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Source: NATO
On Monday 9 June [2025] NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte gave a keynote speech at Chatham House in London, United Kingdom. “Building A Better NATO” outlines Mr Rutte’s priorities for the Alliance at the NATO Summit in The Hague (24-25 June) in light of growing security challenges. It also provides factual context for his expectation that Allies will agree to invest 5% of their GDP in defence.
Source: Interpol (news and events)
New INTERPOL taskforce targeting criminal networks in Latin America launched during Brazilian state visit to international police’s global headquarters
LYON, France – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva today underscored Brazil’s commitment to combating transnational organized crime during his visit to INTERPOL, the world’s largest policing organization.
The visit represents a strong endorsement of INTERPOL’s mission and its leadership role as central to tackling one of the most urgent security challenges of our time.
A new INTERPOL Taskforce Against Organized Crime in Latin America was also officially launched during the visit of President Lula and the Brazilian delegation, which included Ricardo Lewandowski, Minister of Justice and Public Security, Mauro Vieira Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrei Augusto Passos Rodrigues, General Director of the Brazilian Federal Police and the Ministers of Mines and Energy, and of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Aimed at targeting criminal networks and drug trafficking across the region and beyond, the International joint Taskforce, based at INTERPOL’s offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, will focus on disrupting and dismantling the most dangerous transnational organized crime groups, capturing high-value targets, and targeting the financial infrastructure of these networks.
The Letter of Intent between Brazil and INTERPOL signed during the state visit will see an even greater exchange of information, expertise and best practice in the fight against crime, further strengthening Brazil’s position as a leader in combating all forms of crime.
Welcomed by INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza and President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, the Brazilian President was briefed on INTERPOL’s critical work in supporting member countries protect vulnerable populations, preserve the environment and dismantle organized crime networks.
President Lula said:
“The election of Valdecy Urquiza as Secretary General of INTERPOL is recognition of Brazil’s prominent role in combating transnational crime.
“This organization works to search for and apprehend some of the most dangerous criminals on the planet, combats terrorism, rescues victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation, and protects the environment.
“Crime is evolving at an unprecedented speed, requiring urgent and coordinated multilateral action.
“No country will be able to defeat transnational crime alone.
“As with other current challenges that require collective action, such as climate change and digital governance, police cooperation will remain a priority in Brazilian foreign policy.”
INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:
“We are confronting a security landscape more volatile than ever, as transnational organized crime reaches unprecedented levels — more dynamic, more digital, and more deeply embedded across borders.
“This is no longer just a security issue. Organized crime is a global phenomenon threatening justice, undermining climate resilience, as well as stalling social and economic progress.
“The threat is real, it is growing, and the moment to act is now.
“The agreement between INTERPOL and Brazil sends a powerful message: we are placing the fight against organized crime at the top of the global agenda.
“Now is the time for countries to follow Brazil’s lead and reinforce INTERPOL’s efforts. Only by working together — through a truly global and coordinated response — can we dismantle criminal networks and ensure a safer world for all.”
During the visit, President Lula awarded Secretary General Urquiza with Brazil’s Order of Rio Branco Medal, at the rank of Grand Officer. Established in 1963, the decoration recognizes individuals—both Brazilian and foreign—who have made significant contributions to Brazil’s international relations and global cooperation.
Source: NATO
On June 5th and 6th, the NATO Military Committee conducted an official visit to Luxembourg at the invitation of the Chief of Defence, General Steve Thull. During the visit, the Committee toured the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and Société Européenne des Satellites (SES). The Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, also met with the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes.
The Military Committee was welcomed by the Chief of Defence General Steve Thull, and received briefings on Luxembourg’s contributions to NATO operations, missions, and activities, most notably Luxembourg’s significant contributions in cyber and space capabilities.
Following this, the Military Committee visited SES, a global leader in satellite-based content connectivity, which included a briefing on GovSat, a public-private partnership between the Government of Luxembourg and SES. GovSat provides secure and reliable governmental satellite communication services to Allied nations and NATO. The visit highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships in satellite communications, cyber security, and resilient connectivity.
On the second day, Admiral Cavo Dragone met with Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes, to discuss the global security environment, focusing in particular on Luxembourg’s contributions to NATO. Their meeting also addressed the outcomes of the recent Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and Luxembourg’s approach to implementing its capability targets.
The visit concluded at the NSPA, where the Military Committee was briefed on how the NSPA links industry and nations’ requirements to find the most efficient, effective and responsive solutions for the Alliance, its nations and partners. This included a briefing on the NSPA’s strategic initiatives in supporting Ukraine. Admiral Cavo Dragone emphasised that NATO’s strength lies in its unity, and that “more defence investment should always lead to more security’. He underscored the importance of a collective approach to planning and praised the NSPA for its close involvement in these efforts.
Source: NATO
From 2 to 4 June 2025, the NATO Partnership and Cooperative Security Committee (PCSC) travelled to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, for high-level engagements and visits to Jordanian facilities supported by NATO’s Defence Capacity Building (DCB) programme.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. Ayman Safadi exchanged views with the Committee on regional developments and on strengthening the strategic partnership between Jordan and NATO, including the imminent opening of the NATO Liaison Office in Amman. The PCSC received updates on NATO-Jordan cooperation at the Headquarters of the Jordanian Armed Forces, the National Center for Security and Crisis Management, and the Women’s Military Training Centre, all of which are supported by NATO’s DCB initiative.
The visit was the first by the PCSC to Jordan and also celebrated over a decade of NATO’s DCB support to the Kingdom. It included a meeting with Allied Ambassadors in Amman, hosted by Romania as the NATO Contact Point Embassy.
Source: Europol
Results of the operation:48 suspects arrested3.8 tonnes of cocaine seized29 house searches in Fuerteventura (2), Gran Canaria (13) and Lanzarote (14)69 vehicles seized (19 boats and speedboats)6 properties seizedEUR 100 000 in cash seizedEuropol played a key role in the investigation by providing crucial analytical and financial support that contributed to the success of the operation. On the action day,…
Source: Interpol (news and events)
Suspects across 12 countries were identified thanks to Spanish online investigation
LYON, France – An international operation against the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, led by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with INTERPOL and Europol, has resulted in the arrest of 20 people across the Americas and Europe.
The operation was initiated by Spain in late 2024, when specialized officers carried out online patrols and identified instant messaging groups dedicated to the circulation of child sexual exploitation images.
As the investigation progressed, officers were able to fully identify the alleged perpetrators and alert authorities in the relevant countries through INTERPOL and Europol.
In December 2024, INTERPOL invited Spanish investigators to Chile to attend the Latin America Victim Identification Task Force meeting. There, they presented Operation Vibora to specialized officers from across Latin America, allowing them to exchange on cases, provide concrete leads and launch coordinated actions.
INTERPOL’s Crimes against Children unit facilitated follow-up sessions between authorities to align operational efforts with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Paraguay. This included in-person meetings on the sidelines of the Specialists Group on Crimes Against Children conference in April 2025.
Arrests across 12 countries between March and May 2025
Spanish authorities arrested seven suspects, including a healthcare worker and a teacher. The healthcare worker allegedly paid minors from Eastern Europe for explicit images, while the teacher is accused of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material via various online platforms.
Searches carried out during the operation resulted in the seizure of desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets and digital storage devices.
In Latin America, through INTERPOL’s support, authorities arrested 10 suspects across the seven target Latin American countries, including three in El Salvador and a teacher in Panama.
The remaining suspects were arrested elsewhere in Europe and the United States.
To date, 68 additional suspects have been identified and further investigations are underway globally. Information gathered during the operation has been shared with law enforcement authorities in 28 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
Source: NATO
Meeting in Brussels on Thursday 5 June [2025], NATO Defence Ministers agreed an ambitious new set of capability targets to build a stronger, fairer, more lethal Alliance, and ensure warfighting readiness for years to come.
At a closing press conference NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the targets “describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years… to keep our deterrence and defence strong and our one billion people safe.”
The targets are the basis for a new defence investment plan which is expected to be approved at the NATO Summit in The Hague. The proposal calls for Allies to invest 5% of GDP in defence, including 3.5% on core defence spending, as well as 1.5% of GDP per year on defence and security-related investment, including in infrastructure and resilience.
The NATO-Ukraine Council also met on Thursday, with Allies joined by the Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Following the meeting, the Secretary General reaffirmed Allied support for Ukraine noting that this year alone, Allies had pledged over 20 billion euros in additional security assistance for Ukraine. He also welcomed the additional support Allies had pledged at the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on Wednesday.
In the final meeting of the Ministerial, Allies took part in a regular meeting of NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group. “Nuclear deterrence remains the cornerstone of Alliance security,” noted the Secretary General, “and we will ensure that NATO’s nuclear capability remains strong and effective, in order to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.”
Source: NATO
On Thursday (5 June 2025), NATO Allies further strengthened their ability to train aircrews and use cross-border airspace for exercises.
At a signing ceremony held on the margins of NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting, a number of Allies joined two established initiatives.
Canada, Denmark, Norway and Poland joined the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) High-Visibility multinational initiative, which aims to ensure the delivery of state-of-the-art pilot training across Europe in a cost-efficient and interoperable manner.
Since its launch in 2020, eight military campuses have been fully accredited for NFTE training and six are undergoing certification. NFTE training includes basic, intermediate and advanced training for fighter jet, helicopter and transport pilots, as well as personnel who remotely pilot uncrewed aircraft. On 5 March the first group of students graduated in Remotely Piloted Aircraft System training at the NFTE campus in Waddington, United Kingdom.
Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands and Slovenia agreed to join the 21 other Allies that participate in the Cross-Border Airspace Cooperation initiative.
Launched in 2023, this initiative aims to develop larger airspace solutions, including cross-border, that are better suited to accommodate training events for modern air capabilities and systems.
Source: NATO
The North Atlantic Council has approved the nomination of Lieutenant General Alexus G Grynkewich, United States Air Force, to the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Lieutenant General Grynkewich is currently serving as Director for Operations of the Joint Staff.
Upon completion of national confirmation processes, he will take up his appointment as the successor to General Christopher G. Cavoli, United States Army, at a change of command ceremony at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, expected in the summer of 2025.
Source: Europol
On 3 June, law enforcement carried out raids in five major cities across Bulgaria under the supervision of the Burgas Prosecutor’s Office. Officers from Greece, Romania and Moldova joined Bulgarian investigators on the ground, with Europol also deployed to support the action. In total, 18 people were arrested, including a high-value target.The criminal network used a variety of vehicles to…