China has strongly objected to any efforts that promote Taiwan’s independence, warning the United States that such actions will have severe consequences. Beijing considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and will not tolerate any moves towards secession. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated that Taiwan’s independence efforts are doomed to fail and that China will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The recent Beijing Summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. Amidst growing tensions with the West, the two leaders declared their partnership “no-limits” and issued a joint statement expressing strong opposition to the US and its policies. The summit’s implications for India and the global landscape are significant.
In a significant setback to the United States’ support for Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict, 143 countries voted in favor of a United Nations resolution that seeks to expand rights for Palestinians. The move sends a clear message that the world stands with the Palestinian people and rejects Israel’s occupation of their lands. On Friday, the UN General Assembly held a vote on the resolution. Nine nations, including the US and Israel, voted against it while 25 abstained. The resolution calls for allowing Palestinians to initiate their own resolutions and fully participate in UN and global gatherings. Palestine has been an observer since 2012 and has been seeking full membership in the UN. Notably, the resolution urged the Security Council to accept Palestine’s full membership, a move the US had previously blocked. This outcome signifies a strain in relations between the US and Israel and a potential shift in US policy towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Israeli warplanes struck the densely populated southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, defying a stark warning from US President Joe Biden that he would halt weapons supplies if a full-scale assault went ahead. US officials have expressed growing concern over the civilian casualties in Israel’s offensive against Hamas, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, mostly women and children. The fresh strikes came as an AFP correspondent and witnesses reported Israeli attacks on multiple parts of Rafah, home to 1.4 million people, according to the United Nations. Despite international objections, Israel has already sent tanks and conducted targeted raids in the area. The Hamas authorities have dismissed Israel’s description of the operation as limited, while Biden has warned that he will cut off certain US weapons supplies if Israel carries out a ground assault. The US has already paused delivery of bombs to Israel, citing civilian casualties. The airstrikes have further strained ties between the allies, with protests flaring at universities across the United States over Israel’s conduct of the war.
President Joe Biden announced the US will send Ukraine critical supplies to aid in its defense against Russia’s invasion. This military assistance package, valued at USD 95.3 billion, includes air-defense munitions, artillery, rocket systems, and armored vehicles. The US also alleges that countries like Iran, China, and North Korea are providing support to Russia, and warns that if Russia succeeds in Ukraine, it could pose a direct threat to NATO allies. This historic moment underscores the importance of US and NATO support for Ukraine in preventing a wider conflict in Europe.
In a surprising move, Russia vetoed a resolution banning nuclear weapons in space, prompting accusations from the US that Moscow may be developing such weapons in secret. The veto drew widespread condemnation, with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield claiming Russia had “abandoned” efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Russia, however, has denied developing a space-based nuclear weapon, stating that it considers the resolution “a joke”.
Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that aimed to prevent the placement of nuclear weapons in space. The US and Japan sponsored the resolution, which was supported by 13 member nations. China abstained from the vote. The US criticized Russia for defeating the resolution and China for not voting against it. Russia, along with China, proposed an amendment to the resolution that would have called for states to prevent the placement of any weapons in space, but the measure was defeated. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any plans to put nuclear weapons in space, but the fears come as he has repeatedly threatened the US and Western allies with nuclear weapons amid the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine has commenced employing long-range ballistic missiles secretly supplied by the United States, striking a Russian military airfield in Crimea and Russian forces in another occupied area. These missiles significantly extend Ukraine’s striking distance, providing a strategic advantage in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, the first face-to-face negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have resulted in the exchange of 48 abducted children, with 29 returning to Ukraine and 19 to Russia. The news also highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with Ukrainian authorities reporting the abduction of nearly 20,000 children and young people, many of whom remain missing.
The recently published State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey Report by the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute sheds light on the region’s perspectives on various political, economic, and social issues. The survey highlights the growing influence of China in comparison to the US, the declining popularity of the European Union and India, and the importance of addressing unemployment, economic downturn, and climate change. Additionally, it raises concerns about the diminishing relevance of ASEAN in addressing regional challenges.
The recently approved $61 billion US military aid package for Ukraine aims to bolster its defenses and prolong its fight against Russia. The aid includes weapons and ammunition that will help slow Russian advances, protect civilians, and provide time for Ukraine to plan future strategies. However, logistical challenges and bureaucracy may delay the delivery of the aid, and its ultimate impact on the battlefield remains uncertain.
