The German government increased their estimates of how many asylum-seekers will be applying in Germany by the end of this year to up to 800,000. “This number is a real challenge,” de Maizière said at a a press conference announcing the new projections, adding that “Germany is not overwhelmed by this development.” Source The Local
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of the Patriot air and missile defense system to Turkey for an estimated total of $3.5 billion, the Pentagon said on Dec. 18. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has offered his resignation just days after one of his main coalition partners quit in a row over migration. Source: BBC
U.S. President Donald Trump urged his Kosovan counterpart Hashim Thaçi to seize the chance to seal a permanent peace deal with Serbia. In a surprise intervention in faltering talks between the Balkan states, Trump held out the prospect in a letter of a White House meeting with Thaçi and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić if they reach a deal. Vučić received a similar letter from Trump, his media adviser said. Source: Politico
