Our weekly newsletter, analysing global stories from an Indian lens
Thousand of activists have been protesting in Georgia against the country's ruling party decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union (EU) until the end of 2028 | Source: EPA-EFE/David Mdzinarishvili
In Focus
Uncertainty Ahead: Damascus Falls, Assad in Moscow
Led by Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, Syrian rebels seized Damascus, marking the end of Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year grip, and over five decades of family rule. Reports indicate Assad and his family have fled to Moscow, where they have been granted asylum, and Syrian opposition forces have assured the protection of Russian military and diplomatic installations. Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF had temporarily seized control of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights, saying the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria had collapsed with the rebel takeover of the country. India has been among the few countries that maintained ties with Assad, and Assad backed the Indian position on Kashmir. Now, there are concerns in the Indian intelligence community that the situation in Syria might give rise to resurgence of Daesh’s activities in India.
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Treason Charges Loom over South Korean President
A travel ban has been imposed on South Korea's President Yoon as he faces treason and related charges following last week’s controversial imposition of a brief, six-hour long martial law. While Yoon has apologized, his position as commander-in-chief is under threat due to growing dissent within the military and public outrage. He has stated that the decision on his political future rests with the ruling People Power Party. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it continues to monitor the situation, citing strong trade and investment as well as people to people ties.
China Escalates Military Activity Around Taiwan
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported a significant surge in Chinese naval activity around the island, with seven Chinese military aircraft, 14 naval vessels, three official ships, and four balloons tracked around the country over the weekend. Taiwan News reported that this increased activity occurs as China was expected to launch a third round of large-scale exercises around Taiwan to respond to President Lai Ching-te's tour of South Pacific allies. Reuters cited security sources as saying that the poor weather in the strait over the weekend likely impacted the timing of the exercises.
Ukraine Policy a Key Election Issue in Berlin
German Chancellor-hopeful Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's center-right Christian Democrats arrived in Kyiv on 9 December, to assure Kyiv of Germany’s support in defending itself. Germany is the second-largest supplier of military equipment to Ukraine after the US. So far, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused to send Kyiv the longer-range Taurus missiles it has repeatedly requested. Merz has pledged to reverse that decision if elected Chancellor. At home, however, his party is arguing to reduce welfare for Ukrainian refugees to encourage them to find work. Meanwhile, Chancellor Scholz dismissed the idea of deploying German troops to Ukraine, after Foreign Minister Baerbock suggested that peacekeeping forces could be stationed in a demilitarised zone if a ceasefire were agreed upon.
