Vietnam’s top leader expands his power
To Lam gets greater authority to push through reforms aimed at maintaining Vietnam’s high economic growth
Global Briefing
The Global Briefing newsletter. Denis Staunton's guide to understanding world events - what’s happening, why it matters and how it affects you
Trump’s acceptance of Iran’s terms for talks is astonishing
Iran could emerge from this conflict in a much stronger geopolitical position than it was
Ghana joins effort to make it easier for Africans to move around the continent
Excessive border restrictions limit trade, investment and tourism
War and Peace: A tale of two Easter messages from Donald Trump and Pope Leo
Leo uses Easter Sunday address to urge peace; Trump threatens to bomb Iran’s civilian infrastructure in expletive-stuffed post
Trump pledges to take Iran ‘back to the stone ages’ in televised address
US president declares Iran military operation is almost complete but will continue for another two or three weeks
Iran war: No mediator role for China despite unveiling peace proposal with Pakistan
Beijing’s restraint in current conflict reflects its economic links with Gulf states and its strategic partnership with Iran
Can Mongolia’s third prime minister in under a year stay in the job?
Global Briefing: Protests have continued for months over high prices, fuel shortages and plans for a highway to ease Ulaanbaatar traffic
Four regional powers may offer best chance to end Iran war
Pakistan signals readiness to host US–Iran talks as conflict escalates across the Gulf
Blaming Israel for US war on Iran lets Trump off the hook for reckless decision
Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran is fulfilment of an ambition cherished for decades in both parties on Capitol Hill
European leaders rebuked by voters
Election results from Denmark to Italy showed high levels of discontent with incumbents, and the effects of the Iran war could fuel desire for change
Russian oil tankers carry oil for Cuba and a message for friends and the US
War in Iran has given Vladimir Putin a boost
Iran war could push tens of millions globally into acute hunger
War is severely affecting poorer countries where higher energy costs and shortage of fertiliser are forcing up food prices
EU pulls funding for Rwandan force amid murky scramble for gas in Mozambique
French energy company rejects allegation of complicity in war crimes
Kazakhstan’s president secures sweeping powers in constitutional overhaul
New constitution backed by landslide vote could see Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stay in power beyond 2029
Trump seeks to delay trip to China ‘a little bit’ amid Iran war
US president was at pains to avoid any suggestion that move was a snub to Xi Jinping
China and India show Trump that diplomacy can work
Many countries think it’s better to talk to Iran than to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz
South Korea’s defences weakened by US war in Iran
The United States is burning up its anti-missile munitions at a furious rate as Iran continues to strike at targets across the Middle East.
Trump seeks to use force to secure influence over Latin America
Left-wing leaders from Brazil, Mexico and Colombia notably not involved in US president’s forceful regional initiative
EU should resist Ursula von der Leyen’s foreign-policy power grab
The commission president has often taken positions that have not been agreed by member states
China condemns US war on Iran but keeps welcome extended for Trump visit
Beijing makes it clear it remains enthusiastic about improving relations between the two countries
Nepal’s election will test the political power of the youth
Outcome is also important for China and India
Why has Washington imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s army?
Global Briefing: Concern for human rights may not be the Trump administration’s only motive
Pakistan and Afghanistan have reasons to escalate conflict, but neither can afford to
Taliban is eager to assert its sovereignty while Pakistan is worried about India’s influence in Afghanistan
Trump’s attacks on Iran reveal an American military power unrestrained
Few of America’s allies have condemned its action, despite most tacitly acknowledging it to be illegal
Talk of European states developing their own nuclear umbrella is fanciful
Any autonomous nuclear shield would breach the Non-Proliferation Treaty and be hugely expensive and technologically challenging
State of the Union speech: Trump says little on Europe, China as foreign policy sidelined
Trump was well over an hour into the longest State of the Union address in history before leaving domestic politics
Suffering spreads in Somalia amid falling aid and growing interest in its natural wealth
Country faces similar conditions to those that brought it to the brink of famine in 2022
Court ruling leaves Trump heading to China without tariffs lever
Striking down of some tariffs strengthens Xi Jinping’s hand in talks over trade and other elements of China-US relationship
Will Donald Trump use the Chagos Islands to bomb Iran?
If the US president wishes to use the Diego Garcia base for his next attack, he will need Keir Starmer’s approval
Peru’s deepening relationship with China sees US cry foul over ‘sovereign rights’
As Peru loses its seventh president in 10 years, Washington is getting anxious about Lima’s burgeoning relationship with Beijing
Europe swaps an energy dependency on Russia for one on the US
Donald Trump could use gas-export controls or emergency powers to halt or reduce sales to Europe
Unloved African Union could yet play key role in protecting continent
Co-ordinated continental action may be needed to negotiate better international agreements
Bangladesh election could strengthen pivot toward China and away from India
Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina prioritised relations with India, but her party is excluded from today’s vote
Donald Trump’s deportations could devastate Haiti
Armed gangs control almost 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince and violence has spread to other parts of the country
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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