Olaf Scholz: Dear readers,
Providing security for its citizens is the most important job of every state, of every society. Without security there can be no freedom, no stability, no prosperity.

IMF head welcomes Europe's interest rate hikes in campaign against inflation

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Annalena Baerbock: Dear readers,
Our peace is fragile. Our freedom is precious. For too long we in Germany considered our security in Europe to be something we could take for granted. However, our peaceful order is not set in stone, as has been plain at the latest since Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The climate crisis also threatens the security of the people in our country bringing floods and heatwaves.

Drought and rising heat bring unusual wildfire warnings in northern Europe

The COVID 19 pandemic, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns—all these threats show how vulnerable we are. Making us more robust in all areas of life is the aim of this our first National Security Strategy. After all, in the 21st century, security also means making sure our heating works in winter. Security means being able to find medication for our children in our pharmacies. Having smartphones that work because supplies of the necessary microchips are reliable. Getting to work safely because our trains are not paralysed by cyberattacks.
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Politico.eu.com | Germany to buy Iron Dome-style air defense system from Israel, 14 June €5B

"With the purchase of the German IRIS-T SLM and the acquisition of the Israeli Arrow, we are pushing ahead with two major projects from the Bundeswehr's special assets that will help build up a protective umbrella in Germany," Karsten Klein, a lawmaker for the Free Democrats in the committee, told POLITICO. The Arrow-3 system is developed and manufactured by Israeli Aerospace Industries in cooperation with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing. Klein said that the air defense systems combined would provide a 2,400-kilometer range.

The Arrow-3 system has been in use in Israel since 2017 as part of its Iron Dome protection network. Berlin is aiming for a binding contract for the Arrow-3 system by the end of 2023, according to a document seen by POLITICO, which then could be operational by the end of 2025. As part of a splurge in defense spending across Europe following Russia's war on Ukraine, aerospace firms fear that billions of euros will go to contractors outside the EU, including in Israel, South Korea, and Türkiye.

Poverty, climate, regional stability on agenda as Saudi crown prince visits France, 16 June

France is a major weapons and defense supplier to Gulf nations. The leaders also are preparing for a global summit next week "aimed at bringing together private and public funding" to fight poverty, support climate transition and protect biodiversity, the French presidency said.