Israel has launched a devastating military campaign in Gaza, displacing nearly all 2.3 million residents and destroying much of the territory. Hamas officials, including Khalil Al Hayah, Zaher Jabareen, and Nazar Awadallah, are holding talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo, where they have discussed proposals to pause the war and secure the release of remaining hostages. However, Hamas has shown flexibility on the timeline for releasing 10 living hostages and the remains of those who died in captivity, a condition Israel rejects. The group also wants Israel to remove its troops from designated land corridors for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza's Palestinians, many of whom face hunger.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/06/25/gaza-ceasefire-talks-resume-as-trump-voices-optimism/Iran's potential exit from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) raises concerns about its nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot confirm that Iran's nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, but lacks credible evidence of a coordinated nuclear weapons programme. If Iran were to withdraw from the NPT, it would need to provide three months' notice due to the treaty's provisions allowing for withdrawal in such circumstances. This move comes after Iran has threatened to leave the treaty while also stating it will not develop nuclear weapons if it does.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/06/25/could-iran-build-a-bomb-in-secret-what-the-iaea-can-and-cant-see/181534NATO member states are making decisions to boost their own defense capabilities, with a focus on the European part of the alliance. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has approved a draft budget that includes a significant increase in defense spending and allocates €8.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4008155-nato-members-increasing-defense-spending-in-response-to-russian-threat-merz.htmlNATO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine without mentioning Kyiv's bid to join the alliance, with leaders emphasizing their commitment to provide aid and defense spending. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Russia's war as a major concern, stating it justifies long-term rearmament efforts due to its persistent threat.
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-defense-spending-deal-win-us-donald-trump/NATO has agreed to increase defense spending, with each member state required to invest 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) in defense and security by 2035 at the latest. This decision was made at the NATO Summit in The Hague, following US President Donald Trump's explicit demands amid Russian aggression against Ukraine.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/981318-nato-countries-will-spend-5-of-their-gdp-on-defenseMost Americans, including 77% of Democrats and 45% of Republicans, view NATO favorably, with 60% holding a favorable opinion. President Donald Trump is pushing for increased defense spending from other alliance members to reach 5% of their economies, up from the current 2%. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte notes that Germany plans to double its defense spending between 2021 and 2029, as countries including Canada, Italy, and Spain are expected to meet or exceed the 2% goal this year.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/trump-attends-nato-summit-as-poll-reveals-american-support-for-alliance#The US is shifting towards swift military intervention to advance its interests, as seen in the recent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In contrast, China is adopting a "long peace" strategy, leveraging economic statecraft and diplomacy to avoid major military entanglements since its 1979 border war with Vietnam.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3315650/can-us-military-adventurism-outcompete-chinas-long-peace-strategy?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionIran's parliament voted to fast-track a proposal to stop cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) due to criticism from Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who accused the IAEA of not condemning the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. In response, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran will suspend cooperation with the IAEA until security is ensured for its nuclear facilities, allowing its peaceful program to move forward at a faster pace. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has written to Iran to discuss resuming inspections of its nuclear facilities, amid claims that Iran has moved highly enriched uranium ahead of the US strikes.
https://stltoday.com/news/nation-world/article_2a365233-d765-59a6-a176-54b43c8768cc.htmlIran's parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following an air war with Israel. The bill, which must be approved by Iran's Guardian Council, stipulates that any future IAEA inspections require approval from the Supreme National Security Council. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Iran will accelerate its civilian nuclear program and accused the IAEA of putting its international credibility at risk. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi sought the return of inspectors to Iranian sites, including those damaged in Israeli strikes on June 13.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-parliament-okays-bill-to-suspend-cooperation-with-un-nuclear-watchdog-8761837