Around the World in 5 – 21
“Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live.”
Despite previous criticism over US involvement in foreign conflicts, Monday 23 June saw President Donald Trump suggest the possibility of regime change following joint Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. In a social media post, Trump questioned, “Why shouldn’t there be a regime change???” US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, reiterated that the strikes were not intended to engage in political unrest. In a statement to media outlets, Secretary Hegseth said, “The mission was not, and has not been, about regime change.” The strikes on Saturday targeted three separate sites in Iran following week-long unrest between Israel and Iran. Iran responded to the American strikes, vowing “everlasting consequences”.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Europe this week, both Canada and the European Union have signed a wide-ranging defence pact in efforts to counter global instability and seek alternative alliances beyond US dependence. Prime Minister Carney was joined by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, António Costa. Both parties pledged greater support for Ukraine and to “diversify and strengthen our international partnership”. The mandate includes Canadian investment into the EU’s defence fund, SAFE, ensuring multilateral engagement on cyber, maritime, space security, and arms control. António Costa described the union as a reflection of both nations being “the closest allies in the transatlantic space… we see the world through the same lens. We stand for the same values.”
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has been elected as the next Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Founded in 1975, the organisation faces regional challenges including increasing violence and economic disruption—both of which Bio stated would be his priority. During his inaugural speech, he committed to “confronting insecurity in the Sahel and coastal states, terrorism, political instability, illicit arms flows, and transnational organised crime”. The recent departures of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS due to their domestic political situations have weakened the organisation’s alliance in recent years, largely due to the rise of anti-Western military juntas.
President Trump announced in the late hours of Monday that Iran and Israel had agreed to a “complete and total” ceasefire following US military action in Iran on Saturday. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Araghchi stated that “as of now, there is NO ‘agreement’ on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations” unless “the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4am Tehran time”. This follows Qatar’s role in mediating the proposed ceasefire after Iran launched missiles at the US air base Al Udeid in Qatar. Further responses from both parties are yet to be released. Iran has also threatened the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for nearly 20% of global oil consumption.
The United Kingdom’s HMS Prince of Wales warship docked at Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre as part of its eight-month Indo-Pacific deployment for Operation Highest. Critics argue that the ship’s presence at a civilian centre rather than a naval base signals a focus on the UK’s soft power and outreach in the region, amid current unrest in the Middle East. The deployment will involve engagements with nearly 30 countries through various military exercises and operations. The British High Commission stated that “the UK is clear that the security and prosperity of [the region] is indivisible from that of the Euro-Atlantic — and our commitment to this region is a generational mission, a long-term strategic posture”.
The Revolt of Cairo, Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, c.1810.
