Displaying items by tag: Asia

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed a mutual defence agreement pledging support in case of ‘aggression’ against either country. The announcement followed Putin's visit to Pyongyang, his first since 2000, which Kim described as elevating their relationship to a ‘new, high level of alliance’. The pact raises Western concerns, potentially leading to Russian assistance for North Korea in a Korean conflict and North Korean support for Russia in Ukraine. Kim is accused of supplying Russia with weapons, while Putin is believed to be providing North Korea with space technology for its missile programme. Both leaders criticised Western sanctions and vowed to counter them. Kim expressed strong support for Russia's war in Ukraine, marking a historic moment in their alliance.

Hundreds of rockets were fired from Lebanon towards northern Israel on 12 June, hours after an Israeli airstrike which killed a senior Hezbollah commander. The Israeli military reported detecting about 215 projectiles, with some intercepted and several causing fires. The death of the commander, Hajj Abu Taleb, has intensified clashes along the border, with Hezbollah using more advanced weaponry and Israeli airstrikes penetrating deeper into Lebanon. Over 400 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, including more than seventy civilians. On the Israeli side, fifteen soldiers and ten civilians have died since the conflict began. Meanwhile, Antony Blinken stated that mediators are working to finalise a cease-fire deal after Hamas proposed amendments to a US-backed proposal which aims to ensure a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The proposal, announced by Joe Biden, includes these provisions, but Hamas remains sceptical about Israel’s commitment to implementing the terms.

A fire in a residential building in Mangaf has claimed at least fifty lives, mostly foreign workers, including many Indian nationals. The blaze, which broke out early on 12 June, engulfed the building in thick smoke; many of the casualties. The deputy prime minister blamed property owners' greed and building standard violations for the tragedy. The building housed 196 workers: a senior police officer said that warnings were often issued about overcrowding in this type of accommodation.. Dozens were rescued, but many deaths resulted from smoke inhalation. There were thirty Indian nationals among the deceased; other victims were from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Nepal. However, some bodies were burned beyond recognition and have not yet been identified. Indian officials visited the injured, and Narendra Modi sent a message of condolence to the victims’ families. Kuwait's reliance on foreign workers, particularly in construction and domestic sectors, has often raised human rights concerns about their living conditions.

Joe Biden has proposed a ceasefire plan for Gaza comprising three stages: negotiating a captive exchange, achieving a permanent cessation of hostilities, and rebuilding homes and public facilities. He has urged immediate acceptance of the deal by Israel and Hamas, linking his reputation to its success. While Hamas responded positively, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government remains ambiguous. Biden has claimed Hamas's military capabilities are diminished, suggesting Israel can now withdraw from Gaza. His absence from the Ukraine peace summit (see Europe article) and his focus on Gaza reflect his desperation to improve his political standing amid declining approval. Netanyahu also faces pressure, risking imprisonment for corruption and needing to appease various factions. The ceasefire plan faces numerous obstacles; the complex dynamics and divergent interests involved make achieving a lasting resolution challenging. Meanwhile, Israel has confirmed the deaths of four more hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October: see

Following the national elections, Narendra Modi is set to lose his parliamentary majority. His Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may need to form alliances to retain power. The current poll results suggest that while the BJP will remain the largest party, it might fall short of an outright majority, securing between 230-240 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. This potential shortfall would force Modi to seek coalition partners to govern effectively - a significant shift from the 2014 and 2019 elections, where the BJP secured decisive victories. Despite his personal popularity, this result might reshape India's political landscape, making governance more complex and coalition-dependent​. He will find it challenging to maintain political dominance amid increasing economic and social challenges, including high unemployment and rural distress. Some fears have been expressed about his long-term future, and the Indian stock market has tumbled in value in response.

Following the devastating landslides in Papua New Guinea on 24 May, rescuers have been reaching the hard-to-access northern Enga region, but the chances of finding survivors are now slim. Residents are using shovels and bare hands to search through the unstable landslide area, which continues to pose danger as more rocks and debris fall. A state of emergency has been declared for the affected area. Authorities fear a second landslide and potential disease outbreak due to trapped water and decomposing bodies. Continued debris movement could further devastate nearby communities. Military checkpoints and evacuation efforts are under way, but aid has been slow due to remote terrain and tribal unrest. Over two thousand people are said to have been buried in the landslide, though estimates vary; accurate death tolls are difficult due to outdated census data and incomplete records. Thousands of local people have been ordered to evacuate.

North Korea has launched over 260 balloons filled with rubbish into South Korea, leading authorities to warn residents to stay indoors and avoid touching the balloons and attached plastic bags, which contain ‘filthy waste and trash’. North Korea had threatened to do this in retaliation against South Korean activists' leaflet campaigns. Residents near Seoul received alerts to avoid outdoor activities and report any ‘unidentified objects’ to authorities. Photos on social media show balloons carrying items like toilet paper, soil, batteries, and possibly even faeces. South Korea's military, condemning the action as a violation of international law and a threat to public safety, have demanded that North Korea cease these actions. Historically, both Koreas have used balloons for propaganda.

A UN report has revealed record levels of methamphetamine and synthetic drug production in East and Southeast Asia, primarily sourced from the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Historically known for opium and heroin production, the area now sees massive methamphetamine production, fuelling the illicit economy by an estimated $80 billion a year. Political instability, especially in Myanmar's lawless frontier regions, has exacerbated drug production. In 2023, a record 190 tons of methamphetamine were seized in the region, 89% of it from Southeast Asia. The report also noted record seizures of ecstasy and the increasing presence of ketamine, a powerful anaesthetic used both medically and recreationally. Drug networks have diversified, spreading production from Myanmar's Shan State to other regions in the lower Mekong River basin.

On 21 May Iran began five days of national mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi, as it grappled with the news of his sudden death at a time of heightened regional tensions and domestic uncertainty. Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six others were killed in a helicopter crash in a remote part of the country on 19 May. The shock incident wiped out two of the country's key political figures, raising questions about what the future might be after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Thousands of mourners gathered for the first funeral event; the next day, declared a national holiday, a funeral was held in Tehran, with high-ranking foreign dignitaries attending. Funerals were held in two more cities on 23 May, and Raisi will be laid to rest in his hometown Mashhad on 24 May. However, many Iranians have celebrated the president’s death, with fireworks set off in several cities and people dancing in the streets. Raisi’s hardline administration was characterised by brutal punishments and a harsh crackdown on female dress codes. See

On 20 May, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli ministers, and also for three senior Hamas officials. Hamas is charged with atrocities on 7 October and mistreatment of hostages, while Israel is accused of the starvation of Gaza's civilians. Khan, known for his conservative approach, has said that he has not seen compelling evidence that Israeli courts were probing alleged violations of international law). There have been predictable responses from supporters of both sides, but there is a long history of war crime charges facilitating peace by marginalising hardliners. That might help to advance the frustratingly stalled ceasefire negotiations. Within Israel, whose officials’ conduct in Gaza has increasingly made it a pariah state in the minds of many worldwide, the proposed charges will strengthen the movement for a leadership change. Far from an impediment to a ceasefire, Khan’s actions could be a spur.