The European Council and coalition members, including Ukraine and the US, have agreed on a comprehensive security framework to ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and lasting peace, which includes robust security guarantees, military support, a multinational force, and coordinated efforts for future support in case of Russian aggression.
Ukrainian drones intercepted over Russia and hit Odesa, injuring four, while Russia claims drone attacks on Russian territory, including damage to port infrastructure. Meanwhile, European and Canadian officials are discussing peace efforts in Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. A power outage outside Moscow affected over 100,000 residents, with no confirmed link to Ukraine.
President Trump’s upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago is crucial for advancing the Gaza peace deal, as tensions and disagreements over demilitarization, governance, and regional stability threaten to stall progress. The White House aims to push forward with a technocratic Palestinian government and a phased demilitarization, but Netanyahu’s skepticism and actions on the ground complicate these efforts. The outcome of this meeting could significantly influence the future of Gaza and regional peace initiatives.
Fourteen countries, including Britain, Canada, and Germany, condemned Israel for approving 19 new settlements in the West Bank, which they say violate international law and threaten regional stability. The expansion increases the total settlements to 210, nearly 50% more during the current government, and is opposed by these nations who support a two-state solution and Palestinian self-determination.
A joint statement from the Troika capitals criticizes South Sudan's leadership for failing to implement the peace agreement, citing ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and obstruction of humanitarian efforts, and urges urgent actions to restore stability and trust.
Rebel forces in eastern DR Congo have announced they will withdraw from Uvira city at the request of the US, as part of efforts to support a peace process and reduce conflict in the region, which is rich in valuable minerals and has experienced decades of instability.
Ukraine and the US are engaged in ongoing negotiations in Berlin, showing signs of progress towards a peace process, with Germany supporting increased military cooperation and diplomatic efforts, despite persistent disagreements over territorial issues and ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The US welcomes the UN Security Council's resolution on Western Sahara, supporting diplomatic efforts for peace, endorsing Morocco's autonomy proposal as a basis for a solution, and emphasizing the importance of regional stability and ongoing negotiations.
The article explores how lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process, including disarmament and inclusive political negotiations, might inform efforts to achieve peace in Gaza, highlighting parallels and differences between the two conflicts and the roles of key figures like Tony Blair and Jonathan Powell.
The article discusses the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, achieved under President Trump's influence, and emphasizes that while the ceasefire is a positive step, it is not equivalent to peace. It highlights the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the challenges of governance in Gaza, and criticizes Trump's impulsive leadership style, warning against overestimating the significance of the ceasefire as a lasting solution.
Gulf nations are likely to proceed with Donald Trump's Gaza plan, which involves establishing safe zones and rebuilding efforts, regardless of Hamas's acceptance, amid regional instability and efforts to end the conflict.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is involved in discussions, backed by the White House, to lead a transitional authority in Gaza supported by the UN and Gulf nations, aiming to stabilize the region and eventually transfer control to Palestinians, amidst ongoing conflict and international efforts for peace.
Many Palestinians in the West Bank feel that international recognition of Palestinian statehood is insufficient without concrete solutions, amid ongoing Israeli settlement expansion, military control, and economic hardships, which threaten the viability of a two-state solution and deepen despair among Palestinians.
Israel's planning committee approved a controversial plan to build nearly 3,500 new apartments in the West Bank's E1 area, expanding the settlement of Maale Adumim. The move has been widely condemned internationally as illegal and as a threat to the two-state solution, with critics arguing it would divide Palestinian territory and make a contiguous Palestinian state impossible. Israeli far-right officials support the plan, framing it as a rejection of international pressure and a step against Palestinian statehood ambitions.
Human Rights Watch reports that M23 rebels in DR Congo killed at least 140 civilians in July, despite ongoing peace efforts, with evidence of summary executions and support from Rwandan forces, highlighting ongoing violence and stalled peace negotiations.