A delegation sent by Israel traveled to Doha to discuss hostage release. The US and Israel are close to a deal, but it is still being finalized, according to Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser. Israeli officials have reported progress in indirect talks with Hamas since Thursday. Netanyahu thanked Biden for his lifelong support of Israel during a call, also noting the American people's strong backing for the country. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance expressed hope that a deal to free US hostages would be announced before the end of the Biden administration.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1963275/joe-biden-calls-netanyahu-urges-israel-hamas-to-ceasefire-in-gazaA high-level Israeli security delegation led by Mossad Head David Barnea, the head of the Shin Bet domestic security service Ronen Bar, and the military's head of the hostage brief Nitzan Alon arrived in Qatar on Sunday for talks on a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. The delegation is part of renewed efforts by Qatari, Egyptian, and US mediators to reach an agreement to halt fighting in the enclave and free the remaining 98 hostages before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Israeli officials have reported some progress in indirect talks with Hamas since Thursday, but details remain unclear due to a persistent gap between the two sides: Hamas demands an end to the war while Israel refuses to end it as long as Hamas rules Gaza and poses a threat to Israelis.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40342406/top-israeli-security-delegation-in-doha-for-gaza-talksIsraeli forces have carried out a series of raids in the occupied West Bank, detaining around 70 Palestinians, including elderly residents, in towns such as Deir Istiya and Haris. The Israeli military has also conducted airstrikes in eastern Lebanon, violating a ceasefire agreement that went into effect on November 27 last year, targeting areas near the town of Jinta. Additionally, the Israeli army has warned civilians against returning to their homes in 62 villages in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-israeli-army-detains-dozens-in-occupied-west-bank-raids-18253063Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his South Korean counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, in Seoul on January 13, 2025, to reaffirm the strong ties between their countries amidst ongoing political uncertainty in South Korea. The meeting aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and address any issues that may have arisen due to recent developments in South Korea's domestic politics.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250113/p2g/00m/0in/022000cJapanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is set to attend a meeting with his counterparts from the United States, Australia, and India in Washington on January 21, just after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The meeting will highlight the importance that the new administration places on cooperation among the four nations as they face growing competition from China in the Indo-Pacific region. This is part of a framework known as the Quad, which was established to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. The group has held regular meetings since 2020, initially focusing on climate change but expanding to include maritime security issues due to China's increasing assertiveness. Iwaya will also meet with US Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss a proposed summit between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/13/japan/politics/quad-foreign-ministers/Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is visiting Manila this week to finalize a landmark defense pact between Japan and the Philippines, which could redefine regional security. The agreement would mark the first time since World War II that Japanese forces have been deployed on Philippine soil. The two countries have strengthened their strategic partnership since 2015, with Tokyo's foreign minister arriving in Manila for a two-day visit to iron out the details of the pact, amidst speculation that Japan may be delaying ratification to avoid antagonizing China.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3294494/landmark-japan-philippines-troop-deployment-pact-nears-finish-line?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsIndia's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit Washington DC, where he will hold meetings with officials from the incoming administration. The event marks a significant moment in US-India relations as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office. With several heads of state and government invited to attend the celebrations, India is likely to be at the forefront of discussions on key issues such as trade, security, and climate change. As the two nations navigate their relationship, India can expect a renewed focus on strengthening economic ties, particularly in areas like energy and technology. To prepare for this shift, India may need to address concerns around trade imbalances and intellectual property rights, while also exploring opportunities for cooperation in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and healthcare.
https://www.ndtv.com/video/s-jaishankar-to-attend-trump-s-inauguration-how-should-india-prepare-for-trump-2-0-887551#pfrom=home-ndtv_videoA delegation of Japanese ruling lawmakers led by Hiroshi Moriyama and Makoto Nishida began a three-day visit to Beijing on January 13, 2025, as part of efforts to stabilize strained ties between Japan and China. The trip comes after talks between Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in December, and the two sides are expected to discuss issues such as China's ban on imports of Japanese seafood imposed following the release of treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in August 2023. They will also address concerns about the safety of Japanese nationals living in China after a fatal stabbing incident in Shenzhen last September.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250113/p2g/00m/0in/020000cPolish Defence Minister Mariusz Kaminski announced that the E5 nations, including Poland, Italy, Germany, France and the US, will discuss their training plans at a meeting in Paris. The group aims to strengthen cooperation on defence production and technological development with Ukraine, particularly in light of Russia's ongoing invasion. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized the need for concrete commitments and vision in both military and industrial sectors.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/13/as-biden-exits-european-allies-huddle-on-joint-drills-ukraine-aid/