From Shutdown to Showdown: Washington Collapses, World Protests Rise
Upcoming, Free to Join, Online Events
8 October 2025 @ 1:00-2:30 pm. (GMT-4), Stimson Center, USA
Investing in the North Korean People: Broadening Access to Information in North Korea
The seminar examines the state of freedom and access to information in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including information distribution on a first-hand basis and best practices. It will also take into account impediments that have been experienced by organisations and individuals in this sector, assess government and civil society initiatives, and examine areas of new programming opportunities. It will also consider the ramifications of the recent discontinuations in U.S. and ROK funding to information efforts, with the intention of identifying sustainable methods for increasing access to the realities in one of the world's least transparent societies. For more information and registration, visit [Stimson Center].
8 October 2025 @ 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (GMT-4), Center for a New American Security (CNAS), USA
Judge Advocates General: On the Frontline of National Security and the Rule of Law
This CNAS event examines the critical function of Judge Advocates General (JAGs) in the provision of independent, operationally relevant legal advice to the American military and defense leaders. With senior legal and military professionals, such as Admiral John Richardson and former officials of the Judge Advocate General, the event will review how the military lawyers ensure that operations, both domestic and foreign, remain subject to the rule of law. In the panel, the extent of the military legal practice as well as the distinct challenges of providing advice in difficult, high-pressure environments will be highlighted.. For more information and registration, visit [CNAS].
8 October 2025 @ 10:00-11.45 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Illicit Economies in Myanmar: Issues, Impacts, Implications
This ISEAS Myanmar Studies Programme event brings together four scholars to examine the underlying reasons linking Myanmar instability and conflict, as well as the repercussions on local institutions, society, and regional neighbours. In examining the expansion of illicit economies subsequent to the year 2021, the key actors financing such enterprises, and the political, economic, and social effects, the panel will reflect on the Myanmar shifting crisis and the broader regional consequences. For more information and registration, visit [ISEAS].
9 October 2025 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Chatham House, United Kingdom
Realizing durable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
This online seminar summarizes the collapse of the US-Qatar mediation process between the government of the Congo and the M23 rebellion, formerly considered likely to yield a peace agreement in August. As distrust deepens and violence escalates in the Kivus, M23 gives a boost to control as the DRC government faces renegade militias and violations of the truce. It will examine the flaw in the Doha track, the overlap of the diplomacy with secretive mining negotiations, as well as what still inhibits a credible, lasting peace in the Great Lakes. For more information and registration, visit [Chatham House].
9 October 2025 @ 3:00 p.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council, USA
The hypersonic imperative: Defending the homeland and deterring adversaries
This Council event publically launches the final report of the Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force, examining how the United States can continue to have military supremacy amidst fast-broadening threats from China and Russia. It will describe the "hypersonic imperative"—the imperative need to put into the field and integrate hypersonic weapons as a way to provide decisive effects across the domains of air, land, sea, and space. Panel members will describe major recommendations to the Pentagon and Congress as a way to fill capability gaps and provide strategic superiority for the United States. For more information and registration, please see [Atlantic Council].
9 October 2025 @ 4:30 p.m. (GMT+2), German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Germany
New Alliances in the Horn of Africa: Navigating Global and Regional Competition
This panel examines the deepening geopolitical rivalries defining the Horn of Africa, fuelled by the Red Sea aspirations of Ethiopia, the growing presence of Turkey in Somalia, the security moves by Egypt, and the conflict-ridden situation in Sudan. With international actors such as the UAE, China, Russia, and the United States increasing their engagement, the region is becoming increasingly unstable. The panel will assess these dynamics on the dynamics on peace and governance and consider the European Union's approach toward bringing peace-building, governance, and regional security together under one framework in such a turbulent setting. For more information and registration, please see [GIGA].
10 October 2025 @ 10:00-11.30 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Japan’s Security Cooperation with ASEAN: Evolution, Challenges, and Implications for Indo-Pacific Regional Order
This seminar analyzes the development of Japan–ASEAN security interaction from prudent communication to dynamic cooperation through capacity development, defense weapons transfer, and exercise co-operation. It will consider how converging security issues—like changes in power, territorial conflicts, and cross-border threats—have increased strategic convergence between Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept and ASEAN's Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Despite significant advancements, key political and structural challenges still exist. This discussion will evaluate these limitations and their effects on preserving a stable, rule-based Indo-Pacific regional order. For more information and registration, visit [ISEAS].
10 October 2025 @ 10:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council, USA
New insights on American views of Ukraine, Russia, and the war
This Atlantic Council event presents the latest HarrisX survey on the American public's views on the Ukraine war and the future of American assistance. Following on the trajectory of solid public opinion ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the panel will interpret fresh data on views about Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy, efforts towards worldwide peace, and support levels on further American assistance. Experts will evaluate what these survey results indicate about the politics at home and the broader course of American policy toward Russia and Ukraine. For more information and registration, please see [Atlantic Council].
13 October 2025 @ 9:00-10.30 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore
Impact of the Trump Tariffs on Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam
This webinar considers the effects on three very US-dependent exporters of Trump's tariffs (40% on Laos, 20% on Vietnam, 19% on Cambodia, and a 25% transshipment threat). Expect intensive focus on short-run shocks (margin squeeze, slow-downs at factories, layoffs, supply-chain diversions) and long-run risks (competitiveness loss, deferral of investment, trade diversion). Presenters will take into account mitigation responses: origin compliance, upshifting of value chains, market diversification, bilateral negotiation, increase in rules-of-origin, and regional/ASEAN plans as ways to cushion exposure and protect growth. For more information and registration, visit [ISEAS].
13 October 2025 @ 8:00 a.m. (GMT-4), Atlantic Council, USA
2025 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings at the Atlantic Council
This Atlantic Council series, under the GeoEconomics Center's Bretton Woods 2.0 Project, will provide special, live coverage of the IMF and World Bank meetings. With the panel comprising the governors of the central banks as well as the ministries of finance and development, the panel will dissect major trends shaping the global economy and discuss reform proposals for the Bretton Woods institutions. It will provide periodic insights into the dynamic international financial policies and architecture driving economic growth and stability around the globe. For more information and registration, please see [Atlantic Council].
14 October 2025 @ 2:00-3.30 a.m. (GMT+8), ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore+
Indonesia under the Prabowo Subianto Administration: Year One
This seminar is a critical evaluation of the inaugural year in office of President Prabowo Subianto, examining the policy implementation of his government, administrative outputs, and reform constraints. It will analyse public and elite responses towards his presidency and cabinet reshuffle, as well as the challenge afforded by opposition parties such as the PDI-P and civil society groups. It will also analyse Indonesia's implied "year of national depression" and track the development of protest groups like Indonesia Gelap, Kabur Aja Dulu, and Naikkan Bendera One Piece. For more information and registration, visit [ISEAS].
14 October 2025 @ 12:00-1:00 p.m. (GMT+1), Chatham House, United Kingdom
Will Iran rearm or reform? War, nuclear standoff, and shaken alliances
This panel will consider the impact on the Middle East strategic environment from Israel's conflict with Iran and its proxies, which has left the latter's "axis of resistance" broken and the former's deterrence under tension. As the aftershocks of the conflict re-ignite the nuclear standoff with Washington—following Tehran's refusal to return to negotiations—the panel will consider the nature of Iranian recalibration of regional strategy, the health of its alliances, and the price of retaining deterrence. Experts will consider the reactions across the Middle East and beyond towards the battered-but-indomitable stance from Iran, and the implications this holds for Middle Eastern security into the future. For more information and registration, visit [Chatham House].
14 October 2025 @ 1:00-4:30 p.m. (GMT+2), Bruegel, Belgium
China Horizons: EU policy Takeaways from China’s politics, economy, foreign policy, society and EU-China dynamics
This concluding event of the China Horizons project will summarise three-year work into essential insights on Chinese politics, economy, foreign policy, and society at a turning point in EU-China relations. China specialists will analyse China's new economic orientation, government styles, and evolving foreign policy priorities. In this session, we will also reflect on how Chinese society tendencies, information agendas, and cultural changes define China's interaction with Europe and European policy reactions towards a transformed China. For more information and registration, visit [Bruegel].
Recent and Upcoming Book Releases
Richard Seymour, Disaster Nationalism: The Downfall of Liberal Civilization, Verso, 288 pages, published October 29, 2024. For a review, see [LSE].
Mehran Gul, The New Geography of Innovation: The Global Contest for Breakthrough Technologies, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 368 pages, to be published January 20, 2026. For a review, see [Asian Review of Books].
Luke Kemp, Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse, Knopf, 592 pages, published September 23, 2025. For a review, se [The Guardian].
Anwar Ibrahim, Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times, Hurst & Co Ltd, 248 pages, to be published December 15, 2025. For a review, see [Asian Review of Books]
Philippe Sands, 38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia, W&N, 480 pages, published April 3, 2025. For a review, see [The New York Times]
🌍 Top Stories of the Week 30/9 - 7/10
30 September
🇺🇸 Trump announces 100% tariff on movies made outside the country. [Source]
🇦🇺 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea to provide troops to Australia under first new alliance since ANZUS. [Source]
Pukpuk mutual defence treaty will establish Australia’s first new alliance since the ANZUS agreement was signed in 1951.
🇨🇳 🇲🇲 China court sentences 11 people to death over alleged role in family-run Myanmar scam operations. [Source]
🇩🇪 🇨🇳 AfD (far-right Alternative für Deutschland party) politician’s former aide convicted of spying for China. [Source]
1 October
🇺🇸 The US government shuts down at midnight after both Democratic and Republican funding proposals failed in the Senate. [Source]
Millions of workers will go unpaid and one hundred thousand will be fired.
🇹🇼 🇺🇸 Taiwan pressured to move 50% of chip production to US or lose protection. [Source]
🇶🇦 🇺🇸 Qatar’s $1.2 trillion promise to the US pressured Trump to make a satisfying peace plan? Or is it some gameplay? The Israeli attack on Qatar turned out to be costly. [Source]
🇮🇳 🇺🇸 US sanctions on India’s Chabahar in Iran take effect. [Source]
🇺🇸 Mystery fleet of US air force tankers (k-135, kc-46) cross the Atlantic ahead of military meeting. What can this mean for Iran? [Source]
🇮🇱 In addition to the anti boycott laws passed by the US lawyers in Israel 2 weeks ago, Israel is now paying influencers $7000 per post that promotes Israel’s image in the American public. [Source]
2 October
🇲🇦 400+ arrested, 300+ injured after GenZ-led protests in Morocco turn violent. [Source]
Protests entered their 4th day of straight protesting. Protests were formed by a Gen Z group ‘212’ and formed through discord.
Morocco’s youth have been protesting for the 4th consecutive night, criticising the World Cup spending over schools and hospitals.
🇮🇱 Israel says intercepted flotilla boat passengers to be deported. 443 activists were detained. [Source]
🇺🇸 Pentagon plans widespread random polygraphs, NDAs to stanch leaks. [Source]
What does this mean? Thousands of random civilians officials will be required to sign non-disclosure agreements and take lie detector tests as the press to reveal leakers becomes more imminent.
Real time net worth of Elon Musk reaches $500 Billion as the richest man on earth. [Source]
3 October
🇺🇸 The government shutdown has temporarily furloughed around 750,000 federal workers. [Source]
Trump blames democrats and has begun canceling funding for projects in Democrat-led states.
🇨🇳🫱🏻🫲🏼🇮🇳 India, China direct flights to resume from October 26 after 5-year freeze due to border tensions and COVID-19. [Source]
🇬🇧 Two people killed in attack at synagogue in Manchester, UK. [Source]
🇩🇪 🇵🇸 Germany arrested 3 suspected Hamas members in Berlin, charging them with terrorism and plotting attacks on Israeli/Jewish targets. Hamas claim it is a false flag. [Source]
🇷🇺 Putin twice declared its readiness to join NATO and was refused both times. [Source]
🇺🇸 🇻🇪 Trump is ‘determined’ the US congress is in a war with drug cartels. [Source]
After the attack in Venezuela you would think so. The US influence in the Caribbean Sea is strong.
4 October
🇺🇸 🇵🇸 Hamas has 53 hours to accept ceasefire deal or face consequences. The condition: to release all hostages. [Source]
🇵🇸 🇺🇸 Hamas agrees to Trump’s ceasefire plan.
Agrees to release all Israeli prisoners (living and dead), and is ready for immediate negotiations. Agrees to hand Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian technocrat body, based on national consensus and Arab/Islamic support. [Source]
🇺🇸 🇮🇱 Trump says Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza. [Source]
🇷🇺 🇮🇳 Russia defies India: RD93MA engine sales to power Pakistan’s JF17 block III fighters. [Source]
5 October
🇮🇱 Netanyahu deleted a post about agreeing to Trump’s ‘immediate’ ceasefire. [Source]
As of October 1st Gen Z protests are currently happening on a large scale from the following countries:
🇺🇸 61% of American Jews say Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza. [Source]
🇳🇵 Heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal and kill at least 47 people. [Source]
🇵🇸 🇮🇱 Dozens killed in Gaza despite Trump’s call for Israel to halt bombing. [Source]
🇮🇩 Indonesia school collapse death toll rises to 36, search for bodies continues. [Source]
6 October
🇵🇸 🇮🇱 🇺🇸When Hamas came back with a "yes, but" to Trump's Gaza peace proposal, Trump called Netanyahu to discuss what he saw as good news. [Source]
"Netanyahu told Trump this is nothing to celebrate, and that it doesn't mean anything,"
Trump fired back: "I don't know why you're always so f***ing negative. This is a win. Take it."
🇰🇵 Supreme leader Kim Jong Un visits destroyer built to ‘punish provocations’. [Source]
The Choe Hyon is one of two 5,000-tonne destroyers in the North’s arsenal. [Source]
🇯🇵 Sanae Takaichi set to become Japan's first female prime minister in 140 years since the office was established and first from Nara prefecture. [Source]
As prime minister Takaichi must tackle the slow wage rise of Japanese workers. [Source]
7 October
🇺🇸 US dollar has now lost over 10% of its value this year. [Source]
🇮🇷 🇮🇱 Netanyahu says “Iran’s now developing 8,000 km-range ballistic missiles. Add another 3,000 km and they’ve got New York City, Washington, Boston, Miami — even Mar-a-Lago — under their atomic guns.” [Source]
Is Israel trying to draw the US into a war with Iran?
🇫🇷 French government collapses in 14 hours, with the resignation of President Macron’s 4th prime minister. Deepening political crisis. [Source]
🇺🇸 🇨🇳 🇹🇼 If Trump convinces China to abandon force against Taiwan he deserves Nobel prize, Taiwan president says. [Source]
