International
EU preparing for war: President Von der Leyen proposes €800 billion plan to re-arm Europe

MxM News
Quick Hit:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an ambitious “Rearm Europe” plan on Tuesday, proposing up to 800 billion euros ($870 billion) in funding to bolster EU defense and provide emergency aid to Ukraine. The proposal comes ahead of a crucial European summit on security and military preparedness.
Key Details:
- Von der Leyen’s plan outlines five funding options, including budget flexibility for defense spending and redirected loans.
- 150 billion euros in loans would be used for missile defense, ammunition, and drone capabilities.
- The European Investment Bank and private capital mobilization are also proposed to finance the initiative.
Diving Deeper:
With Russia’s war on Ukraine dragging into its third year, Ursula von der Leyen is pushing to accelerate Europe’s military preparedness. On Tuesday, the European Commission president unveiled a massive “Rearm Europe” initiative, seeking to mobilize up to 800 billion euros to strengthen the continent’s defense capabilities. The plan is aimed not only at sending further aid to Ukraine but also at ensuring the long-term military resilience of EU nations.
The announcement comes just two days before a critical European summit on Ukraine and regional defense, where EU leaders will discuss security measures in the face of escalating threats. In a letter to EU heads of state, von der Leyen outlined five main funding options to finance the rearmament effort.
Von der Leyen’s first proposal calls for granting EU member states budgetary flexibility, ensuring that their military expenditures do not count towards the bloc’s excessive deficit rules for four years. This means countries could increase defense spending without violating EU budgetary constraints.
The plan includes reallocating 150 billion euros in existing EU loans to fund key military capabilities, such as air defense, missile systems, ammunition, and drones. This would boost interoperability across Europe’s armed forces and enhance collective security.
A controversial aspect of von der Leyen’s proposal involves allowing member states to redirect EU cohesion funds—originally meant for economic development in poorer regions—towards their defense policies. This could face pushback from countries that rely on those funds for infrastructure and social programs.
The fourth component seeks to leverage private investment by accelerating the formation of a European savings and investment union, encouraging private entities to fund defense projects.
Lastly, the Commission proposes using European Investment Bank (EIB) programs to help finance Europe’s defense sector, providing an additional stream of capital.
Von der Leyen’s proposal reflects a major shift in EU defense policy, as the bloc moves toward a more militarized and self-reliant security strategy. However, securing agreement from all 27 EU member states will be a challenge, particularly when it comes to redirecting economic funds toward military spending.
“Ursula von der Leyen 2022” by European Commission licensed under CC BY 4.0 DEED.
conflict
One dead, over 60 injured after Iranian missiles pierce Iron Dome

MxM News
Quick Hit:
Iran launched four waves of missile attacks Friday night, breaching Israel’s defenses and killing at least one person. Over 60 others were injured, with the IDF confirming direct strikes on civilian areas in Tel Aviv and central Israel.
Key Details:
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The Israel Defense Forces reported four rounds of Iranian missile fire, with at least ten missiles making impact inside Israel.
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One person was killed and 63 wounded, including several in critical condition, according to The Jerusalem Post.
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The IDF said Iran deliberately targeted civilians, contrasting its own earlier strikes that focused on Iranian military assets.
⚠️RAW FOOTAGE: Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours.
The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians. pic.twitter.com/IrDK05uErm
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025
Diving Deeper:
Several Iranian missiles broke through Israel’s air defenses during Friday night’s attack, striking Tel Aviv and other civilian areas. According to The Jerusalem Post, at least 63 people were wounded and one person was killed after four waves of Iranian ballistic missile strikes hit cities across Israel.
The IDF reportedly said roughly 100 missiles were fired in total. While the Iron Dome intercepted many, multiple missiles made it through and exploded in densely populated areas. Dramatic video showed a missile striking near downtown Tel Aviv, sending fire and debris into the air as people ran for cover.
Army Radio confirmed that ten missiles landed inside Israel between the first two waves. By the time the third and fourth waves hit, injuries had climbed sharply, with several listed in critical condition. The one fatality was reported late Friday night.
The Israeli Home Front Command temporarily allowed civilians to exit shelters but quickly reversed that guidance, urging residents to stay near protected areas amid fears of further attacks.
The IDF emphasized the nature of the targets, calling out Iran for targeting civilians. The IDF also released maps showing where air raid sirens were triggered throughout the night. Though Israel’s Home Front Command briefly allowed civilians to exit shelters, it advised them to remain nearby in case of continued strikes. As of late Friday, Iranian officials claimed a fifth wave could follow.
With tensions still high, Israeli defense officials are preparing for potential further escalation—and weighing how to respond to a direct Iranian attack on civilians.
conflict
Iran nuclear talks were ‘coordinated deception’ between US and Israel: report

From LifeSiteNews
Reports state that U.S. peace talks were a ruse and that Trump gave Netanyahu a ‘green light’ to hit Iran’s nuclear and military sites, killing top commanders.
A senior Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that Tel Aviv and Washington worked together to convince Tehran that diplomacy was still possible after Israel was ready to attack Iran. Just hours before Israel’s massive assault began, President Donald Trump maintained he was still committed to talks.
The Israeli outlet reports, “The round of U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations scheduled for Sunday was part of a coordinated U.S.-Israeli deception aimed at lowering Iran’s guard ahead of Friday’s attack.”
READ: Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites, kills top commanders in massive air assault
In a post on Truth Social shortly before the Israeli strikes began, Trump declared that “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
After the Israeli attack was in progress, Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that the U.S. was involved. However, American officials have said the White House was aware Israel was set to begin striking Iran, with Trump telling Fox News he was briefed on the operation.
Barak Ravid of Axios, moreover, later reported that Tel Aviv was given “a clear U.S. green light” to start bombing, citing two unnamed Israeli officials.
Sources speaking with Axios said the perceived split between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was coordinated behind the scenes. “Two Israeli officials claimed to Axios that Trump and his aides were only pretending to oppose an Israeli attack in public – and didn’t express opposition in private,” the report explained. “The goal, they say, was to convince Iran that no attack was imminent and make sure Iranians on Israel’s target list wouldn’t move to new locations.”
The sources said that Trump and Netanyahu discussed the attack during a phone call on Monday. After the call, reports said Trump pressed Netanyahu not to attack Iran, but that was another effort to deceive Iran.
In a second post following the attack, Trump said he gave Iran the opportunity to make a deal, and suggested that Israel used American weapons in the massive air raid. “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” the president wrote.
The post continued, “I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it.”
The U.S. and Iran began negotiations on establishing a new nuclear agreement in April, with the two sides engaging in five rounds of Omani-mediated talks. At times, a deal appeared possible, with Iranian officials saying the dialogue was leading to progress. A sixth round of talks was scheduled for Sunday, but now appears unlikely.
A second source speaking with the Jerusalem Post said the goal of Israel’s military operations was not the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear facilities, but rather to hit missile sites and top Iranian leaders to bring down the government.
Israel has conducted several rounds of strikes so far, hitting nuclear facilities, residential buildings in Tehran, and military sites. Iran has confirmed that several military leaders and nuclear scientists were killed in the bombing.
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