Syria

I interviewed Syria’s militias at the start of the war – they will listen if other countries engage them

— Bashar al-Assad’s regime has collapsed after 13 years of conflict, leaving Syria at a crossroads. Global and regional powers must act decisively to shape the country’s fragile future.

UK-US Relationship

The return of Trump means Britain must rethink its defence strategy – and role in the world

— Britain faces urgent defence challenges, from poor readiness to unclear strategy. With Trump’s return, reliance on the US for nuclear deterrence and NATO commitments demands reassessment. Britain must redefine its role.

UK-US Special Relationship

US Election: What would a Harris or Trump win mean for Keir Starmer?

— For the UK, the US election holds immense significance, impacting foreign policy, especially amid global conflicts. Keir Starmer favours Kamala Harris’s stable approach over Trump’s unpredictable foreign policies, though any US-UK “special relationship” endures regardless of personal rapport.

Geopolitics

China needs to pick a side, and it just might pick the West

— Russia’s frustration with China’s limited support for its Ukraine war led to a North Korean peace treaty aimed at pressuring Beijing. Meanwhile, Western criticism of China’s role intensifies, urging it to reconsider its alignment.

Israel

Netanyahu throws around the ‘N’ word when Germans talk Gaza

— Israeli PM Netanyahu’s recent strike on an Iranian site in Syria escalated Iran-Israel tensions, overshadowing Gaza’s plight until the German Foreign Minister refocused attention, despite Netanyahu’s dismissive response.

European Union

Mounting tension and instability in the Western Balkans is playing into Russia’s hands

— Tension in the Western Balkans, which has been troubled by ethnic tensions since the wars of the 1990s, is becoming an increasing concern for the EU and NATO.

US-China Relationship

Xi and Biden spoke on the phone for 105 minutes: What does this say about their relationship?

— Biden and Xi discussed stabilising US-China relations, covering Taiwan, TikTok, tariffs, and support for Russia in a 105-minute call, indicating a thaw in relations amid deep-seated mistrust.

Foreign Policy

Waiting for Trump to be re-elected is wrong – Nato leaders need to Trump-proof their policies now

— The potential re-election of Trump could disrupt global stability. Leaders must not wait but proactively fortify foreign policies and alliances like NATO to mitigate unpredictable actions.

War in Ukraine

Russia’s Baltic neighbours to create massive border defences as Trump continues undermining Nato

— Donald Trump’s remarks on NATO, Ukraine aid, and Article 5 concern the Baltic States, fearing Russian aggression. Despite bolstering defences, their small populations make them vulnerable to Russian expansion, especially with potential US disengagement.

War in Ukraine

Ukraine war: Ten years after Putin annexed Crimea, Russia’s grip on the peninsula looks shaky

— Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 hasn’t secured the region as Vladimir Putin hoped. Recent Ukrainian attacks expose vulnerability, leading to losses like the Black Sea fleet. Ukrainian successes challenge Russia’s grip.

War in Ukraine

Macron won’t rule out using Western ground troops in Ukraine – but is NATO prepared for war with Russia?

— French President Macron doesn’t exclude the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine following a meeting with European leaders. However, the question remains: could the deployment of ground troops to Ukraine provoke a broader and more dangerous conflict with Russia?

Israel-Hamas Conflict 2023-24

As Israel’s assault on Rafah approaches, Egypt prepares for a flood of Palestinian refugees

— Facing a potential influx of Palestinian refugees from Gaza, Egypt is building a concrete wall. President al-Sisi fears destabilisation but may offer short-term sanctuary with international support, while long-term solutions involve revitalising the Palestinian Authority for a two-state plan.

2024 US Presidential Election

Donald Trump is already flustering foreign leaders who are trying to prepare for a possible presidency

— Donald Trump’s influence on the 2024 US presidential race is unprecedented, shaping both domestic and foreign agendas, prompting policy changes, and causing global uncertainty, even without an official candidacy.

COMMENT

NATO’s biggest exercise since Cold War could poke Russian bear

— The start of 2024 witnesses escalating global threats: the ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Iran-Pakistan exchanges, China’s tensions with Taiwan, North Korea’s strategic shift, and a concerning prospect of Russia using nuclear weapons to deter NATO.

Geopolitics

Red Sea crisis: Suez Canal is not the only ‘choke point’ that threatens to disrupt global supply chains

— The US and UK military airstrikes in Yemen target Houthi threats to merchant vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb strait. This highlights the vulnerability of global trade chokepoints, posing risks to supply chains and the world economy.

COMMENT

‘Deploy diplomats to deal with Houthis, war is no recipe for peace’

— The Houthis hold freedom of navigation hostage to press for a ceasefire in Gaza. The West responds with bombs on Houthi facilities in Yemen. How is this conducive to peace in our time?