Commentary

During his recent historic visit to Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Syria in rebuilding the country after the conflict. Building a bridge to help Damascus rebuild and reintegrate internationally after years of sanctions, Paris also received valuable benefits: opportunities for economic cooperation and enhanced standing in a country with a crucial geostrategic position in the Middle East.

As the Western order undergoes profound restructuring amid mounting global challenges, the international standing of the European Union (EU) is widely viewed as being under increasing strain. Assuming the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second half of 2026, Ireland shoulders the responsibility of leading efforts to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy and reinforce its position during this period of turbulence.

Against the backdrop of mounting challenges to transatlantic security ties, the NATO Summit, taking place in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7 and 8, is expected to enable the US and its allies to mend existing divisions and reinforce the strength of the world’s largest military alliance.

The government of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has just unveiled multi-trillion-dollar mega-projects aimed at making the country a powerhouse in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Amidst the rapid advancement of information technology, AI is identified as a “strategic asset” shaping the RoK’s future development in the coming decades.

The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is still developing in a complex manner, with a rapid infection rate and a large number of cases. More worryingly, in the process of contact tracing, African health authorities have “lost track” of hundreds of people who have been confirmed positive for the Ebola virus.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is under mounting pressure to ease internal tensions ahead of the alliance's summit, scheduled in Türkiye on July 7–8. As the US intensifies pressure on its European allies to shoulder more security responsibilities, increased defence spending is expected to be a central focus of the meeting.

For the first time in 10 years, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide is trending downward. After enduring precarious lives abroad, millions of refugees have chosen to return home, despite unresolved conflict, violence, and poverty in their countries of origin. However, whether they return home or remain displaced, what awaits them is an uncertain future.

While arduous climate negotiations continue behind closed doors, the reality outside is deteriorating with each passing day.

Member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have agreed to launch preliminary accession talks with Indonesia, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on joining the trade bloc.

The world is simultaneously bearing the heavy consequences of two major crises: climate change and energy sovereignty. However, there is only one solution to both of these pressing challenges: bringing the fossil fuel era to an end and accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Through tireless efforts over more than 80 years, the United Nations has maintained its pivotal role in conflict prevention and peacekeeping. However, unpredictable shifts in the international landscape pose new challenges to the world’s largest multilateral organisation.

June 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of the UK’s referendum on leaving the European Union (EU), the starting point of the Brexit “divorce” whose consequences continue to be felt today.

The Ebola outbreak in Africa is complex and unpredictable, with the number of infections constantly rising. Health experts warn against complacency, as there is no specific vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain causing the current Ebola outbreak. Meanwhile, conflict and poverty are hindering efforts to prevent and control the disease.

The agreement reached by the US and Iran to end their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been welcomed by advocates of peace, raising hopes of easing the global energy crisis. However, analysts caution that the disruption caused to oil and gas production, transportation and exports will take considerable time to fully reverse.

The packed agenda of the European Union (EU) summit reflects the wide range of challenges facing the bloc, from geopolitical, economic and security crises to growing pressure to strengthen its defence capabilities. EU leaders are shouldering the task of reinforcing the Union’s strength and restoring its standing in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable world.

On his way to France to attend the G7 Summit, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung made stops in several European countries. His visits to Belgium, Italy, and the Vatican have attracted considerable international attention.

After more than three months of war and arduous negotiations, the US and Iran have reached an agreement to end the conflict. This is considered a significant step towards peace in the Middle East, providing strong impetus for resolving issues related to Iran’s “nuclear dossier.”

The European Union (EU) has recently conducted a cybersecurity exercise named Cyber Europe 2026, involving around 5,000 experts. The bloc’s caution is by no means excessive, as large-scale cyberattacks have inflicted enormous damage in the past.

The EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum has officially entered into force, marking the most sweeping reform of migration management in decades.

The conflict in the Middle East has dealt a heavy blow to the global economy. A fragile ceasefire and the stop-start nature of US-Iran negotiations have weighed heavily on market sentiment. Recently, the World Bank (WB) cut its forecast for global economic growth to the lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.