Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has suspended contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after reports she compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid. Saar accused Kallas of bias, demanding a retraction, while Kallas emphasized dialogue but did not directly address the allegation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao in Kazan, noting the development of constructive political dialogue between the two nations. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN summit.
Republicans criticize Donald Trump's interim agreement with Iran, calling it the "worst foreign policy blunder in decades." The deal includes ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and financing Iran's recovery with a $300bn fund, while scrapping sanctions.
A US-Iran interim deal, including a $300bn reconstruction fund and an end to military operations, has sparked strong criticism from Republicans like Bill Cassidy, Thomas Massie, and Nikki Haley, who argue it's a foreign policy blunder and fails to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
US President Trump's interim deal with Iran faces backlash from Republicans who argue it wastes taxpayer money and fails to curb Tehran's nuclear program. The MoU includes an end to military operations, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and a $300bn reconstruction fund for Iran.
Brazil's top foreign policy adviser, Celso Amorim, stated that the AI race is a two-power contest between the US and China, with Latin America and Europe sidelined. He proposed Brazil should draw capital and technology from both sides, utilizing BRICS and the Global South to maintain balance.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's foreign policy partnerships with Trump, Macron, Meloni, and Starmer show varied dynamics. While cooperation with Italy and the UK is pragmatic, German-French defense ties have faltered, and relations with Trump have faced strain.
A war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran, based on misreadings of Tehran's strength, has concluded with a memorandum of understanding. The conflict damaged US alliances, strained the global economy, and resulted in significant loss of life and destruction. The agreement reopens the Strait of Hormuz, lifts the US Navy's blockade of Iranian ports, and extends the ceasefire, deferring complex issues like Iran's nuclear program to future talks.
President Trump's approval among rural Americans has dropped to 50%, down from 60% in February 2025, with rising living costs and foreign policy decisions cited as key reasons. This decline could impact the upcoming November midterm elections.
Brazil's foreign policy faces significant challenges in defense, critical minerals, digital sovereignty, transnational organized crime, regional integration, and Africa relations. Audo Faleiro, an advisor to the President, highlighted the need for increased defense investment due to US actions in Venezuela and global conflicts, while also stressing the importance of securing critical minerals and asserting digital sovereignty. He also noted the paralysis within the BRICS bloc due to internal conflicts.
Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Malaysia and China in late June for his first overseas trip. The decision to prioritize these nations over India is seen by analysts as a move to strike a diplomatic balance and reflects an independent foreign policy, focusing on labor welfare with Malaysia and infrastructure and investment with China.
Chinese authorities have arrested US scholar Min Zin, who writes on Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy, on suspicion of espionage. Min Zin, a former student activist who sought asylum in the US, was last seen on June 3 in Kunming, China. The arrest is uncommon for US citizens and occurs amid efforts to reset US-China relations.
Philippine President Marcos is set to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan from June 17-18, marking his first visit to Russia since taking office. The trip will be closely monitored by Washington and Beijing for potential outcomes on energy, sanctions-sensitive sectors, and broader strategic cooperation with Moscow.
The Trump presidency accelerated a shift in Chinese perception of the US, replacing idealized views with a more complex understanding of its challenges.
Donald Trump's attempts to end the Ukraine war and force Iran's capitulation within days of taking office have failed. His erratic approach has damaged US authority and reputation, with his Ukraine crisis management showing a concerning proximity to Moscow and neglecting Putin's ability to end the conflict.
EU member states are reportedly considering reforms to curb the powers of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its head, Kaja Kallas, due to concerns about its "dysfunctional" operations. Proposals include returning functions to the European Commission and national governments, or limiting the EEAS chief's autonomy.
EU member states are reportedly considering reforms to curtail the powers of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its head, Kaja Kallas, citing concerns over its "dysfunctional" nature. France has proposed options including returning functions to the Commission and national governments, or limiting the EEAS chief's autonomy. Russian presidential advisor Kirill Dmitriev commented that Kallas has "succeeded in annoying everyone."
Oil prices surged as Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Akmal stated the country has secured fuel supply until end-July, rejecting shortage concerns and noting Petronas' role in assessing refinery readiness for diverse crude sources.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlined Germany's reform agenda, focusing on health, pensions, defense, labor, energy, taxes, bureaucracy, and investment. He urged parliament to support the proposals aimed at boosting growth and adapting to global challenges.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will deliver a government statement to parliament on reforms and the upcoming EU summit. Talks with unions and employers on labor market, social security, and bureaucracy reforms were constructive but yielded no decisions. The EU summit will focus on Ukraine and the bloc's long-term budget.
President Lee Jae-myung stated that the "US security, China economy" approach is outdated, advocating for a new national interest-based foreign policy. He aims to strengthen economic ties with the US in advanced sectors and enhance independent defense capabilities, including regaining wartime operational control.
Former foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans has called the Aukus defence agreement a "ludicrous delusion" and one of Australia's worst foreign policy decisions. He argues a future US administration would only assist Australia if its own assets were threatened, not for an "existential attack".
Former Australian foreign affairs minister Gareth Evans has called the Aukus nuclear submarine deal one of the worst defence decisions ever made, warning it effectively extends the US military fleet and paints a target on Australia's back. He expressed skepticism about delivery timelines and costs, particularly for the UK-Australia joint submarines.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea June 8-9, his first in nearly 7 years, amid Pyongyang's nuclear program, strained ties with South Korea, and complex alliances with Russia and the US.
