Latest news with #DiplomaticRelations
CNN
11 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
What you need to know about the deadly border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
Deadly violence has flared up once again on the contentious border between Thailand and Cambodia, reigniting a long-running but little-known dispute. Thailand deployed fighter jets against Cambodian military targets on Thursday, as forces from both countries clashed along the border. The escalation came after a second Thai soldier in a week lost their leg in a landmine explosion. Diplomatic relations have deteriorated as a full-blown conflict threatens to break out. Here's what to know about the disputed border. Tensions worsened in May when a Cambodian solider was killed during a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Thai and Cambodian forces said they were acting in self-defense and blamed the other for the skirmish. Although military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia said they wished to de-escalate, both sides have since engaged in saber-rattling and reinforced troops along the border. Thailand took control of border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on crossings and threatened to cut electricity and internet to Cambodia's border towns. Cambodia in return stopped imports of Thai fruit and vegetables and banned Thai movies and TV dramas. Recent landmine explosions prompted both countries to downgrade relations with each other and recall diplomatic staff. The first soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion on July 16. The second incident occurred Wednesday, when a blast injured five Thai soldiers, with one losing his leg. Thursday's violence marked a significant escalation. Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry in recent decades. The two countries share a 508-mile (817-kilometer) land border – largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony – that has periodically seen military clashes and been the source of political tensions. Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the UN's International Court of Justice over disputed areas, including the site of the most recent clash. However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ's jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples. In 2011, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a nearby area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, displacing thousands of people on both sides and killing at least 20 people. The most recent conflict has had huge political ramifications in Thailand. Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duties in July after the leak of a phone call she had with Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she appeared to criticize her own army's actions in the dispute. Shinawatra hails from a powerful dynasty and became Thailand's youngest prime minister last year, at just 38. She could face full dismissal over the 17-minute phone call – in which she appeared to signal there was discord between her government and the powerful Thai military. The scandal and her suspension brought fresh uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been roiled by years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Iran has never sought to ‘wipe Israel off the map'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied that Tehran aims to destroy the State of Israel, speaking a month after the two regional rivals engaged in unprecedented hostilities. 'It has never been Iran's policy to wipe out Israel from the map,' Araghchi told Fox News host Bret Baier in an interview aired on Monday. He added, however, that Tehran will continue to support pro-Palestinian armed groups. 'We believe that these groups – Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis – are fighting for a just cause. We have always supported them, [both] politically and in other ways,' the diplomat said. He argued that US-supplied weapons help Israel 'kill people' in Palestine and beyond. Araghchi also denied allegations that Iran planned to assassinate US President Donald Trump and clarified that the popular chant 'Death to America' refers to 'the hegemonic policies of the United States, not the people of the United States.' He urged observers not to conflate 'radical' elements in Iran with the country's official stance. Iran has no diplomatic ties with the US and regards the State of Israel as an illegitimate entity. 'Never doubt that the hostile, usurper Zionist regime will be wiped off the world's map one day. God willing, this is a definite part of the future,' Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei wrote on his English-language X account in 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeled such remarks a national threat as he ordered airstrikes during last month's 12-day war with Iran. Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and is open to restarting indirect talks with the US. He added that Iran will continue enriching uranium for civilian use, describing it as a matter of national pride.
Bloomberg
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Philippines Summons Chinese Envoy After Ex-Senator Sanctioned
The Philippine government has summoned China's envoy to Manila, expressing concern over Beijing's recent rare move to sanction a former senator who it accused of improper behavior on issues related to China. While implementing sanctions is within China's prerogative, 'the imposition of punitive measures against democratically elected officials for their official acts is inconsistent with the norms of mutual respect and dialogue that underpin relations between two equal sovereign states,' Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in a statement read by Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro at a regular briefing on Tuesday.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia pledges $25bln investments and opening more embassies in Africa
RIYADH - Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Al-Khereiji revealed that his country intends to increase the number of its embassies in African countries to more than 40 over the coming years. He also expressed Saudi Arabia's aspiration to invest $25 billion in Africa. Al-Kheraiji made the remarks while attending a reception marking the annual Africa Day commemoration, held at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh. Al-Kheraiji stated that Saudi Arabia will finance and secure $10 billion in exports to Africa and provide $5 billion in additional development financing to Africa by 2030. "Saudi Arabia also affirms its commitment to developing cooperation and partnerships with African countries, expanding trade and integration, and enhancing consultation, coordination, and mutual support within international organizations on issues of common interest," he said. Al-Khereiji explained that African countries occupy a significant position on the country's foreign policy map and diplomatic network. "Saudi Arabia has provided more than $45 billion to support development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries," he said while noting that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has provided more than $450 million in aid to 46 African countries. The deputy minister emphasized that Africa is a continent of promising opportunities, with its natural resources, ambitious youth, and renewable potential. "Despite the challenges of conflict and climate change, the spirit of African cooperation and the aspirations of the continent's people for peace, justice, and development remain stronger than any challenge," he added. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Russia Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Baku blocking consular access to jailed Russians
Azerbaijan has not granted the Russian citizens recently arrested in Baku access to consular services, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. A Baku court jailed at least ten Russian nationals on Tuesday for four months pending trial. Two senior journalists from the Sputnik Azerbaijan news agency, as well as at least eight other Russians, have been behind bars in the country since Monday. Moscow has slammed the arrests as 'unlawful,' and has demanded the Russians' immediate release. 'We have requested that employees of the embassy's consular department be allowed to visit the Russian citizens,' but access has so far 'not been granted,' Zakharova said in a press briefing on Wednesday. She demanded that 'those who want to spoil bilateral relations' cease attempts to further escalate the situation. A number of Azerbaijani news outlets have been spreading 'fake news,' she added. 'These steps cause serious damage to interstate relations,' the spokeswoman said. Earlier Azerbaijani reports about the possible closure of Russian-language schools in the country had been denied by Baku's Education Ministry, Zakharova added. Bilateral relations between Moscow and Baku have been strained as of late. The diplomatic downturn was sparked by a police raid in Russia's Yekaterinburg last week, which targeted an alleged ethnic crime ring composed of Russian nationals of Azerbaijani origin. It was part of an investigation into a series of murders dating back as far as 2001. Two elderly suspects died during the operation, at least one of whom suffered heart failure, according to preliminary information. The incident spurred outrage in Azerbaijani media and among local officials, who have accused Moscow of ethnic bias. Five of the six men arrested have been charged, after one turned state's evidence, Russian authorities reported on Wednesday. Top law enforcement officials from both sides are in direct discussions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a briefing on Wednesday. When asked to comment on recent video reports that appeared to show bruises and traces of blood on a number of the Russian nationals detained in Azerbaijan, Peskov noted that Moscow had seen the footage and 'noted every detail.' Russia will 'defend the legitimate interests' of its citizens, and will 'use all available means' to that end, he said. The Russian embassy in Baku has confirmed that Russians in Azerbaijan have increasingly complained that they and their families have been subjected to violence.
