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

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