Nicholas Mallia’s Post

For a second consecutive time in opening a #HRC session, #UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights for particular concern #Azerbaijan’s repression of independent voices - especially noteworthy for a country gearing up to hosting a key UN conference #COP29 in November: “Societies are by nature in constant evolution. But rather than embracing this creatively we see attempts to muzzle freedoms of expression, assembly and association and a free press, including in electoral contexts. Such freedoms are, however, crucial for critical debate, to bring out the best in societies and to find solutions to the manifold problems we face. Examples include detention of journalists in Azerbaijan;” Azerbaijan’s international partners, including #UNFCCC member states, #EU, #CoE, #OSCE, #EBRD, #WorldBank should hold Azerbaijan accountable and call for an end to abuses and the release of all those imprisoned on politically motivated charges. #Noclimatejusticewithouthumanrights #NoCOPwithoutrights #FreeGubad

Opening #HRC57 with a clear call: govts must urgently put human rights at the core of all policy & action. Endless military escalation, deepening inequalities, rampant disinformation, #TriplePlanetaryCrises, & discrediting multilateral institutions cannot become the new normal. https://ow.ly/AzNT50TiHXM

Powerful words, let’s hope that governments, leaders and voters across the world will heed them. “The ‘new normal’ cannot be endless, vicious military escalation and increasingly horrifying, technologically “advanced” methods of warfare, control, and repression. The ‘new normal’ cannot be continued indifference to deepening inequalities within and between States. It cannot be the free-for-all spread of disinformation, smothering facts and the ability to make free and informed choices. Heated rhetoric and simplistic fixes, erasing context, nuance, and empathy. Paving the way for hate speech and the dire consequences that inevitably follow. The ‘new normal’ cannot mean accepting the injustice, driven by greed, that the triple planetary crisis affects those who are the least responsible the most. Or that sustainable development remains elusive for so many. The ‘new normal’ cannot be that national sovereignty is twisted to shroud – or excuse – horrific violations.” #standup4humanrights #respectinternationallaw #endimpunity

#NewPublication This recent commentary by Dr Devendra Kumar analyses the Chinese Manned Space Agency as a common element in a series of corruption cases involving senior PLA officials including the former defense minister Li Shangfu and heads of key defense related SoEs Click here to read the commentary: https://lnkd.in/gMSV575Y Stay tuned for more #ChinaMannedSpaceAgency #CMSA #MilitaryCorruption #LiShangfu #ChineseDefenseIndustry #PLA #MilitaryCivilFusion #CorruptionScandal #AerospaceIndustry #ChineseSpaceProgram #ShenzhouMission #DefenseSector #MilitaryTechnology #SpaceAndDefense #ChinesePolitics #CASC #CASIC #Norinco #CCP #ChinaPolitics #SpaceExploration #MilitaryInfluence #PoliticalArrests #CorruptionInvestigation #ChineseGovernment #DefenseContractors

As we celebrate Israel's Independence Day, it's crucial to reflect on the ongoing need to defend our nation's sovereignty and interests. #Israel #RotemCrystals #RotemIndustries #Defense #IndependenceDay"

Looking for: Commissioner for Defense (m/w/d)?   The #EU has 27 Commissioners for different policy areas, including for international affairs topics such as "A Stronger Europe in the World" and "International Partnerships."   Yet, there is no Commissioner for #Defense. Should the EU have one?   Ahead of the #EUelections, we asked Katarina Barley (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD)), Thomas Silberhorn (Christlich-Soziale Union), Hannah Neumann (BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN) and Nela Riehl (Volt Deutschland).   If you had the chance: Would you apply to become the EU's Commissioner for Defense?

Various factors beyond military considerations can become entrenched in the definition of national interests, including economic, ideological, political, and cultural dimensions. These factors can create institutional inertia and path dependency, making it challenging for states to shift their focus to other areas when circumstances change. Recognizing the interplay between these factors and military considerations is essential for understanding the complexities of national interest formulation and foreign policy decision-making.

Via Euronews: Waste of money or civic pride? Is compulsory military service a good thing? With elections looming, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to bring back compulsory military service if his right-wing Conservatives are reelected. Under the plans, 18-year-olds would either do full-time military placements or volunteer one weekend a month in service of the community. Yet, the UK is not the only European country to debate conscription, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 jolting the continent to re-evaluate the policy. Lithuania in August announced plans to extend its draft - joining Denmark - while German politicians have suggested reviving compulsory military service. But is conscription the right approach? What impacts could its revival have on Europe? https://lnkd.in/dWHF866m

1 000 days - of bravery, of ‘too little too late’ (recently again), unpunished agression, of when ‘never again’ turned out to be empty words, same as ‘safety guarantees’, same as failed ‘de-escalation and non-provocative strategy’ But it’s also 1 000 days of resilience, both in military and in the economy, and fast progress towards EU with active EU support

🔍 Strengthening Europe’s Preparedness for a New Era of Uncertainty 🔍 The EU is entering a period defined by profound challenges, from #pandemics and #naturaldisasters to #geopolitical_instability. Amidst this backdrop, President von der Leyen tasked Sauli Niinistö, former President of Finland and Special Adviser to the European Commission to provide a strategic assessment of #Europe’s readiness. The newly released report delivers an ambitious vision and 80 #critical #recommendations to bolster Europe’s #civilian and #military #preparedness for future crises. It emphasizes an integrated approach, bringing together all relevant actors in both military and civilian spheres for a robust, whole-of-society response. Key priorities include: 💥Strengthening the deterrence against potential threats 💥Reducing residual risks 💥Reinforcing the #economic and #societal foundations of stability 💥The insights from this report will guide upcoming EU initiatives, including the Preparedness Union Strategy and a White Paper on the Future of European #Defence, as highlighted in the #Commission’s agenda for 2024-2029. Embrace this call for resilience and foresight to ensure a safer, more secure future for all #Europeans. 🇪🇺 📄 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dVUMpTtm #Europe #EU #Preparedness #Security #CrisisManagement #EuropeanDefence