Akihisa Nagashima, special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, recently visited Australia for discussions on deepening security ties and securing a multibillion-dollar government contract to replace the country's aging frigates. During his trip, Nagashima met with officials from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the prime minister's office, and the director-general of national intelligence in Canberra and Perth. Japan is competing jointly with Germany for the contract, which will be finalized by the end of the year.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/29/japan/politics/japan-nagashima-australia-mogami/French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concern that Russia poses a threat to France and Europe, calling for a discussion on using French nuclear weapons to protect the EU. The US is believed to have deployed nuclear weapons on German territory since the 1950s, with approximately 20 American nuclear warheads currently stationed in Germany, including at the Büchel Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate, as revealed by WikiLeaks in 2010.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/982169-the-bundestag-demanded-that-germany-be-given-access-to-the-nuclear-weapons-of-great-britain-and-francePakistan's Army Chief, Asim Munir, has threatened India again, blaming the country for escalating regional tensions. At a ceremony at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Munir called Pakistan a 'net regional stabiliser' and vowed a decisive response to any future Indian aggression. He claimed that India had launched two unprovoked attacks on Pakistan, describing it as a "troubling absence of strategic foresight."
https://indiatoday.in/world/story/army-chief-asim-munir-threatens-india-again-calls-pak-net-regional-stabiliser-2747830-2025-06-29Former Trump associate Lev Parnas warns of a global power shift, citing recent events such as drone strikes and courtroom rulings. He claims that President Donald Trump plans to "stonewall" Congress on crucial war issues. This comes after a Russian suicide drone hit a high-rise residential building in Odessa, Ukraine, highlighting the escalating tensions between Russia's leader Vladimir Putin and the US.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-dont-know-power-shift/Serbia's Ministry of Defense has refused to comment on allegations by Russia's SVR that Serbia's ammunition exports to Ukraine are being carried out primarily in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, with a Bulgarian military company EMCO Ltd. denying the claims as "unfounded." Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has faced pressure from Brussels and Washington to impose sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but he has maintained that Serbia respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Despite this, media reports estimate that Serbia's ammunition exports to Ukraine have totaled around 800 million euros since 2022, with Vucic previously stating that export is part of his country's economic revival.
https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-arms-exports-ukraine-russia-vucic/33453578.htmlSheikh Shakhboot emphasized the importance of international cooperation and diplomatic means to address regional issues. He highlighted historic ties with countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and expressed support for security, peace, and sustainable development in Africa. Sheikh Shakhboot met with Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of Congo, in Brazzaville to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation, citing numerous opportunities for growth across various sectors.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/06/29/uae-welcomes-signing-of-peace-deal-between-rwanda-congoSingapore has increased its security readiness due to growing instability in the Middle East, particularly amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam warned that tensions abroad can lead to attacks in other regions, including South-east Asia, and cautioned against complacency despite a current ceasefire. He noted that security is a joint responsibility and urged Singaporeans to be aware of potential threats, following similar warnings from Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing who stated that retaliation by Iran could have broader consequences in the region.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2025/06/29/singapore-steps-up-security-measures-over-possible-spillover-from-iran-israel-strife-says-national-security-minister/182086South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung has made a gesture of peace by urging restraint and dialogue with North Korea, as tensions on the Korean peninsula remain high. In a social media post commemorating the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, Lee emphasized the importance of building strong peace to ensure safety, marking a shift from relying solely on military strength for defense.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3316137/south-korea-tries-different-tack-sway-its-nuclear-armed-neighbour-olive-branch?module=asia_latest&pgtype=sectionThe UK government and human rights groups are calling for a clear strategy to support arbitrarily detained Britons, including those like Abdel Fattah, who was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of "spreading false news" after sharing a Facebook post about police brutality. Amnesty International wants the government to publicly demand immediate release of detainees, citing examples such as Jagtar Singh Johal, who was cleared of terrorism charges but remains detained in India. The organization believes an envoy would help coordinate efforts and provide transparency.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/uk-considers-envoy-for-britons-held-abroad/article_db6bf27a-7607-5f3f-b2c3-bbc9651d8bad.html