geopolitical strategy

At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 31 May 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a stark warning about China’s military ambitions and called on Asian nations to significantly bolster their defence budgets. Hegseth described Beijing as “rehearsing for the real deal” regarding Taiwan and stressed that regional deterrence must be strengthened without delay.

Israel’s government has formally approved the establishment of 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that includes legalizing a number of previously unauthorized outposts. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a prominent ultra-nationalist and vocal proponent of annexationist policies, announced the decision on Thursday. He stated that the new developments will be concentrated in the northern West Bank, though specific locations have not been publicly disclosed.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Member of Parliament Sasmit Patra today reaffirmed India’s resolve to highlight cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan as he prepares to join an all-party delegation on a multi-national goodwill and awareness tour. The parliamentary team, comprising representatives from several parties, will depart for Abu Dhabi tomorrow night and subsequently visit three African countries to brief government officials, think tanks and the diaspora on India’s counter-terror measures—particularly the recently concluded Operation Sindoor.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to meet with US President Donald Trump in a high-stakes White House summit on Thursday, aiming to present herself as a potential mediator between Brussels and Washington amid rising transatlantic trade tensions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a stark warning against global protectionism, declaring that “trade wars and tariff wars produce no winners” as he began a three-country diplomatic tour in Southeast Asia aimed at countering the economic pressure of US tariffs.

A High-Profile Exchange with Diplomatic Implications In a significant development in US-Russian relations, dual Russian-American citizen Ksenia Karelina has been released from Russian custody as part of a prisoner swap with the United States. Karelina had been serving a 12-year prison sentence in Russia after being convicted of treason for donating a modest sum to a US-based charity supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Her release was exchanged for Arthur Petrov, a German-Russian citizen accused by the US of illegally exporting sensitive microelectronics to Russia.

Former President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment over Ukraine's complaints regarding its exclusion from US-Russia peace negotiations. His critique of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raises questions about leadership and negotiation effectiveness amidst ongoing conflict with Russia. This blog post explores Trump's views, suggesting a need for a more proactive stance from Ukraine in its diplomatic engagements, and considers the broader implications for US foreign policy and international relations. With ongoing discussions regarding peace frameworks involving Ukraine's sovereignty, understanding these dynamics is crucial as global actors aim to address the complexities of territorial disputes and security assurances.

This blog post examines the recent $29 million funding cut by the US government intended for promoting democratic governance in Bangladesh. It explores the implications of this decision on political stability, civil society development, and US-Bangladesh relations amidst allegations of deeper political interference. Additionally, it discusses the potential future collaborations between Bangladesh and innovative technological initiatives, such as Elon Musk's Starlink, highlighting the significance of these partnerships in bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth.