Displaying items by tag: world peace

The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by Australia’s Institute of Economics and Peace, has ranked Iceland as the world’s most peaceful nation, while Russia and Ukraine occupy the lowest positions due to ongoing conflict. Assessing 163 countries using indicators such as societal safety, security, and militarisation, the report reveals global peacefulness has declined for the sixth consecutive year, falling by an average of 0.36%. The USA ranks 128th, trailing nations like Bangladesh and Honduras, and both it and Israel placed lowest in the militarisation domain. The report highlights growing geopolitical tensions, the breakdown of traditional alliances, and a record 59 active state-based conflicts - the most since World War II. Nonetheless, some positive trends emerged, including declining homicide rates and fewer violent demonstrations in parts of Central and North America. The rankings signal widespread concern for peace and security worldwide.

Escaping scandal in Washington after indictments of his campaign associates, President Trump is on a 13-day tour through five Asian capitals. Trump’s first stop was Japan, where the priorities were a Japan-US military alliance and trade. While visiting South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, he hopes to encourage other regional powers to step up their efforts to pressurise North Korea into abandoning its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The continent is gripped with tension over the nuclear standoff on its eastern edge. Trump told South Korean lawmakers that Kim Jong-un would face disaster if he continued to lead his nation down the dark path towards nuclear weapons. ‘Do not underestimate us. Do not try us’ was a direct warning to Pyongyang. Trump is trying to persuade Chinese leaders to put even more pressure on North Korea. At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam (9 to 10 November), he hopes to enlist President Putin’s help in changing North Korea's behaviour. See next article.