Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling (L), Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, moderator Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, attend the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, attends the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, attends the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, attends the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, attends the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, attends the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn: A Farewell to Peace?

Jack Watling (L), Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, moderator Steven Erlanger, Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for Europe at The New York Times, Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Mihai Popsoi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, attend the Lennart Meri conference in Tallinn, Estonia, on May 17, 2025. LEHTIKUVA / TANEL MEOS - FINLAND OUT. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. (Credit:Tanel Meos/Lehtikuva/Kyodo News Images)

Global military spending surges amid conflicts, rising tensions: think tank

STORY: Global military spending surges amid conflicts, rising tensions: think tank SHOOTING TIME: April 22, 2024 DATELINE: April 23, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:13 LOCATION: Stockholm CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute STORYLINE: Global military spending saw its steepest year-on-year increase last year since 2009, amid conflicts, rising tensions and insecurity, a Stockholm-based think tank said on Monday. In its latest report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said that total global military expenditure reached 2,443 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, an increase of 6.8 percent in real terms from 2022. The United States is the largest global spender. Lorenzo Scarazzato, a researcher at SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program, said that such an unprecedented rise in military spending is a direct response to a global deterioration in peace and security. While countries are prioritizing military strength, they r

China plays significant role in maintaining int'l peace: expert

STORY: China plays significant role in maintaining int'l peace: expert SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 31, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 1, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of China's peacekeeping missions (file) 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): LORA SAALMAN, Senior researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) STORYLINE: An expert has said that China plays a significant role in maintaining international peace. Lora Saalman, senior researcher with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the just-concluded 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): LORA SAALMAN, Senior researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) "In fact, I believe that China plays a particularly significant role in this regard (maintaining international peace). China maintains a relatively neutral position, allowing it to act as a bridge to provide countries with a plat

New evidence of Japanese germ warfare unit on exhibit

STORY: New evidence of Japanese germ warfare unit on exhibit DATELINE: June 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:43 LOCATION: HARBIN, China CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the exhibition 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Japanese): SEIYA MATSUNO, Researcher, Int'l Peace Research Institute, Meiji Gakuin University, Japan 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JIN CHENGMIN, Curator, Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by the Japanese Army Unit 731 4. various of the exhibition STORYLINE: Some documents are on exhibit for the first time in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, testifying crimes against humanity by the notorious Japanese germ warfare army known as Unit 731 during World War II. Heilongjiang International University and the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by the Japanese Army Unit 731 in Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, jointly put on the exhibition at the International Peace Archives at the university on Friday. Among them is a copy of a roster of Unit 731, known for conducting heinous live germ and chemical war

China's diplomatic efforts boost confidence in global peace, cooperation

STORY: China's diplomatic efforts boost confidence in global peace, cooperation DATELINE: May 6, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:38 LOCATION: Madrid CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of China 2. various of Iran and Saudi Arabia related footage 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): JUST CASTILLO, Professor at East Asian Studies at the Autonomous University of Barcelona 5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister STORYLINE: International experts said that China's diplomatic efforts over the past months have sent to the world community an uplifting message of dialogue, peace and cooperation. A landmark in China's diplomacy is mediating talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Both countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within two months after their talks concluded in Beijing on March 10. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO of

Military spending surge not making Europe safer, expert says

STORY: Military spending surge not making Europe safer, expert says DATELINE: May 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:49 LOCATION: Zagreb CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium 2. image of a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Croatian): MARINKO OGOREC, Croatian military expert 4. various of military vehicles 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Croatian): MARINKO OGOREC, Croatian military expert 6. various of NATO military drill 7. various of U.S. military aid to Ukraine 8. SOUNDBITE 3 (Croatian): MARINKO OGOREC, Croatian military expert 9. various of U.S. military aid to Ukraine STORYLINE: A surge in military spending in Europe last year did not make the bloc safer, said a Croatian military expert. According to a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) last month, global military spending grew for the eighth consecutive year in 2022, to an all-time high of 2,240 billion U.S. dollars, and the sharpes

Why Global Security Initiative can inspire hope for more peaceful, stable world

STORY: Why Global Security Initiative can inspire hope for more peaceful, stable world DATELINE: April 22, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:31 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of city scenes in China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (German): BEAT SCHNEIDER, Swiss historian 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SELCUK COLAKOGLU, Director of Ankara-based Turkish Center for Asia-Pacific Studies STORYLINE: One year after the Global Security Initiative (GSI) was put forward, experts say that the Chinese proposal has promoted global peace and stability. In April 2022, China proposed the GSI, which aims to create a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win over zero-sum. It provides a new course and approach to addressing the root causes of international conflicts and solving security challenges facing humanity. So far, more than 80 countries and

China highlights peace, development on Afghan issue: Pakistani scholar

STORY: China highlights peace, development on Afghan issue: Pakistani scholar DATELINE: April 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:33 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of street views in Afghan 2. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development STORYLINE: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a paper stating China's position on the Afghan issue on Wednesday. A Pakistani scholar believes that the paper highlights the Chinese philosophy of peacebuilding and China's resolution to solve the issue. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development "I think this 11-point agenda highlights two things very clearly. Number one, the philosophy, the Chinese philosophy of peacebuilding, and the philosophy behind the Global Security Initiative. That means, China believes in dialogue and development simultaneously but keeping non-interference at the he

China's spring diplomacy injects more positive energy into global peace, prosperity

STORY: China's spring diplomacy injects more positive energy into global peace, prosperity DATELINE: April 11, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:13 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the views in China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development 3. various of the views in Iran 4. various of the views in Saudi Arabia 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): KHALED HAMADE, Lebanese military and political analyst 6. various of the views in China STORYLINE: From late March to early April, leaders and officials from multiple countries traveled to Beijing to firm up their partnership with China. Observers believe that Beijing's intensive diplomatic drive this spring has sent to the wider world community an uplifting message of dialogue, peace and cooperation. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development "I'm confident that China has become the epi

Global Security Initiative promotes peace through cooperation, dialogue: Pakistani expert

STORY: Global Security Initiative promotes peace through cooperation, dialogue: Pakistani expert DATELINE: Feb. 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:19 LOCATION: Islamabad CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of street scenes in China 2. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development STORYLINE: Commenting on the Global Security Initiative (GSI) Concept Paper issued by China on Tuesday, a Pakistani expert says the GSI demonstrates China's resolve to promote peace and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue. SOUNDBITE (English): SHAKEEL AHMAD RAMAY, CEO, Islamabad-based Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research & Development "The Global Security Initiative is a different idea, an idea which has been devised to serve the interests of humanity and the planet. GSI has been designed to achieve two specific objectives, peace and prosperity. How will China be achieving that? China will be promoting cooperation, cooperation will be the key. So

Japan's Article 9 has another chance: peace prize watcher

Japan's Article 9 has another chance: peace prize watcher

OSLO, Norway - Kristian Harpviken, known as a Nobel Peace Prize watcher, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, a Norwegian independent peace studies institution, says in an interview in Oslo on Oct. 10, 2014, Japan's war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution can be a candidate for the prize again.

Arms expert Paul Holtom

Arms expert Paul Holtom

NEW YORK, United States - Paul Holtom, director of the arms transfers program at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, discusses China's rise as a major conventional weapons exporter, as it competes more with other top suppliers like Russia. Picture taken at U.N. headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the Arms Trade Treaty conference on March 27, 2013.

Chinese people under leadership of CPC create new human advancement model: Cambodian scholar

STORY: Chinese people under leadership of CPC create new human advancement model: Cambodian scholar DATELINE: Oct. 14, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:06 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the development of China 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): THONG MENGDAVID, Research fellow at the Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute 3. various of the development of China 4. various of trade between China and the world 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): THONG MENGDAVID, Research fellow at the Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute STORYLINE: A Cambodian scholar has said that China has achieved great accomplishments in its socio-economic development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), creating a new model for human advancement. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): THONG MENGDAVID, Research fellow at the Phnom Penh-based Asian Vision Institute "China successfully reached its first centennial goal and is willing to cooperate with all peace-loving countries and peoples including Cambodia. The Communist P

U.S. has become greatest threat to world peace, stability: analysts

STORY: U.S. has become greatest threat to world peace, stability: analysts DATELINE: May 22, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:56 LOCATION: Beijing CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ASIF DURRANI, Former career diplomat, senior research fellow at Islamabad Policy Research Institute 2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Korean): WOO SUKEUN, Head of Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea in South Korea 3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): ANNA MALINDOG-UY, Philippine political analyst and researcher of Philippine BRICS Strategic Studies 4. SOUNDBITE 4 (Spanish): DIANA VALIDO, Political analyst in Cuba STORYLINE: To maintain its hegemony and global primacy, the United States has long been fanning tensions and creating chaos around the world. U.S. President Joe Biden has begun his visit to South Korea and Japan, his first trip to Asia as president, but not the first time his administration has attempted to stir up divisions and confrontation in Asia. Analysts have warned that Biden's visit to East Asia could increase geopolitical ins

Japan's Article 9 has another chance: peace prize watcher

Japan's Article 9 has another chance: peace prize watcher

OSLO, Norway - Kristian Harpviken, known as a Nobel Peace Prize watcher, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, a Norwegian independent peace studies institution, says in an interview in Oslo on Oct. 10, 2014, Japan's war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution can be a candidate for the prize again. (Kyodo)