Latest news with #internationalconflict
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UN Urges Peaceful Settlement of Disputes as UN Chief Points to ‘The Horror Show in Gaza'
The UN Security Council urged the 193 United Nations member nations on Tuesday to use all possible means to settle disputes peacefully. The UN chief said that is needed now more than ever as he pointed to 'the horror show in Gaza' and conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar. The vote was unanimous on a Pakistan-drafted resolution in the 15-member council. In urging greater efforts to pursue global peace, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council: 'Around the world, we see an utter disregard for — if not outright violations of — international law' as well as the UN Charter. It is happening at a time of widening geopolitical divides and numerous conflicts, starting with Gaza, where 'starvation is knocking on every door' as Israel denies the United Nations the space and safety to deliver aid and save Palestinian lives, Guterres said. Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians and aid staff as part of its war with Hamas and blames UN agencies for failing to deliver food it has allowed in. In conflicts worldwide, 'hunger and displacement are at record levels' and security is pushed further out of reach by terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime, the secretary-general said. 'Diplomacy may not have always succeeded in preventing conflicts, violence and instability,' Guterres said. 'But it still holds the power to stop them.' The resolution urges all countries to use the methods in the UN Charter to peacefully settle disputes, including negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, referral to regional arrangements or other peaceful means. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who chaired the meeting, cited 'the ongoing tragedies' in Gaza and between Pakistan and India over Kashmir, one of the oldest disputes on the UN agenda, that need to be resolved peacefully. 'At the heart of almost all the conflicts across the globe is a crisis of multilateralism; a failure, not of principles but of will; a paralysis, not of institutions but of political courage,' he said. The Pakistani diplomat called for revitalizing trust in the UN system and ensuring 'equal treatment of all conflicts based on international law, not geopolitical expediency.' Acting US Ambassador Dorothy Shea said the Trump administration supports the United Nations' founding principles of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war and working with parties to resolve disputes peacefully. Under President Donald Trump's leadership, she said, the US has delivered 'de-escalation' between Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, and Congo and Rwanda. The US calls on countries involved in conflicts to follow these examples, Shea said, singling out the war in Ukraine and China's 'unlawful claims' in the South China Sea. The war in Ukraine must end, she said, and Russia must stop attacking civilians and fulfill its obligations under the UN Charter, which requires all member nations to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every other country. 'We call on other UN member states to stop providing Russia with the means to continue its aggression,' Shea said.
Japan Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute
Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new land mines on the Thai side of the shared border, in an escalation of a bitter territorial dispute between the two countries. Three Thai soldiers were injured when they stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol along an established route within Thai territory on July 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Sunday. The mines were not of a type used by Thailand and were recently laid in a "blatant violation of international law,' it said. "The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry said, adding that it planned to take action against Cambodia under the United Nations' Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as a state party while pursuing bilateral channels to resolve the ongoing dispute. "Thailand calls on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers.' A spokesperson for the Cambodian government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The border dispute between the two countries has blown up into a major point of contention, especially since a May 28 exchange of gunfire that killed a Cambodian soldier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra subsequently sought to calm tensions in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, but the conversation was leaked, triggering an uproar at home and the Thai leader's suspension as premier by a court. The foreign ministry's statement on the mines represents some of its strongest language towards Cambodia since the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe into her handling of the dispute. The mines were found in Chong Bok, site of the May exchange of fire. Thai officials said that incident occurred because Cambodian soldiers were digging a trench in the border area and opened fire on Thai soldiers, while Cambodia said its troops have long been stationed there and blamed the Thai side for shooting first. Both countries have a history of clashes over land disputes but have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead. But since May, both sides have massed troops along the frontier and limited land crossings that act as vital trade links. Cambodia has said it wants the International Court of Justice in the Hague to help settle the disputed status of Chong Bok and three other disputed border areas. Thailand doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
The 10 most peaceful countries in the world, ranked
Amid global and domestic tensions, some Americans are looking to move abroad. For summer travelers, current tensions also might put pressure on travel plans. These 10 countries are ranked as the most peaceful by the Global Peace Index. Amid international conflicts and domestic tensions, the US might not feel like the safest place to live right now. That's not totally off base: The US is ranked the 128th most peaceful country in the world — behind nations including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India — by the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), which considers factors like societal safety and security, ongoing conflicts, and country militarization. Some Americans have even considered moving overseas, due to factors including crime rates, work-life balance, cost of living, and parenting values. A Gallup poll released in October 2024 showed that 21% of polled Americans expressed a desire to move abroad, up from 17% in 2023 and 10% in 2011. However, Gallup also found the US was the most desired destination for citizens from other countries to move to. In recent days, international peace has gained new importance for those looking to travel or move abroad. After the US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, the National Terrorism Advisory System issued a bulletin warning of a "heightened threat environment in the United States." While a ceasefire between Israel and Iran has been declared, it remains to be seen if it will hold. Here are the 10 most peaceful countries in the world, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index. 10. Finland Finland was ranked as the third most peaceful country on the societal safety and security domain of the GPI, which looks at homicide rates, political terror, and violent demonstrations, and perceptions of criminality. As well as being one of the 10 most peaceful places in the world, the country has also consistently been ranked as the happiest country in the world, attracting expats looking for a higher quality of life. 9. Slovenia Slovenia, first lady Melania Trump's home country, ranked as the sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI militarization domain, which looks at factors like military expenditure and weapons exports. The country is often categorized as a hidden gem in Europe for travelers, thanks to its beautiful landscapes. 8. Denmark Denmark is ranked as the world's sixth most peaceful country based on the GPI societal safety and security domain. However, the country did see a relative deterioration in its militarization ranking as it increased its military spending, where it falls near nations like Libya and Trinidad and Tobago. It has been ranked as the country with the best quality of life in the world, which looks at factors like cost of living, job markets, and quality of healthcare. 7. Portugal For Americans looking to move abroad, Portugal has emerged as a recent favorite. A survey of over 116,000 Americans who were interested in moving abroad in 2024 showed the country as the most requested destination, according to Expatsi, a website with resources for Americans looking to relocate. The country was ranked the second most peaceful in the world based on the GPI militarization domain. 6. Singapore Singapore, which was ranked as the second-safest country in the Asia-Pacific region on the GPI ranking, is another popular destination for American expats, including those looking for entrepreneur economies like that of Silicon Valley. The country was ranked in the top five in the societal safety and security and ongoing conflicts domains of the GPI. 5. Switzerland Housing Geneva, the global "Peace Capital," Switzerland ranked in the top 10 most peaceful cities in the ongoing conflicts and societal safety and security GPI domains. Quality of life has been one of the factors driving expats to move there in recent years. 4. Austria Austria has stayed in the top most peaceful countries since the GPI began measuring global peace in 2008. Vienna, Austria's capital, has been ranked as the world's most livable city and one of the best destinations for expats to move. 3. New Zealand New Zealand ranked as the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region, and received the top ranking in the ongoing conflicts domain. New Zealand transplants have cited its family-friendly towns, natural beauty, and outdoor activities as some of the reasons they love the country. 2. Ireland Ireland ranked within the top five countries in the militarization domain, and the second most peaceful country overall. Ireland, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage, has also been a common destination for Americans looking to move. 1. Iceland Iceland, which ranked first across all three domains of the GPI ranking, is the world's safest country despite also being one of the most expensive. For Americans looking to relocate overseas, the country offers the highest level of safety based on global peace, along with breathtaking landscapes. Read the original article on Business Insider
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
War-war is sometimes preferable to jaw-jaw. That's a truth the BBC and Trump don't get
Yes, jaw-jaw is better than war-war, as Churchill (more or less) said. But if we in the West blindly regard jaw-jaw as the solution to all international conflicts, our enemies will exploit this to push ahead with war-war. Churchill told us so after Munich in 1938, and he was right. This week, Sir Keir Starmer called for 'negotiation to resolve the crisis ' of Israel/Iraq. Lyse Doucet, the BBC's chief international correspondent, pleaded on Thursday that 'Iran was negotiating' before Israel's raids, so there was 'a narrow sliver of hope' of further talks, but 'unfortunately, it does come down to President Trump.' Yet if negotiations could resolve everything, Iran would never have got near developing the Bomb. For its entire, almost half-century existence, the Islamic Republic of Iran has publicly preached and frequently practised war-war against (in descending order of severity) Israel, the United States and Britain. It has used different forms of violent aggression – hostage-taking, the murder of dissidents, acts of terrorism, the funding, training and directing of proxy armies (above all, Hezbollah) - while engaging in just enough jaw-jaw to keep us at bay. A comparable phenomenon, abused for comparable purposes, was the 'Minsk process' of talks between Russia, France and Germany (on behalf of the OSCE), and Ukraine. Vladimir Putin exploited this talkathon to advance his war against Ukraine until, in 2022, he invaded, repudiating the process. Jaw-Jaw gave cover to war-war. In this century, Iran sought more war-war. It began a nuclear programme, eventually including uranium enrichment whose only purpose is to make nuclear weapons. Trying to contain this, Western powers, led by the United States, jaw-jawed with Iran, producing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The Joint bit hampered the Action bit and so first-term Trump closed it down, but new negotiations later began. As the International Atomic Energy Agency recently confirmed, Iran went ahead with enrichment anyway. Without Israel's recent intervention, Iran would not have been seriously punished. By now, it might even have nuclear bombs ready to go. Last year, Iran went beyond covert measures and directly bombed Israel on two occasions. Again, Western condemnation was muted; today, although Israeli courage and professionalism have decapitated so many heads of the Hydra, Western diplomacy still seems determined to let those heads regrow. Since Thursday, it has even seemed possible that Donald Trump, exercising his jaw-jaw muscles, might revert to his 'Give me the Nobel Peace Prize' mode and offer Iran a positively last chance to avoid the destruction of its Bomb. The reason why all this jaw-jaw has been so unsatisfactory is not solely because Iran has such a horrible regime. Sometimes, extremists do change their minds or can be persuaded their aggression is unprofitable. Such a claim is often made, for example, about the IRA and the Belfast Agreement (although personally, I have my doubts). But no jaw-jaw can work without trust. In decade after decade, the ayatollahs have proved they cannot be trusted. They love fooling the West. They will be rejoicing today that so many of our legal experts, diplomats and politicians have already managed to forget the countless examples of Iranian aggression against Israel and speak of Israeli bombing as 'unprovoked'. Currently, great efforts by experts in the West are trying to show that US (or British) military support for Israel's attack on Iran would be illegal, although in fact Israel's claim of self-defence, and our consequent right to support that self-defence, is legally strong. If, as President Trump now hints, he backs off, the Iranian theocrats will not respect him or America. They will simply believe more fervently that Allah is on their side. Rather than thanking Americans as doves, they will mock them as chickens. Here in Britain, rhetorically at least, the Government is belatedly focussing on national security. It is increasing defence spending (although much of this involves reclassification rather than more money). But all the time, the instincts of Sir Keir Starmer, human rights lawyer, pull the wrong way. Sir Keir's Attorney-general and old legal chum, Lord Hermer, enthusiastically amplifies his master's voice, having from the start committed the Government to what critics call 'hyper-legalism' – a controlling role for lawyers in all relevant aspects of domestic, defence and foreign policy. The classic, and now alarmingly relevant, example is the Chagos Islands deal. Before he was in office, Lord Hermer, as a lawyer, attacked British rule in the islands. As Attorney-General, he is the strongest advocate of Britain handing the islands over to Mauritius and paying for the privilege. That damaging agreement has now been made, though not yet ratified. Lord Hermer is further arguing behind the scenes in Whitehall that, under the Chagos deal, Britain should prevent the United States from sending its bunker-busting bombers from the Diego Garcia base there which we lent them. He seems to think Britain would be complicit in 'illegal war' if it helped its main ally. A new paper from the think-tank Policy Exchange warns that the Chagos Islands agreement could be used against us and, by extension, against America, by Mauritius, the country to which we are ceding the islands. Mauritius has unhealthily close relations with China, a major supporter of Iran. It could claim that the treaty's obligation to 'expeditiously inform' it, means that we could be forced to disclose in advance missions flown from Diego Garcia. It would be entitled to take 'counter measures' against us if we did not comply. It rather looks as if President Trump forgot his own 'America First' policy when he let Britain's Chagos deal go through without complaint. The Starmer/Hermer legalistic mindset is a severe impediment to the alliances which help keep the world safe. You cannot imagine the Attlee Labour government of 1945, the first to acquire our atomic bomb, getting Britain into such a tangle. Hyper-legalism is characteristic of the Left, but if that were the only problem the West faces, it would be containable. The other alarming factor is Trump. His oft-proclaimed love of a deal is his buccaneering, Right-wing version of jaw-jaw. Could they but see it, those Maga men have plenty in common with the prissy diplomats, international lawyers and Lyse Doucets of this world, shunning the power of the West. Like those diplomats, lawyers and Doucets, but with a lot more swagger, Mr Trump believes that talking (especially talking by him) has a sort of automatic magic which can melt cold-hearted dictators and bring peace and prosperity. Unlike same, he envisages it not as part of a global legal order but as one big guy (him) shaking hands with another – and winning. In these pages on Tuesday, I 'half-satirically', floated the idea that a peace deal between Israel and Iran could now come from President Putin, 'slyly endorsed by President Trump'. Do not rule out this possibility. This week, Putin – who happily buys Iranian drones to kill Ukrainians – held his version of Davos, in St Petersburg, surrounded by his satraps. There he repeated his offer to mediate in the war. Trump's right-hand man, Steve Witkoff, a Putin groupie, is talking to him. It would suit Mr Trump's version of jaw-jaw if he and Putin could club together to bring 'peace' to the Middle East and in the process – why not? – to Ukraine, dividing a large part of the world between them. If you like that sort of peace, dear reader, we must part company. The peace of the world needs the collapse of this Iranian regime.
