By David M. Andrews* CANBERRA, Australia | 10 February 2025 (IDN) — The return of Donald Trump as US President marks an important crossroads in the future of two emergent Indo-Pacific security frameworks: the Quad, comprising Australia, India, Japan and USA, and AUKUS, the trilateral partnership between Australia, the UK and USA. Both institutions played […]
European Companies Feed the Dangerous Global Shadow Fleet
By Nathaniel Peutherer* LONDON | 9 February 2025 (IDN) — On 19 July 2024, the oil tanker Hafnia Nile was nearing its top speed when it collided with the supertanker Ceres I, off the east coast of Malaysia. Within minutes, flames engulfed both vessels, sending thick plumes of toxic smoke into the air. Several crew […]
Breakthrough in UN Tax Convention Despite Talks Despite US Walking Out
By J Nastranis NEW YORK | 8 February 2025 (IDN) — The European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad), a network of 60 European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 28 countries, has welcomed “a major breakthrough towards more just and effective international tax rules” in UN Tax Convention negotiations in New York—despite the United States’ withdrawal. […]
AFRICOM Carries Out First Trump-Directed Airstrike On ISIS-Somalia
By Pearl Matibe* The premier online African defence and security news publication defenceWeb issued this article. It is being republished with their permission. WASHINGTON | 7 February 2025 (IDN) — At the direction of President Donald J Trump, the United States carried out its first airstrike of his second term, targeting ISIS-Somalia operatives in the […]
“Riviera Of the Middle East”: A Paradise Inside a Hornet’s Nest
By Somar Wijayadasa* NEW YORK | 6 February 2025 (IDN) — President Donald Trump’s bombshell proposal that the United States would take over the war-ruined Gaza—that he described as a “demolition zone” – relocate Palestinians to neighboring countries—possibly in Egypt and Jordan – and redevelop the war-torn enclave into what he described as the “Riviera […]
Will The Election Bring a New Dawn to Kosovo?
By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir* NEW YORK | 5 February 2025 (IDN) — Most Kosovars hope that the February national election and the formation of a new coalition government will usher in a promising new era that will substantially improve the day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Will the new government be in tune to meet much […]
Russia Delivers Military Hardware to Mali — After the Fall of Assad Regime
By Guy Martin* The premier online African defence and security news publication defenceWeb issued this article. It is being republished with their permission. RHODES, South Africa | 5 February 2025 (IDN) — Russia has delivered over 100 military vehicles to Mali, including tanks, trucks, and infantry fighting vehicles. It is suspected the shipment may have […]
Summit Pledges to Connect 300 million Africans to Electricity by 2030
By Lakshmi Thor DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania | 3 February 2025 (IDN) — Ahead of the African Union Summit on 17-18 February in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, thirty African Heads of State and government have committed to concrete reforms and actions to expand access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to power economic growth, improve […]
Stories of Resilience and Renewal in Aghbar
By Mariam Ait Hfid* MARRAKECH, Morocco | 1 February 2025 (IDN) — In response to the devastating earthquake, the High Atlas Foundation has launched vital initiatives to provide psychosocial support and empower affected communities. Among these efforts is a transformative three- to four-day workshop, inspired by the Foundation’s signature IMAGINE program, which lies at the […]
Syria Should Realise That Only Way Forward Is Through Talks
By Manish Rai* SYDNEY | 1 February 2025 (IDN) — Turkey’s proxy groups like the Syrian National Army (SNA) which is also part of a coalition of Syrian opposition groups led by Hayat Taheer Al-Sham (HTS) have been attacking the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in North Syrian since December 2024. In particular, fierce fighting […]