Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, global developments intensified across natural disasters, US–Iran tensions, European defence coordination, leadership transitions, and expanding international diplomatic and economic partnerships.

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Venezuela earthquakes: Deaths rise above 1,400 amid international rescue effort

A series of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, including magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing widespread destruction across coastal regions including La Guaira and parts of Caracas. The disaster has left more than 1,400 people dead, thousands injured, and tens of thousands still missing as search and rescue operations continue.

International assistance has intensified, with more than 1,600 foreign rescuers deployed alongside Venezuelan military and emergency services. The UN estimates multi-billion-dollar economic losses, while access to affected areas remains restricted amid ongoing aftershocks and infrastructure damage. Governments including the United States have pledged humanitarian assistance and logistical support as rescue operations enter a critical phase. 

US and Iran escalate strikes amid fragile ceasefire negotiations

US forces carried out further strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday (27 Jun) following a reported drone attack on a commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, with US Central Command stating the operation was in response to “continued Iranian aggression” against shipping and military infrastructure. Targets reportedly included surveillance systems, air defence sites and drone facilities.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched missile and drone strikes on US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, warning of a “crushing response” to further escalation. Both states condemned the attacks, with no confirmed damage reported.

The escalation comes alongside fragile diplomacy, including quadrilateral talks in Switzerland a week earlier involving US Vice-President JD Vance and Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, aimed at sustaining a Pakistan-brokered interim ceasefire and de-escalation framework.

Keir Starmer announces Labour leadership resignation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced he will resign as leader of the Labour Party following pressure from parliamentary colleagues, while remaining Prime Minister until a successor is elected. Nominations for the leadership contest are expected to open in July, with the process concluding before Parliament returns in September.

Starmer said he would oversee an orderly transition after informing King Charles III of his decision. Andy Burnham has emerged as the leading contender following growing support among Labour MPs. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Labour’s record and internal divisions during Prime Minister’s Questions as attention turns to the party’s future leadership and policy direction.

European leaders coordinate ahead of 2026 NATO Summit

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom met in Berlin to coordinate priorities ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara. They reaffirmed their commitment to Euro-Atlantic security, stronger European defence capabilities and closer transatlantic cooperation.

The leaders agreed to increase defence investment, expand cooperation on air defence, artificial intelligence, unmanned systems and long-range precision strike capabilities, and maintain military, economic and energy support for Ukraine. They also welcomed the US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirmed that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon, and backed efforts to strengthen maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Australia and Canada sign landmark defence export deal; France and Italy deepen strategic partnership

Australia and Canada signed a A$2.5 billion government-to-government agreement for the export of Australia’s Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system, the country’s largest defence export. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the project strengthens long-range surveillance, interoperability and defence cooperation, while supporting around 300 skilled jobs and future joint radar research.

Meanwhile, France and Italy reaffirmed their strategic partnership at the 36th Franco-Italian Summit, committing to closer cooperation on European defence, energy security, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, migration and competitiveness. The leaders also pledged continued support for Ukraine and outlined long-term collaboration across diplomacy, trade, research, infrastructure and climate action under the Quirinal Treaty.

Middle East partners reaffirm regional coordination; Eastern Europe leaders reinforce regional security

The Foreign Ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reaffirmed closer regional coordination during the Fourth Consultative Meeting in Cairo. They welcomed the US–Iran Memorandum of Understanding as a step towards de-escalation, recognised Pakistan and Qatar for supporting negotiations, and reiterated support for regional security and a two-state solution based on the 4 June 1967 lines.

Meanwhile, leaders of Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Sweden adopted the Gdańsk Declaration, reaffirming support for Ukraine, stronger NATO deterrence and increased defence spending. They also committed to enhancing military mobility, protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening the European defence industry and improving EU–NATO cooperation.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to resign; Lithuania begins leadership transition

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced he will resign within weeks, triggering early presidential and parliamentary elections after 18 months of anti-government protests. The demonstrations followed the 2024 Novi Sad railway station collapse. Vučić said his party would focus on tackling corruption, increasing pensions and strengthening public healthcare, while opposition parties and student groups prepare to contest the vote.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė resigned alongside her cabinet as the country prepares for a new coalition government. President Gitanas Nausėda is expected to nominate Mindaugas Sinkevičius as prime minister, with the incoming administration set to focus on defence, foreign policy and coalition priorities.

Türkiye and Poland deepen strategic cooperation; India and Mongolia strengthen partnership

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Polish President Karol Nawrocki reaffirmed Türkiye–Poland cooperation on NATO, defence, security and European affairs during talks in Ankara. The leaders agreed to deepen strategic and defence ties, discussed the Russia–Ukraine war and regional security, while Nawrocki highlighted expanding bilateral trade and continued defence industry cooperation, including Poland’s use of Bayraktar TB2 drones.

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh reviewed the India–Mongolia Strategic Partnership, advancing cooperation on energy, trade, defence, technology, education, supply chains and development projects, while also discussing regional issues, multilateral cooperation and cultural ties.

Bangladesh strengthens ties with China and Malaysia

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation during talks in Beijing, announcing a new cooperation framework and a shared future partnership. The countries signed 13 memorandums of understanding covering trade, investment, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and Belt and Road cooperation, while Bangladesh confirmed plans to open its first investment office in China.

Separately, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman agreed to expand Malaysia–Bangladesh cooperation across trade, investment, defence, labour, education and the digital economy. The leaders advanced free trade agreement negotiations, discussed regional security, the Rohingya crisis and Bangladesh’s ASEAN engagement, and signed additional cooperation agreements.

EU expands cooperation with Kazakhstan; Moldova advances EU accession

The European Union strengthened strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan and Moldova during separate Brussels summits.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to expand cooperation on trade, energy security, critical raw materials, transport, digitalisation and the Trans-Caspian Corridor. Agreements advanced transport investment, aviation and visa facilitation.

At the second EU–Moldova Summit, President Maia Sandu, António Costa and Ursula von der Leyenreaffirmed support for Moldova’s EU accession, announcing new funding for transport, border security and resilience against hybrid threats while backing democratic reforms, economic integration, energy cooperation and regional security.

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