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Germany denies Ukraine’s plea for Taurus missiles to help counter Russian air power


Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that his country was against sending its Taurus missiles to Ukraine because it was trying to avoid any German weapon striking Russian territory, German media reported on Sunday.

He said in an interview with Germany's ARD television when asked about the potential supply of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine: “We carefully review all requests we receive. But for us there is a principle that I share with the US president – we do not want the weapons we supply to be used to get into Russian territories.”

Early in June, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview with DW that Berlin rejected the concept of transferring Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine in the foreseeable future. He added that Berlin, like Washington, had always emphasized that they would not want their weapons used in Russian territory.

Ukraine had submitted in May a request for Germany’s air-launched cruise missiles, according to state news agency Ukrinform and the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

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Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter expressed support for the Ukrainian request stating that the Taurus missiles would enable Kyiv to “strike against the Russian military infrastructure far behind the front line,” as cited by German magazine Der Spiegel.

Kyiv has long been asking for weapons and jets to bolster its aerial defenses and begin air offensive operations against a crushing Russian superiority. The UK has already supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles and France said it would supply the similar SCALP-EGs.

However, the Taurus KEPD 350, a German-Swedish missile, is a long-range air-to-surface missile renowned for its stand-off capability, enabling it to be fired from a safe distance without the launching aircraft entering hostile airspace. It can travel over a range of approximately 500 kilometers, carrying a 500kg dual-stage warhead which can effectively penetrate hardened targets. Its advanced stealth characteristics and high subsonic speed make it difficult for enemy defenses to intercept. The missile can operate in GPS-denied environments, thanks to its integrated navigation system, which employs an image comparison algorithm.

On the other hand, the Storm Shadow (UK) and the SCALP EG (France) are essentially the same missile – a conventionally armed, long-range, stand-off cruise missile developed by MBDA for the British and French armed forces. The Storm Shadow/SCALP EG boasts a range of over 560 kilometers and carries a two-stage 450kg warhead, offering an enhanced target penetration capability. Its Terrain Reference Navigation and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation technology offer highly accurate targeting even in the absence of GPS.

As to how each will fair against Russian air defenses, then several facts need to be considered. Russian air defense systems, such as the S-400 and S-300, are among the most advanced in the world, and pose a significant challenge to any attacking missile. However, the Taurus KEPD 350, Storm Shadow, and SCALP EG are all designed with advanced technologies aimed at evading such defenses.

The Taurus KEPD 350, with its stealth technology, high subsonic speed, and low-level flight capability, can evade radar detection to a significant extent. Its advanced navigation system enables it to operate even in GPS-denied environments, increasing its effectiveness against sophisticated air defenses.

The Storm Shadow and SCALP EG, given their long-range stand-off capability, allow launch platforms to fire them from beyond the reach of most air defense systems, which lowers the risk of the launch aircraft being targeted. The missiles' low flight altitude and stealth features make them harder to detect. Their sophisticated navigation systems provide high accuracy, even in GPS-denied environments.

Read more:

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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