Latest news with #militarization
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The sinister Russian novels fuelling a rise in young people fighting for Putin: How 'Z literature' is enticing young men to enlist
A chilling new wave of ultra-nationalist fiction is sweeping through Russia, and it is aimed straight at the country's teenagers and young men. Dubbed 'Z literature', the action-packed novels are being branded the Kremlin's latest weapon in a growing propaganda war as they lure vulnerable young readers into enlistment and glorify death on the battlefield. From mainstream bookshops to school libraries, these novels are saturating Russian youth culture with one central message - fight, die, and serve. Named after the 'Z' symbol splashed across tanks and billboards to promote the invasion of Ukraine, these books present a dystopian world where Russia stands alone - noble, embattled, and surrounded by Nazi enemies. Heroes are not just brave soldiers, but martyrs, laying down their lives for glory, brotherhood, and Vladimir Putin 's vision of resurgent Russia. 'What the state is trying to do to create a culture in which everyday life is militarised,' Dr Colin Alexander, senior lecturer in political communications at Nottingham Trent University, told The Telegraph. 'It is normalising the idea that to be a good citizen, a good patriot, a good man, you go and fight in the war, because Russia is surrounded by enemies.' With dramatic cover art depicting storming soldiers, tanks ablaze, and Russian flags flying high, these novels would seem straight from a Soviet propaganda playbook, but they are packaged for a modern and digital generation. White Z on the Front Armour by Mikhail Mikheev (left), Crimean Cauldron by Nikolai Marchuk (right) One such novel, Colonel Nobody by Alexei Sukonkin, follows a down-and-out young man who finds purpose and redemption by joining the Wagner mercenary group after prison. He discovers camaraderie in battle and ultimately sacrifices his life for 'the cause'. The message appears clear - if you're lost or disenfranchised, war will make you whole. 'There is often a sense of brotherhood, that you can turn into a good citizen, a good patriot, a strong man, a man who can provide for his family, a man who defends the country and the community,' said Dr Garner, an expert on totalitarian media. And the reach is vast. These books are discussed on state TV, handed out in schools, and even shared online by the late Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin before his death in 2023. Another standout title, White Z on the Front Armour by Mikhail Mikheev, reads like a spy thriller where a brutal Russian agent posing a liberal journalist cuts a bloody path through Ukraine. He travels across the country, killing evil characters and delivering one-liners including: 'You wanted Crimea, pigface?' In Crimean Cauldron by Nikolai Marchuk, the action reaches surreal heights as a lone Russian commando defeats an army of Nazis in Crimea before capturing the Capitol Building in Washington DC. And in PMC Chersonesus, a bizarre blend of mythology and military fiction by Andrei Belyanin, a trio of Russian heroes styled on Greek gods travel back in time to retrieve artefacts stolen from Crimea - including Scythian gold, a direct reference to real-life cultural treasures awarded to Ukraine by Dutch courts. The villains are zombie Nazis. 'The underlying narrative is always that Russia as a state, as a country, has been wrong in the past, and through these heroes, we can rectify Russia's greatness and its destiny,' said Jaroslava Barbieri, a doctoral researcher into Russian foreign policy and post-Soviet affairs at the University of Birmingham. This sinister genre is just one cog in a much larger system - patriotic education programmes, youth military clubs, and pro-war content flooding social media. Experts warn this ecosystem is shaping a generation primed for conflict, not peace. 'Five years from now, these readers will be soldiers. The Kremlin isn't trying to appease aggression – it's cultivating it,' Barbieri said. And the consequences could be far-reaching. According to Dr Garner, this militarised mindset could make any future efforts to liberalise Russia all but impossible.
Russia Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
NATO chief fears Trump-Zelensky conflict could derail summit
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte fears that tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky could undermine the bloc's upcoming summit in the Netherlands, The New York Times reported on Monday. Citing European officials and diplomats, the outlet has said that Rutte has sought to keep the meeting 'short and sweet' to avoid renewed public rifts over Ukraine's bid to join the military bloc. The NATO summit, set for June 24–25 in The Hague, is expected to focus on accelerating militarization and Ukraine's possible membership. According to the New York Times, Rutte and most European members support Kiev's participation in the meeting. Russia has repeatedly called Ukraine's NATO bid a red line and the main cause of the conflict. Trump's reluctance to continue US support for Ukraine and his refusal to back its NATO bid have reportedly cast uncertainty over the meeting's agenda. The US leader has repeatedly argued that Kiev should never have been considered for membership, admitting that it was one of the key triggers of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump engaged in a heated exchange with Zelensky during a meeting at the White House in February, where he accused the Ukrainian leader of 'gambling with World War III' by refusing to seek peace with Moscow. According to the NYT, Rutte now seeks to avoid 'open disunity over Ukraine' by shortening the summit and minimizing discussion of controversial topics. While Zelensky is expected to attend, officials cited by the NYT have said he might not be invited to the main opening dinner. US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has also stated that while Zelensky is expected to be at The Hague during the summit, his capacity is something the US is still 'discussing.' The Italian agency ANSA has also reported that Washington is opposed inviting Vladimir Zelensky to the summit. This year's event will not include a NATO-Ukraine Council session, NATO officials also told the NYT. Instead, leaders are only expected to meet briefly on the second day of the summit to ratify updated military spending targets. Concerns over Trump's potential to derail the upcoming NATO summit come as the US president has reversed policies adopted by former US administrations and sought to rebuild contacts with Moscow. Last week, he held his third phone call in recent months with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which both leaders described the conversation as positive.
Russia Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
EU agrees €150 billion militarization plan
EU ambassadors have approved a €150 billion ($169 billion) debt program to provide for the bloc's rapid militarization efforts. The passing of the so-called SAFE (Support for Ammunition, military Financing and European defense) initiative was first announced on Wednesday by the Polish presidency of the EU Council. The agreement will allow EU states to bypass standard voting procedures in the European Parliament to allow members leverage low-interest debt to spend on military equipment including drones, ammunition and air defense systems. Non-EU countries, including the UK and Ukraine will also be able to participate in the program. Some member states have also been considering using the loans to provide additional military assistance to Kiev, Euronews has reported. At least 65% of the components for any weapon systems must be produced within the EU, Ukraine or the European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association. The other 35% can come from third countries. The new debt plan comes as a number of EU states, such as France, Germany and Belgium, have cut spending on social support programs, citing budget deficits and rising debt. Announcing the passing of SAFE, the Polish presidency account on X stated that it is 'first major EU programme to increase investment in European defense capabilities,' adding that it would enter into force after being formally adopted by the EU Council on May 27. The new debt-for-militarization scheme comes as Western European leaders push for reducing dependence on US weapons and called for increased military spending, justifying it by a supposed threat being posed by Russia. Moscow has repeatedly condemned the EU's increasing militarization and has dismissed claims that it plans to attack the bloc as 'nonsense,' accusing the West of 'irresponsibly stoking fears' of a fabricated threat. Russian officials have also warned that the EU's military spending hikes amount to an 'incitement of war on the European continent.' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has also claimed that the bloc 'has degraded into an openly militarized entity.'
Fast Company
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Fast Company
I'm a high schooler who does Model U.N. Trump's America First ‘diplomacy' is ruining the experience
The United Nations was in a crisis: Elon Musk had taken control of the European Space Agency and all of its outposts in space to further the development of Starlink. Delegates to the U.N., already in a special committee discussing equitable ways to militarize outer space, discovered Musk's plans. Hurriedly, the representatives from Japan, Germany, and Egypt came up with a way to rein in the rogue billionaire: kidnap him. Musk, ever noncompliant, hid out on the moon, took several ESA scientists hostage, and lobbed threats at the U.N. After a day-long stalemate, the delegates found a way to bring Musk safely down to Earth, regaining control of the ESA. The diplomats negotiating in this outlandish scenario weren't professionals, and didn't have long and storied careers. Most of them weren't even adults. They were high schoolers from around the world, and they'd come to Geneva, Switzerland, in mid-March for the 14th annual Yale Model United Nations Conference, Europe, looking to have a say in the future of global politics. But even in sessions where they role-played imagined, futuristic scenarios, this year's Model U.N. attendees couldn't escape the present. The teen from New York who had played the role of the Egyptian delegate in the space-focused committee said it was funny that in their fictional world of outer space, which even included alien encounters, 'Elon Musk is still the corrupt figure, kind of pulling the strings behind an elected body that he's not really supposed to have control of.' A common extracurricular for high school students with an interest in international relations, Model U.N. mirrors the procedure of real U.N. meetings. For the three-day YMUNE conference in March, hundreds of student delegates came from countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, traveling up to 6,000 miles with their schools to participate. Once there, students broke into committees, focusing on a topic of their choice for the duration of the conference. Some students attended General Assembly (GA) committees, exploring contemporary issues, such as nuclear energy, equitable internet access, and cryptocurrencies. Model U.N. deviates from the U.N. in that it often has faster-paced 'crisis' committees that involve more direct action from participants; assassination attempts and other acts of sabotage are common. Other committees at this year's YMUNE focused on historical and fictional events, like outer space colonization or the ethical struggles in Charlotte Brontë's Wuthering Heights. I attended a specialized committee on the Paris Commune of 1871, where I worked with other delegates to create a stable and autonomous communist government. Delegates are expected to come to these conferences with some research done and a write-up of their assigned countries' position. But once a committee starts, things tend to get chaotic, as teenagers in business attire fight for global influence. And this year, they were fighting for influence in the shadow cast by President Donald Trump's 'America First' brand of diplomacy. The White House meeting heard round the world Model U.N. trains students to be the future of international diplomacy, an objective that feels more complex than ever. This year's YMUNE conference took place two months after Trump's inauguration and just two weeks after his now infamous Oval Office meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump's approach to politics spilled into many of the committees, no matter the topic, and lingered in the minds of the student delegates. When asked about Trump's approach to foreign policy, many of the international students I spoke with expressed concern and outrage over his treatment of Zelenskyy. A group of girls from Germany had strong opinions on the issue, saying that Trump was selfish and impeding on democracy. One of the girls called the Oval Office meeting 'horrible to watch,' adding that 'all [Trump] wanted to do was belittle [Zelenskyy] and make a fool of him in front of international television.' Trump 'clearly doesn't want to work with [any] country,' she said. 'He lies and says he wants to work with them, but in the end, it's just for his own benefit.' She was aware of Elon Musk's interaction with far-right political parties in Germany, such as the AFD, and noted it was 'scary to see how such a far-right party is slowly gaining popularity in Germany.' All the German girls seemed to agree that the U.N. had a mandate to fight undue U.S. influence. Even students who admired Trump seemed put off by the Oval Office meeting. A Brazilian student who voiced support for Trump's 'firm' approach to foreign policy and appreciated his 'strong' persona said, 'It's a little bit too radical to just lash out on Zelenskyy in the White House.' As many of the delegates at YMUNE were European, they were all too aware of Trump's disdain for established alliances and his desire to limit military funding to Europe. A different pair of German students said they had an initial interest in some of Trump's more moderate policies, as they were similar to reforms they would have liked to see implemented in Germany. But now, one said: 'He's quite literally going against the entire EU.' The cloud of America First nationalism At the same time that the space committee was negotiating with Musk over his hostages, a different group of delegates gathered in a GA committee to discuss the uses of science and technology in international development. As the delegates looked for funding to support their proposals for nuclear energy and expanded internet access, a theme emerged: They were all wary of making alliances with the United States. According to the delegate representing Malaysia (a classmate of mine from New York City), the students representing developing nations were afraid the U.S. would try to monopolize the funding for their projects to have outsize influence over their countries. If the U.S. paid for cell towers and satellites, they reasoned, it could try to wrest control of them in the future. The delegate representing Iran remarked that the allies should quickly try to make a deal with the U.S. before Trump attaches strings to the money, seizes control of projects, and 'capitalizes on all of our collaboration.' The cloud of American nationalism hung over the room, threatening tenuous collaborations. The delegate of Malaysia told me that all the delegates were aware of a shifting world order, and were cracking jokes about current events without ever saying explicitly that Trump was the biggest threat to the success of their proposals. Throughout the entire conference, delegates were finding that Trump wasn't just affecting the substance of YMUNE negotiations, he was alteringthe style of them. Some attendees felt they were witnessing a cultural shift. The usual schmoozing between delegates trying to make alliances was turning into something more sinister, as some students took on the personas and negotiating tactics of Trump and his allies. The positions taken by delegates in Model U.N. are just assumed for a few days. We are all essentially just playing a role. But the tactics that work for politicians in the real world also work for these delegates. Many saw strongman personas to be less palatable, but more effective, in getting peers on their side. I spoke with a girl from India who observed that many delegates this year believed they had 'the power to act or behave like Trump.' She saw them 'using his policies to take really radical action that we have not seen before as well,' pushing for more extreme proposals in direct contradiction of the collaborative purpose of Model U.N. She said some sessions were more about 'showing your personality' than working together. A group of girls from Franconia, Germany, also had thoughts about the way delegates' personas were changing in response to these politicians. They sensed that delegates were becoming more entitled and assertive, and that normally collaborative committee sessions were turning into power struggles. 'It's interesting to see other delegates embody a persona that is similar to Trump,' said one of the girls, who was originally from the United Kingdom. She saw people dropping some of the refinement that negotiations are supposed to have in favor of louder and more aggressive posturing. She called this a 'risky game.' Usually in YMUNE, delegates try to balance the complexities of global politics, humanitarian crises, and the diverse perspectives of the other delegates with the goals of the country or person they are representing. Even delegates representing more politically contentious countries don't want to make real enemies. But this year, most of the students I spoke with seemed to believe that diplomatic niceties were being lost, and that Trump was the main reason why. Politics or Puns? YMUNE is traditionally a place where delegate-students can build their public speaking skills, develop their ability to compromise, practice formal academic writing, and meet new people from around the world. It's also a place where they can practice real diplomacy. I, like many students, joined Model U.N. because I care about global political issues and want to feel like I am making a difference to solve them—and because I like the idea of a career as a diplomat. But some delegates felt the connection between Model U.N. and the real U.N. had been severed with Trump undermining the U.N.'s work. The delegate from the committee on outer space, who joined Model U.N. because he appreciated the chance to address world issues and to work toward 'real change,' remarked that Model U.N. has started to feel 'less like a simulation of the U.N.,' and more like a fun activity to do, influenced by the news but removed of its broader significance. He had started to lose faith in the real U.N., too. He told me that 'if a president can push aside decades of good will' as easily as Trump has, then international relations begins to feel like a 'futile field.' He seemed to think that learning how to participate in real diplomacy through Model U.N. was no longer possible. I agreed with him. During this year's meeting, I often felt shut down in committee sessions by the kinds of delegates who like to imitate Trump's behavior, and was treated differently by some of them because of my gender. I still care passionately about global politics, but am unsure if I will continue doing Model U.N. in college. It's frustrating to put work into conferences and feel as though my research is pointless, that I won't be listened to simply because I refuse to adopt the brashness of other delegates. I feel like my time is better spent addressing politics in other ways—like by writing articles. One evening, during a break in the conference, I stepped out of the hotel where the sessions were being held to buy some food at a nearby grocery store. On my way out, I was confronted with a large crowd of students. In the middle stood a boy from Massachusetts, engaged in a spirited impression of Trump. I fought my way to the center of the circle and introduced myself, asking for his name. 'My name is Donald J. Trump,' he replied in a perfect imitation of the president's drawl. I asked him for his stance on international policy. 'No one knows international policy better than Donald Trump,' he responded. 'We love policy, and we love internationals, too.' The crowd tittered. The boy absorbed the energy of his audience, growing bolder, matching the cadence of the president. 'What a great question. We love these questions,' he went on. He kept it up for a few more minutes, the audience hanging on to every word. For the moment, at least, no one seemed too concerned with what the real Trump's policies meant for their futures. And then it was over. The crowd dispersed, meandering through the misty night back to the hotel, ready to engage in another two hours of committee sessions.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Trump's deep sea mining order condemned as ‘militarisation' of Pacific
By Losirene Lacanivalu , Cook Islands News Trump signed the Unleashing America's offshore critical minerals and resources order late last month. Photo: AFP / Saul Loeb United States President Donald Trump's latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry is a "contemporary militarisation of the Pacific region yet again", says an advocate for ocean conservation and protection. Trump signed the Unleashing America's offshore critical minerals and resources order late last month, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to take steps to facilitate and expedite the permitting process for deep-sea mining. According to Louisa Castledine, spokesperson for ocean advocacy collective, Ocean Ancestors, the executive order exposes the close link between militarism, capitalism and colonialism, at the cost of sovereignty and agency over the ocean and its resources. "We find ourselves in the midst of a geopolitical storm between the superpowers of the world, all vying for minerals that have the capability to enhance their national security, at the cost of our future security as indigenous people of the ocean," Castledine told Cook Islands News. "As Pacific people our history has been littered with military injustices and trauma that have impacted our oceans, lands and our people, leaving us as the collateral damage of these tensions." She also spoke out against The Metals Company, a Canadian mining firm, which has applied for a permit from the Trump administration to begin commercial mining in international waters. The mining company had been unsuccessful in gaining a commercial mining licence through the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the international body responsible for safeguarding the international deep sea. "His (Trump's) executive order permits The Metals Company to mine ahead of any regulatory framework implemented by ISA, a company that CEO Alan Jensen of CIIC (Cook Islands Investment Corporation) recently co-signed a letter with, applying pressure to ISA to implement mining regulations earlier this year," Castledine said. "This is not only condemned by many countries but also breaches international law and order undoing years of work dedicated to responsible ocean governance." Louisa Castledine, a spokesperson for ocean advocacy collective, Ocean Ancestors. Photo: Cook Islands / Ocean Ancestors Castledine reiterated that to fast track deep sea mining is not only irresponsible but violates one's common heritage. "We are being misled into thinking that the 'need' for these minerals is to transition the world to green energy, when in fact it only exposes the real driver behind the seabed minerals sector of power, territory, profit and militarism. "We need to open our eyes to the greater threats that this sector imposes on our people. It compromises our environment, it negatively impacts our food security and livelihoods, diminishes our cultural heritage and identity but more urgently it threatens our safety as we naively welcome geopolitical tension into our backyard enticing them with our 'treasure'. "We mustn't be misguided to the truth of such an industry but must be more courageous in stopping it and pursuing more ambitious goals that enhance our security, environment, living and being as Cook Islanders. "It's time to defend the deep, stop the corporate takeover of our ocean and say 'NO' to deep sea mining before it begins. In the words of Sir David Attenborough, 'if we save the seas we save the world'." Meanwhile, Trump's executive order states, "It is the policy of the US to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development." NOAA has been directed to, within 60 days, "expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act." It directs the US science and environmental agency to expedite permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in the US and international waters. The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority says it is dealing with a few enquiries on this matter through key agencies and stakeholders. The Authority is coordinating with the relevant agencies, which will provide a response in due course. "However, our current regime remains, which is clearly communicated on our website." The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is a government agency tasked with the management and regulation of all seabed minerals activity under the jurisdiction of the Cook Islands government. Its functions include: Undertake due diligence in respect of applicants for licences In February 2022, the Cook Islands granted licences to three companies - CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources and Moana Minerals - to undertake a five-year exploration phase to determine the feasibility of deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese. Cook Islands reportedly boasts the world's largest documented collection of mineral rich manganese nodules, estimated at a staggering 6.7 billion tonnes, found at a depth of 5000 metre and spread over some 750,000 square kilometres of the country's continental shelf. -This article was first published by Cook Islands News .
