Radio Free Europe
RFE/RL journalists report the news in 22 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia.
German Troops Rejoin EU's Bosnian Mission, Sparking Russian Anger.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell visits the EUFOR base near Sarajevo on March 16.
A contingent of around two dozen German troops arrived in Bosnia-Herzegovina on August 16 as part of the European Union's nearly two-decade peacekeeping and security mission in the troubled Balkan state, in a move quickly disparaged by Russia's embassy.
The return of German troops to the EUFOR mission for the first time in a decade reflects Western concern at centrifugal ethnic and political forces and potential geopolitical spillover from the Ukraine war.
EUFOR last week announced the deployment of up to 50 Bundeswehr troops to the former Yugoslav republic, which remains divided into a Bosniak and Croat federation and a mostly Serb entity known as Republika Srpska under the terms of a 1995 cease-fire known as the Dayton Agreement.
On August 16, it called the arrival of around 30 troops "a further demonstration of the EU's commitment to a stable, prosperous, and European future for all the citizens" of Bosnia.
EUFOR's Althea mission in Bosnia comprises around 1,100 soldiers from 20 countries.
EUFOR said after the German troops' arrival at Camp Butmir that "the advance party of German personnel arriving this week are expected to be followed by further troops deployed on a phased basis."
The Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Milorad Dodik, who has openly sought secession for Republika Srpska and hastened instability with rival institutions, has criticized the arrival of German troops with references to World War II.
EUFOR is in part tasked with ensuring civilian order and compliance with Dayton alongside an international high representative, currently German Christian Schmidt.
Dodik ally Russia last year accelerated its push to phase out Schmidt's post.
EUFOR's current mandate expires in November and there is speculation that Moscow could use its UN Security Council veto to scupper an extension.
Russia's embassy in Sarajevo alleged on August 16 that the United States and Britain are "preparing the ground for the creeping NATOization" of Bosnia.
Given European forces' most recent report to the UN Security Council suggesting Bosnia is calm and stable, the embassy said, "the reasons for the need to expand military personnel in EUFOR, including at the expense of Bundeswehr soldiers, are groundless."
It said that it "especially" considers suggestions that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is affecting the situation in Bosnia as "unacceptable."
Bosnia has EU aspirations but has struggled to implement reforms and even maintain unified policies in the face of governmental and administrative divisions based on ethnicity and geography.
Elections scheduled for later this year are in jeopardy as Serbs continue to press for independence and ethnic Croats insist on major electoral changes or they will boycott the vote.
More than 100,000 people died in the 1992-95 Bosnian War that ended with the signing by Serb, Croat, and Bosniak leaders of a U.S.-mediated peace in Dayton, Ohio.
EUFOR replaced NATO peacekeeping troops in Bosnia in 2004.
With reporting by Reuters
German Foreign Minister Says G7 Needs 'Response' To Iran's Unprecedented Attack.
The G7 must respond to Iran's attack on Israel, Germany's foreign minister said on April 18, adding that measures were being discussed with her counterparts at a meeting in Italy.
Iranian Journalist Arrested After Recounting Assault By Morality Police.
Iranian journalist Dina Ghalibaf was arrested after she published a personal narrative about her previous detention by Iran’s morality police for not adhering to the mandatory hijab law.
Two Arrested In Germany For Planning Sabotage In Favor Of Russia.
Two men with dual German-Russian citizenship have been arrested in Germany for allegedly plotting acts of sabotage aimed at undermining military support for Ukraine, the German prosecutor's office reported April 18.
Ukraine Downs 13 Russian Drones
Air-defense systems shot down all 13 drones launched by Russia at Ukraine's territory on April 18, Ukraine's air force said. Most of the drones were launched at infrastructure targets in the western region of Ivano-Frankivsk.
Social Media Platform X Pledges To Work With Pakistan Amid Service Disruption.
Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has pledged to work with Pakistan's government "to understand its concerns" after authorities said an ongoing two-month shutdown of the site in the country was based on national security threats.
Watch live: Peers debate the Rwanda bill at the House of Lords.
The controversial Rwanda asylum bill may complete its parliamentary stages and become law this week. If the Lords add more amendments, and the guidance is their will, it's back to the Commons on Wednesday for more ping pong. Read more SUBSCRIBE to...
Georgia lawmakers brawl over «foreign agent» bill - DW News.
#Georgia #Parliament #DWNewsShorts Subscribe: For more news go to: Follow DW on social media: ►Facebook: ►Twitter: ►Instagram: ►Twitch: Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie:
Army chief: Iran's missle attack on Israel's territory «will be met with a response» - DW News.
Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi has pledged Israel will respond after Iran launched an attack against Israel at the weekend. The government's war cabinet met again Monday to weigh its response. There has been no announcement of any definite actio...
'I felt like I was fully included for the first time,' says deaf Newcastle fan who wore haptic shirt.
Newcastle United fans David Wilson and Ryan Gregson, who are deaf, were able to "feel" the noise at St James' Park during their most recent fixture. The pair wore shirts which converted the noise around the stadium to vibrations. Mr Wilson told Sk...
Historic Copenhagen building damaged in fire
A fire has broken out at one of Copenhagen's oldest buildings. The blaze caused the collapse of the iconic spire from the 17th-century Old Stock Exchange. Images circulating on social media showed artwork being removed from the building, which dat...
Smirking Sydney 'terrorist' was released on 'good behaviour' for knife crime before church stabbing.
Shocking video captured moments after a knifeman unleashed on a bishop in Sydney shows the alleged attacker grinning from ear to ear. The 15-year-old boy smiled eerily at a camera as he lay pinned to the floor of a church by several brave witnesse...