GP Team 23 November 2025

Akriti Sharma and R Preetha

COP30 Summit at Brazil:
Four Major takeaways
Akriti Sharma

1. Right direction, wrong speed, says President Lula
On 11 November, at the opening plenary session of COP30 in Belém, President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, said: “We are moving in the right direction but at the wrong speed.” He added: “Crossing 1.5°C is a risk we cannot take,”; “climate change is not a threat to the future, it is a tragedy of the present.” Calling COP30, the COP of implementation and truth, he said: “now is the moment to defeat the denialists,” and “without the Paris Agreement the world would suffer from catastrophic warming.”

The following are the key takeaways from President Lula’s speech. First, the need to reclaim climate negotiations, recognising the developing countries’ needs. President Lula highlighted that at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, when climate multilateralism was at its peak and recognised the principle of differentiation through common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). As climate negotiations return to Brazil after three decades, there is a need to reclaim the enthusiasm that drove the climate convention.

Second, the urgency of climate action. Calling COP30 the COP of truth and implementation, President Lula highlighted the urgency to address the crisis at hand. He criticised climate denialists for being obscurantists in the era of science and evidence. Such disinformation and fake news by climate denialists undermines the spirit of climate multilateralism.

Third, call to action. He appealed to the countries to focus on major agenda points, the new USD 1.3 trillion finance roadmap, and aligning financial flows. Adaptation and mitigation are also central, with negotiations on the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators, national action plans, and global stocktake follow-up. He also stressed a fair and just transition through reducing asymmetries between the global North and South.

2. Call for the implementation of a new climate finance goal
On 15 November, at the third high-level ministerial dialogue on climate finance, Li Gao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, called on developed countries to “present an implementation roadmap for the delivery of the USD300 billion [per year]…including short-term and medium-term actions for providing the necessary guarantee”. The Chinese Vice Minister also called for the establishment of “a new quantified target and implementation plan for adaptation finance”. He added: “the delivery of the USD300 billion in the new collective quantified goal on finance [NCQG] should serve as an opportunity to rebuild trust [between parties].

The following are the key takeaways from the Vice President’s speech. First, trust deficit is the core of the climate finance faultline. China strongly called for a roadmap from the developed countries on the delivery of USD 300 billion each year, with medium-term and long-term pathways. The New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG) must be an instrument of trust-building between developed and developing countries. Developing countries, including China, believe that not meeting climate finance needs is the major trust collapse between the two blocs.

Second, pushback against private finance and debt as climate finance. The earlier goal of USD 100 billion per year has not been met, and developing countries are demanding quality finance rather than quantity. Developed countries have been called out for considering export credits, private finance and debt loans as climate finance, which has faced pushback from the developing countries.

Third, adaptation finance is the priority for developing countries. Developing countries have raised concerns about the lack of adaptation finance, given their frontline role in climate impacts but limited resources to address them. China along with support from G77, asked the developed countries to focus on more finance for adaptation, which is the need of the hour.

3. Unilateral Trade Measures (UTM) as a hindrance to the just transition
On 14 November, during the negotiations on the Unilateral Trade measures, developing countries called UTM would “hinder [climate] ambition, violate the right to development, and exacerbate poverty, clearly attacking the very concept of just transitions,”

India said “Unilateral trade measures involve actions taken by a single country or a group of countries to restrict or alter trade practices based on standards…to incentivise foreign nations to modify their practices or penalise those that do not.” “UTMs such as the CBAM, serve to protect industries in countries that already benefit from historical and ongoing advantages…these industries will now be further protected [via
CBAM] at the cost of industries in developing countries.”

Following are the major takeaways from the UTM negotiations. First, developed countries favour green trade. Developed countries, including the EU, Australia, Japan, and the UK, favour the  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) (of the EU) to impose a carbon tax on imports from other countries. Developed countries see it as an economic opportunity that aligns with the 1.5-degree goal.

Second, developing countries call it protectionism. Developing countries united against the UTM as it shifts the mitigation burden on them, protecting industries in the developed countries. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the African Group of Nations, and Qatar consider it as mere economic extraction, not climate ambition.

Third, undermining the just transition. UTM could cause reverse financial flows to developed countries that could exacerbate structural inequalities in the developing countries, undermining the agreed principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Europe being politically strong for its global push for CBAM, UTMs will remain another key point of contention between the two blocs, which could entangle the WTO and UNFCCC in competing legal jurisdiction.

4. Adoption of the Belem Political package, but without phasing out fossil fuels
On 15 November, COP30 President Ambassador André Aranha Corrêa do Lago, outlined the mode of work for the second week of COP, saying “towards a strong and successful work in Belém” On 18 November, the COP 30 Presidency released a draft text titled, “Global Mutirão: uniting humanity in a global mobilization against climate change” He said: “we want this to be an adaptation COP, (and) the GGA is central. The push for adaptation resources is significant.”

COP 30 President while delivering closing remarks said: “As President [Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva] said at the opening of this COP, we need road-maps so that humanity – in a just and planned manner – can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels, halt and reverse deforestation and mobilise resources for these purposes. I, as President of COP 30, will therefore create two road-maps: one on halting and reverting deforestation and another to transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner.”

Following are the key takeaways from the closing remarks of the COP30 President. First, the Mutirao. It emphasised aligning with the 1.5 degrees target, focusing on implementation in nationally determined contributions, tripling climate finance, just transition, progressing adaptation, and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The Political Package tabled under the Brazilian presidency is a strong signal to focus on implementation rather than any binding commitment on fossil fuels and deforestation. Voluntary and non-binding commitments are beneficial for the developing countries that need to secure development pathways while holding developed countries responsible for historical emissions.

Second, fossil fuel is the breaking point. The central faultline is the fossil fuel phase-out. Countries, including the EU, SIDS, and LDCs, demand a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. The Brazilian Presidency has opted for a soft language, referring to it as “transitioning away” from fossil fuels. However, the developing countries have triggered strong pushback against the phase-out, insisting that prescriptive language must be accompanied by a roadmap of financial and technological commitments from the developed world. It is a compromise that satisfies none of the climate clubs but holds the spirit of climate multilateralism. 

Third, no deal is better than an inequitable one. The current political package seems like a compromise between the two blocs that might appear non-transformative. Several countries argued that diluted or soft language in the text would promote low ambition and delay in climate action. However, binding commitments on fossil fuel phase-out would legitimise loopholes, undermine the principle of equity, and shift disproportionate burden to the least responsible sections. 

US-Saudi Arabia Reset:
Crown Prince meets the American President and sign key agreements on Defense, AI, Critical Minerals
R Preetha

What happened? 
On 18 November, President Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Washington, marking the Crown Prince’s first visit to the capital in more than seven years. President Trump announced Saudi Arabia's designation as a “major non-NATO ally.” He also approved the future sale of up to 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Riyadh, and a purchase of 300 US-made tanks. MBS pledged to increase Saudi investment in the US from previously announced USD 600 billion to nearly USD 1 trillion.

According to a White House fact sheet, the US and Saudi Arabia signed a “Joint Declaration on the Completion of Negotiations on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation.” Both sides also agreed on a Critical Minerals Framework, and an AI Memorandum of Understanding. President Trump and the Crown Prince also signed the “U.S.-Saudi Strategic Defense Agreement (SDA).” This will secure “new burden-sharing funds from the Saudi Arabia to defray U.S. costs, and affirming that the Kingdom views the United States as its primary strategic partner.”

On 19 November, the two sides formalized several pacts during the US-Saudi Investment Forum attended by key business leaders. Saudi Aramco (the Saudi Arabian Oil Company) signed 17 deals worth over USD 30 billion. President Trump said USD 270 billion in deals are being signed at the Forum.  

What is the background? 
First, a note on recent US-Saudi Arabia relations and tensions. In recent times, the US-Saudi relations oscillated between convergence and strain. Under President Trump, the relationship was well prioritized, he chose Riyadh for his first foreign trips in both terms (2017 and 2025), securing major arms and investment deals. In 2018, relations were challenged over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, killed by Saudi agents in Istanbul. This along with Saudi conduct in Yemen, led to US criticism over human rights. Former President Joe Biden guaranteed to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah” over these issues, however, energy and security needs led to his 2022 Jeddah visit and gradual re-engagement. Trump’s return further reset the partnership, with a USD 600 billion Saudi investment pledge in May. This week’s visit by MBS, his first since 2018, adds to this arc, with Trump’s statements such as the Crown Prince "knew nothing about” the Khashoggi murder, aiming to rehabilitate MBS in the backdrop of mutual strategic and economic interests. 

Second, the economic, political and technological collaboration. During the meeting, Saudi Arabia was designated “a major non-NATO ally.” This means expedited access to US military hardware and cooperation, with fewer licensing requirements for advanced American weapons systems. Further, under Vision 2030, Riyadh seeks to diversify away from oil, attract high-tech investment, and position itself as a logistics, AI and green-transition hub. For the US, Saudi capital and critical minerals cooperation support supply-chain resilience and its broader competition with China. 

Third, the Abraham Accords, Gaza, US interests, and Saudi Arabia’s leverage. President Trump has repeatedly shown his interest for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords. During the meeting, Trump and MBS hinted at potential movement on this front, although no specifications or timelines were defined. The Kingdom has consistently linked normalisation with Israel to the Arab Peace Initiative framework. In recent years, Riyadh has increasingly used its role in Gaza and Iran to project regional leadership, while Washington has sought to anchor Saudi Arabia more firmly within a US-led regional security and diplomatic architecture.

What does it mean? 
First, a strategic reset in US–Saudi relations. Security, investment, technology and diplomacy are bundled into a transactional framework: advanced defence systems, AI agreements and civil nuclear cooperation in return for substantial Saudi capital, critical minerals partnerships and alignment on regional issues such as Iran and Gaza. This meeting shows that Washington seeks Riyadh backing for energy stability, supply-chain resilience and leverage over China and regional issues. For Saudi Arabia, close ties with the US is important for its security and Vision 2030 objectives, even as it cultivates relations with other major powers.

Second, a shift in the Middle East military balance. The decision to sell stealth F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking the first such US sale to the kingdom, shows a significant policy shift. This shift also echoed in Trump’s statement: “They’ve been a great ally. Israel has been a great ally, and we’re looking at that exactly right now. But as far as I’m concerned, I think they are both at a level where they should get top of the line.” 

TWTW Regional Roundups
News from around the world
Aparna A Nair, Brighty Ann Sarah, Lekshmi MK, M Kejia, R Preetha, Santhiya M, 

CHINA & EAST ASIA THIS WEEK
China and Japan: Beijing takes the issue over Taiwan to the UN, states that "if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention… it would be an act of aggression"
On 22 November, China escalated its dispute with Japan over Taiwan by formally accusing Tokyo at the United Nations of "armed intervention" threats and vowed to defend itself. In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong stated that Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's previous remark amounted to "a grave violation of international law" and that "if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention… it would be an act of aggression." PM Takaichi previously remarked that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute "a situation threatening Japan's survival." Fu added that "China will resolutely exercise its right of self-defence under the UN Charter and international law and firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity." Beijing demanded Japan "retract its erroneous remarks" and "stop making provocations and crossing the line," while calling PM Takaichi's statement an open challenge to China's core interests. This is the strongest official Chinese rebuke since the dispute began two weeks ago and marks the biggest bilateral crisis between the two countries in years. Japan's Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations as "entirely unacceptable" while reaffirming its commitment to peace.

US and China: Beijing calls the maritime and air safety talks in Hawaii "frank and constructive"
On 22 November, the People's Liberation Army Navy announced that US and Chinese military officials concluded three days of maritime and air safety talks in Hawaii from 18 to 20 November under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA). China's navy described the exchanges as "frank and constructive," and added that the two sides "mainly exchanged views on the current maritime and air security situation." Both countries discussed "typical cases of naval and air encounters… to help the front-line naval and air forces of China and the US interact more professionally and safely." Beijing repeated its longstanding objection and stated that China "resolutely opposes any infringement and provocation," while referring to US freedom-of-navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. This marks only the second MMCA working-group meeting since President Trump began his second term. The two sides agreed to hold the next round in 2026.

China and the US: Beijing lodges formal protests against the USD 300 million arms sale to Taiwan by the US
On 17 November, China's defence ministry announced that it had lodged a representation with the US due to arms sales to Taiwan. Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, stated that "We urge the U.S. side to immediately stop the despicable act of arming China's Taiwan region and avoid undermining the relations between the two countries and two militaries." He added that it seriously violates the one-China principle and intervenes in China's internal affairs. This statement comes after the US approved a deal of USD 300 million arms sale to Taiwan for fighter jets and other aircraft parts.

North Korea: Pyongyang says US-South Korea nuclear submarine deal will trigger "nuclear domino" effect
On 18 November, North Korea said that South Korea's plan to acquire nuclear-powered attack submarines with US approval would trigger a "nuclear domino phenomenon" and spark a regional arms race. In a statement carried by state-run KCNA, Pyongyang condemned the agreement reached last month between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. This reaffirmed commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearisation while approving Seoul's long-sought nuclear submarine programme. North Korea accused the US and South Korea of exposing their "confrontational will" and claimed Seoul harbours a secret ambition to possess nuclear weapons. South Korea's presidential office rejected the accusation and stated that the submarines are needed to counter threats from China and North Korea's own nuclear-submarine development. It also reiterated that Seoul harbours no hostile intent toward Pyongyang.

China and Japan: Tokyo sends a senior official to Beijing to explain the comments made by Japan's PM; "Retract the wrongful remarks and seriously act to honour Japan's commitment to China," says China's Foreign Ministry
On 17 November, the Japan Times reported that a senior Japanese official is off to Beijing to explain recent remarks by Japan's PM, which caused a diplomatic row between the countries. According to the latest literature, the Beijing travel and study advisory has resulted in a substantial slump in Japan's tourism. Additionally, the China Coast Guard Ship formation was reportedly cited near Japan-administered Senakaku Island. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said, "The announcements are incompatible with a 'mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests' and the establishment of a stable and constructive relationship between the two countries," and requested "appropriate actions" from the Chinese side. On the same day, China's Foreign Ministry stated that China's Premier Li Qiang will not hold talks with Japan's Prime Minister on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "...stop crossing the line and playing with fire, retract the wrongful remarks and seriously act to honour Japan's commitment to China."

SOUTHEAST AND SOUTH ASIA THIS WEEK
Pakistan and corruption: IMF report reveals systemic weakness and corruption challenges across state institutions
On 20 November, the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revealed persistent corruption across state institutions in Pakistan. The IMF has also demanded the immediate implementation of a 15-point reform agenda to improve transparency, fairness and integrity. The publication of the report was a precondition to the IMF’s approval of a USD 1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan. The report stated that “Pakistan could generate between a 5 per cent to 6.5 per cent increase in GDP by implementing a package of governance reforms over the course of five years.” The GCDA noted that the country was susceptible to corruption risk generated by weaknesses in budgeting and reporting of fiscal information, and management of public financial and non-financial resources, particularly in capital spending, public procurement and the management and oversight of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). It further pointed to a convoluted tax system that lacks transparency, administered by tax and customs bodies that suffer from limited capacity, weak management and inadequate oversight. It also highlighted that issues in the judicial sector marked by organisational complexity, chronic inefficiencies, outdated legislation, and concerns about the integrity of judges and staff undermine consistent contract enforcement and the protection of property rights. The report urged the advancing of rule-based governance by “improving access to information and strengthening the capacity of state and non-state stakeholders to participate effectively in governance and economic decision-making.”

Bangladesh: Court sentences former PM Sheikh Hasina to death on charges of crimes against humanity; Dhaka demands her extradition
On 17 November, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on charges of crimes against humanity during the 2024 July uprising. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also awarded the death penalty, while former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who cooperated as a state witness, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the case. The verdict was issued by the three-member International Crimes Tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder. "We have decided to inflict her with only one sentence- that is, sentence of death," the court ruled. 

MIDDLE EAST THIS WEEK
The War in Gaza: Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis kill five; Hamas urges Arab-US intervention 
On 20 November, five people were killed and 18 wounded in Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The strikes follow a previous attack in the same region where 25 people were killed in the suburbs of Zeitoun, Khan Younis, and Shejaia, areas under the control of Hamas. The strikes were launched in regions far beyond the agreed-upon imaginary "yellow line" separating the areas under Israeli and Palestinian control. The Israeli Defence Forces claimed that the strikes targeted Hamas outfits. Hamas condemned the attack and urged the US to "honor its stated commitments and exert immediate pressure on Israel to enforce the ceasefire and halt its attacks." Hamas called the attacks a dangerous escalation and urged the intervention of the Arab mediators, Turkey, and the United States, which brokered the ceasefire. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem also accused Israel of changing markings that define areas of Israeli occupation, a violation of the agreed-upon maps. Citing the residents of the region, Reuters reported that in the Shejaia suburb in eastern Gaza City, yellow barricades marking areas still under Israel's control had been moved 100 meters westward.

IAEA to Iran: Tehran must provide precise information and all access required "without delay" 
On 20 November, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a pivotal resolution to urge Iran to provide critical details on its enriched uranium stockpile and access to nuclear sites bombed by Israel and the United States in June "without delay". The vote tallied 19 in favour, 3 (Russia, China, and Niger) against, and 12 abstentions. Five months after the airstrikes, the IAEA remains barred from inspecting key enrichment facilities, with 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity unaccounted for. This comes to a level teetering near weapons-grade and is sufficient in theory for up to 10 bombs. The US, UK, France, and Germany condemned the opacity as "long overdue" for verification and said in a statement that "Iran must resolve its safeguards issues without delay. It must provide practical cooperation through access, answers, restoration of monitoring, to enable the agency to do its job and help rebuild confidence." Tehran insisted that the program is peaceful, and Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, said that he is afraid that "the resolution will have its own consequences."

US and Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, a "major non-NATO ally," says Trump; Key outcomes include agreements on arms sales, nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence and critical minerals
On 19 November, US President Trump stated that Saudi Arabia is a "major non-NATO ally" and announced agreements on arms sales, nuclear cooperation, artificial intelligence and critical minerals, after talks held in Washington. According to the White House factsheet, major outcomes include the Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and the AI Memorandum of Understanding. Apart from that, a Strategic Defence Agreement was signed, which eases the operation of US defence firms and "fortifies deterrence across the Middle East," and it also aims to "secure burden-sharing funds from Saudi Arabia to defray U.S. costs."  Additionally, Trump approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets, and Saudi Arabia has agreed to purchase 300 American tanks. Riyadh have pledged to raise its US investment from USD 600 billion to USD 1 trillion. Moreover, contradicting the US Intelligence agencies' report, President Trump stated that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince was unaware of the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents, which had created a global outrage.

The War in Gaza: A Palestinian attacker claims, like four in the West Bank; City floods from heavy rain and storm surges
On 18 November, Reuters reported that, in a car-ramming and stabbing, a Palestinian attacker killed an Israeli man and wounded three other people near Etzion bloc settlements. The Israeli military stated that two attackers were shot dead and explosive material was found in the attacker's vehicle, which was later neutralised by the specialist. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a Palestinian terrorist attack. The city of Gaza is flooded by heavy rain and storm surges. The Hama-rum Gaza government stated that the losses from the destruction of tents, spoiled food, medicines and other damaged infrastructure amount to USD 4.5 million.

The UN and the War in Gaza: The UNSC approves the US draft resolution to implement Trump's 20-point plan; Russia and China abstain from voting, and Hamas rejects the resolution
On 18 November, the UN Security Council voted in favour of a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, and the creation of a transitional governance body called the Board of Peace (BoP). The resolution was backed by 13 countries, including eight Arab-Islamic countries and the Palestinian Authority, who urged the immediate implementation of the resolution. While no state opposed the resolution, Russia and China abstained from the voting. Hamas has also rejected the resolution, arguing that it fails to meet Palestinians' rights and demands. Mike Waltz, the US's ambassador to the UN, highlighted that the ISF would be "tasked with securing the area, supporting the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantling the terrorist infrastructure, removing weapons, and ensuring the safety of Palestinian civilians."

Trump called the Security Council vote one of "Historic proportion" and remarked it was a way of "acknowledging and endorsing" the BoP. A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that adopting the proposal was an "important step in the consolidation of the ceasefire." He also stressed that the resolution needed to "translate... into concrete and urgently needed steps on the ground" and lead to "a political process for the achievement of the two-state solution." Hamas accused that the peace plan "imposes an international guardianship mechanism on the Gaza Strip, which our people and their factions reject." Moscow and Beijing also criticised the resolution, highlighting that there was little clarity about the key mechanisms, that it did not ensure the participation of the UN, and that it did not express a firm commitment to the two-state solution. "Assigning the international force with tasks and roles inside the Gaza Strip, including disarming the resistance, strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favour of the occupation," it added.

The War in Gaza: Netanyahu to convene urgent cabinet meeting to address Israeli violence in Palestinian villages; Vows to "deal with this personally."
On 18 November, Netanyahu stated that a cabinet meeting would be urgently convened to ensure Israelis behind the latest attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are brought to justice. On 17 November, a group of Israelis set fire to homes and vehicles in Jab'a, a Palestinian village near Bethlehem, after an earlier attack on the village of Sa'ir. "I view with great severity the violent disturbances and the attempt to take the law into their own hands by a small, extremist group," Netanyahu stated. "I call on the law enforcement authorities to deal with the rioters to the fullest extent of the law," he said, adding that he intends to deal with this personally." Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the government is set to approve a landmark decision to allocate resources and funding that he expects would have a significant impact on addressing the violence. An Israeli spokesperson stated that the Israeli minority responsible for the violence in the West Bank did not represent the majority of the country's citizens. In November, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that settlers staged at least 264 attacks on Palestinians in October, the highest monthly tally since the UN began tracking incidents in 2006.

The US and Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince to visit US President Trump; Expects advancement of the sale of F-35 jets and other business deals
On 18 November, the BBC reported that Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit US President Trump in Washington. This is the first meeting since the Saudi agents' killing of the journalist, which sparked global outrage. In a press meet ahead of the visit, President Trump said, "We will be doing that. We will be selling F-35 jets," and "They've been a great ally." At the May meeting in Riyadh, both leaders agreed to a USD 600 billion investment deal, which includes the sale of USD 142 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia. Apart from discussing defence and civilian nuclear power deals, President Trump is also expected to push Saudi Arabia to sign the Abraham Accords.

AFRICA THIS WEEK
G20 Summit in South Africa: Declaration on climate crisis and green energy transition adopted despite the US boycott
On 22 November, the G20 leaders' summit commenced with the adoption of a declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges. This marks a first, as declarations are customarily adopted at the end of summits based on the consensus of all parties. The resolution was adopted without US input, as the US has boycotted the summit over a diplomatic spat with South Africa. The declaration focuses on aspects that the Trump administration has been critical of, including the severity of climate change, preparing for climate-induced weather disasters, financing the transition to green energy, and ensuring the rush for critical minerals benefits producers, and the substantial levels of debt service suffered by developing countries. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the resolution received an "overwhelming consensus." His spokesperson added that the declaration "can't be renegotiated," adding that "We had the entire year of working towards this adoption and the past week has been quite intense." President Ramaphosa asserted that "We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency." South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola added that "The multilateral platform cannot be paralysed on the basis of the absence of someone who was invited." The White House has not responded to the declaration. 

The G20 Summit: PM Modi arrives in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit; The US boycotts the summit
On 21 November, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the 20th G20 Summit. The summit is set to begin on 22 November and under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” and hold three key sessions. The first session pertains to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, focusing on trade, development financing and debt challenges. The second session will address disaster risks, climate change, energy transitions and food systems and the  G20’s contribution towards building a resilient world. The third session focuses on critical minerals, decent work and the role of artificial intelligence. PM Modi is expected to speak at all three sessions of the summit and present India’s perspective at the forum in line with its vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One Earth, One Family and One Future.’ On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, he will also be participating in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting being hosted by South Africa. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also arrived at Johannesburg for the summit on 20 November. He is undertaking a three-country tour, previously visiting Russia and Zambia before concluding the trip in South Africa. The US, poised to take over the G20 presidency from South Africa, has boycotted the summit. “The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Senior officials stated that the acting ambassador, Marc D Dillard, would attend the ceremonial handover of the presidency. “The charge d’affaires in Pretoria will attend the handover ceremony as a formality, but then the United States is not joining G20 discussions,” he stated. President Ramaphosa reiterated that “The United States, being the biggest economy in the world, needs to be here.” Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, posted a message on social media, saying the president will not hand over the G20 Presidency to a Junior Official.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Islamic State-linked militants kill 89 civilians, says UN peacekeeping mission 
On 21 November, the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) stated that Islamic State-affiliated ADF rebels killed 89 civilians across Lubero territory, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This happened in a week-long killing spree between 13 and 19 November 2025. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019, carried out multiple coordinated attacks on villages and a Catholic Church-run health centre in Byambwe. Among the 89 who were confirmed to be dead are at least 20 women and an unknown number of children. The rebels also abducted civilians and looted medical supplies. Despite ongoing joint operations by the Congo’s army (FARDC) and Uganda’s forces, the ADF continues to operate from dense forest bases it has held since the late 1990s. The group has intensified attacks throughout 2025, with previous massacres including more than 60 civilians killed at a funeral in September and 19 villagers killed in Mukondo in October. MONUSCO has called for immediate independent investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators. The surge in ADF violence coincides with separate fighting in North Kivu between the Congolese military and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.

EUROPE THIS WEEK
The War in Ukraine: European allies issue joint statement in response to Trump's 28-point peace plan; Kyiv and Washington to meet in Bern to deliberate the end of the war
On 22 November, on the sidelines of the G20 summit, European leaders and allies issued a joint statement in response to Trump's 20-point peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. The joint statement was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany, and Norway, and by two top EU officials. The 28-point peace plan endorses key Russia demands, including calls for Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. The statement said that "We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force." It also reiterated concerns over limiting Ukraine's forces, stating that it "would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack." The statement added that "The implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members respectively." Trump has demanded that Ukraine accept the peace plan by 27 November. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine faced a choice between losing its dignity and freedom and accepting Washington's backing for the peace plan. "Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace, and representatives of the Ukrainian state will defend the legitimate interests of the Ukrainian people and the foundations of European security," a statement from the Ukrainian presidency said. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, stated that "...we are starting consultations between high-ranking officials of Ukraine and the United States on the possible parameters of a future peace agreement." Top official Andriy Yermak, Umerov and other key security officials will lead the talks.

The War in Ukraine: Trump's 28-point Peace Plan wants Ukraine to give up most of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, and caps its troops; NATO not to expand further 
On 21 November, major news media outlets published the 28-point peace plan that is being floated by the US. The 28-point plan includes Ukraine giving up most of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk and recognising it as a Russian territory. According to the plan, Ukraine will cap its troops to 60,000. On Russia's and NATO's further expansions, the plan expects that "Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and NATO will not expand further." In Russia and Europe, "a dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation." The plan puts a full stop to Ukraine's NATO plan and expects Kyiv to "enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO." However, on Ukraine and EU, the plan says: "Ukraine is eligible for EU membership and will receive short-term preferential access to the European market while this issue is being considered."

According to a Reuters report citing its sources, the US "has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine to press it into agreeing." On the other hand, the Financial Times has reported on Europe hurrying to respond to the Trump plan. A report in the Guardian says that the German chancellor, France’s President and the UK's Prime Minister have spoken with Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and confirmed their “unwavering and full support for Ukraine on the path to a lasting and just peace."

The War in Ukraine: Europe criticises the reported US peace plan, as unfair on Ukraine; France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says "peace cannot be capitulation" 
On 20 November, European leaders criticised the US peace plan that would require Ukraine to make significant territorial concessions to Russia and accept limits on its future military strength. According to media reports, the proposal aims to create conditions for a ceasefire, which has been criticised in Europe as unfairly pressuring Kyiv. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that "peace cannot be capitulation," while several EU officials insisted that no plan should force Ukraine to abandon its sovereignty or territorial integrity. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Washington's push for negotiations, saying difficult choices may be "necessary" to end the war. However, he declined to confirm details of the alleged proposal. The discussions come as the front continues to intensify and winter approaches.Meanwhile, Ukraine announced that it has received 1,000 bodies from Russia, believed to be the remains of Ukrainian soldiers. Kyiv said forensic experts will begin identification procedures and return the bodies to families. The transfer marks one of the largest exchanges of remains since the full-scale war began.

The War in Ukraine: President Zelensky arrives in Turkey to re-engage peace efforts; Poland closes the Russian consulate after railway sabotage 
On 19 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Ankara for talks aimed at reviving peace negotiations with Russia, seeking to re-engage US involvement through Turkey’s mediation. He is expected to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to propose fresh solutions and “reinvigorate negotiations." Meanwhile, Poland announced it will shut down Russia’s final remaining consulate in Gdansk, in response to a weekend railway explosion on the Warsaw-Lublin line that it blames on Moscow. Poland's Foreign Minister RadosÅ‚aw Sikorski characterised the sabotage as “state terrorism” and called for EU partners to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area. These developments came as Ukraine suffered one of the deadliest Russian strikes of the war. 25 people were killed in a major Russian missile-and-drone strike on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil. The attack also hit the western regions of Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, while drone strikes wounded more than 30 people in Kharkiv. Ukraine said it intercepted most of the 476 drones and 48 missiles launched, but air defence gaps allowed several to reach their targets.

UK and Russia: Defence minister says “military options ready” as Russia’s vessel directs lasers against British pilots
On 19 November, British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey stated that “military options” are ready if Russia’s spy ship Yantar becomes a threat. This statement comes after the vessel directed lasers at Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots who were to monitor it. He said that pointing lasers at the pilots was “deeply dangerous” and added that “We have military options ready should the Yantar change course." The RAF and the Royal Navy of Britain routinely watch potential threats to national security and have become more frequent in monitoring Russia’s vessels and submarines after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Yantar was designed for intelligence gathering and mapping undersea cables and is positioned north of Scotland on the edge of British waters. He also stated that he has changed the “navy's rules of engagement so that we can follow more closely, monitor more closely, the activities of the Yantar when it's in our wider waters."

The War in Ukraine: President Zelensky plans to visit Turkey to revive peace talks; Kyiv's strike damages power plants in Donetsk 
On 18 November, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he intends to visit Turkey as part of a renewed diplomatic push to revive stalled peace talks with Russia. According to President Zelensky, discussions in Ankara will focus on establishing a framework for negotiations, strengthening regional security cooperation, and increasing Turkish involvement in humanitarian and reconstruction initiatives. Turkey has previously played a mediating role in the Black Sea grain deal and has maintained channels with both Kyiv and Moscow, positioning itself as one of the few actors capable of facilitating dialogue. Meanwhile, officials in Russian-controlled parts of Donetsk reported that a Ukrainian strike damaged two power plants, leading to outages across several districts. Local authorities said repair teams had been deployed but warned that restoration could take time due to the scale of the damage. Kyiv has not officially commented on the strike.

The War in Ukraine: President Zelensky visits France as part of his Europe tour to boost defence support; Russia continues strikes across the cities 
On 17 November, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited France as part of his Europe tour, where he met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. During the meeting, both leaders discussed urgent military assistance for Ukraine, including the need for additional air-defence systems for the winter. President Zelensky also signed a letter of intent for the future purchase of up to 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets and associated air-defence equipment. The two sides reviewed ongoing European military and financial commitments, with France earlier pledging EUR 2 billion in defence support. Zelensky was also scheduled to meet EU and NATO officials to request accelerated ammunition supplies, air-defence batteries, and budgetary support. His visit came as Kyiv continued to push European capitals for faster delivery of aid packages and long-term security guarantees.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continued attacks across Ukraine, with strikes reported in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia. In Kharkiv, at least three people were killed after Russian shelling hit residential areas. Local authorities stated that emergency crews were deployed to control fires and rescue civilians trapped in damaged buildings. In Kyiv, Ukrainian air-defence units intercepted multiple drones targeting the capital, while debris caused minor damage in several districts. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian missile attacks damaged infrastructure, prompting temporary power outages. Ukrainian military officials reported intensified Russian activity along frontline positions and warned of additional strikes in the coming days.

AMERICA THIS WEEK
COP30 Climate Summit: Tentative deal over greenhouse gas reduction and climate finance finalised as Brazil negotiates impasse over reducing reliance on fossil fuels
On 22 November, the COP30 climate talks in Brazil reached a tentative deal on action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide climate finance. The summit was scheduled to end on 21 November. Still, it was extended due to differences between the European Union and a few Arab countries, where the EU's demands to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels were met with resistance. The impasse was resolved after all-night negotiations led by host nation Brazil, reports Reuters. 

A draft deal revealed that the countries had agreed on steps to accelerate climate action, review related trade barriers, and triple funding for developing countries to combat extreme weather events. The European Union's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, stated that the proposed accord was acceptable, even though the bloc would have liked more, adding that "We should support it because at least it is going in the right direction." COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago stated that, due to the lack of consensus, a side text on fossil fuels and protecting forests will be published rather than added to the official agreement. The decision to triple climate finance by 2035 will be part of the COP30 agreement. "I will announce that the Brazilian presidency will do the two 'roadmaps' because visibly we did not have maturity to reach consensus. I believe if we do it under the presidency, we will have results," he stated. 

COP30 Climate Summit: Fossil fuels vanish from the draft deal, triggering global backlash 
On 21 November, tenth day at the COP30 UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil, negotiators have released a new draft deal that removes all mention of fossil fuels, the single largest driver of global warming. Earlier versions contained three possible pathways for countries to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, but that language has now disappeared following strong opposition from major oil-producing states, reportedly led by Saudi Arabia. The move immediately triggered pushback. A coalition of countries, including the UK, issued a letter rejecting the draft, warning that they “cannot support” an agreement without a clear and equitable roadmap to phase down fossil fuel use. Diplomats at the venue suggest the removal may be a negotiating tactic intended to intensify pressure in the final days. Other core climate issues also remain undesirable. Language on deforestation, especially significant for a summit hosted in the Amazon has been weakened, drawing criticism from civil society groups. Meanwhile, the draft calls for tripling climate finance by 2030, but does not clarify whether contributions should come mainly from richer nations, raising concerns among developing countries. Despite disruptions, including protests and a fire at the venue, COP30 has brought unprecedented participation from Indigenous groups, even as negotiations head into a tense final phase.

The US: President Trump's White House tries to block the vote on Epstein files but fails 
On 19 November, media reports revealed that US President Donald Trump’s White House had attempted to delay or suppress a Congressional vote on releasing classified records related to Jeffrey Epstein. According to people familiar with the matter, senior Trump aides, lawyers, and political advisers worked behind the scenes to halt the vote, concerned that the release of correspondence, visitor records, travel logs, and internal communications could generate significant political fallout. Despite these efforts, Congressional leaders from both parties insisted on moving ahead, citing strong public demand for transparency surrounding Epstein’s network and its connections to powerful figures. The attempted intervention ultimately failed, and Congress proceeded with authorising the release of the documents. The newly disclosed materials include references to interactions between Epstein and various officials, reviving questions about the extent of Epstein’s influence and the nature of his ties to political and business elites. The publication of these records has intensified scrutiny of President Trump’s past association with Epstein, adding a new layer of controversy as investigators, journalists, and lawmakers examine the broader implications of the files.

The US: President Trump urges Republicans to back the full release of Epstein files
On 17 November, US President Donald Trump asked House Republicans to vote for the release of all remaining Epstein files, as his party has "nothing to hide." This represents a shift from his earlier position. This comes after House Democrats released a set of selective emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. One of those emails mentions Trump, although it does not suggest any wrongdoing on his part. There is also a growing pressure within Congress as nearly one hundred Republicans are now prepared to support the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This would compel the Department of Justice to publish all unclassified records related to Epstein's investigations. Supporters believe they have enough votes to pass the bill in the House this week. Trump has dismissed the Democratic disclosures as a "manufactured hoax" and framed the controversy as an attempt to distract from his administration's agenda. His reversal has also triggered friction within his party, and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene publicly criticised him for not taking a harder line. The Justice Department has separately confirmed an inquiry into Epstein's ties with major banks and several prominent Democrats.

COP 30 Climate Summit: Ministers face a deadlock over the construction of a fossil fuel roadmap as disputes on finance intensify
On 17 November, ministers heading the national delegations entered the second week of the UN COP 30 climate summit, tasked with converting informal consultations into a workable set of decisions. Delegates are attempting to shape a roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels and address the low ambition in new climate plans. They also aim to resolve disagreements on climate finance, emissions reporting and unilateral trade measures. Brazil's presidency released a latest note that shows persistent divisions. Developed countries argue that their responsibilities are already reflected in the USD 300 billion per year finance goal, while others demand a new work programme. Positions also differ on how to assess national climate plans, including proposals for an annual consideration of progress. Several groups, including Aosis and the EIG, support a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap, which is being "strongly welcomed" by the EU. Nigeria cautioned that any transition "must recognise the very strong differences in economic opportunities." Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva said that a final decision is unlikely at COP 30, but she welcomes the "beginning of the construction" of such a roadmap.

HISTORY THIS WEEK
22 November 1963: President John F Kennedy assassinated
On 22 November 1963, US President John F Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in an open limousine through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. The 46-year-old president was struck by two bullets fired from the Texas School Book Depository. He was pronounced dead 30 minutes later at Parkland Hospital. Texas Governor John Connally was seriously wounded in the same attack, while Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested hours later as the prime suspect. The assassination stunned the United States, and Vice President Lyndon B Johnson was sworn in aboard Air Force One that same afternoon. The official Warren Commission concluded in 1964 that Oswald acted alone. But conspiracy theories spread involving the CIA, Mafia, Cuba or elements within the US government have persisted for decades. Kennedy's death dramatically altered American history. It accelerated the passage of the Civil Rights Act, escalated US involvement in Vietnam under President Johnson, deepened public distrust in government and marked a traumatic loss that still resonates in US politics and culture more than six decades later.

22 November 2005: Angela Merkel swears in as Germany's first female Chancellor
On 22 November 2005, Angela Merkel took the oath of office in the Bundestag. She became the first woman and the first East German-raised leader to serve as Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. At age 51, the physicist cum politician from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led a "grand coalition" with the Social Democrats (SPD) after an inconclusive September election ended Gerhard Schröder's seven-year tenure. Merkel began a 16-year era that redefined Germany and the European Union. During her four terms, she navigated the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2010-2012 Eurozone debt crisis (this earned her the nickname "Queen of Austerity" among critics), the 2015-2016 refugee influx, Russia's annexation of Crimea, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the final phase-out of nuclear power. She left office in December 2021 as Europe's longest-serving democratically elected female head of government and remains one of the most consequential leaders of the 21st century.

21 November 1999: China launches Shenzhou-1, marking the rise of a major space power 
On 21 November 1999, China launched Shenzhou-1, the unmanned test flight that inaugurated the Shenzhou spacecraft programme and signalled Beijing’s long-term ambition to become a leading spacefaring country. Although the first flight carried no crew, it validated critical technologies, re-entry systems, life-support modules, and orbital control mechanisms that would later enable China’s human spaceflight missions. Following Shenzhou-1, China launched a steady series of increasingly complex missions. Shenzhou-5 (2003) carried Yang Liwei, making China the third country to independently send a human into space. Subsequent missions, such as Shenzhou-7 (2008) with China’s first spacewalk and Shenzhou-10 and 11, expanded operational capacity and long-duration stays. The Shenzhou programme eventually laid the foundation for the construction of Tiangong, China’s modular space station completed in 2022. Recent missions Shenzhou-16, 17 and 18 support continuous crew rotation, advanced experiments, and China’s long-term plans for deep-space exploration. China’s ambitions now extend far beyond low Earth orbit. Its roadmap includes a permanent lunar research base, participation in a China-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), potential crewed Moon landings by the 2030s, Mars sample-return missions, and a growing fleet of navigation, communication, and surveillance satellites. From Shenzhou-1’s modest test flight in 1999 to today’s global presence, China’s space programme has evolved into one of the world’s most influential and strategically significant.

20 November 1945: The Nuremberg Trial begins, shaping the Genocide Convention and the ICJ 
On 20 November 1945, the historic Nuremberg Trial opened with the International Military Tribunal convening to prosecute 22 top Nazi leaders for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace. Held in Nuremberg, Germany. The trial marked the first major attempt to establish individual criminal responsibility under international law, rejecting the defence that state officials could not be held personally accountable for wartime atrocities. The proceedings introduced foundational legal principles such as command responsibility, conspiracy to commit crimes, and the recognition of crimes against humanity as punishable under international jurisdiction. The significance of Nuremberg extended far beyond the immediate convictions. Its legal reasoning and moral weight directly informed the creation of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which formally defined genocide and obligated states to prevent and punish it. The trial also influenced the structure and mandate of the newly established International Court of Justice (ICJ), reinforcing the idea that international norms must be upheld through legal mechanisms. Nuremberg became the cornerstone of modern international criminal justice, setting precedents later used in tribunals for Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone, and eventually the formation of the International Criminal Court.

19 November 1863: US President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address articulates a “government of the people, by the people, for the people” 
On 19 November, US President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during the Civil War. His speech was just 272 words, but it reframed the war from a struggle to preserve the Union into a fight to fulfil the promise of racial equality articulated in 1776. By honouring the soldiers who died at Gettysburg, he argued that their sacrifice would ensure “a new birth of freedom.” He also uttered his famous maxim of a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” The speech was significant for its timing as the outcome of the war remained uncertain. It also strengthened the moral foundation for the abolition of slavery and later guided movements for civil rights, human dignity and democratic governance around the world. The Gettysburg Address is still revered for its clarity, brevity and universal message of equality and democratic responsibility.

About the authors
Akriti Sharma is a PhD Schoalr at NIAS. Brighty Ann Sarah and R Preetha are postgraduate students at the Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai. Lekshmi MK is a postgraduate student at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. Santhiya M and Aparna A Nair are undergraduate students at the Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai. M Kejia is an undergraduate student at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry. 

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