Policy

Aid scope shifts from medicine to weaponsDebate grows over whether U.S. sanctions relief boosted Russia’s financial capacity

Iran Rejects U.S. End-of-War Proposal, Counters With Five Conditions U.S.

Trump highlights “regime change” narrative, underscores war gainsEurope takes lead in diplomatic push to avert full-scale conflict

Amid U.S.-China tensions, the bloc seeks out new economic partners FTA concluded with Australia following Indonesia, South America and India An EU-centered trade network takes shape on the basis of multilateral accords The European

Domestic limits drive need for external partnerships European defense ties build contract-based trust China’s next-gen pressure raises capability gap concerns India is accelerating efforts to secure its air force capabilities by formally review

U.S. Secures Negotiation Leverage by Delaying Strike on Iran’s Energy Facilities Soaring Oil Prices Amid Prolonged Conflict Trigger Global Economic Strain Gulf States’ Civilian and Energy Infrastructure Hit, Escalation Risks Mount U.S.

Rapid ageing is shattering Asia’s cherished iron rice bowl security Japan, South Korea and China each face pension gaps despite different fiscal strengths Embedding lifelong learning into work policies is the region’s best path to sustainable pensions

Vulnerabilities in responding to individual warheads repeatedly exposedGrowing anti-war sentiment undermines the rationale for war

The U.S.

Japan cannot base China policy on dislike alone China’s innovation scale makes selective engagement necessary Japan needs pragmatic China literacy, not emotional distance In 2024, China submitted 70,160 international patent app

Urban density reduces the cost of accessing jobs, education, and daily services When supported by housing and transport, concentration increases efficiency and opportunity The real risk is not density, but scarcity that turns access into exclusion

Europe’s energy shock did not end in 2022 Poor households cut other essentials before they cut heat or power That is why targeted energy subsidies now matter for both welfare and education Targeted energy subs

BRI Investment Shifts from Infrastructure to Energy and Critical Resources China Offsets Middle East Shock in Short Term Through Energy Self-Sufficiency Sustained Control over Mineral Supply Chains, Foundation for a ‘Scientific Superpower’ China’s

The United States and Israel pressed ahead with strikes on Iran despite diplomatic options remaining “Israel deceived the president,” says Trump loyalist counterterrorism chief as he resigns Trump accused of scrambling to contain the fallout as global skepticism deepens

Assessment that “Iran’s military actions have deviated from international norms”Emerging power vacuum and signs of command structure collapse

Trump Urges Japanese Deployment, Citing Reliance on the Strait Takaichi Mounts Defense With $73 Billion U.S.

Beyond airstrikes, a scenario of ‘occupation’Focus shifts to Kharg Island’s strategic value

A long Iran war would weaken US focus in Asia even without a formal strategic shift China could gain leverage in East Asia simply by letting Washington stay stuck in the Gulf A fast, limited end to the conflict would help the US contain both Iran and China at once

China’s economic pressure on Japan has strengthened Takaichi instead of weakening her Beijing’s coercion has raised public support for a tougher Japanese security and trade stance The more China escalates, the more it helps the leader it wants to contain

Cargo Left Unattended Raises Risk of Environmental DisasterRussia Claims “Piracy Using Maritime Drones”