geopolitics
The Sacrificial Animal: The Killing of Jamal Khashoggi
Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and never came out. His murder sparked global outrage, but eight years later, the case stands as a reminder of how quickly accountability can fade when power and strategic interests take over.
UN Bypasses US Visa Ban, Allows Abbas to Address General Assembly by Video
The UN General Assembly voted 152-3 to allow Mahmoud Abbas to address world leaders by video after the US denied him a visa for a second year. The decision does not overturn Washington’s ban, but ensures the Palestinian president can still participate in the annual UN debate.
China’s Djibouti Base Is Becoming a Bigger Military Intelligence Hub
Satellite imagery shows China has added new communications, satellite and surveillance systems to its Djibouti military base near Bab el-Mandeb. Analysts say the upgrades could give Beijing a much wider intelligence picture across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Middle East and East Africa.
India Says Pakistan-China Border Panel Has No Legal Standing
India has rejected a newly operationalised Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, saying it has no legal basis because it concerns territory part of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The dispute revives India’s long-standing objection to the 1963 China-Pakistan border agreement.
Venezuela Is Suddenly ‘Cooperating’ on Drugs After Washington Took Control of the Transition
The US has removed Venezuela from its list of countries deemed to be failing on counternarcotics obligations, months after American forces captured Nicolás Maduro and Washington began reshaping the country’s political and oil sectors.
India Warns US Russia Sanctions Bill Could Hurt Bilateral Ties
India says it will take all necessary steps to protect its trade, economic and energy interests after the US Congress cleared a sanctions bill allowing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The measure now awaits President Trump’s signature.
Trump Warns EU of Trade Retaliation Over Canada Membership Plan
Donald Trump has threatened the EU with heavy tariffs and possible trade restrictions if Brussels moves ahead with plans for closer association with Canada. He called the proposal a potential “hostile act”, raising fresh uncertainty around the $1.6 trillion US-EU trade relationship.
CBI Books US-Based Christian Missionary Organisation Timothy Initiative and Six Others Over FCRA Violations
The CBI has booked US-based Christian missionary group The Timothy Initiative and six people over FCRA violations involving ₹92.55 crore. Investigators say foreign funds were withdrawn through US-issued debit cards at ATMs across India instead of being routed through authorised FCRA channels.
India Says Pakistan Violated 1991 Naval Safety Pact After Collision
An Indian and Pakistani naval vessel collided in international waters in the northern Arabian Sea on September 15. India blamed the Pakistani unit for approaching at high speed, summoned Islamabad’s top diplomat and said the incident violated a 1991 bilateral naval safety agreement.
The Art of Wrecking a Relationship: How Trump Turned Canada Into a Wary Ally
Trump’s approach to Canada has done more than deepen a trade dispute. It has changed how many Canadians see the United States, and pushed Ottawa to think more seriously about reducing its dependence on its closest neighbour.
Germany and US Sign New Defence-Industry Cooperation Pact
Germany and the United States have signed a new defence-industry pact aimed at speeding procurement, strengthening supply chains and expanding joint weapons production. The deal reflects a wider NATO push to rebuild military stockpiles and fix the industrial bottlenecks exposed by the Ukraine war.
The Irony of the Makkah Pact: Saudi Arabia Is Now Reportedly Asking Israel for Help
Saudi Arabia’s new defence pact with Pakistan and Türkiye promised that an attack on one would be treated as an attack on all. Weeks later, the Houthis are pounding Saudi targets while its allies stay out and Riyadh is reportedly seeking intelligence help from Israel.