All articles tagged with #diplomatic pressure
Norway is preparing for the fallout after the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement amid intense pressure from Donald Trump to award him the prize, with concerns over diplomatic and economic repercussions if he is snubbed, despite Norway's claims of non-interference in the decision.
Tens of thousands of protesters, possibly up to 300,000, marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge calling for peace and aid for Gaza amid a worsening humanitarian crisis, despite police safety concerns and legal challenges, with international diplomatic pressure increasing on Israel.
The article discusses the recent wave of European countries recognizing Palestinian statehood and the U.S. and Israel's strategic responses, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic resilience, countermeasures against Hamas, and the need for negotiated peace settlements rather than unilateral declarations, to maintain stability and security in the region.
Israel's war cabinet is deliberating on how to respond to Iran's recent airstrike, considering options to deter future attacks, placate American allies, and avoid all-out war, as the unprecedented attack has changed the dynamics of their long-running shadow war. Israeli officials emphasize the need to not stand still in the face of such aggression, while diplomatic pressure from other countries aims to de-escalate the conflict.
The senior US Navy commander in the Middle East, Vice Adm. George Wikoff, revealed in an exclusive interview that the US-led campaign of strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels has not deterred them from attacking international commercial shipping. Despite four waves of allied-backed airstrikes targeting Houthi military assets, the rebels continue their terrorist activities, including firing a ballistic missile at a US-owned chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden. Wikoff emphasized the potential for diplomatic pressure to compel the Iran-backed rebels to cease their brazen attacks.
The US envoy, along with ambassadors from other NATO allies, attended the Hungarian parliament to pressure Budapest to approve Sweden's bid to join the alliance. The ruling Fidesz party lawmakers boycotted the extraordinary session called by the opposition, delaying the ratification. Hungary is the only NATO state yet to ratify Sweden's accession, straining relations with the United States and its allies. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government supports Sweden joining NATO, but the relevant bill has been stalled in parliament since mid-2022. The US ambassador urged Hungary to act expeditiously, while Fidesz suggested that the Swedish prime minister visit Budapest before ratification.
US lawmakers are pressuring Hungary to immediately approve Sweden's accession to NATO, warning that Budapest risks permanent damage to its relationship with Washington if it does not act. Senators expressed deep concerns over Hungary's delay in approving Sweden's NATO membership and suggested that Hungary's inaction risks irrevocably damaging its relationship with the United States and with NATO. Sweden's membership in NATO has been held up by Turkey and Hungary, frustrating NATO allies who see Sweden as an important player in ensuring security in the Baltic region.
Diplomatic pressure is mounting over the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, a prominent critic of China's Communist Party leadership, in Hong Kong. Lai, the founder of the now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, is facing collusion with foreign forces charges under the China-imposed national security law, which could result in a life sentence. The trial has become a test for Hong Kong's judicial independence and freedoms, with diplomats from various countries attending. The UK and US governments have called for Lai's immediate release, stating that the trial is politically motivated. Lai's lawyer is seeking to limit the timeframe of the sedition conspiracy charge, while the prosecution argues that Lai's alleged criminal enterprise should be considered as a whole. The trial is expected to last 80 days.
Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotel manager portrayed as a hero in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, has arrived in the US after being released from prison in Rwanda. He was sentenced to 25 years on terrorism charges in 2021, which his supporters called a sham trial. His release followed years of US government diplomatic pressure and talks brokered by Qatar. Rusesabagina had become a fierce critic of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and was found guilty of backing a rebel group behind deadly attacks in 2018 and 2019 in Rwanda.
China has threatened to take "resolute countermeasures" against the United States and Taiwan over a planned meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Beijing has repeatedly alleged the U.S. and Taiwan are acting in secret to push for Taiwan’s independence. Tsai is scheduled to meet McCarthy on Wednesday, April 5, when the head of the self-governing island democracy visits Los Angeles, California. In recent weeks, China has ramped up diplomatic pressure on Taiwan, which governs independently as a democracy, and has mobilized its military forces over the island.
China has threatened "resolute countermeasures" over a planned meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Speaker of the United States House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during an upcoming visit in Los Angeles by the head of the self-governing island democracy. Diplomatic pressure against Taiwan has ramped up recently, with Beijing poaching Taipei's dwindling number of diplomatic allies while also sending military fighter jets flying toward the island on a near daily basis.
Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotel manager portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda, is set to be released from prison in Kigali after his 25-year sentence for terrorism was commuted by presidential order. Rusesabagina is credited with saving some 1,200 people during the 1994 genocide. His release comes after years of diplomatic pressure and talks brokered by Qatar. The Biden administration has said he was "wrongfully detained". His family say the Rwandan government lured him from Texas, where he had permanent residency, back to Rwanda in 2020.