News Discussions

What should governments consider when advising citizens to leave countries facing conflict?

France on Wednesday called on its citizens to leave Mali "as soon as possible" following weekend of attacks on government targets in cities across the country launched by jihadists and Tuareg separatists

How should we address the impact of drought on food supplies in North Korea?

What are the different ways the international community could support a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians?

By John Irish PARIS, June 12 (Reuters) - Israeli and Palestinian civil society groups delivered an appeal in France on Friday to urge the international community not to abandon a two-state solution, as Paris seeks to keep the issue alive amid the Middle East war

How should communities respond to the deaths of journalists in conflict zones like Gaza?

Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah killed in targeted Israeli strike

What are the possible effects of Iran's current strategy on peace and stability in the region?

Tehran's approach appears to rest on a belief it can absorb strikes longer than its adversaries sustain pain and costs, writes BBC Persian's Amir Azimi

What are the possible impacts of foreign consulates facing law enforcement actions in the U.S.?

An ICE agent on Tuesday attempted to forcibly enter Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis, according to the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry. The big picture: Federal agents, under international law, are generally not allowed to enter an embassy or consulate without permission of the consul or ambassador. The ministry said on X that consular staff prevented the officer from entering the premises and activated emergency protocols. A note of protest was "immediately" submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, asking that similar acts not be repeated at any offices in the country, per the post. Context: The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Minnesota this month, after Minneapolis residents Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good were both shot and killed by federal agents. What they're saying: The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to Axios' Tuesday evening request for comment. Go deeper: Trump signals de-escalation of ICE ops in Minneapolis

What are the important things to consider when discussing the US and Iran talks?

Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain major sticking points, despite mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan

What are the implications of adding countries to the UN's sexual violence blacklist for global peace and security?

New report says nearly 10,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence were recorded worldwide last year

How has Brexit changed the UK's role in the world and its government services?

Brexit at 10: UK foreign policy melissa.ittoo Wed, 17/06/2026 - 15:56 The geopolitical shifts of the mid-2010s have only intensified in the decade since Brexit. 5 Comment Rt Hon Sir David Lidington KCB Institute for Government Yes Where Brexit made things harder was in removing UK officials and ministers from the conversations in Brussels and the gatherings of EU member state ministers. Brexit International relations Foreign affairs Defence and security European Union Conservative Labour Foreign secretary Cameron government May government Johnson government Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministry of Defence No In 2014, Russia's invasion of Crimea and Donbas removed any doubt still lingering after the 2008 attack on Georgia about President Putin’s desire to smash the post-Cold War settlement in Europe. Then, in 2015, the Chinese government published Made in China 2025, setting out its strategy to achieve domination of the global supply chains in every one of the key 21st century technologies by the centenary of the People's Republic in 2049. And in 2016 the election of Donald Trump heralded the end of a 70-year period in which European democracies could rely on America’s commitment to their defence. It was in this context that the UK voted, on 23 June 2016, to leave the EU. Related content Brexit at 10 Global Britain stays close to home For all the excited talk about “Global Britain”, in practice even the most enthusiastic supporters of leaving the EU ended up largely aligning British policy with that of our European neighbours because that was what the national interest required. The E3 meetings of British, French and German political directors and foreign ministers continued, for instance, even while EU exit negotiations were at their most fraught. Despite pressure from Washington, Boris Johnson’s policies on Russia, Israel/Palestine, Iran, China and climate change stayed close to those of the other Europeans, and Liz Truss (a fervent convert to Brexi

How might the progress in US-Iran talks affect oil prices and energy policies in different countries?

"Bloomberg: The Asia Trade" brings you everything you need to know to get ahead as the trading day begins in Asia. Bloomberg TV is live from Tokyo and Sydney with Shery Ahn and Haidi Stroud-Watts, getting insight and analysis from newsmakers and industry leaders on the biggest stories shaping global markets. (Source: Bloomberg)

What are the possible effects of the U.S. destroying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on international relations and safety in the region?

The U.S. military destroyed ten Iranian mine-laying naval vessels on Tuesday amid concerns that Iran is preparing to deploy mines in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump said. Why it matters: A senior U.S. official told Axios the strike on the inactive ships was a preemptive measure that was a result of intelligence about Iran's operational plans. Iran's deployment of mines would create an extreme threat for commercial shipping in the region and prevent any oil from leaving through the Strait. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil passes through the waterway. What they're saying: Trump threatened Iran in a Truth Social post with "military consequences" at a level "never seen before" if they were to place mines in the Strait. "If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction," the president wrote, though he clarified that the U.S. has no reports that mines were placed in the waterway. "Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently," he added. In a separate post, Trump said ten vessels were destroyed in a strike "with more to follow." Zoom out: CNN reported on Tuesday that Iran has started laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, but that it was not extensive. "We thought the Iranians were planning to start laying the mines, so we took out many of the ships," the U.S. official told Axios

How should countries work together to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?

Macron said a joint France-UK mission to ensure the Strait opens was prepared to deploy 'very quickly'