South Korea will send special envoys to Indonesia this week, led by Rep. Cho Jeong-sik of the Democratic Party, to reaffirm the new government's commitment to deepening ties with the Southeast Asian nation. The delegation will meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, defence, energy, and regional cooperation through ASEAN.
The Taliban have denied making explicit death threats against dozens of Afghan women working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, according to a UN report. An Interior Ministry investigation is underway. The threats, made in May, came from unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other agencies. The Taliban have banned Afghan women from working at domestic and foreign NGOs since December 2022, and have threatened to shut down agencies employing women. In addition, the report highlights restrictions on women's personal freedoms and safety, including requiring women to wear a chador in Herat, arresting women for wearing a headscarf in Uruzgan, and forcing families to leave public areas with women in Ghor province.
Trump Ditches Three-Way Summit for Bilateral Talks
8.10.25
US President Trump is open to a three-way summit with North Korea and South Korea, but plans a bilateral meeting instead. The White House has been intensively courting the support of US allies in an effort to secure backing for the talks.
US President Donald Trump hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev in Washington on August 8, where they signed a U.S.-brokered peace "roadmap" aimed at resolving the decades-old conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The agreement includes commitments to stop fighting, open commerce, travel, and diplomatic relations, while respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Trump Imposes Tariffs on Southeast Asian Countries
8.10.25
The US has implemented a new tariff regime on Southeast Asian countries, marking a significant shift in its global trade policy under President Donald Trump's leadership. The tariffs, which took effect last week, reflect the US president's vision for "reciprocal" transactions with trading partners. The move comes after months of intense negotiations and diplomatic efforts, offering insight into the value the US assigns to its international trade relationships and the concessions made by participating nations.
US President Donald Trump is set to meet South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung in Washington for a summit focused on defense and security, marking a shift from trade discussions. The meeting aims to increase Seoul's involvement in the US strategy against China, following earlier tariff and economic talks. Defense experts believe this marks a new direction, moving away from traditional focus on deterring North Korean threats.
Trump Takes Credit for Foreign Conflict Resolutions
8.10.25
US President Trump has been taking credit for resolving conflicts involving India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Cambodia and Thailand, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, but these claims appear to be an attempt to boost his peacemaker credentials. Leaks from a meeting between Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin suggest that Russia is unlikely to make significant concessions on Ukraine, with Moscow insisting on maintaining control of seized territory in eastern Ukraine and seeking a ban on Ukrainian NATO membership. Trump has predicted "some swapping of territories" for an agreement, but Ukraine's President Zelensky has not been invited to talks, and his country faces a difficult dilemma if it rejects the offer, which could lead to further conflict and potentially leave it without significant international support.
Trump Threatens 'Great Depression' Over Indian Tariffs
8.10.25
US President Trump has warned that a court halt of tariffs on India would cause a "Great Depression", while India considers the tariffs "unilateral, punitive measures" that hurt global trade norms. The US decision is seen as an attempt to secure an unfair trade deal, with some speculating it's economic blackmail. The MEA team will present evidence of shared democratic values and converging strategic and economic interests between the two countries, highlighting the bipartisan nature of their relationship. Trump has also provided support for India's concerns over cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, including the extradition of a key suspect in the 26/11 attack.
US President Donald Trump is open to holding a trilateral summit in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A White House official confirmed that the idea is being discussed, but it's not yet final. The meeting between Trump and Putin is already scheduled for August 15 in Alaska, while Zelenskyy's visit to Alaska remains uncertain. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of attempting to mislead Washington ahead of talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, stating