Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, US–Israel vs Iran, political reforms in Argentina, and landmark diplomatic deals across Asia and Europe shaped global headlines.

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US and Israel launch joint strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran, in operations described by US and Israeli officials as targeting Tehran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites and senior leadership in what Washington characterised as a bid to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. 

The offensive, known in Israeli sources as Operation Lion’s Roar and among US official as Operation Epic Fury, reportedly began with extensive air and missile strikes across multiple Iranian cities. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and government condemned the attacks as violations of sovereignty and vowed sustained retaliation. 

Tehran has since launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes on U.S. bases and allied territories across the Gulf, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, prompting heightened global tensions.

Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran since 1989, was killed and 40 days of national mourning declared.

The crisis prompted an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting, where UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged de‑escalation and respect for international law. Russia condemned the strikes as “unprovoked”, while France, Germany, and the United Kingdom emphasised civilian protection and diplomacy in response to the unfolding conflict.

Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict intensifies; casualty figures show sharp contrasts

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared that Islamabad is now in “open war” with Afghanistan following cross-border strikes, accusing the Taliban of exporting terrorism and violating human rights, including women’s rights. Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia in retaliation for alleged Afghan attacks, marking one of its deepest incursions in years.

The fighting has resulted in significant casualties. Pakistan reports 12 soldiers killed and claims 274 Taliban fighters dead, while the Taliban cites 13 fighters and 110 Pakistani troops killed, plus 52 civilian deaths in Khost and Paktika. Pakistani operations continue under “Ghazab Lil Haq”. These figures have not been independently confirmed.  The UN, EU, China, and Russia have urged de-escalation, while the US supports Pakistan’s right to self-defence.

Kim Jong Un pledges nuclear expansion and economic reforms at WPK congress

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un opened the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, pledging to improve living standards, boost economic construction, and transform state and social sectors. He was re-elected secretary-general, consolidating his leadership and overseeing the election of new Central Committee members.

Kim reiterated plans to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and delivery systems, rejecting denuclearisation, and called on the United States to recognise North Korea as a permanent nuclear state. He labelled South Korea the North’s “most hostile entity” and warned of potential destruction if security is threatened, dashing prospects of a diplomatic thaw.

Gorton and Denton by-election highlights shifting UK voter priorities

Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer won the Gorton and Denton by-election with 14,980 votes, ahead of Reform UK on 10,578 and Labour on 9,364. Turnout was 47.6%, slightly below the 2024 general election. The seat became vacant after former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne resigned on health grounds.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the result “very disappointing” but acknowledged voters’ frustration, pledging to continue tackling political extremes. Green Party leader Zack Polanski described Spencer’s victory as “incredibly important” and a sign that no seat is unwinnable for the Greens.

The by-election also attracted controversy, with Nigel Farage and observers from Democracy Volunteers raising concerns about illegal “family voting,” which violates the 2023 Ballot Secrecy Act.

Netherlands swears in new coalition government

Dutch King Willem-Alexander formally swore in a minority coalition government led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the Netherlands’ youngest-ever premier, at Huis ten Bosch Royal Palace in The Hague. The king wished the government success “in uncertain times.”

The coalition unites D66 (Democrats 66), the Christian Democrats, and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), holding 66 of 150 lower house seats and requiring negotiation with opposition parties on each legislative proposal.

Key priorities for Prime Minister Jetten include expanding green energy initiatives to reduce costs, tackling the housing crisis with 10 new towns and 100,000 homes annually, strengthening healthcare through illness prevention, and reforming migration policies to allow asylum claims from outside the EU.

6.5 million face acutely food insecurity in Somalia as drought and price surge

The number of people facing acute food insecurity in Somalia has nearly doubled to 6.5 million, up from 3.4 million in early 2025, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). Drought, conflict, displacement, and high food prices are driving the surge, with poor farmers, pastoralists, and internally displaced communities most affected.

Over 2 million people are in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), while 1.84 million children under five face acute malnutrition, including 483,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM), UNICEF reports. The crisis is expected to worsen during the dry Jilaal season, though Gu rains from April to June may provide limited relief. IPC urges urgent humanitarian assistance in hotspots where hunger and malnutrition intersect.

Merz secures Chinese imports pledge; Kazakhstan and Serbia strengthen ties

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz secured a commitment from President Xi Jinping to increase Chinese imports of high-quality German products during his first visit to Beijing as Chancellor. Accompanied by executives from 30 German firms, including Volkswagen and BMW, Merz highlighted Germany’s €90 billion trade deficit, raising concerns over market distortions, overcapacity, and an undervalued yuan.

China pledged increased imports and investment cooperation, while five agreements covering climate, agriculture, and sport were signed. Up to 120 additional aircraft are expected from Airbus. Merz stressed dialogue on challenges, with Xi urging enhanced strategic communication and mutual trust amid global uncertainty.

Meanwhile Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia marked 30 years of diplomatic ties, signing ten intergovernmental agreements on healthcare, AI, agriculture, justice, and cultural cooperation. Bilateral trade, direct flights between Astana and Belgrade, and initiatives on SDGs, interreligious dialogue, and environmental protection were highlighted.

Argentina senate approves Milei’s contentious labour modernisation law

Argentina’s Senate has approved sweeping labour reforms backed by President Javier Milei, delivering a significant legislative victory for the libertarian government. The “labour modernisation law” passed 42–28, with two abstentions.

The reforms extend the standard workday from eight to 12 hours, limit the right to strike through minimum service requirements, relax hiring rules, amend holiday entitlements, and permit salaries to be paid in foreign currency. The government says the measures will boost investment, formal employment and productivity amid austerity.

Trade unions argue worker protections are weakened, prompting protests in Buenos Aires. Polling shows 48.6% support and 45.2% oppose the reforms. Since taking office, President Milei has reduced monthly inflation to 2.9% and stabilised the peso, drawing praise from the International Monetary Fund.

Iraq–Kuwait maritime dispute resurfaces; Bolivia backs Morocco on Western Sahara

A maritime boundary dispute between Iraq and Kuwait has resurfaced after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations, asserting claims in the Persian Gulf also claimed by Kuwait. Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said the move infringes its sovereignty, including over the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Gulf states including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman backed Kuwait, while Saudi Arabia raised concerns over a joint zone.

Meanwhile, Bolivia withdrew recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) after talks between Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo, backing a UN-led settlement under UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) and strengthening support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan in Western Sahara.

South Korea and Brazil deepen strategic ties

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, strategic minerals, technology, and culture during summit talks in Seoul on 23 February. The leaders aim to elevate bilateral relations into a strategic partnership and support stability on the Korean Peninsula, with Lee calling peace “the strongest form of security.”

Ten memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed covering trade and industrial policy, rare earths, digital economy and AI, biotech, agriculture, food security, health, and joint policing on cybercrime, narcotics, and transnational threats. Both sides also backed resuming South Korea–Mercosur trade talks and expanding collaboration in green industries and energy transition.

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