Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, escalating conflicts, landmark summits, trade deals, and national security decisions highlighted shifting alliances, regional tensions, and global strategic priorities worldwide.

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Iran war enters second week as conflict escalates across the Middle East

Coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran have escalated into a wider regional conflict. Over 1,300 people have reportedly died in Iran, including top officials, while Iranian missiles and drones hit Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Azerbaijan and Lebanon, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries for missile attacks, emphasising Iran’s right to self-defence while pledging to avoid targeting them unless provoked.

President Donald Trump warned the U.S. may broaden its targets, demanding unconditional Iranian surrender. The conflict has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, driving global energy prices higher.

Trump convenes regional leaders at ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit

US President Donald Trump hosted the inaugural Shield of the Americas Summit on 7 March 2026 at Trump National Doral Miami, unveiling a new multinational security framework aimed at dismantling transnational drug cartels across the Western Hemisphere. The summit launched the Americas Counter‑Cartel Coalition, designed to coordinate intelligence sharing, joint operations and, in some cases, direct military support against organised crime networks.

Speaking to leaders from about a dozen Latin American and Caribbean nations, Donald Trump urged a coordinated military response to cartel violence, framing the effort as essential for regional security.

The initiative follows recent controversial US security actions in the region and aims to counter cartel trafficking, illegal migration, and perceived foreign interference, while elevating military cooperationamong participating governments.

This past week, the United States and Venezuela’s interim government agreed to restore diplomatic and consular relations, ending a rupture since 2019 and supporting stability and a peaceful transitionunder interim President Delcy Rodríguez. US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Caracas to discuss investment and resource cooperation, with Venezuela pledging security for foreign mining companies in key energy and mineral sectors.

Border fighting escalates between Pakistan and Afghanistan, UN warns of rising displacement

Pakistani and Afghan clashes along their shared border persisted this week, displacing over 115,000 people in Afghanistan and 3,000 in Pakistan, according to the United Nations.

Fighting reignited last week with Pakistani air strikes on alleged militant strongholds, which Afghanistandescribed as a sovereignty violation, denying it harbours militants attacking Pakistan.

Taliban forces reportedly targeted more than two dozen Pakistani military posts, destroying 14 and shooting down a drone. Pakistani security sources said they struck Afghan positions, including in Kandahar. Civilian casualties have been reported, with both sides disputing figures.

Protests erupted in Kabul and Laghman Province against Pakistan’s attacks, while diplomatic efforts for a truce, including from Türkiye, have so far stalled. Pakistani government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidistated no negotiations are planned, emphasising Pakistan’s security priorities.

China opens annual Two Sessions

China opened its 2026 Two Sessions, comprising the National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, with Premier Li Qiang expected to present China’s highly anticipated 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).

Preliminary details reveal the plan targets 4.5–5% GDP growth, prioritises industrial self-reliance, AI, semiconductors, renewable energy, and policies to boost domestic consumption, population support, and urban–rural equality. Over 100 projects are planned across industry, transport and energy sectors.

President Xi Jinping used the sessions to emphasise loyalty and anti-corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), dismissing senior officers and announcing a 7% increase in the 2026 defence budget to 1.9 trillion yuan ($270bn), reinforcing CCP control over the military.

France’s Macron unveils nuclear deterrence plans

Speaking from a ballistic-missile submarine base in Brittany, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed an increase in France’s nuclear warheads, emphasising the need to defend the country’s “vital interests” in a volatile world.

Macron outlined a forward nuclear deterrence strategy with European partners, distinct from but complementary to NATO, with eight EU countries—including the UK, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark—expressing interest in hosting strategic French air assets.

Key developments include a high-ranking nuclear steering group with Germany, collaboration with London and Berlin on long-range missile projects, and commissioning of a new ballistic-missile submarine, Invincible, by 2036. France currently maintains an estimated 290 warheads.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Asia-Pacific tour advances Canada trade, security and critical minerals partnerships

During an Asia-Pacific diplomatic tour, Prime Minister Mark Carney met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, accelerating negotiations for a Canada–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) targeted for completion by end-2026.

Mark Carney said the deal aims to double bilateral trade to C$70bn this decade. Talks resumed after tensions following the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations India denies. Agreements also included cooperation on critical minerals, clean energy, and a C$2.6bn uranium supply contract involving Cameco.

During the tour, Prime Minister Mark Carney also strengthened strategic cooperation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of Japan.

Separately Canada signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with the Government of Greenland on critical minerals, Arctic energy systems and infrastructure resilience.

Trinidad and Tobago declares State of Emergency amid surge in gang violence

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has declared a State of Emergency (SoE) in Trinidad and Tobago following credible intelligence of planned attacks against law enforcement and an escalation in gang-related violence.

The National Security Council said the decision follows multiple deaths from mass shootings, with 63 homicides recorded in 2026 so far. The emergency measure, initially lasting 15 days, grants authorities expanded powers to conduct searches and arrests without warrants.

Reginald Mac Lean, President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, warned the security situation could negatively affect tourism revenue.

However, Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles criticised the decision, describing the State of Emergency as an “authoritarian” response rather than a strategic approach to tackling organised crime.

Philippines and South Korea sign 10 cooperation agreements ; Singapore and Seoul establish AI research alliance

President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung agreed to expand bilateral cooperation beyond trade during summit talks at Malacañang Palace on 3 March 2026.

Ten Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed covering defence, agriculture, digital innovation, trade, culture and police cooperation. Agreements include collaboration on artificial intelligence, green energy, shipbuilding and nuclear power, with feasibility studies for reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. The Philippines aims to launch nuclear plants by 2032, targeting 4,800 MW capacity by 2050.

Separately, South Korea and Singapore established an AI cooperation framework. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon and Minister of SMEs and Startups Han Seong-sook said the initiative includes a ₩50bn joint AI research programme, a Korea–Singapore AI Alliance, and a $300m venture fund by 2030.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir confirms Iceland EU referendum on reopening accession talks

Iceland will hold a referendum on 29 August 2026 on whether to reopen negotiations to join the European Union.

At a press conference in Reykjavik, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir said the vote would address a long-running national debate over Iceland’s potential EU accession.

Iceland applied for membership in 2009 during the global financial crisis. Negotiations were suspended in 2013 amid disputes over fisheries policy, and the application was formally withdrawn in 2015. The country remains part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen Area.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the decision comes amid global uncertainty, describing the EU as offering “values, prosperity and security”. If approved, Iceland would hold a second referendum following accession negotiations.

Putin and Touadéra strengthen Russia–CAR ties ; India and Finland deepen digital and tech cooperation

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadérain Moscow to discuss security, trade, energy, agriculture, and humanitarian cooperation.

Putin proposed a Russia–CAR intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, while Touadéra thanked Russia for security support during recent elections. The countries also discussed grain supplies, hydrocarbon cooperation, energy sector support, and expanding Russian-language education programmes for CAR students.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Alexander Stubb of Finland in New Delhi to deepen collaboration on digitalisation, sustainability, clean energy, AI, 6G, quantum computing, semiconductors, defence, space, and critical minerals. Both leaders highlighted the India–EU Free Trade Agreement as a framework to strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation.

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