Taiwan is facing pressure from China's multi-pronged campaign, and while maritime militia forces are not a major part of it, they are present in the battlespace. In Myanmar's Arakan region, smuggled commodities from India and Bangladesh are helping to alleviate scarcity but may not be enough to prevent an impending crisis due to soaring prices. Meanwhile, Rohingya women are fleeing violence in Rakhine State, highlighting the humanitarian crisis there. In other news, Afghan asylum seekers in Germany are concerned about their future due to stricter migration policies and a shift to the right in German politics. South Korean women's resistance against President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen as a culmination of long-standing struggles for gender equality and justice. China has unveiled its new J-36 fighter jet, which is part of a broader competition between regional powers over economic ambitions and strategic interests. Taiwan must revamp its military procurement process to strengthen its defense, according to experts. The Uzbekistan government is trying to downplay any connection to the Chechen region in a recent case involving Allamjonov. China is leading the global race for generative AI patents, which has significant geopolitical implications. Mongolia's capital city, Ulaanbaatar, is experiencing frequent electricity interruptions due to energy insecurity.
https://thediplomat.com/2025/01/the-role-of-bangladeshs-military-in-the-july-revolution-and-its-historical-legacy/US President Trump's approach to foreign policy and trade agreements is shifting towards bilateral deals. He has expressed concerns that US aid to Ukraine could escalate into a global conflict, suggesting direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In the realm of trade, Trump plans to renegotiate existing agreements such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and review other pacts like the Korean-US Trade Agreement (KORUS), marking a departure from multilateral deals.
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/second-donald-trump-administration-2025-13845951.htmlThe United Nations is prioritizing several key areas to promote global stability and security. These include promoting peaceful conflict resolution through diplomatic efforts, upholding international law to prevent violations, advancing women's roles in peacekeeping initiatives, protecting children affected by armed conflicts, addressing the pressing issue of climate change, and enhancing maritime security to safeguard global trade routes.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/greece-begins-two-year-term-at-un-security-council-204282According to a UNICEF report, by the end of 2023, approximately 47.2 million children had been displaced due to conflict and violence, with an additional number displaced in 2024 due to escalating conflicts in Lebanon, Palestine, Haiti, Myanmar, and Sudan. The report highlights the devastating impact of these conflicts on children, particularly in Gaza where Israel's genocidal campaign has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, including at least 17,400 children, with many more missing or wounded. UNICEF officials have expressed concern that a generation of children is becoming collateral damage to the world's unchecked wars, and have criticized Western countries such as the US, Britain, and Germany for their complicity in the conflict by providing Israel with military aid and diplomatic support.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340475/children-in-conflict-zonesFormer US President Jimmy Carter was remembered by his successor Barack Obama and Pope Francis for his commitment to global issues such as environmental protection, public health, reconciliation, human rights, and poverty alleviation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Carter recognized the importance of these issues for national security interests.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1267155-us-and-foreign-leaders-praise-jimmy-carter-s-legacyThe Houthi group in Yemen has launched attacks against Israeli targets, including using hypersonic and ballistic missiles and combat drones. In response, Israel has carried out air strikes against Houthi positions in Sanaa and Hudaida. The US-led coalition has also been conducting airstrikes on Houthi locations in Yemen since 2024, targeting the group's attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have vowed to defend themselves, declaring all American and British ships as military targets following the intervention of Washington and London.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/houthis-ramp-up-attacks-against-israel-18249306The Iran-backed Houthis have been engaging in aggressive tactics, including firing ballistic missiles and drones at maritime traffic in the Red Sea, as well as hijacking ships using helicopters and speedboats. According to the University of Navarra, these attacks are not limited to targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels, but rather aim to disrupt global trade, which accounts for 15% of the world's total trade, including 10% of oil supply and 8% of liquified natural gas that passes through the Red Sea. The US has launched strikes against the Houthis as part of an effort to degrade their capabilities and protect regional partners and merchant vessels in the area.
https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2024/12/31/central-command-forces-strike-multiple-houthi-targets-in-yemen/The US Treasury Department has accused the governments of Iran and Russia of spreading disinformation to manipulate voters and undermine trust in U.S. elections. The Iranian government's Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, is said to have worked since at least 2023 to incite political tensions in the United States by creating fake news websites and paying US web companies to create pro-Russian content. The Russian group, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, oversaw the creation, financing, and dissemination of disinformation about American candidates using artificial intelligence to manufacture deepfake videos. Both governments have been accused of hacking into the accounts of top current and former U.S. officials, including senior members of Donald Trump's campaign.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-treasury-sanctions-russian-and-iranian-groups-accused-of-spreading-disinformation-targeting-american-voters-13849018.htmlJapanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Ishiba emphasized the importance of developing trust between top leaders in order for China-Japan relations to remain stable. He noted that as neighboring countries, they must establish a trusting relationship and explore each other's interests. Ishiba also highlighted the significance of maintaining a strong relationship with the US, citing the complex nature of the Taiwan question which has become more complicated since Japan and China normalized their diplomatic relations.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326094.shtml