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Ukraine crisis fueled rise in military spending worldwide: Expert


The Russia-Ukraine war has created a massive demand for supplies and munitions as countries accelerated armament, causing a huge shift in the global weapons industry, an expert told Al Arabiya in a televised interview.

Speaking on the Al Arabiya defense show Askaritarya, Peter Singer, Professor of Practice in the Center on the Future of War and the School of Politics and Global Studies and one of the world’s leading experts on 21st century security issues, said that the war in Ukraine has essentially reshaped the defense sector.

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“The war has just created a massive demand for supplies and munitions that most of the military is not just there, but the nations that are supplying them, like in the United States, even in Iran, have struggled to keep up with,” Singer said.

“The Russians are literally running out of not only missiles but even artillery shells.

He added that certain defense technologies which have been proven to work in conventional warfare, such as drones or other arms that were used in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were primarily used for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency purposes.

The use of unmanned systems and drones in conventional warfare has caused other militaries to reconsider their usage and defense against them. As a result, there will be a significant rise in counter-drone technology. The expert also pointed out that the training provided to military personnel, particularly sergeants, is crucial in the effective use of these systems.

“[In] Ukraine, we saw them proved to be impactful, powerful and major scale conflict. And that’s not just for the larger size versions, like, for example, the ones supplied by Turkey, but also smaller civilian systems.”

Tanks and warships were proven to be “less than useful” because they “didn’t do well in the opening weeks of the conflict,” he explained, clarifying that this doesn’t mean that tanks will not be used anymore.

“It’s more that Russia bluntly used them [tanks] in a very dumb way. And so, that part of the argument about what it’s meant for the global supply chain of conflict, that part isn’t going to play true,” he continued.

“We’re going to see tanks still being sold, warships still being sold. Every nation is looking at the war in Ukraine as almost like a classroom or a lab for them, where they’re learning lessons about what only what works and what doesn’t work.”

A Russian soldier collects weapons found while patrolling at the Mariupol drama theatre, bombed last March 16, on April 12, 2022 in Mariupol, Ukraine. (AFP)

A Russian soldier collects weapons found while patrolling at the Mariupol drama theatre, bombed last March 16, on April 12, 2022 in Mariupol, Ukraine. (AFP)

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year in what it called a “special military operation.” Moscow’s invasion has since caused tens of thousands of deaths on both sides and has instigated Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the Second World War.

“On one hand, there was almost a fear of Russia or certainly a deep respect about what they might do in Europe. That drove a lot of defense planning in the United States. And it turned out the Russians, frankly, were not as good as everyone thought. And that was reflected in everything from US deployments to Europe to what people expected to play out in Ukraine,” Singer added.

Read more:

US awards $522 mln contracts for artillery ammunition for Ukraine

UK arms could be made in Ukraine under license: Report

Ukraine must get weapons it needs as Putin prepares for new offensive: Stoltenberg

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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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