All articles tagged with #diplomatic tension
Chinese authorities investigated a smuggling operation led by two Taiwanese men involving a vessel that damaged subsea cables, with political tensions escalating as China offers a bounty for suspects and Taiwan denies Chinese jurisdiction, accusing Beijing of political manipulation.
Venezuela accused the U.S. of illegally seizing a fishing boat in its exclusive economic zone, alleging the U.S. military detained nine fishermen for eight hours, escalating tensions amid broader conflicts over drug trafficking and regional security.
Over 300 South Korean workers detained during a US ICE raid at a Georgia battery plant have returned home, sparking widespread anger and accusations of betrayal from South Korea, which criticizes the US for treating its citizens harshly and questions the trust in their alliance.
Belgium summoned the Israeli ambassador after a Belgian development agency building in Gaza City was bombed, emphasizing that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. The building, shared with Handicap International, was believed to be empty at the time of the bombing, and no civilian casualties were reported. Israel has pledged to conduct an investigation, and Belgium, a proponent of a lasting humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, has criticized Israel's handling of the conflict.
A 14-year-old Maldivian boy died after President Mohammed Muizzu allegedly denied permission for an Indian Dornier aircraft to airlift him from a remote island to the capital for advanced medical care. The delay in response and subsequent transfer led to protests, with local media and officials criticizing the president's refusal to deploy the aircraft. This incident has further strained diplomatic relations between India and the Maldives, as President Muizzu signals a shift in foreign policy towards closer ties with China and away from the previous "India first" approach.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern over the diplomatic tension between India and Canada, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation by Canada and urging India's cooperation. He highlighted the importance of addressing alleged transnational repression on an international level and emphasized close consultation and coordination with Canada on the matter.
Tens of thousands of people rallied in Niamey, Niger in support of last month's coup, a day after the country's new military rulers ordered France's ambassador to leave. The rally, held at the Seyni Kountche stadium, expressed support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) and its goal of removing French soldiers from Niger. The new rulers accuse the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of being influenced by France, while ECOWAS has imposed sanctions and threatened military action if power is not returned to President Mohamed Bazoum. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with a US diplomat visiting Nigeria to meet with ECOWAS officials.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni shrine on the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II, while economic security minister Sanae Takaichi visited the shrine in person. The shrine, which honors war dead but also enshrines convicted war criminals, has been a source of diplomatic tension with China and South Korea. South Korea expressed disappointment and regret, while China criticized Japan's attitude towards history and urged it to face its own history of aggression. Recent prime ministers have sent offerings to the shrine to avoid confrontation, but tensions between Tokyo and Beijing have been rising recently.
The lack of communication between the US and Chinese military is becoming a growing concern at the Pentagon, with China being slow to establish military contacts and quick to shut them down during periods of diplomatic tension. While the US is pushing for more and deeper military communications, China is reluctant to engage, believing that the US military is operating in its sphere of influence. The lack of communication increases the risk of potential flare-ups and accidental military clashes, with the US making over a dozen requests to talk with the Pentagon since 2021, all of which have been declined or not responded to by China.