Week That Was: Global News In Review
Brief # 202 Foreign Policy | By Ibrahim Castro | May 27, 2025
Israel faces increasing international pressure
The Annapurna Express, Published: May 24, 2025, 5:17 p.m.,
https://theannapurnaexpress.com/story/54598/
International pressure has been mounting as Israel continues its bombardment and siege of Gaza. The renewed assault has left thousands more dead in just the last weeks since the breaking of the ceasefire deal in January 2025. Over 52,615 Palestinians are reported to have been killed, though the true number is likely to be far higher and to remain unknown until international journalists and aid agencies are allowed into the strip. Last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warned that Israel’s escalating aggression and prolonged blockade have pushed the population to the brink of famine, stating Palestinians are enduring “what may be the cruelest phase of this cruel conflict”. The UN has released projections that up to 14,000 children are at risk of dying of famine in the Gaza strip if aid is not allowed in soon.
The United States recently suggested it had reached a direct ceasefire arrangement with Hamas, but the Israelis did not agree to it, and it has disappeared from the bargaining table . The announcement of the deal comes after criticism from the White House that Israel has purposely prolonged the war on Gaza. The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Canada together threatened to take concrete actions against Israel, including targeted sanctions. The U.K. has suspended its free trade talks with Israel and the EU foreign minister has announced that the bloc would review its trade relations with Israel. Ireland has announced it would present plans to ban trade of goods with Israeli businesses in occupied Palestinian territories. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on a German public broadcaster ARD that the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza “can no longer be justified on the grounds of a fight against Hamas”.
The steps taken thus far have mostly been symbolic and have not translated into direct action or relief, yet they signal growing grievances towards Israel from its traditional western allies over its renewed and prolonged assault on Gaza.
Unrest in Bolivia as Evo Morales is out of the presidential race
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales waves during an event at which he proclaims himself as a candidate for the presidency in the 2025 elections, in Cochabamba, Bolivia, April 19, 2025.
Bolivia’s former leader Evo Morales launched his fourth presidential bid this year, ignoring the Bolivian constitution, which only allows three terms in office. A power struggle between Morales and his former ally and finance minister, President Arce, has fractured their dominant Movement Toward Socialism party, or MAS, forcing Morales to break off and create his own political party. Morales wasBolivia’s first Indigenous president who governed the country from 2006 until his ouster in 2019.
Last week Bolivia’s pro-government supporters and security forces confronted protesters loyal to the former president in street clashes, the second such violent escalation as fears of further unrest in the Andean nation continue to grow. The protesters and counter protesters exchanged throws of firecrackers, homemade explosives and stones in the city of El Alto, while riot police unleashed tear gas on the crowds. Morales has repeatedly promised that Bolivia would “convulse” if the electoral tribunal bars him from the race, heightening a sense of crisis in the run-up to the deeply polarized vote scheduled for Aug, 17 2025. The tribunal has recently disqualified former President Evo Morales from running in the August presidential vote.
Floods in Australia
An aerial photo shows flooding at Settlement Point Road in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia, EPA May 23, 2025
Last week parts of Australia got months worth of rain in just a few days. Rescuers have worked on reaching thousands of affected people. Four bodies have been retrieved from floodwaters in New South Wales, more than 50,000 people remained isolated for days and an estimated 10,000 properties have been damaged in the record-breaking flooding in New South Wales. Flood waters have begun to subside in some areas and weather conditions have improved in recent days. The Climate Council, an Australian research group, stated that these kinds of disasters were no longer simply “natural”. The latest research for Australia showed more rain was falling during these flooding events. Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, acknowledged the rising frequency of these events during a visit to the affected areas.
International Sanctions on Syria Removed
US President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [Handout/Saudi Press Agency via Reuters]
The Trump administration has removed sanctions on Syria, following a surprise policy pivot during a diplomatic trip to the Gulf states. The US State Department, at the same time issued a waiver to a 2019 law, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which established additional sanctions and financial restrictions on institutions and individuals related to the conflict in Syria. The waiver would now, according to the State Department “enable our foreign partners, allies, and the region to further unlock Syria’s potential”.
The European Union has expressed its concern as to whether the new Syrian government would govern in a more pluralistic manner, respecting the rights of minorities and women. Despite these reservations the EU has also decided to lift economic sanctions in an effort to help the war-torn country recover. The sanctions relief comes on the heels of Syrian rebels’ recent ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011, triggering a decade-long civil war and the installing of sweeping international sanctions.
ASEAN Summit in Malaysia
Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Aung Kyaw Moe, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar, Ibrahim, Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao join hands for a group photo as they attend the 46th ASEAN Summit, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 26, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
US Tariffs are high on the agenda of the ongoing ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia’s foreign minister has called on Southeast Asian nations to deepen regional economic integration and present a united front in their attempt to address the current global trade uncertainties resulting from US tariffs. Developing Southeast Asian nations were slapped with rates ranging from 17% on the Philippines, 49% Cambodia, 36% Thailand, 32% Indonesia, 24% on Brunei , and 24% on the host country Malaysia. The group could use its collective industrial muscle as leverage over the Trump administration in sectors like electric vehicles, semiconductors and critical minerals.
The bloc has also called for an increase in efforts for a ceasefire in Myanmar, as the conflict has spilled over borders, with a growing number of refugees fleeing to neighbouring ASEAN nations and a rise in trans-border crime. The regional bloc has so far led fruitless diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar’s conflict since the military staged a coup and deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.