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Mali seeks support
As Mali emerges from two years of armed conflict in the north, an international donor conference is being held today in Brussels. The EU has announced a pledge more than half a billion euros over the next two years to help rebuild Mali. The donor conference isorganised by French President Francois Hollande, along with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso and Dioncounda Traore, Mali’s interim president. International delegations from 103 countries, including ten heads of state and government, are expected to attend...

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Major cyber heist
A global cyber-crime ring stole $45 million in one of the biggest ever bank heists. The crime was committed by hacking into credit card processing firms and withdrawing money from ATMs in 27 countries. Seven people face charges of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and money laundering and are under arrest in New York. Criminals used fake cards to target banks in the United Arab Emirates and Oman...

in FOCUS

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Rasmussen suggests increased spending

“Further cuts in defence spending by European nations risk reducing the continent’s defence and security to ‘hot air’, turning the alliance into a ‘global spectator’ rather than a real force on the world stage”, warned NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addressing the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday...


US REPORTS ON CHINA'S MILITARY
A Defence Department report “2013 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” was released earlier this week. It describes China’s military modernisation and the Chinese army’s interaction with other forces... read more

KERRY TO HOLD PEACE TALKS

The US Secretary of State John Kerry began a round of talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials earlier today. However, he expressed scepticism that the two sides would resume peace negotiations...

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HAGUE TO CHANGE ARMS EMBARGO
British foreign secretary William Hague warned of a regional ‘catastrophe’ as al-Qaeda and Hezbollah clash in battle for the Syrian town, Qusair... read more

SDA new Advisory Board members


Alexander Vershbow Deputy Secretary General NATO				Pierre Vimont Executif Secretary General European External Action Service


Brig. Gen. Ilkka Laitinen Executive Director FRONTEX				Ioan Mircea Pascu Vice Chairman Committee on Foreign Affairs European Parliament

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SDA speakers

The Security & Defence Agenda regularly welcomes high level speakers from the international and national sphere of politics, the military, private sector, civil society, and academia to discuss the issues that shape global security and defence.