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Received yesterday — 13 February 2026

Keir Starmer to call on UK and Europe to step up commitments to Nato

British PM to tell Munich Security Conference that Europe together is ‘sleeping giant’ and will say UK won’t turn away from its allies

Keir Starmer will say the UK and Europe need to step up their commitments to Nato and avoid the risk of overdependence on the US for defence, as he sets out one of the main planks of his foreign policy vision on Saturday.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the prime minister will warn against the idea of the UK turning inwards on security, instead calling for a focus on what he will call the “sleeping giant” of shared European defence capabilities.

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© Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

© Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

© Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/Reuters

US ‘not powerful enough to go it alone’, Merz tells Munich conference

13 February 2026 at 14:47

German chancellor rebuts idea of American unilateralism and says ‘democracies have partners and allies’

The US acting alone has reached the limits of its power and may already have lost its role as global leader, Friedrich Merz, the German chancellor, warned Donald Trump at the opening of the Munich Security Conference.

Merz also disclosed he had held initial talks with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, over the possibility of joining France’s nuclear umbrella, underlining his call for Europe to develop a stronger self-standing security strategy.

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© Photograph: Getty

© Photograph: Getty

© Photograph: Getty

The Law of Cyberwar is Pretty Discombobulated

13 February 2026 at 05:24
cyberwar, cyber, SLA, cyberattack, retailers, Ai, applications, sysdig, attack, cisco, AI, AI-powered, attacks, attackers, security, BreachRx, Cisco, Nexus, security, challenges, attacks, cybersecurity, risks, industry, Cisco Talos hackers legitimate tools used in cyberattacks

This article explores the complexities of cyberwarfare, emphasizing the need to reconsider how we categorize cyber operations within the framework of the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). It discusses the challenges posed by AI in transforming traditional warfare notions and highlights the potential risks associated with the misuse of emerging technologies in conflicts.

The post The Law of Cyberwar is Pretty Discombobulated appeared first on Security Boulevard.

Democrats at Munich security summit to urge Europe to stand up to Trump

13 February 2026 at 01:00

European leaders divided over how far to accommodate Trump’s ‘wrecking ball’ politics and foreign policy

US Democrats will use a security summit this weekend to urge European leaders to stand up to Donald Trump, with the continent divided over how to keep the unpredictable US president on side.

Democrats at the annual Munich Security Conference will include some of Trump’s most outspoken critics, such as the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, the New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Arizona senator Ruben Gallego and the Michigan governor, Gretchen Whitmer.

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© Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/AP

© Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/AP

© Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/AP

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Pentagon policy chief tells European Nato members to step up combat capabilities

12 February 2026 at 12:36

Elbridge Colby tells meeting in Brussels that US plans to reduce conventional forces in Europe but remains committed to Nato alliance

The Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, has told European Nato defence ministers in Brussels that they need to step up their combat capabilities and take the lead in protecting their continent from the Russian threat.

The influential undersecretary for war, sent by the White House in place of his boss, Pete Hegseth, said the US would reduce conventional forces in Europe but insisted Washington remained committed to the military alliance.

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© Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

Germany and Israel Deepen Cybersecurity Ties With New Security Pact

Germany

Germany and Israel have taken an important step toward deepening their long-standing security partnership by expanding cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. During a weekend visit to Jerusalem, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a new cyber and security pact aimed at reinforcing existing frameworks and addressing growing digital threats facing both countries.   The security relationship between Germany and Israel has been described by both sides as close, stable, and built on trust. In the area of cybersecurity in particular, cooperation has already reached an advanced level. Outside of NATO and the EU, Israel is considered Germany’s most important security partner, a status that reflects Israel’s technical expertise and operational experience in cyber defense.  

Germany and Israel's Cybersecurity Plans

A central focus of the agreement is Germany’s plan to develop what is known as the German Cyber Dome. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) is working to establish this system as a semi-automated framework capable of detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyberattacks in real time. Rather than being a single off-the-shelf product, the German Cyber Dome is designed as a comprehensive defense concept that integrates multiple tools, processes, and institutions to strengthen national cyber resilience.  Germany is looking to Israel’s experience to support the development of the German Cyber Dome. During his visit, Interior Minister Dobrindt was given a virtual demonstration in Tel Aviv that showcased Israel’s innovative capabilities in cyber defense. Following the presentation, Dobrindt emphasized Germany’s interest in learning from Israel’s approach, stating, “We have a strong interest in learning how Israel built the Cyber Dome.” The knowledge exchange is expected to benefit not only large-scale critical infrastructure operators but also small and medium-sized businesses, which are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.  Under the terms of the pact, Germany and Israel agreed to exchange expertise and operational experience in defending against cyberattacks, jointly develop advanced cyber defense technologies, and promote collaborative research in the cyber domain. These efforts are intended to enhance early warning systems, improve coordinated responses, and strengthen overall digital security architectures. The cooperation complements Germany’s commitments within NATO and the EU while recognizing Israel’s unique role as a key partner outside those frameworks. 

Broader Security Cooperation in the Middle East 

Beyond cybersecurity, the visit also addressed broader security and stabilization efforts in the Middle East. To support a peaceful solution in the region, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior has deployed a high-level team of experts from the Federal Police to the US-led Office of the Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (OSC).   The German team is tasked with assisting local civilian security authorities in rebuilding and strengthening police and security forces. Germany is also contributing personnel to police missions conducted under the auspices of the EU, reinforcing its broader international engagement.  During his stay, Minister Dobrindt also held talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, further highlighting the political dimension of the visit. These discussions complemented the cyber and security agreement and reflected the wider scope of bilateral relations between Germany and Israel.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the significance of the agreement on Sunday, 11 January 2026. He stated, “I attach enormous importance to the overall cooperation between Israel and Germany, and especially Israel and Germany on this question of cybersecurity, which is one of the main threats to our internal security, and in many ways also our infrastructure and other threats.” Netanyahu described Germany and Israel as “natural partners,” pointing to past cooperation on defense projects such as Arrow III and ongoing technological collaboration.  Following the signing, Netanyahu added that the cyber defense agreement reflected the growing closeness between Israel and major powers such as Germany. He noted that many countries are seeking cooperation with Israel not only in security matters but also in economic fields, describing the agreement as another indication of Israel’s rising international standing.
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