office – JUNALCO (National Jurisdiction against organised crime); Gendarmerie Nationale – C3N Cybercrime Unit
  • Netherlands: National Police
  • Sweden: Swedish Prosecution Authority; Swedish Police Authority
  • Australia: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
  • Canada: Public Prosecution Service of Canada
  • Iceland: Director of Public Prosecution; National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police; Reykjavik Metropolitan Police
  • United States: Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Investigation

Meet Myriam Andaloro, a NATO’s cultural expert on the Middle East and Africa

Source: NATO

Myriam Andaloro is a Digital and Cultural Consultant at the NATO Strategic Direction-South Hub – the centre dedicated to increasing NATO’s understanding of and cooperation with partners across the Middle East and Africa. An Italian national of Lebanese descent, Myriam works to establish appropriate and respectful communication with NATO’s southern neighbours by reducing the risk for cultural misunderstandings and raising awareness about cultural sensitivities.

Connecting cultures for a better understanding: Myriam’s impactful role

“If I were to leave a footprint in the world, it would be to raise cultural awareness and avoid misunderstandings that can lead to conflicts.”

Myriam Andaloro

Born and raised in Lebanon and having lived in Nigeria and now in Italy, Myriam has a natural ability to engage with people from different cultures and religions. Her international background and fascination with multiculturalism, identity and language made her interested in pursuing a career in the area of cultural consultancy and digital communications, which she currently carries out at the NATO Strategic Direction-South Hub, located within the Allied Joint Force Command Naples.

Myriam’s background and linguistic expertise are a valuable asset for the Hub’s mission to foster constructive relations between NATO and partners from the Middle East, North Africa, the Sahel, Sub-Sahara and adjacent areas. Myriam and her colleagues work to create a welcoming environment, where local experts share their unique perspectives in domains ranging from conflict prevention and security over countering terrorism, socio-economic developments and the Women, Peace and Security agenda to technology and innovation.

A few examples of roots of instability, which can spill over to NATO territory, are terrorism, radicalisation, human trafficking, crime, migration and environmental problems. Once a comprehensive picture of these security challenges is formed, the Alliance can better anticipate and, where possible, address challenging issues for the benefit of all.

Bridging NATO and its partners in the South through communication

As a cultural consultant for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Myriam’s role is to identify and respect regional sensitivities. Myriam and her colleagues work to develop a deep understanding of the traditions of these countries, as well as their populations’ perceptions of NATO, to ensure that what is communicated on NATO’s behalf is understood.

When Myriam first joined the Hub, her work focused on French and Arabic translations, and on the cultural overview of the Hub’s media products. Her responsibility was to help dispel misconceptions about NATO and appropriately communicate with external key audiences in the Middle East, Africa, and Allied countries, such as military organisations, regional and international experts.  Over time, Myriam started to take on more multifaceted and dynamic responsibilities, and began working on digital content production, focusing on bolstering mutual understanding and respect.

 “Every day looks slightly different. Some days I am busy translating our reports and updating our website, and on other days I am working hard on creating products for our online or in-person events. I often participate in conferences, which is very enlightening because I get to meet all the impressive experts from the Middle East and Africa.”

While it takes years to positively impact people’s perceptions, Myriam argues that the work of the Hub has been continuously improving the relationship between the Alliance and experts in the South. Knowledge-sharing among them has increased, widening mutual understanding and the scope of future cooperation.

Storytelling for understanding: NATO’s commitment to accurate cultural representation

Recently, Myriam assisted NATO’s Allied Command Transformation in the production of a graphic novella titled “How we see the darkness”. The novella – which is based on the paper “Complex Conflicts in Africa” by Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Cincinnati Dr Alexander Thurston – underlines the necessity for external actors, including NATO, to exercise caution while seeking to build peace in Africa.

Myriam’s role in the project was to ensure that the fictional story depicted an accurate representation of its chosen setting. From examining if the characters were dressed appropriately, to checking whether the architectural style of the region was authentic and religious symbols were accurate, Myriam provided cultural guidance to the graphic contractors to avoid misrepresentations.

Additionally, Myriam translated the novella into both French and Arabic – making it available to non-English speaking audiences.

For Myriam, NATO “means the preservation of human rights and security”, two values that the Alliance has always defended. She aims to contribute to that mission by serving as one of NATO’s cultural experts for the South and is willing to help other Alliance bodies improve their knowledge of Middle Eastern and African countries, while promoting accurate and respectful communication.

Global Coalition Takes Down New Criminal Communication Platform

Source: Europol

Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said:Today we have made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks think they are, they can’t evade our collective effort. Law enforcement from 9 countries, together with Europol, have dismantled a tool which was a lifeline for serious organised crime. This operation is what Europol is all about: turning collaboration into concrete…

NATO reiterates its full support to EU efforts in Kosovo

Source: NATO

NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Tom Goffus, joined Mr. Stefano Tomat, Civilian Operations Commander at the European Union External Action Service, in separate meetings with the chief negotiators of Belgrade and Pristina. The meetings took place in the margins of the EU-facilitated Dialogue hosted by the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkans issues, Mr. Miroslav Lajcak.

The Assistant Secretary General for Operations discussed the security situation in Kosovo and addressed security concerns on the potential opening to road traffic of the Ibar River Bridge in Mitrovica. Mr. Goffus stressed the need for an inclusive and lasting solution. He pointed out that “decisions must be taken through dialogue, in timely and effective coordination with the International Community, and in way that does not put at risk the security of local communities or of NATO troops.” He added that “the NATO-led KFOR mission is bound by its UN mandate to address any security concerns and ensure a safe and secure environment.” KFOR maintains its fixed presence on the bridge and continues to conduct regular patrols in the surrounding areas.

Mr. Goffus reiterated NATO’s full support to the EU-facilitated dialogue for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. This is the framework to resolve outstanding issues and reach solutions that respect the rights of all communities, which is key to lasting security in Kosovo and to stability across the Western Balkans.

KFOR continues to implement its mandate – based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 – to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR and the EU Rule of Law (EULEX) mission maintain close coordination, in their respective roles as security responders.

NATO has a long standing cooperation with the European Union and will continue to cooperate closely in support to regional stability.

A Farewell Speech & Conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Source: NATO

On 19 September 2024, the NATO Secretary General, Mr Jens Stoltenberg, will give a speech marking the end of his tenure, followed by a conversation moderated by Bettina Klein from German Public Radio.

The event is by invitation only and is organized by the German Marshall Fund (GMF).

Media Advisory

16:00 (CEST) – “Reflections on a Challenging Decade: A Farewell Conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg”.

Media coverage

The Secretary General’s speech will be streamed live on the NATO website, EBU News Exchange and YouTube.

A transcript of the Secretary General’s speech, as well as pictures, will be available on the NATO website.

For more information:

Contact the NATO Press Office

For more information on the event, please check the event’s website.

Follow us on X (@NATO@jensstoltenberg and @NATOPress).

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Karel Řehka

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

September 16, 2024

Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Karel Řehka on Saturday during the NATO Military Committee Conference.

The two military leaders discussed several topics, including Czechia’s modernization efforts, continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, Russian malign influence in the region and areas for further security cooperation.

Additionally, Gen. Brown thanked Lt. Gen. Řehka for hosting the Military Committee Conference and his support for U.S. and NATO defense initiatives.

Czechia is a key NATO ally and critical partner in maintaining peace and stability around the globe.

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