East Front News #107: Germany as the United States' key partner?

Putin's hybrid war prompts German spy agency reboot

Spurred by Moscow’s aggression, Germany will turn its foreign intelligence service into a fully operational actor equipped to launch cyber counterattacks and sabotage.

Berlin is preparing to transform the Federal Intelligence Service, or BND, from a passive observer into an operational actor. Driven chiefly by Russia’s hybrid threat, the forthcoming reform will introduce aggressive new tactics that include hackbacks, sabotage and interference in hostile supply chains.

Author: Jakub Bielamowicz

Tunnel on the Belarus-Latvia border

In south-eastern Latvia, on the border with Belarus, an underground tunnel used by illegal migrants to enter European Union territory has been discovered. This is the first instance of such a passage being found in Latvia.

Author: Patryk Jagnieża

Germany as the United States' key partner? Michta: Poland must take the initiative

“We have a unique situation in Europe: Germany has the scale to build military leadership. France possesses nuclear weapons, but it is expeditionary-oriented. The British Army has shrunk to such an extent that rebuilding a single division will take it 10 years. Poland has every reason—and an urgent need—to lead this process, and in particular to build regional structures in the Nordic-Baltic region,” Prof. Andrew Michta told Defence24.

Author: Michał Górski

Why the US resists Ukraine's Patriot production?

For some time now, Kyiv has been constantly trying to get access to domestic production of Patriot air defence system missiles. Washington is quite resistant to providing the licence and it has more than one reason to do so.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that partners from the United States have agreed to grant them the licence. US President Donald Trump responded with uncertainty to that claim, saying that “it is a very unique weapon, and we have to be a little bit careful about who we give a licence to.” While the talks between the parties are still ongoing, more reasons for the resistant US position begin to surface.

Author: Patryk Jagnieża

Mecca Pact: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan redraw regional security

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan have concluded a landmark defence agreement, known as the „Mecca Agreement”, which establishes the principle of mutual assistance in the event of armed aggression. The signatories agreed that an attack on one of these countries would be treated as an attack on all members of the alliance. The decision to strengthen cooperation was made in the face of the escalating conflict between the US and Iran and the destabilisation of trade routes in the Middle East. Although the agreement is purely defensive in nature, it is seen as the beginning of a new regional security architecture, limiting the influence of Israel and Iran.

Author: Natalia Potera

Russian military presence in the Arctic: interests, infrastructure and capabilities

Melting ice is turning the Arctic into an arena of competition. Moscow has been building military superiority there for years. The Chinese presence is also growing. Is the Alliance ready for the escalating confrontation in the High North?

For decades, the Arctic was considered a region of relatively low potential for conflict. However, the melting ice cover is revealing not only significant raw material resources but also new shipping routes – such as the Northern Sea Route – thereby increasing the strategic importance of this area. It is no wonder, then, that the Arctic is gradually transforming into a space of competition between the Russian Federation and NATO – as well as other countries such as China. Russia has shown immense interest in the Arctic for decades. Europe, including Poland, has only been paying closer attention to this region for several years.

Authors: Aleksander Olech, Karolina Kisiel

European transporters for Poland? MoD declaration

Will the Airbus A400M heavy transport aircraft join the Polish Air Force? Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Zalewski does not rule out such a scenario.

For months, new information has been appearing in the media regarding the Ministry of National Defence’s desire to acquire new transport aircraft for the Polish Air Force. The C-130 Hercules aircraft currently used by the army are ageing rapidly, and the military’s transport needs are growing, partly due to the expansion of combat aviation, hence the search for new models.

Author: Michał Górski

Strengthening NATO's eastern flank: Danish battalion already in Latvia

A Danish combat battalion has begun its rotation in Latvia. This marks another recent reinforcement of NATO’s eastern flank.

In July, NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum announced that Canada would be joining Multinational Division North. These forces have now been bolstered by nearly 850 soldiers from Denmark.

Author: Michał Górski