Good morning! It’s Saturday, January 11, 2025, and we’re here to bring you the latest updates in defense and global affairs to start your weekend. Here’s what’s making headlines today.
Germany Rejects Trump’s Five Percent Defense Budget Proposal
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz isn’t on board with President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion for NATO countries to increase their defense budgets to five percent of GDP.
Calling it “a lot of money,” Scholz pointed out Thursday that this would translate to about 200 billion euros ($206 billion) annually for Germany—nearly half of its entire federal budget of 490 billion euros ($502 billion).
He emphasized that NATO already has a clear path, with a current goal of two percent of GDP for defense spending.
Scholz acknowledged the importance of security and noted that Germany has already doubled its defense spending in recent years to around 80 billion euros ($82.4 billion) annually.
On top of that, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany approved a one-time 100 billion euros ($103 billion) boost for its military.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius backed Scholz, describing the five percent target as unrealistic. He argued that achieving NATO’s goals isn’t just about percentages but meeting capability requirements.
Pistorius also questioned how any country could afford such a high allocation, estimating it would make up nearly 40 percent of Germany’s budget. Both leaders agreed that NATO should stick to its current, more achievable spending targets.
Norway Plans Return of Mandatory Air Raid Shelters in New Buildings
Norway is stepping up its game on preparedness, proposing a return to mandatory air raid shelters in new large buildings.
Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl announced the plan alongside Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Friday as part of a sweeping white paper on national readiness.
The move marks a big shift for Norway, which dropped the shelter requirement back in 1998 after the Cold War ended.
With the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions, Norway’s government is rethinking its crisis management strategy.
Currently, only 45% of Norwegians have access to air raid shelters, falling short compared to Finland (90%) or Sweden (70%).
The proposal also includes boosting the civilian defense force from 8,000 to 12,000 personnel, improving food self-reliance to 50% by 2030, and enhancing coordination on cyber security and disinformation.
The plan even tackles concerns over land ownership, following reports of foreigners—particularly Russians—buying property near sensitive military sites.
While Prime Minister Store downplayed any immediate military threat to Norway, he emphasized the need to prepare for a wide range of risks, from hybrid warfare and cyberattacks to pandemics and extreme weather events.
Because the government lacks a parliamentary majority, the proposal will need opposition support to move forward. Some adjustments could be made, but the overall focus on strengthening Norway’s readiness for future crises is clear.
Zelensky Thanks Biden for Final Push of Support Before Trump Inauguration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with US President Joe Biden on Friday, expressing gratitude for America’s steadfast support during Biden’s presidency.
As Biden prepares to leave office on January 20, he has ramped up aid to Ukraine, including nearly $6 billion in new military and financial assistance last month, ensuring Kyiv has resources to withstand the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy also expressed condolences to Biden for the tragic wildfires in California during their conversation.
In a post on X, he thanked Biden for backing Ukraine’s independence and for rallying international support during a critical time.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is bracing for potential changes under President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to resolve the conflict within “24 hours.”
This has sparked concerns in Kyiv that Trump’s approach may require Ukraine to make significant concessions to Moscow in exchange for peace.
The timing of this aid is critical as Russia has ramped up its offensive, taking advantage of Ukraine’s overstretched forces.
For Zelenskyy, Biden’s unwavering support has been a lifeline in maintaining Ukraine’s fight, but uncertainty looms as Trump prepares to take office.
Syrian Fighters Execute Former Regime Informant in Damascus
In a chilling turn of events in Syria, fighters aligned with the country’s Islamist-led transitional government executed a former regime loyalist in broad daylight.
The man, Mazen Kneneh, was reportedly accused of being an informant under ousted president Bashar al-Assad, allegedly providing security reports that led to arrests and torture of young men.
The execution took place on Friday morning in Dummar, a Damascus suburb.
Kneneh was shot in the head on the street, and video footage circulating online—though unverified—showed his body tied to a tree, bloodied and lifeless.
Crowds, including children, gathered around the scene, with some beating the body or filming the event on their phones.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) described Kneneh as a well-known loyalist to Assad, whose regime was toppled on December 8.
This execution is part of a broader campaign by Syria’s new rulers to purge remnants of the Assad era. Security sweeps targeting former regime affiliates have ramped up, with Anas Khattab, the new General Intelligence chief, vowing to reform the country’s security system and address past injustices.
While Damascus authorities have yet to comment, the execution underscores the country’s volatile transition and the simmering tensions from years of oppression under Assad’s rule.
Russia Shifts Focus to Libya After Assad’s Fall in Syria
With Bashar al-Assad’s sudden ouster in Syria, Russia is scrambling to pivot its strategy, turning its attention to Libya as a new foothold in the Mediterranean and Africa.
Syria had long been a cornerstone of Russia’s operations, housing a military port and airbase critical for its influence in the region.
However, the political shakeup in Damascus has disrupted Moscow’s plans, pushing it to support Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya, as a replacement for its Syrian stronghold.
Russia has reportedly moved significant military assets to Libya, including S-300 and S-400 air defense systems and troops, with activity centered around the port of Tobruk. This shift is part of Moscow’s effort to preserve its missions across Africa, where it has interests in countries like Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Experts describe the move as a “self-preservation reflex,” aimed at maintaining continuity in its strategy to counter NATO, disrupt Western interests, and expand influence in the region.
Despite its ambitions, Libya poses new challenges for Russia.
Unlike Syria, where Moscow operated with little interference, Libya’s fractured political landscape involves competing powers, including Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and closer scrutiny from NATO and the European Union.
Even Haftar has been cautious about fully aligning with Moscow, mindful of maintaining ties with Western nations.
While Libya offers Russia an opportunity to extend its reach, it’s a far more complex playing field. The Kremlin will need a backup plan if Haftar falters, a lesson learned from betting too heavily on Assad.
For now, Russia’s pivot underscores its broader struggle to adapt to shifting dynamics in the Mediterranean and Africa.
Jihadist Group Claims Deadly Attack on Benin Troops Near Border
An Al-Qaeda-linked group has claimed Friday responsibility for a deadly attack on Beninese troops near the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger.
The attack, which occurred late Wednesday in northern Benin, killed at least 28 soldiers, making it the deadliest assault the Beninese army has faced in years.
The jihadist group JNIM (Group to Support Islam and Muslims), which operates across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, said it stormed the army post, claiming over 30 fatalities and seizing weapons, ammunition, and a drone.
The assault targeted one of the most fortified positions under Operation Mirador, Benin’s border security mission launched in 2022.
Despite deploying 3,000 troops and recruiting thousands more to bolster defenses, Benin has struggled to contain cross-border jihadist incursions, with 121 soldiers killed since 2021.
Benin’s Army chief, Colonel Faizou Gomina, called the losses “very heavy,” emphasizing that equipment alone—like the armored vehicles provided by the US and anti-terror funding from the EU—won’t be enough.
He highlighted the need to focus on improving operational strategies and personnel training to counter the growing jihadist threat.
Neighboring Ghana and Togo have also faced similar attacks, signaling a worrying regional escalation of violence from jihadist groups based in West Africa’s Sahel region.
Japan Strengthens Maritime Security Ties with Indonesia
Japan is stepping up its efforts to strengthen maritime security in Southeast Asia by pledging two high-speed patrol boats to Indonesia.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba made the announcement on Saturday during his visit to Jakarta, where he met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss regional cooperation.
This marks the first instance of Japan providing such equipment to Indonesia through its Official Security Assistance program.
The two leaders also agreed to establish defense consultations and expand cooperation in decarbonized energy sectors like geothermal power, hydrogen, and biofuels.
Ishiba emphasized the importance of Southeast Asia for Japan’s security and economy, framing the region as a key area for collaboration with the United States to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
This move is part of Japan’s broader effort to counter China’s aggressive claims in the South and East China Seas, which include contested areas like the Senkaku Islands.
Japan has been providing similar support to other Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, as part of its strategy to enhance regional security partnerships.
Ishiba’s visit to Indonesia and Malaysia highlights Japan’s commitment to forging closer ties with Southeast Asian nations, with an eye on both security cooperation and shared economic opportunities.
It’s also a signal of Tokyo’s alignment with US efforts to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
Sources: New Agencies
