Foreign and Security, Defense and Cybersecurity | The PC3 Newsletter #1/2025

The war in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine seems to be in a new phase. The recruitment of foreign troops, among the Russian regular and private military companies engaged in the conflict, from North Korea and other nationalities, and the renewed bombing campaign in the southeast of the country are intensifying the conflict.

Meanwhile, the new US administration, with words, tries to find a way for peace, but, in reality, is backing its way to get advantages from the situation without a clear path, for now. The new declaration by the US Presidents created new concerns and questions.

The situation on the ground Ukraine Conflict updates by Institute for the Study of War

Global Conflict tracker (Ukraine) by Council on Foreign Relations

Defending Ukraine in the Absence of NATO Security by Paul B. Stares and Michael O'Hanlon (Council of Foreign Relations)

Trump demands $500B in rare earths from Ukraine for continued support by Politico.eu

Ukraine 'may be Russian someday,' Trump suggests while announcing $500 billion rare earth 'agreement' By Martin Fornusek (The Kyiv Independent)

The Middle East Crises

The truce between Hamas and Israel stopped the conflict, but it remains on the ground the issue related on Gaza (and West Bank) status and the relaunch of a peace process giving safety safeguards for Israel but, after more than seventy years, a clear perspective of peace for Palestinians. I kept from the previous newsletter the article “Who governs the Palestinians?” in order to reflect on the political contingency in Gaza and West Bank where we have, de facto, two Palestinian entities.

On the background, we had also the transition in Syria with the quick action by the Turkish-backed militias and the collapse of State’s structures of the Arab Syrian republic. Here some hints to navigate reasons and consequences of the Assad regime’s collapse.

The situation on the ground by Institute for the Study of War

Understanding Israel-Hamas Truce by International Crisis Group

Who governs the Palestinians? by Kali Robinson (Council of Foreign Relations)

Gaza cease-fire: The view from Israel by Nimrod Goren (Politico)

Regional Perspectives on the House of Assad’s Fall by International Crisis Group

What Assad’s fall means for Russia in the Middle East by Thomas Graham (Council on Foreign Relations)

Africa

Turbulence in the DRC Raises Hard Questions for the EU by IRC

Sudan's Civilians Deserve Better by Council of Foreign Relations

Could Turkey and Egypt Together Develop a More Effective Diplomatic Approach to Sudan’s Brutal Civil War? by Nebahat Tanriverdi Yasar (ISPI)

Europe, United States, NATO

Transforming European Defense by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen

UEF PC3

About PC3 of the Federal Committee

• Political Commission 3 (PC3) - On Foreign and Security Policy, Defense and Cybersecurity
• Chair: Carlo Maria Palermo
• Co-rapporteurs: Gwynn W Wettach and Antonio Argenziano
• Google Group:  Link