Min Aung Hlaing has become president of Myanmar after staged elections. He was previously commander-in-chief. The elections were tightly controlled, five years after a coup ousted the civilian government. Foreign governments are advised to be cautious in their interactions with the new administration. Five years after mounting a coup that ousted an elected civilian government, Min Aung Hlaing has overseen tightly staged elections transitioning him from commander-in-chief to president.
Indonesia's venture capital sector faces increased risk aversion. This follows jail sentences for former executives of investment firms who backed a failed agritech startup. Experts predict a more cautious investment climate. Experts and industry insiders say Indonesia’s venture capital firms will be more risk-averse after former executives of two government-backed investment firms were sentenced to jail for their decision to invest in an agritech pioneer that collapsed.
External Affairs Minister S. Mr. Jaishankar also called for “greater capacity and opportunities” for the Global South to create new factors of growth, while highlighting that “the interests of a few” nations are being “openly prioritised” - without naming any country.
Taliban morality police in Herat, Afghanistan, are detaining and beating women for not adhering to the proper hijab. Women report routine street inspections by the Taliban. The Taliban’s morality police have intensified the enforcement of the hijab, or Islamic head scarf, in western Afghanistan. In the city of Herat, women told RFE/RL that the Taliban routinely stops and inspects women in the streets.
Armenians will vote in a general election on 7 June. Foreign policy issues have dominated the campaign. The election is the country's first since 2021. Armenians will head to the polls on 7 June for the country’s first general election since 2021. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Joshua Kucera explains why foreign policy has dominated the campaign and what the results may mean for Yerevan’s external relations.
Djibouti's strategic location has drawn interest from global powers. The country hosts military bases for the United States, China, and France. Samson Abebe Bezabeh discussed Djibouti's history and politics with Alan on The Horn. Bezabeh is an Assistant Professor of African Studies at the University of Hong Kong. This week on The Horn, Alan speaks with Samson Abebe Bezabeh, Assistant Professor of African Studies at the University of Hong Kong, about Djibouti’s history, politics and efforts to navigate turmoil and shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Pakistan began conveying proposals to end the war between the US and Iran on 28 February. The US and Israel had started bombing Iran that day. Islamabad has persevered in its mediation efforts despite the risks. The stakes are high for Pakistan in this endeavor. Soon after the U. S. and Israel began bombing Iran on 28 February, Pakistan started conveying proposals for ending the war.
The European Union's proposed seven-year budget may reduce funding for conflict prevention and aid to fragile states. Crisis Group experts Lisa Musiol and Dylan Macchiarini Crosson warn of potential consequences. The budget could impact the EU's ability to support countries vulnerable to conflict. The European Union’s next seven-year budget could put spending on conflict prevention and aid to fragile states at risk.
Iran's lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called a deal to end a West Asia war a "declaration of U. S. defeat." He stated the agreement resulted from Iranian national resistance, not external pressure. The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation, says Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of the Iranian negotiating team.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has recorded over 1,000 cases in its first month. The World Health Organization noted this is the highest number for any African outbreak's initial period. The Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has infected over 1,000 people and killed 267 was detected late and experts say the virus had already been circulating for months before it was officially declared on May 15.
Former officials from Iran nuclear talks stated verifying Iranian compliance will be difficult. Amid an ongoing row between Washington and Tehran over whether international monitors can verify Iranian compliance with its nuclear nonproliferation commitments, former officials have told RFE/RL that the scale, scope, and degree of access are crucial to the success of inspections. Veterans Of Iran Talks Say Verification Will Be ‘Heavy Slog’ With Details Of Access Key To Success.
US and Russian scientists downblended weapons-grade uranium in the 1 In the 1990s, US and Russian scientists pulled off the ultimate nuclear magic trick: "downblending" weapons-grade uranium so it could never be used in a bomb. Now, the US and Iran are trying to repeat history.
El Niño brought frost and prolonged dry conditions to Papua New Guinea's Highlands Oxfam predicts PNG will be worst-hit country in Pacific from the weather pattern, with up to 3 million people affected nationwideFamilies across Papua New Guinea’s Highlands are facing depleted harvests and the threat of hunger after the El Niño weather pattern brought frost and prolonged dry conditions that have destroyed food gardens providing sustenance and income for thousands of households. Th.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new technical negotiations between the United States and Iran. - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a new round of US-Iran technical negotiations will resume in Switzerland at the end of June, as he wrapped the second day of a high-stakes Persian Gulf tour aimed at calming regional concerns over Washington’s tentative accord with Tehran.
Iran directed the December 2024 attack on Melbourne's Adass Israel Synagogue. The Australian Security Intelligence Organization stated a former resident in Iraq, recruited through militia groups, carried out the act. A former Australian resident living in Iraq directed the attack on Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024, Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, has revealed.
Iran remains undefeated after nearly four months of conflict with Israel and the US, maintaining control over its population and territory. Its industrial base continues to produce missiles, drones, and rockets. The economy is suffering, but Tehran's strategies may offer lessons for middle powers like Australia. Iran has emerged undefeated after nearly four months of war against a nuclear-armed regional rival (Israel) and the world’s most powerful military (the United States).
Iran has pushed back against US claims that frozen assets would be used to buy American agricultural products. The proposal sparked backlash from hard-liners, but Iran did not rule out the possibility. The issue remains a point of contention. Iran has pushed back against US claims that any frozen Iranian assets released under a framework deal would be used to buy American agricultural products but stopped short of ruling it out, as the proposal sparked a sharp backlash from the country’s hard-liners.
A state of emergency was declared in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country. The quakes registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. Buildings collapsed in the capital, Caracas, sending residents into the streets. Officials warned of widespread damage and high casualties. Rescue efforts are underway in affected areas. Two powerful earthquakes – with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 – sent residents running into the streets as buildings shook and collapsedVenezuela earthquakes: back-to-back quakes collapse buildings in capital CaracasVolunteers, medics and relatives of victims have raced to the Altamira area in Caracas hoping to help save survivors from the rubble of collapsed buildings there.
Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency after two Homes and buildings collapse after double quake, with tremors felt in neighbouring ColombiaVenezuela earthquakes: follow live updatesVenezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a state of emergency after the country was struck by two powerful earthquakes that collapsed dozens of buildings and killed at least 32 people, with experts warning the death toll could rise significantly. Rodr.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recalled her 2023 India visit. She described a strong reception with welcome posters lining roads. Meloni suggested she could win a million votes if she ran for office in New Delhi. When I arrived, there was a poster with my face and the word ‘Welcome’ every few feet along the road; when I left, the posters showed the same image, but now read ‘Thank you for visiting’, says Giorgia Meloni.
Russian air attacks on June 15 destroyed 100,000 costumes at Dovzhenko National Film Studios. Ukrainian film artists are committed to restoring the collection used in dozens of historic films. Ukrainian film artists are determined to build back the loss of 100,000 costumes, used in dozens of historic films, that burned in a Russian air attack on the Dovzhenko National Film Studios on June 15.
Sir Keir Starmer is releasing a defence investment plan ahead of a NATO summit. The plan has been delayed and officials are scrambling to meet the new deadline. NATO needs a credible timeline for the UK's war readiness. The UK's defence plan is expected to be released next month. Sir Keir Starmer's determination to release a long-delayed defence investment plan ahead of a NATO summit next month risks doing more harm than good as officials scramble to meet what has become a political deadline.
Over half of Russia's 83 regions face gasoline shortages due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Local authorities have imposed daily limits to prevent panic buying. The Kremlin is struggling to address the issue, which is becoming a serious headache. More than half of Russia’s 83 regions are struggling with gasoline shortages, due overwhelmingly to Ukrainian drone strikes. Local authorities are imposing daily limits or other restrictions.
Foreign ministries worldwide manage vast information streams. Today, foreign ministries across the world are drowning in information. news reports, intelligence assessments, social media posts, satellite imagery, economic data, speeches and diplomatic cables. AI can summarize thousands of documents in minutes, track political sentiment across countries, detect emerging crises earlier, analyze sanctions, dissect trade flows and monitor military movements. Th.
Young people promoting peace in fragile areas say financial support is essential. They also emphasize the importance of trust and partnerships to sustain their efforts. Money alone will not be enough to organize youth for peacebuilding. Trust and partnerships are crucial for their work to continue. Young people working on promoting peace in some of the world’s most fragile and polarized places say financial support remains essential, but money alone will not sustain their efforts to organize youth to participate in peacebuilding.
