04 December 2025, Thursday
The World Today #186
France and China: President Macron meets President Xi and discusses geopolitics, trade and environment
On 04 December, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi. French President said, "The imbalances we see accumulating today are not sustainable, they carry the risk of triggering a financial crisis and threaten our ability to grow together." He urged President Xi to cooperate on geopolitics, trade and environment. In response, Xi said, "No matter how the external environment changes, our two countries should always demonstrate the independence and strategic vision of major powers." Furthermore, President Macron called for Beijing's support to end the war in Ukraine.

Iran and Lebanon: Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi invites Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji to visit Tehran to discuss bilateral relations
On 04 December, Iran's foreign ministry stated that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had invited Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji to visit Tehran to discuss bilateral relations. According to the statement: "Araqchi, inviting his Lebanese counterpart to discuss the development of bilateral relations and review regional and international developments, expressed confidence that the Lebanese people and government will successfully overcome existing threats and challenges."  This development came a day after a separate meeting on 03 December, in which Israel and Lebanon sent civilian envoys to the military committee overseeing their 2024 US-brokered ceasefire, suggesting a potential expansion of talks between the two countries. Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that the country was open to the committee directly verifying Israeli claims that the Iran-aligned Hezbollah group is re-arming and assessing the Lebanese army's efforts to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. Israel and Lebanon reached a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024 that ended over a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Since then, both sides have continued to accuse each other of violating the agreement.

The War in Ukraine: Kyiv insists on "real peace, not appeasement"; Talks continue amid ongoing uncertainty 
On 04 December, in a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha declared that Ukraine sought "real peace, not appeasement" with Russia, warning against repeating the mistakes of past diplomatic surrendering such as the 1938 Munich Agreement. Foreign Minister Sybiha thanked the United States for backing peace efforts and said Kyiv would pursue every opportunity to end the war under terms that respect its sovereignty. Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement continues: the US-proposed peace framework remains under review, and negotiators from Ukraine and allies are preparing next steps.

The UK and Russia: London imposes new sanctions on Moscow and the GRU over the "reckless" assassination attempt on a former Russian spy 
On 04 December, a UK public enquiry concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin must have ordered the 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack on Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, in a "reckless" display of power that led to the death of an innocent woman. On 04 March 2018, former Russian military intelligence officer and British double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in Salisbury, England, with the Russian-developed Novichok nerve agent A-234, a deadly chemical weapon. The highly persistent agent was smeared on the front-door handle of Skripal's home. Both victims collapsed on a public bench, were hospitalized in critical condition, and eventually recovered. The UK has responded with new sanctions against Russia, including the entire GRU military intelligence agency. The Russian ambassador was also summoned to provide an explanation for the inquiry's findings and to address what it described as Moscow's "ongoing campaign of hostile activity" against London. Russia has persistently denied the accusations as "anti-Russian propaganda," and has not responded to the latest developments.

Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda: US President Trump hosts foreign ministers of both countries to operationalise the peace deal signed in June
On 4 December, US President Donald Trump hosted the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Washington to stabilise eastern Congo. The meeting seeks to operationalise a US-brokered peace deal signed in June and to reinforce an economic integration compact agreed last month. Critics argue that Washington has so far only "put a pin in the conflict" without resolving its deeper political and ethnic drivers. Tensions remain acute as the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group traded accusations of violating the latest ceasefire. Congolese officials insist recent clashes are "proof that Rwanda doesn't want peace." Rwanda denies backing M23, while UN experts say Kigali maintains "command and control" over the rebels. Rwanda's Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation noted, "We hope that, after the signing, we will see improvement on the ground."

Iraq: Baghdad reverses decision after accidentally including Hezbollah and Houthis on asset seizure list
On 04 December, Iraq has decided to excise Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis rebels from a financial sanctions roster following their erroneous addition to a government bulletin last month. The Justice Ministry's publication accidentally encompassed these Iran-supported factions among entities slated for takeover, sparking widespread confusion. Such an inclusion would have aligned with US aspirations to diminish Tehran's sway in the region, amplifying strains on the Islamic Republic.
In reality, the directive targeted solely assets tied to Islamic State and al Qaeda operatives, fulfilling a Malaysian appeal and adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1373. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has initiated a swift probe into the oversight, vowing to penalise culprits, while underscoring Baghdad's steadfast solidarity with Lebanese and Palestinian causes amid ongoing assaults. A legislator aligned with Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah faction lambasted the administration for recklessness, deeming it a puppet regime undermining national autonomy. The Central Bank's interim deputy governor has directed the removal of the offending entries, with a revised gazette forthcoming. Neither Hezbollah nor the Houthis commented promptly.

ALSO READ
"Xi holds talks with Macron, calling for expanded cooperation in multiple areas," Global Times, 4 December 2025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1349754.shtml

"Emmanuel Macron warns of ‘disintegration’ risk to world order in Xi Jinping meeting," Financial Times, 4 December 2025
https://www.ft.com/content/06644ede-7690-479e-8bc9-fb469325ba78

"Steve Witkoff to meet Ukrainian officials after fruitless talks with Vladimir Putin," Financial Times, 4 December 2025

"Despite Starmer’s ‘China threat’ rhetoric, Britain seeks tighter ties with Beijing," SCMP, 4 December 2025
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3335230/despite-starmers-china-threat-rhetoric-britain-seeks-tighter-ties-beijing?module=top_story&pgtype=homepage

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS
"Why the Taliban is coming in from the cold," The Financial Times, 4 December 2025
https://www.ft.com/content/ae886e91-c601-4019-a712-323fa94efbb4

Sergey Radchenko, "America’s Magical Thinking About Ukraine: A Bad Deal Is Worse Than No Deal," Foreign Affairs, 4 December 2025
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/americas-magical-thinking-about-ukraine

03 December 2025, Wednesday
The World Today #185
The War in Ukraine: President Putin accepts parts of the US peace proposal as Kyiv prepares for Brussels talks 
On 03 December, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin had accepted parts of the US proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, while rejecting others, signalling that Moscow remains open to further negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the exchange a "normal working process," and said expert-level talks will continue before any high-level agreement. In response, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that senior negotiator Rustem Umerov will travel to Brussels to brief European security advisers on the Moscow talks, and subsequently head to the United States for further discussions. Despite this development, Russia's refusal to compromise on core territorial demands, particularly control over occupied regions, remains a key obstacle for Kyiv and its Western partners.

Taiwan and the US: Taipei calls new law strengthening ties with Washington; China protests 
On 03 December, Reuters reported that a new US law requiring the State Department to review and update guidelines for official interactions with Taiwan every five years was signed by Donald Trump. It was a move welcomed by Taipei as an affirmation of US–Taiwan support and democratic values. Taiwan's government expressed gratitude, calling the measure a meaningful step towards closer engagement with Washington. The officials stated that the law may result in increased official contacts, even in the absence of official diplomatic relations. But Beijing reacted sharply. The law was denounced by the government of the People's Republic of China because it was considered to interfere with China's internal affairs, violate the principle of one China, and destabilise the region. The development has established a new point of conflict in the relationships among the US, China, and their neighbour, Taiwan, amplifying tension over its status and the broader strategic contest in East Asia.

Pakistan and Afghanistan: Fresh peace talks in Saudi Arabia amid a fragile ceasefire 
On 03 December, according to senior officials from both Afghanistan and Pakistan talking to Reuters, the military, intelligence, and foreign ministries of both nations held further discussions in Saudi Arabia to start a new phase of improving relations after the deadly border clashes that occurred in October. The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the existing ceasefire, which has been in effect since prior negotiations facilitated by Qatar and Turkey ended without a comprehensive peace agreement. This Saudi-led mediation effort is the most recent attempt by the two countries to achieve more stable relations. In Pakistan, officials have stated that recent attacks, including a suicide bomber in Islamabad, have been carried out by militants based in Afghanistan, and that the Taliban has denied these allegations. The October border clashes were by far the most deadly fighting since the Taliban took control of the Afghan government in August 2021, with both sides suffering numerous fatalities. A ceasefire negotiated in Doha halted most hostilities. Still, another round of negotiations that occurred in Istanbul was derailed after Pakistan demanded a written commitment from the Taliban to stop providing support to anti-Pakistani militants, which Kabul claims it cannot provide.

The War in Gaza: Israel set to open the Rafah crossing in coordination with Egypt; Remains that Hamas returned found not to be those of Israeli captives, Israel confirms
On 03 December, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an Israeli military arm that oversees humanitarian matters, stated that the opening of the Rafah crossing will be coordinated with Egypt, under the supervision of the European Union mission. The opening of the Rafah crossing would allow thousands of Palestinians who need medical care to leave the enclave through Egypt. According to the UN, at least 16,500 patients in Gaza need medical care outside of the enclave. Before the war, the crossing was the sole exit point for most Gazans and was a key entry point for aid. Under Trump's 20-point plan, the Rafah crossing was meant to reopen both ways. However, since the October ceasefire, Israel has kept it closed, insisting Hamas must first comply with the deal to return all remaining hostages, alive or dead. Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group allied with Hamas, has joined the search for the last remaining deceased Israeli hostages. The announcement came after forensic examinations revealed that the remains that Hamas handed over on 02 December did not belong to the previous two deceased captives, an Israeli police officer and a Thai agricultural worker.

US and Brazil: President Luiz expects further tariff cuts as he describes the call with President Trump as "extraordinary"
On 03 December, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described his phone call with US President Donald Trump as "extraordinary" and said he expects further tariff cuts on Brazilian products. Following the conversation on 02 December, President Lula said, "We are close to hearing good news from the US" and added that they agreed to cooperate in combating organised crime. This comes after President Trump removed additional tariffs last month, which were initially imposed as a punitive measure against Brazil over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

ALSO READ 
"French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Beijing for state visit," Global Times, 3 December 2025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1349654.shtml

"China's Xinjiang hosts regional forum to boost Central Asia links, trade," Global Times, 3 December 2025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1349627.shtml

"As America pushes peace, Russia's battlefield advances remain slow," Economist, 3 December 2025
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/12/02/as-america-pushes-peace-russias-battlefield-advances-remain-slow

"European leaders welcome in Moscow for talks – Kremlin," RT, 3 December 2025
https://www.rt.com/russia/628873-european-leaders-welcome-moscow-talks/

"Russia and India to boost space cooperation – Roscosmos," RT, 3 December 2025
https://www.rt.com/india/628868-russia-and-india-to-boost/

"Marathon Russia-U.S. Meeting Yields No Ukraine Peace Deal," Wall Street Journal, 3 December 2025
https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/trump-envoys-to-meet-putin-to-push-u-s-peace-plan-for-ukraine-173ac10c?mod=hp_lead_pos3

"Brussels floats 'emergency' powers to raise €210bn from Russian assets," Financial Times, 3 December 2025
https://www.ft.com/content/3c23910f-795c-4151-a47c-db4f0137fb40

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS
Editorial, "China-France relations in next 60 years carry greater expectations," Global Times, 3 December 2025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202512/1349609.shtml

Editorial, "Japan will pay a heavy economic price if it pursues Takaichi's militant agenda," China Daily, 3 December 2025
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202512/03/WS69303043a310d6866eb2cbc8.html

"From pandas to nuclear power: what Macron wants from his trip to China," SCMP, 3 December 2025
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3335036/pandas-nuclear-power-what-macron-wants-his-trip-china?module=flexi_unit-focus&pgtype=homepage

"Why Macron's China visit and Putin's India trip will show Europe no longer sets the agenda," The Straits Times, 3 December 2025
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/why-macrons-china-visit-and-putins-india-trip-will-show-europe-no-longer-sets-the-agenda

James Crabtree and Rudra Chaudhuri, "The India Trump Made: Where American Bullying Is Leading New Delhi," Foreign Affairs, 3 December 2025
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/india/india-trump-made

Alicia R. Chen, "Foreign Aid With Chinese Characteristics: Where Beijing Is—and Isn't—Seeking Influence," Foreign Affairs, 3 December 2025
Alicia R. Chen
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/foreign-aid-chinese-characteristics

02 December 2025, Tuesday
The World Today #184
The War in Ukraine: Peace talks underway, even as Russia reports new territorial gains 
On 02 December, Reuters reported that a United States delegation led by envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible end to the war in Ukraine. According to the report, the delegation is holding talks directly with the Russian President as part of an effort to explore whether conditions exist for a negotiated settlement. Meanwhile, according to another Reuters report on 01 December, the Russian military leaders briefed Putin on what they called the liberation of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region and Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, and portrayed the developments as significant battlefield victories. Ukraine has not confirmed the loss of either location.

Bulgaria: Thousands protest on 2026 euro-based budget, forcing the government to withdraw 
On 02 December, as a result of mounting public pressure, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's minority government has decided to withdraw the draft budget it previously proposed. On 01 December, large numbers of Bulgarians participated in demonstrations across Sofia and other major cities against the government's proposed 2026 budget. It's the first budget prepared in euros, as Bulgaria plans to enter the Eurozone on 1 January. The opposition coalition PP-DB called the budget "a way to hide the large amounts of ongoing corruption" by proposing to raise social insurance rates and taxes on dividend income. This was one of the largest protests in Sofia in many years, and some protesters clashed with police and vandalized the offices of the ruling GERB and DPS parties. 

Germany and China: Foreign Minister to visit Beijing amid "de-risking"
On 02 December, Reuters reported that the German Foreign Minister will visit China from 08 to 09 December. This visit happens as the European Union aims to 'de-risk' from China's economy. The Foreign Minister's meeting was cancelled earlier due to a row over China's export curbs on Chips and rare earths. In its upcoming economic security doctrine, the European Commission stated that it will review its trade defence arsenal and decide whether it must do more to address China. With China as the central policy focus, the document expresses concern about increasing European reliance on critical minerals to drive the green and digital transitions and about unfair competition. Last week, Germany reactivated its "derisking push" with the establishment of an expert committee to advise parliament on "security-relevant trade relations" with China.

The War in Gaza: Hamas to hand over the remains of the last two hostages in Gaza
On 02 December, Hamas stated that it is set to hand over the remains of the last two hostages still in Gaza. Israel responded that it was preparing to receive the "findings," and that forensic testing would be done after a transfer via the Red Cross to Israeli forces in Gaza. The two remaining deceased hostages are Israeli police officer Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, both kidnapped on 7 October.

Sudan: RSF claims capturing key oil-producing town of Babanusa; Sudan's army rejects the claim 
On 01 December, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed to have seized full control of Babanusa, a key transport hub in oil-producing West Kordofan state. The RSF described the takeover as a defensive "liberation" after repelling an attack by Sudan's army, which it called a "violation of a humanitarian truce." The army immediately disputed the claim, stating that it still holds parts of the town. It also accused the RSF of continuous attacks despite RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's unilateral ceasefire declaration. The army dismissed the ceasefire declaration as a political ploy to mask troop movements and foreign support. Previously, the Quad (US, UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia) proposed a three-month truce, but it collapsed as the RSF launched drone strikes after accepting the plan.

Floods in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia: Death toll passes 1,100 in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia
On 01 December, The Guardian reported that Sri Lanka and Indonesia deployed military personnel to support relief operations after severe flooding killed more than 1,100 people across Sri Lanka, Indonesia's Sumatra, Thailand and Malaysia. Experts attribute the scale of flooding partly to prolonged La Niña cycles, which intensify rainfall and increase the frequency of heavy storms and monsoons. In Indonesia, at least 604 people have died, and 464 remain missing, according to the national disaster agency. Sri Lanka has reported 366 deaths and 366 missing, while Thailand has recorded 176 deaths and Malaysia has three. The event is Indonesia's deadliest since the 2018 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 2,000 people in Sulawesi. Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency following Cyclone Ditwah, which displaced 148,000 people. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated: "We are facing the largest and most challenging natural disaster in our history." The losses and damage are the most severe Sri Lanka has faced since the 2004 tsunami, which killed about 31,000 people and displaced more than one million. Although rainfall has subsided, flooding continues in low-lying areas of the capital, and authorities are preparing for a large-scale relief operation.

TODAY IN HISTORY 
02 December 1823: President Monroe delivers foreign policy principles to Congress, later known as the Monroe Doctrine 
On 02 December 1823, US President James Monroe delivered his famous message to Congress that became the Monroe Doctrine, a defining pillar of American foreign policy. President Monroe announced the principles in his speech, which later became known as the Monroe Doctrine. Framed against the backdrop of European colonial ambitions in Latin America, the doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to colonization. He also warned European powers against interfering in the affairs of newly independent states. President Monroe's statement was driven by two key concerns like protecting emerging Latin American republics from the return of Spanish or other European rule and preventing Europe from expanding its political influence in the Americas during a volatile post-Napoleonic era. Though initially symbolic, the Monroe Doctrine later evolved into a central principle shaping US engagement in the region. It invoked diplomacy, strategy, and debates on sovereignty.

02 December 1804: Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself as the Emperor of France
On 02 December 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte seized the imperial crown from Pope Pius VII and crowned himself Emperor of the French, proclaiming, "I crown myself." This symbolized the Revolution's radical break with monarchy and its blending of republican ideals with autocratic ambition. Attended by 1,000 dignitaries, the lavish ceremony heralded the Napoleonic Empire and reshaped Europe amid ongoing wars. Exactly one year later, on 02 December 1805, Napoleon sealed his legend at the Battle of Austerlitz, the "Battle of the Three Emperors." This strategy not only avenged coronation sceptics but crowned Napoleon as Europe's master, igniting the Continental System and redrawing maps for a generation.