Commentary

New hopes for peace in Gaza have emerged after the US-backed Board of Peace unveiled a 15-point roadmap in late July 2026 aimed at ending the conflict. The door to peace has opened slightly, but the path ahead remains difficult, with several major obstacles still standing in the way of implementation.

An influx of migrants surging into Spain's territory of Ceuta in North Africa has plunged European Union (EU) member states into a bitter diplomatic row. Spain and Italy have introduced tit-for-tat measures over border controls, while Europe remains deeply divided over efforts to find a solution to the “migration dilemma.”

A recent statement by Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso that Indonesia and Brazil are advancing a proposal to establish a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Mercosur signals a notable strategic shift in Jakarta’s economic diplomacy.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has released its African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, revealing that 55% of cyberattacks across Africa are enabled by artificial intelligence (AI).

After a series of warnings about adjusting its "security umbrella", the US has officially begun reviewing its military presence in Europe. This move not only reflects Washington's changing strategic priorities but also marks the beginning of a new phase for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), with the US and Europe shifting towards a more genuine partnership with fairer sharing of responsibilities.

More than 80 years ago, in the first days of August, two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, claiming the lives of tens of thousands of innocent civilians and leaving scars that have endured across generations.

A sudden surge of migrants entering Ceuta, Spain's autonomous territory in North Africa, has raised fears of a new migration crisis and is putting the European Union (EU)'s solidarity to the test. 

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) has decided to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the seventh consecutive month. The move has been widely regarded as a difficult but sensible decision, as the US seeks to contain persistently high inflation while also easing pressure on consumer prices.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has completed what has been described as a historic and highly significant visit to Syria.

Although the European Union (EU) has responded relatively cautiously to the latest US tariffs, trade relations across the Atlantic continue to confront significant headwinds.

European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are taking decisive steps to shoulder greater responsibility for common security.

A series of attacks on Saudi Arabian vessels in the Red Sea threatens to ignite a “new front” in the tense conflict in the Middle East.

The United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement ending border checks on cross-border movement between Spain and Gibraltar. The agreement removes administrative barriers, enabling tens of thousands of workers to travel freely each day between the EU member state and the British territory on the Iberian Peninsula.

European donors have pledged 1 billion USD to help rebuild the Gaza Strip. The generous commitment from Europe has been warmly welcomed by the people of Gaza, as it represents a valuable source of support for rebuilding the Mediterranean coastal territory from the ruins left by the prolonged conflict.

The European Union's (EU) gas storage levels have fallen to a record low amid supply disruptions and soaring prices, raising concerns over the bloc's energy security and threatening to disrupt industrial production.

Appropriate trade policies and close international coordination are instrumental in bolstering the resilience of global food markets against increasingly frequent and severe shocks. This is the central message of the State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2026 report published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has concluded a four-nation tour of Africa, visiting Ethiopia, Niger, Mozambique, and Burundi, delivering a strong message that Moscow remains committed to supporting the continent in strengthening security, advancing economic development, and enhancing its standing on the international stage.

The conflict in Ukraine has entered a turbulent new turning point, with Russia and Ukraine both launching large-scale, high-intensity attacks against each other's strategic targets. At the same time, the diplomatic vacuum amid the escalating conflict is raising concerns that efforts to achieve peace may be further delayed.

The Strait of Hormuz has once again become a flashpoint after the US launched multiple air strikes against Iranian military targets in response to accusations that Iran had attacked commercial vessels. Washington has declared that it will continue to carry out further larger-scale strikes to weaken Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation.

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.