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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Baltic states' ‘visceral fear' of Russian invasion ‘almost impossible' for Irish to understand, says ex-MEP
Ireland is having an 'esoteric' debate about ending the triple-lock on sending Irish soldiers abroad while other European Union states fear invasion by Russia , former Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe has declared. [ 'Hands off Ireland's neutrality': Government warned changes to triple-lock system will be fought Opens in new window ] The 'visceral fear' felt by Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania that Russian leader Vladmir Putin could order the invasion of their countries is 'almost impossible to understand' for an Irish audience, he said. Speaking at the Patrick MacGill summer school in Glenties, Co Donegal, Mr Cuffe, who is now the co-chair of the European Green Party, said the Baltic states are debating whether to pull out of an international agreement banning landmines. 'Why? Because these countries want to have a belt of landmines ready if Putin comes across the border. We can have an esoteric discussion of the triple lock. But in those countries, it's what might happen tomorrow or the next day,' he said. READ MORE [ Poll shows Ireland's attachment to neutrality is strong but nuanced Opens in new window ] Eastern European EU states worry about mobilising soldiers in 24 hours: 'It's a debate we're not even thinking about here. We're still wrestling with [a report] that said our army, our defence forces are 40 years out of date. I think we have to come to grips with that.' Former MEP Ciarán Cuffe at Patrick MacGill Summer School on Saturday Speaking on the Gaza crisis and Ireland's stand on the issue, Mr Cuffe urged an Irish audience to remember that 'the legacy of the Holocaust casts a very long shadow over central Europe. 'When I talk to my colleagues in Germany or Austria, they are so hard-wired into protecting the state of Israel, they find it incredibly difficult to recognise the magnitude of human slaughter of Palestinian people that is occurring. 'However, public opinion is changing in Germany,' he said, adding that the European Green Party now favours the suspension of parts of the EU-Israel association agreement that do not require all EU states to agree. Ireland's focus on the Gaza crisis is understandable given our history as a postcolonial country: 'We do find it so strong and so close to our own history. So, we have to act on that,' he said, Meanwhile, Dr Eoin Drea, senior researcher at the Brussels-based Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, warned that Ireland's positions on neutrality and defence spending have damaged the country's standing. 'I always get anxious talking about Ukraine in Ireland because I really want Irish people to know that in Brussels, Ireland is not viewed as a credible voice, as a serious voice on security and defence,' he said. Ireland is talking about buying a towed sonar array to track Russian submarines 'interfering with our undersea cables, but on some days, we don't have enough sailors even to put a ship to sea. So, what are we going to tow this sonar array with?' Before the Ukraine crisis, few other EU states took any notice of Ireland's attitudes on defence and neutrality, he said: 'There was a lot of ignorance about the Irish situation before Ukraine. We were out on the western seaboard, we didn't matter.' Since then, however, it has become clear to other EU states that the United Kingdom 'takes care' of Ireland's security and defence: 'If there's a Russian fighter that buzzes by Irish airspace, it's RAF jets that are scrambled to meet them,' he said. [ Who protects Irish skies? The secret air defence deal that dates back to the cold war Opens in new window ] Meanwhile, trust in democracy has fallen significantly over the last 25 years across western countries because of voters' 'lack of faith' in traditional political parties' ability to tackle problems, former minister for Europe Lucinda Creighton said. Scandals in nearly all western countries have led to 'an erosion of trust in the consensus around the political order', the former Fine Gael TD said. Traditional centre-left and centre-right political parties have 'struggled to capture the attention of younger voters' and have been unable to use social media tools to connect with them, unlike populist parties. Blue-collar and middle-class workers 'just don't have the same hope and positivity and sense of opportunity that they might have done in the past', leading to a lack of faith in the liberal order, she went on. Equally, populist or right-wing parties in Poland, Germany, France and elsewhere have successfully 'adopted quite radical left-wing policies, but coupled them with some right-wing narratives', she said.
Mint
14-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Brics+ could get the globe to work out a better-balanced world order
Gift this article At first there were four. Then five. And now eleven. Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (collectively called Brics) in the newly expanded Brics+ group of nations. At first there were four. Then five. And now eleven. Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have joined Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (collectively called Brics) in the newly expanded Brics+ group of nations. Brics+ is an eclectic grouping of countries. It owes its conception to a Wall Street report written a quarter of a century ago about the initial four 'Bric' countries and the promise of their economic prospects, mostly driven by demographics. What began as a clubbing meant for global investors to focus on has since evolved into a formal alternative platform for countries to counter Western dominance of multilateral institutions. This makes it an important forum for a post Pax-Americana world, if you will. Also Read: Brics isn't an anti-US forum, it's a voice of the Global South The group is as notable for its differences as for its common purpose. Its members make up 49% of the world's population and 41% of global output (in purchasing power parity terms). In many ways, Brics+ is at par with the G-7 in economic importance. A few members are outright adversaries of the West, such as China, Russia and Iran. Others like India, Brazil, Indonesia and the UAE are keen to retain their flexibility to swing both ways. Only India recognizes China as a competitor; all others have sought to befriend China through this group or keep their relations with it and the West on an even keel. Until the latest meeting in Brazil, Beijing was gradually exerting greater influence on the group. Its dominance was clear in the group's recent expansion. With Russia's support, China overwhelmed Indian and Brazilian hesitation, which resulted in the addition of six countries and 'non-voting partnerships' with 10 other nations. Even though Beijing's rhetoric is nuanced, its objective is clearly to push Brics towards a more stridently anti-Western stance. The goal of India (and Brazil) is to keep an alternate channel open, but not be seen as 'anti-West.' This jockeying for influence will continue within the group, with China assured an edge by its deep trade relationships with all other members. Also Read: Brics isn't out to build a wall but serve the Global South The Brics+ group of countries met in Rio de Janeiro at its 17th summit. All 11 members were represented at the meeting for the first time. However, the heads of state of Russia and China did not attend in person. Vladmir Putin, president of Russia, could only attend virtually because there is an outstanding warrant for his arrest for war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court. The absence of China's President Xi Jinping was a bit puzzling, since this was the first time he has not attended a Brics summit meeting and had played a very visible role in the earlier summits held in Russia's Kazan and South Africa's Johannesburg. Now consider the positions taken by Brics. Group communiques have consistently supported a two-state solution for the Palestine-Israel conflict and an expansion of permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council to include India and Brazil. In the financial realm, the group has emphasized the need to increase quotas of the International Monetary Fund and the shareholding of emerging and developing countries in the World Bank. US President Donald Trump leaned into the current situation by threatening a 10% additional tariff on Brics+ countries for their supposedly 'anti-American' approach. Of course, the situation might change, but Trump's words provided common cause to the 11 nations to strengthen their resolve. Trump seems to be playing a delicate game of trying to weaken the dollar so that America can export more, but doing so without losing the extraordinary privilege that issuing the world's top reserve currency bestows upon the US. Trump's choice of instrument to achieve such a balance is a policy of import tariffs, which is a blunt tool in this context and could create a lot of unintended collateral damage. Pessimists argue that Brics+ only represents a platform for 'transactional multilateralism." In the absence of shared values, a grouping of diverse countries such as this will dilute their individual stands on sensitive issues and reinforce only whatever can achieve a group-wide consensus. There is already some evidence of this in the group's careful wording on the Ukraine conflict, the non-reference to Pakistan on Pahalgam, a dilution of the two-state idea for Israel and Palestine in response to Iran's objection and a soft-pedalling on South Africa's permanent Security Council seat. Also Read: Brics for India: A trade springboard, not an anti-West wall Can Brics+ survive all the differences among member nations? Will it remain relevant in a world that has watched older post-World War II multilateral institutions turn dysfunctional? Paradoxically, the answer appears to be 'yes.' Even though member nations seem to have very different reasons for being part of this club, Brics+ still offers each country some value. For India, membership offers a way to align with other emerging economies, demonstrate leadership of the Global South, exert extra pressure on the UN for a permanent Security Council seat and retain strategic autonomy. For many developing nations, particularly in Africa and Asia, very few means exist to voice themselves on the global stage (other than trade groups). Imperfect as it is, Brics+ is one of the few forums based neither on a military alliance nor trade ties. Its primary purpose is rooted in geopolitics, with geo-economics playing a secondary role. That's why, Brics+ will keep playing a significant role—at least until the world figures out a new order. P.S. 'Nothing endures but change," said Greek Philosopher Heraclitus. The author is chairman, InKlude Labs. Read Narayan's Mint columns at Topics You May Be Interested In
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Russian Navy warships shadowed by Royal Navy in UK waters
The Royal Navy have been urged to deploy its warships and helicopters to shadow Russian activity in the English Channel and North Sea. The plans have been announced as part of a four-day operation to monitor Vladmir Putin's latest actions. It comes as Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces, issued a warning that Russian warships are "increasingly sailing through the English Channel". In response to the increase in appearances, the Royal Navy has been instructed to strengthen its defence. Portsmouth-based destroyer HMS Duncan and patrol ship HMS Mersey worked in tandem as they reported on the movements of RFN Boikiy as the corvette sailed eastwards through the English Channel. Mr Pollard stressed: 'Russian warships are increasingly sailing through the English Channel, and every time they do, a Royal Navy vessel will be keeping an eye on them. I have every confidence, as should the British public, that our Royal Navy will continue to defend our waters and keep our undersea cables safe.' Commander Daniel Lee, Commanding Officer of HMS Duncan, said: 'Escorting foreign warships through waters near the UK is a vital part of our mission to protect our nation and uphold international maritime law. It's a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our seas, which are so important to the lives and livelihoods of the British people. 'As a ship's company, we are proud to carry out this duty on behalf of the nation, showcasing our professionalism and readiness to respond to any task required of us.' This operation came soon after patrol ship HMS Trent and Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron shadowed RFN Admiral Grigorovich as part of joint NATO efforts as the Russian frigate sailed past Gibraltar, through the English Channel and into the North Sea. Type 45 destroyer Duncan met the Steregushchiy-class corvette near the island of Ushant at the southwestern end of the Channel on the French coast on June 20. HMS Mersey took over duties off the Isle of Wight on June 21, with Duncan returning to training ahead of operations.
United News of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
President Putin weighs in on Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Iran wars, clarifies Moscow's stance
Moscow, June 21 (UNI) Weighing in on the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing Israel-Iran war, Russian President Vladmir Putin highlighted their key aspects, and clarified Moscow's stance on both of them, in an interview with Sky News Arabia. Speaking on the Ukraine war, Putin claimed that external powers are actively blocking a peaceful resolution, accusing them of using Ukraine as a proxy to serve their own strategic goals. 'Ukraine deserves a better fate than to be a tool in the hands of external parties working against Russia,' he said, calling for a settlement that would ensure Ukraine's neutrality and end its pursuit of alliances, particularly military blocs. He insisted that Ukraine must renounce any ambitions related to nuclear weapons, describing it as a critical step toward regional stability. Putin also maintained that any lasting agreement must include recognition of the referendums held in four regions now claimed by Russia, warning that dismissing these results could reignite full-scale conflict. He pointed to the 2022 Istanbul talks as a missed opportunity, suggesting both sides had come close to a deal before it was derailed. Ukraine's current leadership, he said, should act in the country's own national interest rather than following the agenda of outside actors. Resolving outstanding humanitarian issues, he added, must be a key part of any future settlement. On the intensifying standoff between Israel and Iran, Putin reaffirmed Moscow's support for Tehran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, adding that Russia stands ready to provide technical support. While acknowledging that differences remain, particularly over Iran's nuclear programme, he said there is still space for agreement if both sides show flexibility. He stressed that the International Atomic Energy Agency had found no evidence that Iran possesses or is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Putin reiterated Russia's long-standing opposition to the spread of weapons of mass destruction and welcomed Iran's adoption of a resolution banning the use of nuclear arms, calling it a move worthy of serious international recognition. He added that Moscow had repeatedly assured Israeli leaders that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, urging open dialogue to ease tensions and strengthen regional security. UNI ANV RN
United News of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Putin says Kremlin, IAEA have no evidence on Iran's N-weapons
Moscow, June 21 (UNI) Russian President Vladmir Putin said that neither the Kremlin nor the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have evidence which supports allegations of Iran's weaponisation of its nuclear program. Putin, speaking in an interview earlier with Sky News Arabia, put out on Saturday, said "I have to say that Russia, as well as the IAEA, has no evidence that Iran is preparing to acquire nuclear weapons. We have repeatedly informed the Israeli leadership about this.' On Wednesday, the IAEA director general Rafael Grossi had also said that the UN nuclear watchdog had not seen concrete evidence that Iran has an active nuclear weapons programme. However, the amount of uranium enrichment detected was said to be much higher than what was needed for civilian use. Israel and the US have repeatedly said that Iran's nuclear program has always been intended for weaponisation, with US President Donald Trump stating that Tehran can never be allowed to have a nuclear bomb. Iranian officials have staunchly denied the allegations, and said that its uranium enrichment was intended for its energy sector. UNI/SPUTNIK ANV PRS
