World

In 2025, strategic autonomy has become an urgent requirement for the European Union (EU) across multiple fields, from security and defence to economics, trade, and technology. Amid a world marked by volatility, the EU’s desire to reduce dependence, strengthen internal capacity, and enhance its standing is understandable. However, the path to autonomy is not an easy one, as a gap remains between ambition and actual capability.

Representatives of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have expressed support for the near-term establishment and operationalization of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in Gaza, U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff said Saturday.

In an effort to strengthen the European Union’s (EU) energy self-sufficiency, the European Parliament (EP) has just approved a plan to completely eliminate imports of Russian gas. However, this decision has met with opposition from some member states, who fear that “shutting off” the flow of gas from Russia could trigger a price surge in the energy market, harming the economy.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday, the Security Council presidency confirmed Thursday.

China on Thursday called on Cambodia and Thailand to remain calm and exercise restraint and achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, while rejecting speculation arising from the reported use of Chinese weapons.

A consultative workshop to review Africa’s strategic counter-terrorism action plan recently opened in Algeria.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that the country's intelligence systems would be examined following the fatal mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has forecast that the global oil market will remain stable in 2026, with supply expected to stay closely balanced with demand amid moderate macroeconomic risks facing the world economy.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim unveiled new ministerial appointments on Tuesday as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday confirmed to the media that the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on the Cambodia-Thailand situation, initially scheduled for Dec. 16, has been postponed to Dec. 22 at the request of Thailand.

The prospect of Ukraine joining the European Union (EU) by early 2027 is generating significant interest, reflecting Europe’s evolving strategic calculations. Yet a considerable gap persists between strong political commitments and the practical conditions required, making this timeline both a strategic aspiration and a major test for the EU itself.

Flights between Phnom Penh and Bangkok as well as those between Siem Reap and Thailand are operating as normal although the Cambodia-Thailand border fighting is still going on, a Cambodian civil aviation spokesperson said on Saturday.

As Timor Leste officially becomes the 11th member of ASEAN, alongside warm congratulations, a number of concerns have emerged regarding the prospects of integration into the “common home”.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Saturday that Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, will convene a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting soon on Cambodia-Thailand border tensions.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has endorsed a royal decree to dissolve the lower house of parliament, an announcement published in the Royal Gazette said on Friday, paving the way for a general election early next year.

In the wake of large-scale protests over economic policy across Bulgaria, the country's Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov formally submitted his government's resignation on Thursday, the registry of the National Assembly has confirmed.

A contingent of Cambodian athletes has abruptly withdrawn from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games currently underway in Thailand, citing safety concerns from their families back home amid escalating border tensions, Thai media reported on Wednesday.

In early December 2025, Syria welcomed several positive signals on its path towards reconstruction and reintegration. From a country devastated by war and isolated diplomatically and economically, Syria is taking steps that demonstrate its determination to pursue stability, while maximising foreign aid and striving to balance relations with major powers and regional countries.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has warned that the European Union’s pursuit of a green agenda and its enforcement of regulations against American technology companies are undermining the transatlantic alliance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned by reports of renewed armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, particularly the reported airstrikes and mobilization of heavy equipment in the border area, his spokesperson said Monday.