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Pacific leaders reaffirm Taiwan’s participation in the Pacific Islands Forum despite Beijing’s push to exclude it, Egypt uncovers an Israeli plot to assassinate Hamas leaders in Cairo, and Mexican cartels now wield military-level power across nearly a third of the country.

Our lead story examines how youth-led uprisings in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are reshaping South Asia’s political order.

This, and more, below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇸🇦 🇵🇰 Saudi Arabia signs mutual defence pact with Pakistan amid fears over US security guarantees: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a sweeping mutual defence pact, pledging to treat any attack on either country as aggression against both. The agreement, years in the making, comes after Israel’s US-backed strike on Qatar shocked Gulf monarchies and raised doubts over Washington’s reliability as a security guarantor. Analysts say the deal could deepen Riyadh-Islamabad military ties, potentially extend Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia, and reshape Gulf security dynamics at a moment of regional volatility.

2️⃣ 🇺🇳 🇺🇸 🇵🇸 United States vetoes sixth UN ceasefire resolution on Gaza: The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, with Washington arguing the text failed to condemn Hamas or affirm Israel’s right to self-defence. The resolution, backed by all 14 other council members, called Gaza’s humanitarian crisis “catastrophic” and urged Israel to lift aid restrictions, but US officials said it legitimised “false narratives” about the war. The veto underscores Washington and Israel’s growing isolation ahead of the UN General Assembly, where European allies are expected to recognise Palestinian statehood.

3️⃣ 🇻🇪 🇺🇸 🇺🇳 Venezuela launches military drills on La Orchila amid rising tensions with US: Venezuela has begun three days of military exercises on La Orchila island as US forces intensify operations in the Caribbean, sinking three Venezuelan boats this month and killing at least 14 alleged traffickers, actions UN experts have condemned as extrajudicial killings. President Nicolás Maduro ordered the “Sovereign Caribbean” drills, deploying warships, aircraft, armed drones, and electronic warfare units, vowing to defend Venezuela against what he calls US aggression. Washington, which accuses Maduro of running a drug cartel and has placed a $50 million bounty on him, insists its strikes target narco-traffickers, though Caracas rejects claims it is a hub for drug trafficking.

4️⃣ 🇪🇬 🇶🇦 Egypt revives proposal for joint Arab military force after Israeli strike on Doha: Egypt is pushing to revive its long-standing plan for a NATO-style joint Arab force, with discussions expected during the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha after Israel’s strike on Qatar. The proposal envisions a rotating command among Arab League members, integrated land, air, and naval units, and deployment only with member approval—Egypt would lead the first term and contribute 20,000 troops. Analysts see the plan as a bid to bolster Arab security coordination and deter future regional threats, particularly amid rising tensions over Gaza and fears of Palestinian displacement into Sinai.

5️⃣ 🇲🇽 Mexican cartels militarise and control almost one-third of country’s territory: Mexico’s cartels have evolved into insurgent-style forces, controlling roughly a third of the country and waging territorial wars with drones, IEDs, and even Colombian mercenaries. Their growing firepower—fueled by U.S.-sourced weapons—threatens Mexico, the United States, and regional stability, prompting calls for expanded U.S.–Mexico security cooperation, counterinsurgency training, and aggressive action to stem cross-border arms trafficking. Without decisive measures, cartels risk becoming entrenched paramilitary actors capable of destabilising the wider hemisphere.

Major Story

🇳🇵🇧🇩 🇱🇰 GEN Z REVOLUTIONS RESHAPE POLITICS ACROSS SOUTH ASIA

Across Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, youth-led protests are reshaping politics, toppling governments, and challenging entrenched elites. In Nepal, anger over corruption and despotism sparked three days of protests that killed more than 70 people and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. Thousands of young Nepalis, including many in the diaspora, even selected an interim prime minister via an online Discord poll.

Bangladesh’s 2024 movement began as a campaign against job quotas but escalated into nationwide unrest after police crackdowns killed hundreds, ultimately forcing Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight to India. In Sri Lanka, the “Aragalaya” uprising grew out of economic collapse, with youth occupying Colombo’s Presidential Secretariat and sending President Gotabaya Rajapaksa into exile in July 2022.

Common Roots of Discontent

Analysts say these movements are united by a shared rage at inequality, nepotism, and political systems out of touch with a younger generation. Nearly half the populations of Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are under 28, highly literate, digitally connected, and frustrated by leaders often old enough to be their grandparents. Social media has amplified both their grievances and their ability to organise rapidly. Blocking internet access or banning platforms has largely backfired, galvanising further mobilisation.

Digital Savvy and Democratic Aspiration

Experts emphasise that these are not coups or secessionist revolts but demands for dignity, accountability, and economic justice. Columbia University’s Rumela Sen notes that Gen Z’s “authentic moral outrage” and tech-savvy organisation give these movements an edge, allowing them to hold leaders accountable and reject systems that deny them a future.

A Regional Playbook Emerges

Observers argue that South Asia’s youth uprisings are learning from one another — from Colombo to Dhaka to Kathmandu — sharing protest tactics, hashtag campaigns, and decentralised structures that make them harder to suppress. As political anthropologist Jeevan Sharma puts it, these are not isolated events but a generational movement signalling that the region’s young citizens are no longer willing to wait quietly for change.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇳 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 UN Commission says Israel is committing genocide in Gaza: As Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza City, a UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel is committing genocide, directly accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials of incitement. The 72-page report cites mass killings, aid blockades, forced displacement, and destruction of infrastructure as evidence of intent to destroy Gaza’s population, comparing the situation to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Israel rejected the findings as politically motivated, even as international pressure mounts for the UN to officially use the term “genocide” while Israel faces a related case at the International Court of Justice.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Trump and Starmer discuss Ukraine, Gaza, and NATO: Wrapping up a three-day UK visit, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the strength of the US-UK alliance, pledging deeper defence and technology cooperation. Trump expressed disappointment in Vladimir Putin but vowed continued support for Ukraine, while both leaders avoided criticising Israel’s Gaza campaign despite rising civilian deaths, with Trump reiterating that peace efforts are “close.” He also praised NATO’s increased spending commitments and hinted at negotiations to regain access to Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase, citing its strategic proximity to China’s nuclear sites.

3️⃣ 🇵🇬 🇦🇺 PNG delays signing of defence treaty with Australia amid sovereignty concerns: Papua New Guinea has delayed signing its landmark Pukpuk mutual defence treaty with Australia, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirming

the text of the deal. Albanese downplayed the setback, saying both governments are finalising cabinet approvals and expect to sign within weeks. The treaty would allow joint defence commitments, cross-enlistment in each other’s forces, and enhanced cooperation on training, cybersecurity, and interoperability, but concerns over sovereignty have sparked criticism from PNG figures and complicated Albanese’s Pacific security push.

4️⃣ 🇳🇪 🇧🇫 🇲🇱 Sahelian governments expand paramilitary forces as state authority erodes: Security in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali is worsening, with governments increasingly relying on paramilitary groups to fight jihadists and separatists. Militias such as Niger’s Garkouwar Kassa, Burkina Faso’s Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, and Mali’s Tuareg and Dogon self-defence forces now control large areas, acting as de facto rulers and sometimes committing abuses. Their expansion offers short-term gains but risks fueling ethnic tensions, inviting jihadist reprisals, and eroding central authority, echoing the trajectory of Sudan’s RSF and Congo’s M23.

5️⃣ 🇰🇵 🇺🇳 North Korea declares nuclear status irreversible and rejects denuclearisation: North Korea reaffirmed that its nuclear-armed status is “permanently enshrined” in its constitution and “irreversible,” denouncing U.S. calls for denuclearisation as a grave provocation. Pyongyang said it will reject any attempt to change its status and accused the IAEA of lacking authority to interfere, citing its decades-long withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The statement follows Kim Jong Un’s inspection of weapons facilities and renewed pledges to strengthen both nuclear and conventional forces.

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Book Shelf

Here are some books we recommend 📚:

Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

Sea Power

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

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