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South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
US defence chief Hegseth meets Singapore PM Wong, reaffirms strong defence ties
United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth reaffirmed strong defence ties with Singapore during a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday, as both leaders underscored their shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid mounting geopolitical challenges. Advertisement The meeting marked the first by a Cabinet official from the current US administration to call on Wong since he assumed office. According to Singapore's Ministry of Defence, the two 'reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations' between their countries and exchanged views on regional security developments. Hegseth also reiterated Washington's support for the Singapore Armed Forces' training in the US, while Wong emphasised Singapore's consistent backing of America's military presence in the Asia-Pacific. Earlier in the day, Hegseth met Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), where both ministers reaffirmed the bilateral defence partnership and discussed ways to deepen cooperation. Singapore's Minister of Defence Chan Chun Sing meeting US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore on Friday. Photo: MINDEF Chan, attending the regional security summit for the first time as defence minister, later said in a statement that continued US engagement was 'vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity'.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
India-Pakistan clashes renew fears over nuclear risk
The tenuous ceasefire that brought India and Pakistan back from the brink of war this month was hailed on both sides as a victory. But experts warn that the disruption to the regional equilibrium renews concern over the risks posed by armed conflict between nuclear powers. Following an attack by militants in India-administered Kashmir that left more than 20 people dead, India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack — a claim Pakistani officials denied. India responded with strikes in Pakistan, which rapidly escalated into an exchange of attacks that included an Indian strike near Pakistan's army headquarters, after which U.S. officials stepped in to help broker a ceasefire deal.
Arab News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan tells UN India politicizing river flows by halting Indus treaty
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan told a United Nations forum this week India was using river waters as a political weapon by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that Islamabad would not allow New Delhi to cut off the lifeline of 240 million people or turn water into a tool of coercion. The remarks came during an Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council, an informal session allowing open discussion on pressing international issues. The forum was held as tensions escalated following India's decision to suspend the 1960 IWT. While New Delhi has cited a recent militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir to justify the move, Islamabad has denied any involvement and warned that blocking Pakistan's access to river waters threatens regional stability and violates international law. Addressing the forum on Friday, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan's deputy permanent representative to the UN, emphasized that access to clean water was a fundamental human right. He condemned India's actions, pointing out the suspension of the IWT constitutes a grave violation of international law. 'India's decision to illegally and unilaterally suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, aiming to impede the flow of water guaranteed to Pakistan under the Treaty, is a grave violation of international law, including human rights law, the treaty law and customary international law,' Jadoon said. He further criticized statements from Indian leadership suggesting intentions to 'starve the people of Pakistan,' describing such rhetoric as dangerous and perverse. Jadoon called upon India to adhere to its legal obligations and refrain from actions that could disrupt the flow of rivers vital to Pakistan's population. 'We strongly condemn India's unlawful announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance and call upon India to strictly abide by its legal obligations and refrain from stopping, diverting or restricting rivers that are a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan,' he continued. 'We will never accept any such moves.' The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has been a cornerstone of water-sharing between the two nations. Its suspension marks a significant escalation in India-Pakistan relations, with potential implications for regional stability and humanitarian concerns.
Reuters
24-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China's premier says China and Indonesia will promote 'true multilateralism'
SHANGHAI/JAKARTA, May 24 (Reuters) - China's Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that China and Indonesia will promote "true multilateralism", the official Xinhua news agency reported, as he landed in Jakarta on a two-day visit to Southeast Asia's largest economy. China has intensified engagement with countries in the region since U.S. President Donald Trump announced hefty import tariffs on its global trading partners earlier this year. Some levies have since been delayed, while China and the U.S. agreed this month to pause some of their tariffs. Jakarta, whose biggest trading partner is China, has offered the U.S. a number of concessions in a bid to soften tariffs against Indonesia. At a business leaders' event later on Saturday, at which Li was present, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto said relations between Beijing and Jakarta were key for regional stability, adding that Indonesia views China as an important partner in developing industry and technology. He also praised China's role in defending the interests of developing countries and its stand against "imperialism" and "colonialism." Prabowo and Li will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss how to strengthen Indonesia-China relations, Indonesian investment minister Rosan Roeslani said in a statement. Following the visit to Jakarta, Li will travel to Malaysia to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, Xinhua reported.
Jordan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Jordan and diplomacy of reintegrating Syria: A pivotal role in openness, lifting sanctions
Jordan has played a pivotal role in Arab efforts to restore Syria to its regional fold, based on a realistic political vision that recognizes the importance of Syria's stability as a gateway to regional stability. Jordan's role was not limited to political calls, but included practical steps and tangible initiatives, most notably coordination with Arab countries, opening direct channels of communication with Damascus, and contributing to regional connectivity projects. His Majesty King Abdullah also played an active role in influencing decision-makers in the United States, through his contacts with American political elites, urging them to ease Western sanctions imposed on Syria, paving the way for its re-integration into the Arab system and promoting a comprehensive political solution. Jordan has long been a pivotal player in the Arab world, committed to regional stability and resolving its crises through political and diplomatic means. Among the most prominent issues in which Jordan's role has emerged over the past decade has been the issue of Syria's reintegration into the Arab fold after years of isolation and bloody conflict. Jordan, along with several other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Turkey, contributed to preparing the political and diplomatic groundwork for Syria's return to the Arab League. However, its stance was distinguished by a clearer and more proactive stance, stemming from a careful reading of the regional geopolitical reality and a deep understanding of the impact of the Syrian crisis on security and stability in Jordan and the region as a whole. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, Jordan has been directly affected by the repercussions of the war, both in terms of the large Syrian refugee influx, which constituted a demographic and economic burden, and in terms of the security threats on the northern border and the spread of armed and terrorist groups. Although Jordan initially maintained a position of neutrality and called for a political solution, it later began to move towards a more realistic approach, based on active engagement in de-escalation efforts and re-establishing communication with the Syrian regime. This Jordanian approach was clearly demonstrated through several practical initiatives. Jordan was among the first Arab countries to explicitly call for Syria's return to the Arab League, considering that its isolation from its Arab surroundings had proven unsuccessful, and that dialogue was the only way to overcome the state of polarisation and division. Jordan also called for easing the sanctions imposed on Syria, which have only deepened the suffering of the Syrian people and exacerbated the economic and humanitarian crisis. Perhaps one of Jordan's most notable steps in this regard was its contribution to the project to supply electricity and gas to Syria and Lebanon, as part of what is known as the "Arab Electricity Interconnection" project. This project carries as much political significance as it does developmental dimensions. The project aims not only to support the Syrian economy, but also to serve as a bridge to rebuild trust and reintegrate Syria into the official Arab system, away from the regional and international polarizations that have obstructed solutions for more than a decade. The meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah and Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara'a in Amman was a symbolic and practical turning point, conveying a clear message that Jordan believes in the importance of direct dialogue between Arab leaders and that moving beyond the past requires political courage and responsible initiatives. It was followed by a series of meetings and contacts that contributed to softening Arab positions towards Damascus. Jordan's role was not solely driven by political or security considerations; rather, it reflects a comprehensive strategic vision that views Syria's stability as part of the stability of the region. Syria, by virtue of its geographical location, represents a significant focal point in the Arab Levant, and its absence from the Arab world has weakened joint Arab action and opened the door to intertwined regional and international interventions. From this perspective, Jordan's supportive role for Syria's return to the Arab arena was not out of courtesy but rather stemming from a conviction that there can be no real solution without Syria, and no comprehensive stability without addressing the roots of the Syrian crisis politically, security-wise, and economically. In the same vein, Jordan did not act alone, but rather sought to coordinate with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey. Despite their differing positions throughout the stages of the crisis, they ultimately agreed on the importance of returning Syria to the Arab League and pushing the Syrian regime to engage in a new political process that considers the interests of the Syrian people and halts the bloodshed of the conflict. Several consultative meetings were held between the foreign ministers of these countries, in which Jordan was actively present, proposing gradual and comprehensive approaches to achieve this goal. Bringing Syria back into the Arab fold is not only a political imperative; it also represents a practical approach to confronting common regional challenges, such as terrorism, cross-border smuggling, drug trafficking, and foreign intervention. Jordan has repeatedly expressed its concern about the growing threat of drug smuggling across its northern border, demonstrating that security coordination with Damascus is a regional necessity, not a diplomatic luxury. In sum, it can be said that Jordan's role in bringing Syria back into the Arab fold embodies a kind of realistic and responsible diplomacy that balances national principles and national interests. Jordan did not limit itself to theoretical positions; it also took practical steps, seeking to build understandings with other Arab countries and opening channels with Damascus, without neglecting the legitimate demands of the Syrian people or ignoring the humanitarian and political dimensions of the crisis. His Majesty King Abdullah also played a pivotal role in this context through his frequent contacts with decision-makers and influential elites in the United States. On more than one occasion, he emphasised the need to reconsider the Western sanctions policy imposed on Syria, given its disastrous effects on the Syrian people and on the stability of the region. These Jordanian efforts aimed to convince Washington of the importance of adopting a more flexible and realistic approach that would allow for political and economic solutions and enhance the chances of Syria's gradual return to the Arab regional order. In doing so, Jordan presented a model of a state that plays the role of an honest and effective mediator, prioritizing regional security, Arab unity, and preserving the regional order from collapse or fragmentation. Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
