Welcome to this week’s roundup of key global events and developments shaping politics, economics, and society. From groundbreaking policy shifts and diplomatic manoeuvres to emerging stories of resilience and upheaval, we bring you the latest updates and insights. For Indian audiences, understanding these developments is not just about keeping informed—it’s about identifying the ripple effects that could influence India’s foreign policy and its position in an increasingly fragmented world.
Whether it’s a headline grabbing the world’s attention or an underreported issue with far-reaching consequences, we aim to provide a clear, concise, and comprehensive overview of what matters most.
A month ago, in the dimly lit rooms of Beirut, a senior Western diplomat vented a sentiment many had come to accept: Bashar al-Assad had won Syria’s brutal, drawn-out civil war. After over a decade of bloodshed, crushed protests, and international sanctions imposed, the dictator seemed firmly entrenched. “It’s time to move on,” the diplomat had declared. Yet, just weeks later, the very idea of “moving on” has been upended.
In a dramatic turn of events, rebels in Syria launched an offensive on November 29 that overturned years of stagnation. Led by the Islamist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebels captured key towns in northwest Syria, including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, marking the first significant defeat of Assad’s forces in five years.
These developments, while stunning, have sparked uncertainty. For Assad’s regime, the response has been a mix of silence and denial. State media dismissed the rebel advances as “photo ops”, suggesting fighters posed for pictures before leaving. Yet, city after city fell, exposing cracks in a government long thought impervious to such challenges.
The implications of these shifts extend far beyond Syria. Writing in Foreign Policy magazine, Galip Dalay argues that Assad’s potential fall would fundamentally reshape the region as “not only did Syria’s domestic political order change overnight—so too did its geopolitical identity. It is no longer part of Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ or one of Russia’s longest-lasting allies in the Arab world.”
For India, which has cautiously engaged with both Russia and Iran, this upheaval could signal a recalibration in the region’s dynamics. Syria’s strategic location has made it a chessboard for global powers, and any significant change will have ripple effects that India cannot ignore.
While rebel advances mark a new phase in Syria’s civil war, they also raise concerns about the future. The fall of the regime could lead to the collapse of the Syrian state itself, similar to Libya’s descent into chaos. The maintenance of state institutions, even during transitions of power, is critical to avoid a governance vacuum that extremist groups could exploit.
In a surprising move, HTS convened its first joint cabinet meeting with ministers from Assad’s regime—an indicator that the rebels might be contemplating a managed transition rather than total anarchy. Whether this signals a genuine commitment to stability or a tactical manoeuvre remains to be seen.
For India, the stakes are both strategic and economic. The Middle East is a vital region for energy security, with over 60 per cent of India’s crude oil imports originating from there. Moreover, the region’s stability is crucial for the safety of millions of Indian expatriates who live and work in the Gulf.
As Syria’s future hangs in the balance, its impact on global power dynamics—from Iran’s weakening influence to Russia’s retreat—could reshape India’s diplomatic calculus. With Syria potentially moving away from Iran and Russia’s orbits, New Delhi might see opportunities to recalibrate its ties with other Middle Eastern powers.
South Korea, often hailed as a model of democratic governance in East Asia, is witnessing a dramatic political crisis. President Yoon Suk Yeol * faces a potential impeachment after his unprecedented attempt to declare martial law and deploy military forces to block parliament. The fallout brought tens of thousands of South Koreans into the streets of Seoul, divided into rival rallies either demanding Yoon’s resignation or supporting him as a bulwark against alleged Communist conspiracies.
The political stakes couldn’t be higher. If the National Assembly passes the impeachment motion, Yoon will be suspended from office pending a constitutional court ruling. This process could take up to 180 days, during which Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would serve as interim president. If the court supports impeachment, Yoon would become only the second South Korean president in history to be removed this way, following Park Geun-hye in 2017.
The situation has cast a spotlight on the fragility of democratic norms, even in well-established democracies. Yoon’s brief martial law declaration, which sent soldiers and helicopters to parliament, was quickly quashed by lawmakers who broke the military cordon to reconvene and reject the decree. Yet, the incident has left deep scars on South Korea’s political landscape.
Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, has described Yoon’s actions as “clearly an act of insurrection.” The opposition Democratic Party leader, Lee Jae-myung, has appealed to lawmakers in Yoon’s own People Power Party (PPP) to “stand with the people freezing in the streets” and vote for impeachment.
Seoul has become a battleground of public opinion. On one side, massive rallies outside the National Assembly call for Yoon’s resignation, with demonstrators waving banners, braving freezing temperatures, and fuelled by songs like ‘Into the New World’ by Yuri of Girls’ Generation—a K-pop anthem that has become synonymous with protests.
On the other side, Yoon’s supporters gathered near Gwanghwamun Square, waving South Korean and American flags, blasting patriotic songs, and dismissing impeachment efforts as a political witch hunt.
The president has doubled down, accusing the opposition of colluding with communist forces and vowing to fight “until the very last minute.” His rhetoric has polarised public opinion further, with many questioning the long-term impact of his martial law gambit on the legitimacy of South Korean institutions.
Saudi Arabia’s unopposed selection as host of the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup marks a monumental milestone in the kingdom’s ambitious campaign to position itself as a global sports powerhouse. The decision, confirmed during a virtual FIFA Congress meeting, underscores the Gulf nation’s growing influence in football—a sport it has strategically invested in over recent years.
FIFA’s technical report described Saudi Arabia’s bid as a “very strong all-round proposition” with a high rating of 4.2 out of 5. However, questions remain over the tournament’s timing due to the Gulf’s extreme summer heat, echoing the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which had to be rescheduled to winter. FIFA’s assessment also claimed the event could serve as a “catalyst for ongoing and future reforms” in Saudi Arabia, a point Amnesty International dismissed as a “whitewash” of the kingdom’s troubling human rights record.
Saudi Arabia’s massive investments in football have drawn both admiration and criticism. Its Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns Newcastle United in the English Premier League, sponsors clubs like Atlético Madrid, and bankrolls state-owned Saudi Aramco’s partnership with FIFA. The kingdom has also spent billions recruiting football icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr., further cementing its place in the sport’s upper echelons.
Critics argue this is a classic case of “sportswashing,” using high-profile events and investments to distract from human rights abuses. The Danish Institute for Sports Studies, in a report by Play the Game, described Saudi Arabia’s successful bid as the culmination of years of strategic networking and investments that have embedded the kingdom in football’s global power structures.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has openly dismissed such accusations, asserting that these investments yield tangible economic benefits and inspire Saudi youth to embrace healthier lifestyles. “If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1 per cent, I will continue doing sportswashing,” the Crown Prince remarked unapologetically in a 2023 interview.
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid isn’t just about football—it’s about geopolitics. By hosting one of the world’s most-watched sporting events, the kingdom aims to assert its leadership in the Middle East and reshape its global image. This comes alongside other moves, such as normalising ties with Israel, brokering peace in Yemen, and playing a more assertive role in OPEC’s energy policies.
For India, Saudi Arabia’s rise as a soft power hub offers both opportunities and challenges. Riyadh is New Delhi’s fourth-largest trading partner and a critical supplier of oil. Beyond energy, Saudi Arabia’s engagement with sports, entertainment, and technology signals its intent to diversify its economy, creating new avenues for bilateral collaboration. India’s deepening ties with the kingdom, exemplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Riyadh in 2019, could benefit from the soft power ripple effects of events like the World Cup.
* South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday.
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Tim Southee hits three sixes in his farewell Test, moving up to joint-fourth on the all-time Test six-hitting charts. He could become the fastest batter to hit 100 sixes in Tests, boasting a staggering six-hitting ratio of 27.65 deliveries per maximum. He equalled Chris Gayle’s record of 98 sixes and surpassed Jacques Kallis on the all-time charts.
This No Is Already Registered.
Thanks For Registered Mobile No.
