A Bangladesh government-appointed commission investigating disappearances under ousted premier Sheikh Hasina warned that a "culture of impunity" continues, despite regime change in August 2024. The Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances has verified over 250 cases during the Awami League's 15-year rule, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. The commission's chief, Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, attributed responsibility to individual officers involved in enforced disappearances, not the armed forces as an institution. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for security forces cooperation with the commission, while ousted premier Sheikh Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India, defying orders to return and face charges amounting to crimes against humanity.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1324357-bangladesh-panel-probing-hasina-era-abuses-warns-impunity-remainsUS President's stance on ending the war is centered around negotiations, but imposing new sanctions on Russia may close this opportunity. A sanctions bill in Congress, led by Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, has over 80 co-sponsors, enough to override a potential veto. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota prefers to wait for President Trump's support before taking up the measure.
https://www.politico.eu/article/marco-rubio-surprise-nato-allies-rhetoric-russia-sanctions-ukraine-invasion-war-defense-donald-trump-us/Israel has launched a devastating military campaign in Gaza, displacing nearly all 2.3 million residents and destroying much of the territory. Hamas officials, including Khalil Al Hayah, Zaher Jabareen, and Nazar Awadallah, are holding talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo, where they have discussed proposals to pause the war and secure the release of remaining hostages. However, Hamas has shown flexibility on the timeline for releasing 10 living hostages and the remains of those who died in captivity, a condition Israel rejects. The group also wants Israel to remove its troops from designated land corridors for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza's Palestinians, many of whom face hunger.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/06/25/gaza-ceasefire-talks-resume-as-trump-voices-optimism/Iran's potential exit from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) raises concerns about its nuclear activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot confirm that Iran's nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, but lacks credible evidence of a coordinated nuclear weapons programme. If Iran were to withdraw from the NPT, it would need to provide three months' notice due to the treaty's provisions allowing for withdrawal in such circumstances. This move comes after Iran has threatened to leave the treaty while also stating it will not develop nuclear weapons if it does.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/06/25/could-iran-build-a-bomb-in-secret-what-the-iaea-can-and-cant-see/181534NATO member states are making decisions to boost their own defense capabilities, with a focus on the European part of the alliance. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has approved a draft budget that includes a significant increase in defense spending and allocates €8.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4008155-nato-members-increasing-defense-spending-in-response-to-russian-threat-merz.htmlNATO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine without mentioning Kyiv's bid to join the alliance, with leaders emphasizing their commitment to provide aid and defense spending. French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted Russia's war as a major concern, stating it justifies long-term rearmament efforts due to its persistent threat.
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-defense-spending-deal-win-us-donald-trump/NATO has agreed to increase defense spending, with each member state required to invest 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) in defense and security by 2035 at the latest. This decision was made at the NATO Summit in The Hague, following US President Donald Trump's explicit demands amid Russian aggression against Ukraine.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/981318-nato-countries-will-spend-5-of-their-gdp-on-defenseMost Americans, including 77% of Democrats and 45% of Republicans, view NATO favorably, with 60% holding a favorable opinion. President Donald Trump is pushing for increased defense spending from other alliance members to reach 5% of their economies, up from the current 2%. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte notes that Germany plans to double its defense spending between 2021 and 2029, as countries including Canada, Italy, and Spain are expected to meet or exceed the 2% goal this year.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/trump-attends-nato-summit-as-poll-reveals-american-support-for-alliance#The US is shifting towards swift military intervention to advance its interests, as seen in the recent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In contrast, China is adopting a "long peace" strategy, leveraging economic statecraft and diplomacy to avoid major military entanglements since its 1979 border war with Vietnam.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3315650/can-us-military-adventurism-outcompete-chinas-long-peace-strategy?module=top_story&pgtype=section