President Trump's anti-India rhetoric and tariff war suggest a personal motivation behind his campaign against India, driven by hurt ego. According to Yusuf Unjhawala, a scholar of geopolitics at the Takshashila Institute, this is evident in his rejection of claims about negotiating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May. The final blow came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined Trump's invitation for a visit to the White House after the G-7 Summit in Canada, preventing an in-person meeting on the sidelines of the summit.
US President Donald Trump plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska, a location that has not been officially announced yet, as they discuss options for achieving a long-term peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. The meeting comes after previous efforts by Trump and his aides have yielded no progress, but is seen as a significant gesture by Putin, who had been viewed as an adversary by the US and its allies. Trump suggested that
US Sees Armenia as Largest Global Strategic Partner
8.9.25
Armenia is set to gain significant economic benefits from the deal, with the US considering it its largest and most strategic partner globally. The agreement is expected to boost trade between the two nations, potentially leading to increased investment and cooperation in various sectors.
Wood Warns of Trade System Collapse in Fragmented Response
8.9.25
Countries facing US tariffs should respond collectively, according to investment strategist Christopher Wood, who warns that fragmented responses would weaken the multilateral trade system. This advice comes from Jefferies' 'GREED & fear' report, which advises countries to act together rather than pursuing separate bilateral deals with the US.
Zelenskyy Demands Concrete Action for Peace in Ukraine
8.9.25
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged his allies to take concrete steps towards sustainable peace in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of Ukrainian involvement in any potential agreement. He rejected US President Donald Trump's suggestion that Ukraine would 'gift' land to Russia as part of a ceasefire deal, citing the Ukrainian Constitution and stating that Ukrainians will not deviate from their territorial integrity. Zelenskyy warned that decisions without Ukraine would be ineffective and that a lasting peace can only be achieved with Ukrainian participation. The comments come ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week, which has yet to yield results due to significant differences between Russia and Ukraine's positions.
Anwar Urges Asean to Foster Regional Peace Stability
8.8.25
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar said Asean must continue to promote regional peace, stability, and cooperation as it marks its 58th anniversary. He emphasized that the vision of the bloc's founding fathers, who prioritized neighboring countries' needs, remains relevant today. The prime minister highlighted the importance of maintaining peace between nations and within them, citing recent tensions along the Cambodian-Thai border as a reminder of the need for collective action. Anwar praised Asean leaders for their support in facilitating talks between Cambodia and Thailand, led by Malaysia's Chairmanship.
Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met with Ricky Gill, Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the US National Security Council, in Islamabad. The meeting discussed bilateral relations, regional security, trade partnerships, and diplomatic collaboration between Pakistan and the United States. Chairman Bhutto Zardari thanked President Donald J. Trump for his role in de-escalating recent India-Pakistan hostilities, expressing hope that economic cooperation with the US would bring prosperity to the region. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding trade ties globally.
Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister announced a plan to ensure no reigniting of hostilities with Pakistan, allowing observers from Southeast Asia. The agreement comes after US President Donald Trump reduced tariffs on Cambodian imports from 49% to 19%, saving its garment manufacturing sector. Pakistani President had previously recommended Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in June, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also nominated him last month.
China Secures Russian Oil Amid US Sanctions: Despite US threats of new tariffs, China has defended its imports of Russian oil, citing legitimate and lawful economic cooperation with all countries. The move comes as tensions between the US and China over trade and energy issues escalate. Experts believe China can bypass US sanctions by trading oil in its own currency with Russia, while a senior official expects Russian oil to continue flowing to China due to Beijing's need for stable supplies of critical resources like oil. Despite a decline in Russian oil imports, Russia remains China's largest oil supplier.