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Description: NATO’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte had demanded from member countries an elevated spending rate on defense and security amid raised global threats to the bloc. He elaborated on the elevated threats to the Alliance and mentioned China, Russia and the raised level of international conflicts. He also emphasized the need to facilitate a closer cooperation between NATO and EU in the development of critical infrastructure as well as military and defense capabilities. Impact: In his first appearance as NATO Chief, Rutte’s statements envisage the era in which both the EU and NATO are entrenched in hybrid war with adversaries like Russia and China. The
Description: Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister has labeled the potential Gaza peace talks as a National Security Catastrophe. He stated that Prime Minister Netanyahu should continue the war until Hamas’ complete and unconditional surrender and the return of the Israeli hostages in their captivity. Smotrich’s statements have been received with a dose of precaution especially since the Israeli public and families concerned with the kidnapped individuals are calling for peace talks. Impact: Under the careful eye of the international community Israel is at an impasse when it comes to its priorities in the context of the current Gaza situation. Both Ham
Description: The Chinese Communist Party has used a so – called unified front tactics to leverage Taiwan’s social media platforms and influencers in China’s favor. The tactics comprised of using prominent Taiwanese influencers as well as hefty job and accommodation arrangements for individuals that never visited China. A documentary has been published which depicted the intricate usage of social media platforms and influencers which was received with mixed perceptions in Taiwan. Impact: Chinese social media influence and disinformation campaigns have significantly influenced the country’s foreign policy and geopolitical strategy. The usage of influencers and
Description: The Republican Party’s administration has supported President – elect Donald Trump in his intention to acquire Danish – owned Greenland. The administration was looking to pass a bill which would authorize the US to acquire the island which in turn, according to Trump’s administration has integral strategic value to US future strategic interests. Trump hasn’t excluded acquiring the island by force as he continued to controversially comment on the entire situation. He also included the acquisition of the Panama canal in his statements. Impact: Donald Trump had mentioned his intentions towards Greenland in his first term as well, this time gaining
Description: Pakistani security forces acting on actionable intelligence have eliminated up to 27 insurgents in the Baluchistan region. The Baluchistan region has been a part of constant insurgency and terrorist activities with separatists from small Baloch groups and Pakistani Taliban enforcing their presence in the region. The Pakistani government stated that the eliminated individuals were heavily involved in terrorist activities and have been sought by law enforcement agencies. Impact: The sensitive Baluchistan region labeled as one of Asia’s top regional geopolitical disputes has seen a resurgence in conflicts and separatists’ movements in the last coup
Description: The US, Japan and the Philippines have agreed on extended cooperation in several areas including maritime security. The Presidents of the three countries had a conference call where maritime infrastructure projects and joint military exercises have been agreed upon. Japan’s President also confirmed his country’s support for the newly – elected US President Donald Trump as well as expressing his concerns over the transaction involving US Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel. Impact: With the expansion of maritime activities by China, especially towards Taiwan, the US and its allies are bolstering regional capacities with the aim of establishing
Description: Within a week of Trump’s inauguration as the next US President, Ukraine’s latest situation on the ground is dire. The troops have lost significant ground as Russia had taken up to 150 square miles of territory in December only. With the new US administration, military aid and support was expected to be halted while EU allies continue to supply Ukraine with much – needed military supplies. Although reassurances have been guaranteed both by US and EU allies, Ukraine is yet to repel another wave of Russian attacks with minimal to none supplies in the new year. Impact: The change in US administration as well as the disarray in EU’s foreign po
Description: With Donald Trump taking over the US Presidency for the second time, China has substantially intensified their exports while their imports have been stable and on the rise. China’s exports mostly focused on the automotive industry with disputes in the EU and the US in terms of tariffs, were still on the rise. Impact: As the world’s second – largest economy, China is set to face the eminent trade war with the US under the Trump administration. The strengthening in export growth while keeping a stable rate of imports indicates that Chinese economy was set to reach different levels of exponential economic growth. The possibility of new round
Description: The question on whether Ukraine can join NATO and how, had been widely discussed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Although several articles in NATO’s Statute don’t allow for a country which is in conflict to enter NATO membership accession negotiations there are several exclusions. Under those exigent circumstances, Ukraine would have to declare and issue a non – use of force pledge, NATO would have to send an official invitation and amend the accession criteria labeled in Article 6. Impact: Ukraine’s accession to NATO although a largely discussed geopolitical topic still doesn’t seem possible. Even if several conditions under which Ukraine
Description: One of the largest social media platforms in the world – Meta has been accused of faltering under political pressure in light of Trump’s presidential turn. The media giant would eliminate the third – party fact checkers on their platform and replace them with user generated community notes. Problems and concerns have been raised since the measure came into effect after Donald Trump was confirmed as the next US President. Impact: Meta has faced scrutiny from Donald Trump’s administration and especially from the public for non – effective and efficient implementation of fact checking programs. As one of the largest social media platforms this repr