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🇵🇸 Israel Plans Mass Gaza Relocation

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to prepare a plan to move all 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza into a "humanitarian city" built on Rafah's ruins, initially housing 600,000 people who would not be allowed to leave after security screening. An Israeli human rights lawyer condemned it as "an operational plan for a crime against humanity" involving population transfer in preparation for deportation. Netanyahu endorsed Trump's proposal for the US to take over post-war Gaza and permanently resettle Palestinians elsewhere, while Arab states have categorically rejected any displacement as "ethnic cleansing." More - BBC

🇹🇳 Tunisia Jails Opposition Leaders

A Tunisian court sentenced 21 high-profile politicians to lengthy prison terms, including opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi who received up to 14 years and former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed who got 35 years in absentia. The sentences on charges including forming "terrorist" organizations and conspiring against state security represent the latest escalation in President Kais Saied's crackdown on critics since he suspended parliament in 2021. Former Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem Bouchlaka dismissed the rulings as making Tunisia "a mockery" and predicted the "lying, deceptive coup regime" would eventually fall. More - Al Jazeera

Europe Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇦 Bosnia And Herzegovina, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇲🇰 Macedonia, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia

Regional News Summary

Switzerland is facing a resurgence in inflation, which rose in June, raising concerns among citizens and policymakers alike. The increase is compounded by worries over the high cost of pharmaceuticals, particularly weight loss drugs, which Swiss insurers fear could lead to a significant financial burden on the healthcare system [SOURCE - SwissInfo]. In the realm of trade, Switzerland is engaged in challenging negotiations with the Mercosur trading bloc regarding pharmaceuticals, while also reopening its embassy in Tehran, a move aimed at strengthening trade ties with Iran [SOURCE - The Sun].

Security concerns are also on the rise, as Swiss authorities have issued warnings about foreign espionage threats, particularly from Russia and China. This comes alongside the indictment of two men on terrorism-related charges, highlighting the ongoing challenges Switzerland faces in maintaining national security [SOURCE - Japan Times]. Additionally, Italy has dismantled a gold smuggling ring that was trafficking precious metals into Switzerland, underscoring the complexities of cross-border crime [SOURCE - SwissInfo].

In environmental news, Switzerland is making strides in renewable energy with the construction of its first alpine solar plant. However, the disconnection of a nuclear power station due to high temperatures raises questions about the reliability of the country's energy sources [SOURCE - SwissInfo].

Meanwhile, France is grappling with a severe heatwave that has resulted in at least eight deaths and widespread health alerts. The extreme temperatures have also led to disruptions in air travel, as air traffic controllers have gone on strike, causing significant delays and cancellations [SOURCE - Winnipeg Free Press]. 

In political developments, French President Emmanuel Macron has threatened retaliation over new spy charges against a French couple, accused of spying for Iran [SOURCE - France 24]. Concurrently, Malaysia has secured significant investments from a French trade mission, highlighting the ongoing economic ties between the two nations [SOURCE - The Sun].

As the international community continues to respond to the Ukraine crisis, NATO forces have showcased naval support for Ukraine, while Denmark has expressed its commitment to assist Ukraine in its EU aspirations [SOURCE - BBC]. However, the U.S. has unexpectedly paused some munitions shipments to Ukraine, a decision that has disappointed Ukrainian officials and may embolden Russia [SOURCE - NBC News].

In the context of rising tensions, Russia has launched a record number of drones at Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the conflict [SOURCE - NBC News]. This comes as NATO and EU member states navigate the complexities of their relationships with both Ukraine and Russia, with implications for regional security and stability.

MENA Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇧🇭 Bahrain, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇮🇶 Iraq, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇱🇧 Lebanon, 🇱🇾 Libya, 🇸🇾 Syria, 🇹🇳 Tunisia, 🇾🇪 Yemen

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

Regional News Summary

Syria is witnessing a notable shift in its diplomatic landscape, marked by the recent lifting of sanctions by the Trump administration. This move opens the door for Syria's integration into the Abraham Accords, a peace initiative aimed at fostering alliances in the Middle East. As a result, several countries are re-establishing or strengthening ties with Syria, signaling a potential new era of diplomacy in the region [SOURCE - ECNS].

In a related development, secret talks between Israel and Syria are reportedly underway to normalize relations. While Syrian officials have dismissed the notion of a "premature" peace deal, they have expressed willingness to collaborate with the United States to restore a 1974 truce agreement with Israel [SOURCE - Daily Times].  

International support for Syria is also on the rise, with the UK re-establishing full diplomatic relations and Turkey providing firefighting aircraft to combat wildfires [SOURCE - ABC News]. Germany has pledged €3 million to support the "Food from Ukraine to Syria" initiative, highlighting a growing commitment to humanitarian assistance [SOURCE - SANA].

Meanwhile, tensions in Gaza remain high as Qatar pressures Hamas leaders to disarm as part of a peace deal. Reports indicate that Israel has accepted key terms for a 60-day ceasefire, with US President Trump urging Hamas to accept a "final proposal" for peace [SOURCE - Japan Today]. Despite these efforts, violence continues, with Israel conducting airstrikes in Gaza and southern Lebanon, raising concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire [SOURCE - France 24].

In Egypt, the completion of Ethiopia's mega dam on the Nile has sparked significant concerns regarding water supply, as Egyptian officials assert that the dam lacks a legally binding agreement [SOURCE - Financial Post]. This development underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding water resources in the region.

On the economic front, Saudi Arabia has signed deals worth $27 billion with Indonesia, focusing on clean energy and petrochemicals, as part of its broader strategy to diversify its economy [SOURCE - Malay Mail]. Additionally, the UAE has experienced a surge in investment approvals, with a nearly 60% increase in the first half of the year, further solidifying its position as a key player in the region's economy [SOURCE - The Manila Times].

Carpe tomorrow!