World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 818
U.S. Signals Renewed Focus on East Mediterranean as Ambassador Hints at Trump Visit to Greece
The U.S. ambassador to Greece said President Trump plans an official visit to Athens, a move that signals renewed American attention to the eastern Mediterranean. The announcement, made at a first-lady documentary premiere, carries strategic weight amid regional maritime disputes and growing U.S. energy and defence interests. Key questions remain over timing and whether the trip will include other regional players such as Israel, Cyprus or Turkey.
Boeing Withdraws Active Pursuit of F‑15EX Sale to Indonesia, Casting Doubt Over High‑Profile Deal
Boeing said it is no longer actively pursuing construction of F‑15EX fighters for Indonesia, casting doubt on a 2023 agreement for 24 jets that required U.S. government approval. The development signals friction between commercial plans and political clearance processes, with implications for Indonesia’s procurement choices and U.S. influence in the Indo‑Pacific.
China’s 2025 Marriage Spike: Policy Changes and Folklore Produce a Likely One‑Year Bounce
China saw a sharp increase in marriage registrations in 2025—driven by a removal of hukou limits in a revised Marriage Registration Ordinance and auspicious lunar‑calendar timing. Analysts warn the rise is probably a temporary rebound and that deeper economic constraints will determine longer‑term marriage and fertility trends.
Pakistan Says It Killed 145 Militants in Balochistan Sweep as Security Crackdown Intensifies
Balochistan authorities say security forces killed 145 militants in a concentrated 40‑hour operation after a string of attacks that killed civilians and officers. The sweep forms part of a broader, intensive counter‑terror campaign in Pakistan and has prompted a month of strict security restrictions in the province, raising questions about long‑term stability and the protection of civil liberties.
Iran Parades ‘Abu Mahdi’ Cruise Missiles and Underground ‘Missile City’ — A Signal to U.S. Fleets
Iran publicly showcased a subterranean missile complex storing hundreds of new “Abu Mahdi” anti‑ship cruise missiles that Tehran says can reach beyond 1,000 km and penetrate warship defences. The display is both a tactical signal about asymmetric coastal striking capability and a strategic challenge to U.S. naval operations in the Gulf and nearby waters.
China Shows Drone-Mounted Gun in Tibet Drill, Signaling New Low-Cost Firepower for High-Altitude Warfare
Chinese state media released footage of a drone fitted with a gun firing during motorized troop exercises in Tibet, signaling an operational push to integrate armed UAVs into high-altitude combined-arms tactics. The demonstration highlights both the PLA’s interest in cost-effective, distributed firepower and the technical limits and countermeasures that such systems will provoke.
Starmer Eyes Closer EU Defence Ties as Britain Reconsiders SAFE Fund
Britain is considering joining a second round of the EU’s SAFE defence financing programme, reopening a debate over post‑Brexit security cooperation. The move would deepen practical ties with European partners but will hinge on agreement over costs, legal terms and governance.
The U.S. Addiction to Special Forces: Cheap Wins, Strategic Pain
Chinese state commentary argues that successive U.S. administrations have become dependent on special operations as a low‑cost means of power projection, a habit that risks strategic blowback. The piece ties historical institutional development to recent high‑profile raids and warns that frequent unilateral actions erode international norms and invite dangerous retaliation.
Iran Says It Will Treat European Militaries as 'Terrorists' After EU Lists the IRGC — A Dangerous Escalation
Iran’s parliament speaker announced that Tehran will treat European militaries as terrorist organisations after the EU designated the IRGC as a terrorist group. The declaration is largely rhetorical but raises serious legal and operational risks, complicating European deployments and increasing the chance of miscalculation in an already tense region.
On the Eastern Seaboard, China’s Frontline Troops Send a Stark Message of Readiness
A reporter's on-the-ground account from China's eastern coast highlights intensive, joint frontline readiness intended as both practical defence preparation and political deterrence. The story underscores how routine drills and heightened operational tempo raise the stakes for miscalculation in a crowded maritime theatre.
Europe’s Winter Drills Expose the Limits of a ‘De‑Americanized’ NATO
Two recent NATO exercises — Arctic Endurance‑2026 and Steadfast Dart‑2026 — were presented as Europe‑led tests of collective defence, but rushed planning, thin participation and serious logistical frictions exposed enduring capability gaps. The drills signal a political push for European strategic autonomy, yet they also underline how far Europe must go before it can credibly substitute for US military power.
Talks Open but Trenches Deepen: U.S. and Iran Signal Willingness Amid Stark Differences
Both Washington and Tehran have publicly signalled willingness to enter talks on nuclear, missile and proxy issues, but deep disagreements over demands, sequencing and verification make successful negotiations uncertain. Military posturing and strict U.S. conditions fuel Iranian scepticism, leaving the region under continued diplomatic and security strain.