Theo Francken

In Belgium, things were pretty rough as well, both in Brussels and in Liège.

And the Belgian defense minister, Theo Franken, he reacted very strongly to the protests in France, referred to the protests in Belgium as well, but said regarding the French protests that this had nothing to do with school protests.

And he blamed criminals, far-left activists, toxic social media, and Islamists for destabilizing society and seeking to create this tension and violence.

Nick, before we get to our third story, a quick recommendation for folks out there.

In international relations, Belgium has imposed restrictions on arms exports to Israel.

However, contrasting sentiments were expressed by Defence Minister Theo Franken, who marked October 7th with Arm Yisrael Hai, and Coalition leader Georges-Louis Bauchet, who voiced support.

And in potentially uplifting news, a Congressional Commission has begun studying the feasibility of adding Philadelphia's Weizmann National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution.

A move proponents hope will elevate the study of Jewish American history and culture.

There's more.

A tit-for-tat between German and Russian leaders came a day after Belgium's defense minister, Theo Franken, warned of a dark winter ahead.

as a result of Russia's continuing campaign of hybrid attacks on Europe.

Danish intelligence warned that Moscow could launch a limited military strike against a NATO country in the coming months.

But now it's time to move on to our next round, and it's time to bring in a new voice.

[upbeat music] I would like to bring in the voice now of Theo Francken, Belgian defense minister.

Speaking right here at the Euronews's Defense and Space Summit here in Albert Hall.

He said that he was in a very difficult position.

Well, I think that we are now in a new, uh, episode, and we have to work for the future.

I can talk a lot about, uh, the past.

I was-- I, I formed a government in Belgium when I was party leader with the party of, uh, uh, uh, Theo Francken in 2011, 2012.

And also there, there was a, an, a decreasing of the, uh, defense, uh, uh, investment.