NATO Ankara summit brief, Monaco bomb suspect dead in Ukraine and Bundeswehr plans fall Erbil base withdrawal

While the temperatures were soaring in the Alpine region of Europe these last few weeks, you may have noticed there was no monitor last week, so this week we bring you two weeks of stories from the first half of July. The reason for this is rather sorrowful. My father died.

My father's favorite opening line in literature came from France's Albert Camus and The Stranger (L'étranger): "Mother died today or perhaps it was yesterday, I can't be sure." By contrast, I will never forget the day my father died. It was the day before America's 250th birthday.

My father would note The Stranger as a work was a build up to the conclusion regarding "the benign indifference of the universe." If you read the obituary of my father published on July 7 in both hometown papers, the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune and written by our dear family friend The New York Times' Ben Protess fresh off his Pulitzer win, you will see America was not indifferent when my father was the product of a world that no longer was. To live in an indifferent world is to live among strangers.

Over these two weeks and in the days after the funeral, the NATO summit in Ankara took place. There was no major headlines or diversion of course. Europe did not lose its "daddy," as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte put it last year following Donald Trump's reelection. In fact, Trump may have had his best meeting ever with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky now that the young Ukrainian upstart has the cards. Supposedly now and only now, Europe is learning that "daddy" can be generous but also difficult and even soul-crushing at times. Most importantly, however, the allies remain together even if euphemistic daddy is soul-crushingly difficult.

To follow Rutte's unexpectedly apt statement, European nations' decades of foot dragging on defense and unexpected awakening after Trump was reelected one decade after he was first elected have come to resemble a bit a spoiled child who cannot believe daddy would ever cut them off. In defense of Europe, present generations grew up in a world where co-dependence not independence was the goal. They did not make the world they were born into. Transatlanticism is also part of this inheritance.

While life is fragile and alliances as well, sometimes there is unexpected utility, as Rutte showed, in kissing the ring. Not because it is pleasant or even easy or right or just but because the cost of holding the line, raising an army internally, endowing it with capabilities and getting the politicians to pay for it all is a lot harder. Also history, like the enemy, always gets a vote and sometimes even veto power when it comes to present day predicaments.

While a so-called "middle powers" doctrine may be emerging, the Pentagon's under secretary for policy planning Elbridge Colby might have it right in substance if not tone or tenor on X in that the best the middle powers can achieve is to hold the line until a significantly larger power can come and tip the balance in its favor. The most difficult truths are never pleasant but reality, like geography, is punishing. The truth is daddy and the kids can finger point and dilude the relationship with anger or recognize that it has been one hell of a run. And while it might not be a joy or easy, it is nothing that should go gentle into that good night.

In other news, Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service Security Studies Program global spotlights graciously highlighted the Bern Security Dialogue's work to keep the ties that bind bound. As this is the Alpine Security Monitor, an official publication of the Bern Security Dialogue, we urge you to subscribe (and become a paid subscriber!) for weekly updates on security and geopolitics as it concerns the Alpine region, namely Austria, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland (ok, little Liechtenstein and Monaco too when merited).

If you have enjoyed what you have been reading for free, consider upgrading now to become a member or a warrior to support the critical work we do to elevate security policy in this critical region at the heart of Europe. Our work and success very much depends on our network. If this was forwarded to you, welcome! You can address any comments or concerns to amanda.rivkin@securitydialogue.org.

NATO ANKARA SUMMIT IN BRIEF:

ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to produce ATACMS in Germany

Defense News reports last week Tuesday that "Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have signed an agreement to co-produce the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)" at a Rheinmetall production site in Unterlüss, northern Germany, "marking the first time the ballistic missile is set to be manufactured outside the United States."
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was announced during the NATO Summit Defense Industry Forum, "backed by both the US and German governments."
Lockheed and Rheinmetall described the MOU "as a step toward a joint venture that would create a European 'centre of excellence' for manufacturing, integrating and distributing ATACMS to NATO and allied forces."

ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – Germany reaches deal with US to buy Tomahawk missiles

The Associated Press reports last week Thursday that "Germany has struck a deal with the United States to buy American-made Tomahawk cruise missiles and station them in Germany".
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz "said the agreement" had been "reached this week on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey's capital, Ankara."
Merz said the Tomahawk missiles would "close an important strategic gap in our defense"

AND THE ALPINE REGION-RELATED NEWS:

KYIV, UKRAINE – Intel agent confesses to murder of Monaco bomb suspect, changes story

The BBC reports last week Thursday that "A Ukrainian intelligence agent who confessed to killing a woman suspected of trying to assassinate a multimillionaire and his family in Monaco" changed his story and "claimed he did not pull the trigger."
The suspect, Vladyslav Reut, was in court in Kyiv for a custody heading last Thursday just "a few days" after he "led investigators to Anastasiia Berezovska's grave in the woods" and then changed his story to place culpability on an accomplice. Reut, "a decorated officer of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, GUR, and his co-defendant Vitalii Zhykovych worked for the SBU security service until recently."
The bomb targeted Vadym Yermolayev, a businessman "who made his money in cognac and real estate," and previously renounced his Ukrainian citizenship; the reasons why he might have been targeted beyond pro-Russian sympathies also remains unclear.

ERBIL, IRAQ – Bundeswehr plans to exit base in Erbil 'by September'

Reuters reports last Friday that the German newsweekly Der Spiegel, citing a parliamentary defense committee, reports the German Bundeswehr plans to leave its northern Iraqi base in the Kurdish city of Erbil by September where "There are currently around 30 German soldiers stationed".
Located at the edge of the Erbil airport, the German presence at the camp is already "sharply reduced" as a result of "the security risks posed by the Iran war."
A defense ministry spokesman confirmed the news that "Germany was planning to reduce the number of soldiers there over the long term".

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Israel appoints first resident ambassador to Slovenia after 'reset'

Al Arabiya reports a week ago last Sunday that Israel has "named its first-ever resident ambassador to Slovenia, signaling a diplomatic reset after Ljubljana's change of government."
The new government of conservative Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who previously held the position three times, has considerably more positive views of the Jewish state. Ambassador Ruth Cohen Dar, "now non-resident ambassador to Slovenia and Malta", will soon take up residence in Ljubljana.
Under the previous government of former prime minister Robert Golob, ties "soured" as his government "characterized Israel's military offensive in Gaza as 'genocide'" and recognized the state of Palestine while the country's public broadcaster announced a boycott of Eurovision over Israel's participation post-conflict. The new government "has also removed a Palestinian flag symbolically displayed on the government building" since Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024.

PARIS, FRANCE – Ukraine and allies including France, Germany and Italy align on missiles

Reuters reports Monday that "Ukraine and key Western allies", including the Alpine nations of France, Germany and Italy in addition to Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK, "announced an air-defence coalition that would include jointly developing a new anti-ballistic missile system as an alternative and cheaper solution to the US Patriot system."
The leaders of the 10 countries announed the "coalition" at a summit in Paris attended by "about a dozen firms from the defence sector".
The new project calls itself the "Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition" which "will centre around the Freyja project—Ukraine's attempt to build a European-backed, lower-cost alternative to the Patriot system."

PARIS, FRANCE – Appeals court clears far-right leader Marine Le Pen to run for president

The Financial Times reports last week Tuesday that "Far-right French leader Marine Le Penhas been cleared to stand for president next year" by the appellate court which upheld her conviction for embezzling funds from the European Parliament but shortened the length of her sentence.
The three judges on the appeals court "shortened an electoral ban" while giving Le Pen a three-year sentence, two years of which are considered suspended with "the remaining year to be served under electronic monitoring."
Prior to the ruling, "Le Pen repeatedly ruled out running if she was forced to wear a bracelet" and "said that Jordan Bardella, her 30-year-old protégé and handpicked successor, would run if she could not." A recent poll suggests "he could capture voters who have eluded her."

PARIS, FRANCE – Trial of Palestinian-French MEP for glorifying terrorism begins

Politico reports Palestinian-French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and former Gaza flotilla participant Rima Hassan, who was born stateless in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, went on trial last Tuesday "for sharing a quote attributed to Kōzō Okamoto, a Japanese miitant who was responsible for killing 26 people at an Israeli airport in 1972 when he was a member of the now defunct Japanese Red Army.
Hassan "wants to turn a trial over accusations she glorified a terrorist act into a platform to showcase what she says is an attempt to silence pro-Palestinian voices, telling Politico that it is "a way of putting the Palestinian cause on trial."
The case dates back to March 26 when Hassan "shared a post on X from a pro-Palestinian account" from Okamoto which stated, "As long as there is oppression, resistance will not only be a right, but a duty." Hassan is "one of the most talked-about politicians in France and she has faced "16 legal complaints or reports" regarding "remarks about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to the Paris prosecutor's office."

SARCELLES, FRANCE – 'Military-grade weapon' found in car in heavily Jewish Paris suburb

Deutsche Welle reports Sunday that police reportedly "found a 'military-grade weapon' during the search of a suspicious car parked" in the northern Paris suburb of Sarcelles which has a significant Jewish community.
"Anti-terror prosecutors" announced an investigation "after at least one gun" was found Saturday in a suspicious vehicle parked near a synagogue. Potential charges include "forming a terrorist organization with a view to preparing crimes involving attacks on persons and the transport, possession and acquisition of weapons in connection with a terrorist enterprise."
No arrests have been made though France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said "three planned attacks on the Jewish community" were foiled this year.

PARIS, FRANCE – Russian ambassador summoned over 'sabotage and espionage' in Europe

CBS News reports Monday that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said he would summon the Russian ambassador over "a vast cyber campaign" against more than 10 countries in Europe.
Barrot also said sanctions would be imposed "on nine individuals and four entities responsible". He further accused the FSB, Russia's primary national intelligence service, of involvement.
Russia's attacks "targeted companies, government ministries and service operators" with the goal of intelligence collection and sabotage.

PARIS, FRANCE – Three nuclear reactors shutdown amid heat wave

France24 reports Sunday that Électricité de France (EDF), the country's main energy provider, temporarily shuttered three nuclear reactors at the Golfech, Bugey and Chooz plants on the banks of the Garonne, Rhone and Meuse rivers as part of an "environmental protection requirement to avoid discharging too much hot water into the rivers".
The rivers, already warm from the heatwave, are used to cool the reactors, "which heats the water that is then released back into the river."
France's Economy Ministry "issued an exemption" Saturday for "the temperature limits" for the Rhone near the Bugey plant "to ensure the security of the power grid."

PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES, FRANCE – 27 town evacuated amid enormous wildfire

ABC News reports last Thursday that "The biggest wildfire in Western Europe is raging in the Pyrénées of France," as "Wildfires have broken out in Spain, Portugal and Greece" due to "the record-breaking heat".
The organizers of the Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious race, have been forced "to ban spectators from lining the route in the mountainous region."
So far "4,936 hectares or a little over 12,000 acres" have burned, according to French officials, and more than 10,000 from 27 towns have been evacuated while "some have been allowed to return home as flames have subsided in some areas".

BERLIN, GERMANY – Germany to be involved in French nuclear drills this fall

Politico reports Thursday that "German military personnel are set to take part in France's flagship nuclear drill Poker for the first time this fall".
German government sources told the publication that "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to agree" on the inclusion of German forces in the drill "during a meeting of the Franco-German Defense and Security Council at Germany's Nörvenich Air Base on Friday." Le Monde highilghts how the event will "seek to showcase military cooperation after FCAS collapse", a reference to the recent collapse of the joint Eurofighter jet deal.
During a speech in March, Macron noted "several European countries—including Germany—had agreed to enhance cooperation on nuclear deterrence."

MUNICH, GERMANY – Iraqi couple sentenced to life for enslaving Yazidi girls

Deutsche Welle reports Monday that a German court sentenced an Iraqi couple "to lengthy prison sentences for enslaving and abusing two Yazidi girls under the so-called 'Islamic State' group in Iraq" after the pair "were convicted of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity."
The man received a life sentence whereas his former partner received "a juvenile sentence of nine and a half years." When the couple were members of the so-called Islamic State, they two Yazidi girls they enslaved were aged five and 12 at the time of purchase and they were subsequently subjected to forced labor, torture and sexual abuse. One of the two young women was present in court for sentencing.
The couple was arrested in April of 2024 in Bavaria where they were living at the time.

ERFURT, GERMANY – 'Tens of thousands' demonstrate against AfD party convention

CNN reports a week ago last Saturday that "tens of thousands of protesters aimed to disrupt" the party convention of the far-right Alternative for Germany (Alternativ für Deutschland or AfD) who had gathered in the eastern German city of Erfurt where "leaders, including Alice Wiedel" were "overwhelmingly reelected".
While the AfD "sought to show unity" as "Weidel was reelected with 81% of the vote", it was "The demonstrations outside the convention" that drew media attention even though "Saturday's event was able to start on time despite the protests".
There was "additional controversy" regarding "The weekend convention" due to the fact that it coincided "with the 100-year anniversary of a Nazi Party meeting held nearby that consolidated Adolf Hitler's power". AfD rejected the idea that "the timing carries powerful symbolism".

BERLIN, GERMANY – Bundestag advances bill to criminialize denying Israel's right to exist

The Jerusalem Post reports Sunday that the Bundestag "advanced a bill that would make denial of Israel's right to exist a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison."
The legislation passed the upper house of the Bundestag but has yet to pass the lower house. The bill states that "anyone who publicly or at a gathering denies the right of the State of Israel to exist, or calls for its elimination, would face punishment" as a result of "expanding Section 130 StGB" of the German criminal code "beyond Holocaust denial to include existential denial of Israel."
The bill comes against the context of a "skyrocketing" number of incidents of antisemitism, recorded at 8,627 in 2024, up from 1,957 in 2020.

GLAUBITZ, GERMANY – Transgender neo-nazi moved from women to men's prison

Deutsche Welle reports Thursday that "German neo-Nazi Maria-Svenja Liebich was transferred to a men's prison on Thursday, despite being legally registered as a woman."
In 2025, Liebich "changed legal gender entry from male to female", a move which critics described as a "provocation". Liebich was moved from a facility in Chemnitz to "Zeithain prison in the Meissen district".
Liebich is facing 18 months after s/he was sentenced in 2023 "for incitement to hatred, defamation and insult." S/he "disappeared last August" before turning up in Czechia and being extradicted to Germany. For decades, Liebich has been "a high-profile figure in eastern Germany's right-wing extremist scene".

BERLIN, GERMANY – American aid worker in the DRC with ebola evacuated to Germany

ABC News reports Monday that an American aid worker with the organization Samaritan's Purse was responding to the ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when he contracted the virus before being medevaced to the Charité University Hospital in Berlin for urgent care and treatment.
The American aid worker was treating patients in Ituri province of the DRC, "where most of the DRC's cases have been confirmed," World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X.
The DRC's Health Ministry reports that there have been 1,900 cases of ebola and over 700 deaths from the virus.

ROME, ITALY – Two Russian military attachés expelled amid spy case

Reuters reports last Thursday that the Italian Foreign Ministry ordered the expulsion of two Russian military attachés in Rome amid a spying row that has ensnarled at least one former caribinieri officer.
Two people were arrested earlier in the week accused of passing information to a Russian agent.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the two Russians have three days to leave the country.

BERN, SWITZERLAND – Defense minister announces procurement pact with Austria

Swissinfo reports last Tuesday that "Switzerland forms military purchasing pact with Austria" on the same day NATO nations gathered in Ankara for the annual summit and announced a slew of defense purchases and procurement plans.
Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister said that the aim of the agreement with Austria was to make defense procurement "more cost-effective and efficient" which is an interesting expectation of collaboration with Austria, often perceived as a sieve for Russian intelligence by many in the transatlantic defense community.
Alongside Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, Pfister made the announcement Monday. Of note, "However, both sides ruled out any cooperation that would go beyond procurement and joint exercises." Both defense ministers concurred "that merging the air forces was constitutionally possible for the two neutral states."

SPIEZ, SWITZERLAND – Unauthorized drone over Spiez Laboratory viewed as espionage

A report in SonntagsBlick Sunday notes "an unknown formation of drones flew over a military facility," reportedly the Spiez Laboratory which "is responsible for nuclear, biological, and chemical threats."
Experts from Spiez Laboratory have analyzed "the nerve agent Novichok, which was used in the poisoning of double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018" and "Assad's use of chemical weapons in Syria."
Swiss Army Chief Benedikt Roos called it "a major incident" and the Office of the Attorney General Stefan Blättler told SonntagsBlick his office is "investigating exactly what happened."

DIELSDORF, SWITZERLAND – Teen gets a year of therapy for stabbing a Jewish person

Swissinfo reports last Tuesday that "A Swiss teenager has been sentenced to one year in prison", though that "prison sentence has been suspended so the youth can be placed in a care facility for therapy" after he stabbed an Orthodox Jewish man on the street in Zürich in October 2024.
The teenager, "a Swiss citizen" who is "of Tunisian descent", was 15 at the time of the incident. It is alleged he "previously attempted to break into a synagogue with the intention of killing Jews."
Authorities believe he was radicalized online by so-called Islamic State propaganda.

ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – Three arrested after attacking Turkish consulate with paint

Swissinfo reports last Friday that three people were arrested by Zürich police "following a paint attack on the Turkish consulate."
Two Swiss nationals between 18-20 and an 18 year old Bosnian woman were involved in the incident which took place "Shortly after 10pm," when "a Zurich police patrol stationed near the Turkish conuslate in District 6 noticed a group of around 20 people, some of whom were masked."
After several bottles of paint were flung at the façade of the consulate, the perpetrators ran in various directions before being taken into custody.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Two Syrians sentenced for Assad-era torture to eight years

France24 reports last Monday that "A Syrian ex-general and a former police officer were handed eight-year jail sentences by a Viennese court" over their role in "torturing opponents of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad."
The "suspects from the Syrian civil war," Brig. Gen. (ret.) Khaled al-Halabi, 63, and Musab Abu Rukbah, 54, are being "tried in European courts under the legal tool of universal jurisdiction". Al-Halabi "was found guilty of torture, aggravated coercion, sexual coercion and multiple counts of serious bodily harm", while Abu Rukhbah "was likewise found guilty of serious bodily harm, aggravated coercion and sexual coercion" for crimes that "took place in the city of Raqa between April 2011 and March 2013".
However, the trial "has also caused a media stir" since prosecutors allege "a secret agreement between the Austrian and Israeli intelligence services allowed the ex-general to settle down in Austria."

LEOBERSDORF, AUSTRIA – Lidl planned on former site of women's concentration camp

Israel's Ynet reports last Wednesday that "Austrian media say a logistics center and and Lidl branch are planned" on the site of the Hirtenberg camo in Leobersdorf, Austria which "held about 400 women" during the Nazi period, "drawing outrage from Jewish leaders and memorial officials".
Austria's Federal Monuments Office approved the plans stating that "the remains of the camp walls did not qualify for protected historic status." Hirtenberg was considered "a subcamp of Mauthausen during the final years of World War II" that served the vast network of Nazi labor and death camps across Central and Eastern Europe.
While Austrian media reportedly call the plans a "major scandal", the mayor of Leobersdorf, Andreas Ramharter, "profited from the deal" as "His company sold the site to an investor for more than 15 million euros" and he "personally received" an additional €1.34 million "after the town council, which he controls, changed the land's zoning designation to commercial use."

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA – Court rules ski resort's burkini ban discriminatory

Agence France Presse reports last Wednesday that a Salzburg court ruled that the ski resort Sankt Johann im Pongau's ban on the Islamic female bathing suit known as the burkini, "a bugbear of the European far-right," is in fact discriminatory.
The court sided with the two Austrian Muslim women whose preferred swimwear is "the full-body bathing suit worn by some Muslim women. The pair filed a complaint "After a heated argument with the manager who said the burkini was unhygenic and made other guests feel uncomfortable".
Local authorities fined the hotel €100 ($114), "prompting the establishment's manager to appeal." In late June, the appeal was rejected and the court ordered the hotel to pay an additional €20 ($23) "to cover procedural costs."

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