THE WORLD TODAY #272, 06 MARCH 2026
Adwitiyo Das, Glynnis Winona Beschi, Lekshmi MK, Siddhi Halyur, Tonica Sharon C, Yesasvi Koganti

US-Iran War, Day 06: Israel escalates strikes on Iran and Lebanon; Ukraine to help defending the Gulf countries from the Iranian drones
On 06 March, Israel launched its 15th wave of strikes on Iranian “regime infrastructure,” claiming 50 fighter jets hit a leadership bunker beneath the Tehran compound of slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which it said was still being used by Iran’s leadership. Israel also expanded its campaign in Lebanon by ordering the unprecedented evacuation of the entire southern suburbs of Beirut and carrying out 26 waves of strikes overnight on Hezbollah command centres and weapons depots, forcing residents to sleep in streets, cars and on the beach. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said “some countries have begun mediation efforts” and insisted Tehran sought “lasting peace” but would not hesitate to defend its “dignity and authority”, while Donald Trump demanded a say in choosing Khamenei’s successor.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky said the US had asked Ukraine for help defending Gulf allies from Iranian Shahed drones and that Kyiv was ready to send interceptor drones and experts if it did not weaken Ukraine’s own defence and brought diplomatic gains, including more Patriot missiles. Gulf delegations have travelled to Kyiv for talks as Zelensky frames assistance as both a “common interest” and an opportunity to bolster Ukraine’s position. Separately, in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka escorted a second Iranian naval vessel, the IRIS Booshehr, with engine problems into Trincomalee and moved 208 crew to a navy camp, days after a US submarine torpedoed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off its coast, killing 87 and widening the conflict’s maritime scope. Iran thanked Colombo for rescuing survivors.

Nepal Elections: Rastriya Swatantra Party leads in 109 constituencies
On 06 March, the media reported that initial results from Nepal’s 2026 general election indicate that the Rastriya Swatantra Party is currently leading in 109 constituencies as vote counting continues. The party is led by Nepal’s rapper mayor Balendra Shah, who is poised to become Nepal’s next PM ahead of former PM KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency. The CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress are leading in 13 and 12 constituencies, respectively. Overall, 67 parties are in the contest for 165 first-past-the-post seats. As counting is in progress, election officials announced a potential for change in the final results.

Russia and Finland: Moscow warns Helsinki over potential hosting of nuclear weapons on its territory
On 06 March, Russia said that it would respond if Finland hosts nuclear weapons on its territory, which would make the Nordic country more vulnerable and would be seen as a threat to Russia. It also showed its dismay at President Macron’s announcement of a plan to expand France’s nuclear arsenal, under which other European countries would be able to take part in French nuclear exercises. Finland plans to lift a longstanding ban on hosting nuclear weapons as part of a wider rethink of European deterrence due to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the unpredictable behaviour of President Trump, especially his threat to take over Greenland.

Russia and Lithuania: Moscow expands military units near NATO borders
On 06 March, according to media reports, Russia is expanding military units along NATO’s eastern borders. This warning was issued by Lithuanian intelligence, which raised concerns about long- term security in the Baltic region. According to Lithuania’s annual national security assessment released today, Moscow is strengthening its forces near NATO borders while gaining battlefield experience from the war in Ukraine. The reports suggests if Western sanctions on Russia are lifted, Moscow could rebuild its military capabilities. Russia could be prepared for a “wide-scaled military conflict” with NATO in six years, states Lithuanian intelligence. According to the assessment, Russia could create “a 30-50 percent larger army than it had before the war.” Lithuanian officials also noted that Moscow’s broader strategic goals remain unchanged.  The report highlights that Russia continues to pursue a shift in the balance of power in Europe in its favour and maintains its objective of achieving complete control over Ukraine.

The US and Venezuela: Washington and Caracas agreed to restore diplomatic ties following Maduro’s capture
On 06 March, the US and Venezuela agreed to re-establish formal diplomatic relations. Both nations have committed to engage in a collective effort as part of a "new stage of constructive dialogue" to improve regional stability and advance political reconciliation. It is expected to result in the "social and economic happiness of the Venezuelan people." This reconciliation follows the capture of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro by US military forces in January. President Maduro and his wife were brought to a Manhattan court to face allegations of weapon and drug offenses, which have been denied by them. The trial is set to commence later this month. The US embassy in Caracas, which had been closed since 2019, has reopened now. The US is pushing for a "phased process" toward democratic elections, but the Venezuelan interim government has avoided any mention of political transition. According to US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the intervention in Venezuela was a strategic move to secure energy and mineral resources before the military strikes on Iran. Under the new agreement, Washington has authorized the sale of sanctioned oil with US oversight and Venezuela is set to reform its laws to encourage foreign investment. The two nations have decided to collaborate for the development of Venezuela’s vast mining resources, including the gold, diamonds and rare earth minerals required for global technology production.

Vanuatu and the US: Port Vila pushes UN climate resolution despite Washington’s opposition
On 05 March, according to media reports, Vanuatu is moving ahead with a proposed United Nations resolution aimed at strengthening global action on the climate crisis, despite opposition from the administration of President Trump. The draft resolution seeks to encourage countries to implement a recent advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice which stated that governments could face legal consequences, including reparations, if they fail to take adequate action to address climate change. According to reports, the United States urged Vanuatu to withdraw the proposal, arguing that the measure could threaten US economic interests and industry. In response to the opposition from Washington and other fossil-fuel producing countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia, Vanuatu revised parts of the resolution to make it more likely to pass at the UN. The earlier proposal included creating a registry documenting “loss and damage” caused by climate impacts such as storms, floods and droughts, but that provision was removed following objections.