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🇸🇦 Trump Announces KSA Deals, Lifts Syrian Sanctions

Trump's Saudi Arabia visit yielded contested investment claims—ranging from $300 billion to $1 trillion—including $142 billion in defense sales and tech sector investments from Google and Oracle. During the Riyadh summit, he also announced lifting sanctions on post-Assad Syria, crediting discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Erdogan while planning to meet new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa despite concerns about his extremist past. More - Bloomberg

🇲🇱 Mali Dissolves Political Parties

Mali's military leader Assimi Goita has dissolved all political parties following recent pro-democracy protests, dramatically escalating a crackdown that reportedly includes the forced disappearance of opposition figures. Human rights groups report that several politicians, including CODEM secretary-general Abba Alhassane and Yelema party leader El Bachir Thiam, were seized by unidentified masked gunmen as the junta, which seized power in 2020-2021, moves to extend Goita's rule until 2030 despite earlier promises of elections. More - Al Jazeera

Europe Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇦 Bosnia And Herzegovina, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇲🇰 Macedonia, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Regional News Summary

In Geneva, high-stakes trade talks between the United States and China have captured global attention. Chinese officials, led by He Lifeng, engaged in discussions aimed at resolving ongoing tariff disputes. The Swiss President expressed hope that these negotiations would be guided by a spirit of cooperation, as both nations seek to avert an escalating trade war [SOURCE - ABC News]. Following extensive discussions, reports emerged of substantial progress, with U.S. officials announcing a "total reset" in trade relations [SOURCE - Economic Times].

Meanwhile, European leaders are intensifying their diplomatic efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a 30-day ceasefire, urging Russia to comply or face consequences [SOURCE - Economic Times]. This initiative comes amidst a backdrop of rising tensions, as Russia's President Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine, a move met with skepticism from Ukrainian officials who demand a ceasefire as a precondition [SOURCE - France 24].

In the realm of domestic affairs, Switzerland is taking steps to address historical injustices, with the Zurich cantonal government announcing plans to compensate victims of forced labor [SOURCE - SwissInfo]. Additionally, the country has launched a national drought-detection system, reflecting its proactive approach to climate challenges [SOURCE - SwissInfo].

On the security front, tensions between Poland and Russia are escalating, with Poland accusing Russia of orchestrating an arson attack and subsequently expelling Russian diplomats [SOURCE - UPI]. This diplomatic strain is compounded by Hungary's opposition to the EU's plan to phase out Russian energy imports, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán labeling the proposal as "absolute insanity" [SOURCE - RT].

In economic news, France is leveraging frozen Russian assets to support military supplies to Ukraine, highlighting the intertwining of economic and security strategies in the region [SOURCE - The Hindu]. Additionally, the European Union has approved a €5 billion scheme to bolster French wine exports to the United States, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen trade ties [SOURCE - Yahoo Finance].

MENA Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

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

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇰🇼 Kuwait, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia

Regional News Summary

In the Middle East and North Africa, a series of diplomatic maneuvers and escalating tensions are shaping the geopolitical landscape. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is preparing for a visit to Europe, with France as a likely destination. This visit coincides with reports of secret talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by the UAE, aimed at reducing regional tensions [SOURCE - Israel National News]. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a delay in the US withdrawal from Syria and the lifting of EU sanctions, reflecting a growing concern over the situation [SOURCE - Theyeshivaworld].

Amid these diplomatic efforts, the Druze minority in Syria has resisted calls to disarm, raising concerns about potential instability. Israel has been accused of providing support to the Druze to undermine the Syrian government, further complicating the situation [SOURCE - Japan Times]. In a humanitarian gesture, Israel has established a mobile triage facility in southern Syria to assist Druze civilians [SOURCE - Israel National News].

In a significant economic development, Syria has launched a pilot 5G network trial in collaboration with local telecom companies, signaling a step towards rebuilding its infrastructure [SOURCE - Syrian Arab News Agency]. Additionally, Jordan's Foreign Minister has called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria to support its reconstruction efforts, highlighting the interconnectedness of regional economies [SOURCE - Syrian Arab News Agency].

The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains dire, with the International Committee of the Red Cross reaffirming its commitment to providing support. Recently, eighty displaced families returned to Homs, marking a small but significant step towards recovery [SOURCE - Syrian Arab News Agency].

In Gaza, the situation has escalated dramatically. Israel has been accused of seeking to "exterminate" Gaza, while Hamas has shifted to a tactical attack mode against Israeli forces [SOURCE - TRUTH OUT]. Egypt has played a mediating role, with both Egypt and Qatar welcoming Hamas' recent decision to release a hostage as a positive development [SOURCE - TASS].

The conflict has also drawn international attention, with the US backing down amid Yemeni resilience and leaving Israel to confront the Houthis independently. The IDF has issued evacuation warnings for Houthi-controlled ports, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict [SOURCE - The Yeshiva World].

As tensions rise, Saudi Arabia has been active in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflicts, particularly between India and Pakistan, following a military strike that heightened tensions [SOURCE - The Hindu]. The US has also been involved, pushing for a security deal with Saudi Arabia, although Israel has expressed reservations about the arrangement [SOURCE - Israel National News].

In Libya, the situation remains precarious as the US considers deporting illegal migrants to the country, raising serious human rights concerns [SOURCE - Economic Times]. Meanwhile, Libya's military leader, Khalifa Haftar, has been strengthening ties with Russia, discussing support for stabilization efforts [SOURCE - TASS].