Weekly News Digest for January 17th, 2025
Compiled by Lydia Wong, Trinity De Lima, Tobyn Smith, Nila Karunakaran,
Layla Jeeth, Mary Wahn
Edited by John Wilson, Lydia Wong, Joey Quinn, Ryan Simons, Sara Anis Ali
Asia and the Pacific
Out with the Old & In with the New: Japan and the Philippines Urge Trump to Maintain Indo-Pacific Security
On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a virtual meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., where they vowed to sustain economic, maritime, and technological support. Two days later, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and the Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manolo held a joint news conference to discuss the uncertain future of security in the Indo-Pacific region. Leaders in Japan and the Philippines–both bound by defense treaties with the United States–highlighted the strategic importance of maintaining alliances and bolstering international engagement in the face of emerging instability. Both parties agreed to approach American President-elect Donald Trump with the goal of conveying a sense of urgency regarding the need for the U.S. to remain committed to upholding the rule of law in Asia.
As of early 2024, the United States, Japan, and the Philippines have boosted security cooperation after the Philippines accused China’s coast guard of firing water cannons and sideswiping its patrol vessel on March 23rd. Together, the three countries built an alliance under the Biden administration in an attempt to repress China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea and East China Sea. New reports, however, show limited progress in both reducing Indo-pacific tensions and quelling China's assertiveness.
On Tuesday, China sent its “monster” coast guard cutter to intimidate Filipino fishermen at a disputed South China Sea shoal. These strategic moves come against the backdrop of escalating strain between Manila and Beijing for over two years because of competing claims to the targeted waterway. The vessel came within 77 nautical miles of the Zambales province, home of the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon. While Philippine assets are currently challenging Chinese vessels in this territorial battle, China’s persistent maritime activities have posed a serious threat to the international community, directly linked to regional peace and stability.
This delicate geopolitical landscape sets the stage for significant unpredictability as leadership transitions in the United States. Trump’s return to the Oval Office signals a crucial shift in the nation’s foreign policy priorities. His “America First” foreign policy thrust has triggered concerns about the scale and depth of U.S.-Asian relations during his new term. Despite widespread anxiety, Biden reaffirmed America’s promise to deepen cooperation and promote regional stability. In a statement from Marcos’ communications office, the outgoing President went as far as expressing optimism that his “successor will also see the value of continuing this partnership, and that it is framed the right way.” With Trump’s inauguration scheduled for January 20th, Iwaya – as a representative of both Japan and the Philippines – is set to attend the event with the objective of raising the South China Sea issue with the new administration. In the meantime, Philippine officials are planning to confront Chinese diplomats at a meeting in Xiamen this week. Discussions are expected to address recent confrontations in the South China Sea and propose long-term measures to subdue simmering tensions.
Central America and the Caribbean
El Salvador’s President Proposes Reversal of Metal Mining Ban
For the past seven years, El Salvador prohibited metal mining in the country. In late December of 2024, President Nayib Bukele approved the reversal of the ban and the law passed on a 57 to 3 vote in Congress. Bukele claims that the gold and silver deposits present in El Salvador could lead to an economic turnaround. Based on past approval ratings, Bukele is popular among the Salvadorians due to his significant lowering of crime and having attracted foreign investment. However, his popularity appears to be decreasing after he approved of the new law. Bukele once stated, “We are the only country in the world with a total ban on metal mining, something that no other country applies.” Though a seemingly reasonable complaint, El Salvador has plenty of reasons to ban mining: reversing the ban has more costs than benefits and El Salvador currently struggles to maintain its freshwater resources amid climate change and pollution.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, mining contaminates drinking water because it causes acid-runoff which then dissolves metals into the water. The costs to correct acid-runoff from mining are immense and would likely surpass the benefits that the gold reserves provide. The outcome of this policy switch could leave thousands of Salvadorians without clean drinking water. The country already suffers from a freshwater crisis with more than 1.6 million citizens lacking access to clean water at home. For rural communities that are not close to communal water sources, this could be detrimental. Several activist groups such as the “water defenders” and even the Catholic Church are actively stating their disapproval, citing safety concerns and environmental damage.
Europe
EU Boosts Cybersecurity for the Healthcare Sector
The European Commission has put forward a plan to bolster the security of European healthcare in light of recent incidents. Executive Vice-President of the EC for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy Henna Virkkunen stated to journalists that this proposal was part of a broader plan to “secure[ing] electronic healthcare records” and “integrate[ing] AI into the healthcare workforce”. Governments within the European Union have reported over 309 detrimental cyber attacks on the sector–more than any other sector–proving the vulnerability of the status quo. A new task force, the European Cybersecurity Support Center, will be created and work with existing cybersecurity agencies.
The proposal has 4 main goals: prevention, identification, response and deterrence, all of which will be developed over the next two years. Due to financial efficiency and increased accessibility for the retrieval and review process, more and more countries are moving their medical records online.As a result of the digitization of highly sensitive information, this sector is extremely vulnerable to criminals and their ransom plots against public hospitals. The European Commission plans to build this series of measures on existing tools and facilities seen elsewhere in the EU bureaucracy and aims to secure the safety of the healthcare sector.
Middle East and North Africa
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: A Step Toward Relief Amid Uncertainty
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal after 15 months of conflict, providing hope for the devastated Gaza Strip. The war, which has claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians and at least 1,500 Israelis, has left the region in dire conditions.
On January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The deal introduced a three-phase agreement aimed at halting Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip and offers much needed relief to the Palestinian people.
On January 17, the Israeli security cabinet ratified the ceasefire agreement after days of negotiations. Before the ceasefire can be implemented, the full Israeli cabinet must approve the deal. The initial phase of the ceasefire, which may begin the following week, focuses on providing immediate relief to Gaza's civilians. It calls on Hamas to release 33 hostages including women, children, and elderly individuals, who were taken captive during the October 7 attacks. In exchange, Israel is expected to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners of war. Additionally, the deal opens the possibility for Palestinans displaced during the 2024 conflict to return to their homes in northern Gaza.
Humanitarian aid organizations have pledged over 500 trucks per day to Gaza with essential resources, including food, water, and medical supplies. While the ceasefire may provide immediate relief, the long-term humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a significant concern. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and homes have been destroyed, severely impacting public health and social stability.
The ultimate goal of this ceasefire is to pave the way for a permanent resolution to the conflict, although the road ahead remains uncertain. The second phase of negotiations is set to begin within the next six weeks and will include the involvement of key mediators such as the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. These countries will act as guarantors to ensure that both Israel and Hamas adhere to the terms of the agreement. The success of the ceasefire is crucial for the immediate wellbeing of those affected by the conflict and for the broader political and security landscape in the Middle East.
Lasting peace would significantly impact global geopolitics and influence U.S. foreign policy as it continues to play a pivotal role in peace efforts. As the world watches, there is hope that this ceasefire marks the beginning of a long-awaited end to violence. For Gaza, the ceasefire offers a fragile yet crucial opportunity for rebuilding, with hope of lasting peace and stability.
North America
President-Elect Donald Trump to be Inaugurated on January 20th
President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated into his second term in the United States.
The new Trump administration will see a variety of foreign policy focuses in 2025, especially those concerning the U.S.’s neighboring countries. After Trump announced that he would place new economic tariffs on Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said that “Everything is on the table,” in regards to how his administration will respond to the new U.S. restrictions. Given that Trudeau, who has held his position as Prime Minister for 9 years, will soon be stepping down from his position, it is unclear how the future leader of Canada will respond to Trump’s policies.
In November, Trump also announced that he would be placing tariffs against Mexico, which could cause trouble for the U.S. automotive industry. Governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer, said that the tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would harm autoworkers in Michigan, as car parts often travel across the borders before they are implemented and placed into final vehicle models. Whitmer said that this would cut “jobs on both sides of the border”, leaving Chinese automotive companies with more opportunity to manufacture and earn profits from car production that would have taken place in North America.
Trump also is set to inherit two major conflicts. Most recently, two of the President-elect’s associates, whose identities were kept secret in an interview with Reuters, admitted that reaching a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine might take months. The relationship between Israel and Gaza will also be closely monitored after the President-elect’s inauguration, as both sides accepted a ceasefire agreement this week. It is unclear how the President-elect may act in regards to this ceasefire, however, Trump and President Biden have both claimed credit for achieving the deal. Other issues to watch during the President-elect’s first days in office are American relations with China and North Korea, potential action on climate change, and the use of AI in the public and private sector.
South America
Arrest of NGO Worker Heightens the Diplomatic Dispute between Italy and Venezuela
The government of Venezuela arrested an Italian man by the name of Alberto Trentini in November as he was traveling from Caracas to Guasdalito. Trentini, who works for the NGO Humanity and Inclusion, is still currently imprisoned despite the lack of formal charges. This created further tensions between Venezuela and Italy as both countries are already in the midst of a dispute following the election of President Nicólas Maduro.
Previously, Venezuela restricted diplomats from France, Italy, and the Netherlands from its soil due to their hostility towards Maduro’s reinstated government. All three countries condemned Maduro’s government due to concerns of his fraudulent election. The subsequent heads of government in France, Italy, and the Netherlands claimed that their concern stemmed from Maduro’s subversion of democracy and violent rhetoric which could possibly grow into human rights violations.
These restrictions state that there will be an enforcement of limiting the number of accredited diplomats able to come to Venezuela. Additionally, these diplomats must have written authorization to travel more than 25 miles from Plaza Bolivar which is located in the capital city Caracas. In order to combat these claims, Venezuela countered that meddling in its domestic affairs is violating its right to sovereignty. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Taraji, recently stated on X, “This morning I summoned Venezuela's charge d'affaires to strongly protest against the lack of information on the detention of Italian citizen Alberto Trentini and to challenge the expulsion of three of our diplomats.” As of right now, this is still a developing situation with more to come in the following weeks.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Crackdowns on Illegal Mining in Africa Rise
Interpol, the French based global policing agency, arrested 200 people during a crackdown on illegal mining in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal. Part of the operation also focused on the seizure of harmful chemicals such as cyanide and mercury, illegal drugs, and nearly 7,000 explosives. In their report, Interpol details how the operation gave the organization a new insight into the human and environmental toll that illegal mining has on communities. The organization describes miner’s use of opioid pain relief tablets to alleviate pain caused by the toxic chemicals they found as well as deforestation and landsliding in various areas as a result of mining.
Interpol’s operation comes as authorities in South Africa launched an illegal mining and immigration operation, resulting in the deaths of at least 78 people. The bodies were taken from an illegal gold mine in Stilfontein after police cut off miner’s access to food and water supplies. Last year, miners entered the out-of-use gold mine and have continued to live there for months. After the recent crackdown, the surviving miners emerged emaciated and starving.
The illegal gold market in Africa smuggles out more than 435 tons of gold, corresponding to a value of $36 billion. The market provides income for miners and revenue for African governments such as Ghana. Many illegal mines also commit human rights violations as they sometimes rely on children for labor. Many of these miners, especially the children, are expected to work long hours on dangerous sites where they are exposed to toxins.