Civil war clouds are gathering above Central African Republic (CAR), a “lawless” country, where the number of clashes between Christians and Muslims is increasing, where armed groups have been accused of atrocities against civil population (including killings, burning villages and child soldiers conscription). That’s the alarm bell that was stressed by the United Nation in late November. 

In Syria, Assad’s chemical armoury dismantling process has not suffered from any hitches so far. The first stage ended successfully on last 21 September when the regime delivered its chemical accoutrements inventory to the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). The second phase, related to the armoury check, to its destruction and deactivation, it’s now in its key stage; but a huge question mark has risen up. OPCW announced that chemical weapons production gears have been destroyed and that the whole armoury – that, according to OPCW spokesman Christian Chartier, amounts to 1000 chemical agents tons and 290 tons of already developed chemical weapons – has been sealed. But where this armoury is going to be destroyed is not clear at all.

On last 30 of September, the first sample of the new Airbus A400M took its first flight over Seville skies. It’s a flying colossus, a strategic transport aircraft jointly designed by European industrial companies EADS and Airbus. Among all countries that ordered this new aircraft (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain and United Kingdom) France is the first beneficiary. 

The European Union is ready to support crisis management operation AFISM-CAR led by France and the African Union which have on the whole deployed 4800 soldiers in Central African Republic (CAR). On 5 December 2013, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) of the EU endorsed the African Union request (dated 21 November) for funding support: by PSC decision, 50 million euros will sustain the mission. This 50 million aid will be mobilised through the African Peace Facility as part of the European Development Fund and will cover the costs of allowances, accommodation and feeding the troops deployed in the field, as well as salaries of civilian personnel and various operational costs such as transport, communication or medical services.