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International Crisis Group

The latest news and top stories on International Crisis Group. A prominent Brussels Belgium based global non-profit non-governmental organisation and think tank, the International Crisis Group is dedicated to preventing and resolving deadly conflicts and shaping policies for a more peaceful world. Its main areas of focus include conducting field research and analysis on global crises, providing early warning and engaging with policymakers to promote peaceful solutions. The institution is recognised as a leading source of information analysis and policy advice on conflict prevention and resolution.

Japan

Why Japan is eyeing a record US$56 billion defence budget

Major outlays are being planned for drones, AI-enabled command systems, long-range missiles and support for the domestic defence industry.

21 Aug 2026 - 5:15PM

US-China relations

Wang Yi heads to Seoul as Trump cuts South Korea drills, opening door for China

18 Aug 2026 - 10:39PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Chinese officials rattled by White House chaos weeks ahead of Xi-Trump summit

17 Aug 2026 - 9:44AMvideocam

US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:07PMvideocam

US-China relations

US hawks push Trump on multibillion-dollar Taiwan arms deal ahead of Xi summit

Observers say US leader may be ‘miscalculating’ if he attempts to use the US$14 billion package to ramp up pressure on Beijing.

5 Aug 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Can China’s EV boom give it decisive edge in geopolitical tech war?

Beijing’s dominance in global EV industry may provide leverage over countries dependent on its technology and supply chains, analysts say.

30 Jul 2026 - 5:50AMvideocam

India

From marches to memes: why India’s youth turned against Modi

Even the resignation of education chief Dharmendra Pradhan may not be enough to placate rising anger against the ruling BJP.

26 Jul 2026 - 12:22PMvideocam

Supporters of the youth-led satirical political movement CJP take part in a demonstration at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi on Saturday. Photo: EPA

United Nations

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

24 Jul 2026 - 2:35PM

Japan

Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Analysts say the move will be ‘a starting point’ for greater cooperation among like-minded partners amid concerns about US commitment.

24 Jul 2026 - 4:40PM

Canada

Canada picks German firm for new sub fleet deal, likely strengthening Nato ties

German firm TKMS beats Hanwha Ocean of South Korea to Canadian submarine agreement in a move expected to strengthen ties with Nato.

7 Jul 2026 - 9:06PM

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney at HMC Dockyard in Halifax on Monday. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Ukraine war

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

24 Jun 2026 - 1:54AMvideocam

Smoke billows behind an Orthodox church following a reported Ukrainian drone attack, in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Asean

Can Russia secure ‘third power’ status in Southeast Asia with energy push?

While energy may be ‘a good opening’ for Russia to boost Asean ties, analysts say its relevance in the region is unlikely to grow.

20 Jun 2026 - 3:24PM

Japan

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize top official in rare high-level abduction

Security expert James Boyard was cabinet director of the defence ministry and also inspector general of Haiti’s police.

14 Jun 2026 - 2:15AM

Residents flee their homes to escape clashes between armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti last month. Photo: AP

China-North Korea relations

Was Kim Jong-un the real winner from Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea?

The Chinese president’s visit may have vindicated the North Korean leader’s strategy of playing off China and Russia, analysts say.

13 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Kim Jong-un and Xi Jinping watch a performance in Pyongyang during the Chinese leader’s visit. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

‘You’re crazy!’: Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran

A reported profane phone tirade exposes deep fissures between two allies facing immense domestic strain.

3 Jun 2026 - 2:04PM

Japan

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

2 Jun 2026 - 4:42PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

26 May 2026 - 8:42AM

US President Donald Trump speaks on the phone inside his limousine on Monday. Photo: EPA

Japan

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Tokyo hopes deploying US-built SeaGuardians on Iwo Jima and Chichijima will eliminate a Pacific surveillance ‘blind spot’.

20 May 2026 - 9:41AM

Japan

Japan’s new spy agency: a shield against China or ‘militarist surveillance’?

Japan has not had a centralised intelligence service since World War II. Sanae Takaichi wants to change that.

12 May 2026 - 3:40PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

Both China and the US stand to gain from reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but they view the crisis through different lenses.

9 May 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

Analysts say the closure and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have become “a test of endurance” between China and the US. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

18 Apr 2026 - 11:42PMvideocam

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Japan

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

Africa

Sudan enters 4th year of war as ‘abandoned crisis’ grows

The war has pushed parts of Sudan into famine and the UN says about 34 million people, or almost two of every three Sudanese, need help.

16 Apr 2026 - 12:07AM

India

Pakistan steps in as Iran mediator while India watches from the wings

India’s ‘surprising’ silence on Iranian attacks amid uneasy ties with Tehran could affect its strategic relevance in the Gulf, analysts warn.

26 Mar 2026 - 6:59PM

Iran

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

24 Mar 2026 - 12:16PMvideocam

With surveillance cameras embraced by many nations, governments are increasingly aware of the risks of being hacked. Photo: Shutterstock

US, Israel war on Iran

What the 4,000km Diego Garcia missile launch reveals about Iran’s intentions

By targeting the UK-US base, Tehran displays a ‘show of force’ and sends a ‘strategic messaging’ to Washington and Israel, experts say.

22 Mar 2026 - 3:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Hormuz has become Iran’s ultimate lever against US. Will Trump ‘blink first’?

By choking the world’s energy artery, Tehran is betting it can endure longer than a far stronger enemy.

13 Mar 2026 - 11:15PMvideocam

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International Crisis Group

Why Japan is eyeing a record US$56 billion defence budget

Major outlays are being planned for drones, AI-enabled command systems, long-range missiles and support for the domestic defence industry.

Wang Yi heads to Seoul as Trump cuts South Korea drills, opening door for China

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Chinese officials rattled by White House chaos weeks ahead of Xi-Trump summit

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

US hawks push Trump on multibillion-dollar Taiwan arms deal ahead of Xi summit

Observers say US leader may be ‘miscalculating’ if he attempts to use the US$14 billion package to ramp up pressure on Beijing.

Can China’s EV boom give it decisive edge in geopolitical tech war?

Beijing’s dominance in global EV industry may provide leverage over countries dependent on its technology and supply chains, analysts say.

From marches to memes: why India’s youth turned against Modi

Even the resignation of education chief Dharmendra Pradhan may not be enough to placate rising anger against the ruling BJP.

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

Why Japan’s fighter jet future looks ‘more optimistic’ with Canada’s entry

Analysts say the move will be ‘a starting point’ for greater cooperation among like-minded partners amid concerns about US commitment.

Canada picks German firm for new sub fleet deal, likely strengthening Nato ties

German firm TKMS beats Hanwha Ocean of South Korea to Canadian submarine agreement in a move expected to strengthen ties with Nato.

Ukraine war: Russia says US hasn’t delivered on Trump-Putin ‘understandings’

With Kyiv claiming to be turning the tide of the conflict, Moscow’s comments signal a growing frustration with Washington.

Can Russia secure ‘third power’ status in Southeast Asia with energy push?

While energy may be ‘a good opening’ for Russia to boost Asean ties, analysts say its relevance in the region is unlikely to grow.

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

Armed men in Haiti’s capital seize top official in rare high-level abduction

Security expert James Boyard was cabinet director of the defence ministry and also inspector general of Haiti’s police.

Was Kim Jong-un the real winner from Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea?

The Chinese president’s visit may have vindicated the North Korean leader’s strategy of playing off China and Russia, analysts say.

‘You’re crazy!’: Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran

A reported profane phone tirade exposes deep fissures between two allies facing immense domestic strain.

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

Trump now ties Iran deal to major expansion of Abraham Accords

US president suggests Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other regional powers normalise ties with Israel to secure peace.

Japan plans island drone deployment to monitor Chinese naval activity

Tokyo hopes deploying US-built SeaGuardians on Iwo Jima and Chichijima will eliminate a Pacific surveillance ‘blind spot’.

Japan’s new spy agency: a shield against China or ‘militarist surveillance’?

Japan has not had a centralised intelligence service since World War II. Sanae Takaichi wants to change that.

Xi-Trump summit: why the Iran war could become fresh point of friction

Both China and the US stand to gain from reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but they view the crisis through different lenses.

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

Sudan enters 4th year of war as ‘abandoned crisis’ grows

The war has pushed parts of Sudan into famine and the UN says about 34 million people, or almost two of every three Sudanese, need help.

Pakistan steps in as Iran mediator while India watches from the wings

India’s ‘surprising’ silence on Iranian attacks amid uneasy ties with Tehran could affect its strategic relevance in the Gulf, analysts warn.

With hacking of street cameras before and during war, who’s watching who?

For years, cybersecurity experts have warned that street cameras could be hacked. Now, AI advances help governments sift through footage.

What the 4,000km Diego Garcia missile launch reveals about Iran’s intentions

By targeting the UK-US base, Tehran displays a ‘show of force’ and sends a ‘strategic messaging’ to Washington and Israel, experts say.

Hormuz has become Iran’s ultimate lever against US. Will Trump ‘blink first’?

By choking the world’s energy artery, Tehran is betting it can endure longer than a far stronger enemy.

Exclusive | Chinese officials rattled by White House chaos weeks ahead of Xi-Trump summit