Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, the Middle East conflict widened with new fronts and diplomacy efforts, while geopolitics, trade deals, elections, and energy policy shaped global affairs.

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Houthis enter US/Israel‑Iran war as Pakistan‑hosted talks seek de‑escalation

This past week saw the US/Israel-Iran war widen with the Iran‑aligned Houthis in Yemen launching ballistic missiles at Israel, marking their first direct strikes and raising fears of expanded conflict and threats to global shipping routes.

Thousands of US Marines have been deployed to the Middle East, with additional forces on standby, while President Donald Trump faces pressure over the conflict’s escalation.

Iran has continued attacks across the Gulf, while Israel intensifies air campaigns against Iranian military infrastructure. Gulf leaders warn that Iran‑backed militias could activate sleeper cells region‑wide.

Diplomatic efforts intensified: Pakistan is set to host talks with Saudi, Turkish, and Egyptian ministers on Sunday (29 March) seeking de‑escalation and a negotiating path. Trump claimed Iran is ‘begging’ to make a deal to end the war, but Iranian officials categorically denied that any direct US‑Iran talks or negotiations are taking place. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed the need for trust to advance mediation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military has escalated operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, including airstrikes, displacements of civilians, and plans for a buffer “security zone” up to the Litani River, underscoring a deepening Israel–Hezbollah front.

EU expands strategic and trade partnerships with Australia, Nigeria, and Ghana

The European Union (EU) and Australia concluded a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and adopted a Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) on 24 March 2026, while agreeing to start talks on Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. The FTA opens markets for EU companies, boosting exports in dairy, motor vehicles, and chemicals, while the SDP enhances cooperation on maritime security, cyber threats, and emerging technologies.

In Africa, the EU upgraded its strategic partnership with Nigeria, announcing a €290 million Team Europe investment in digitalisation, health, agriculture, and migration, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.

Separately, the EU and Ghana signed a Security and Defence Partnership in Accra, including a €50 million military equipment package and annual strategic dialogue on regional security, maritime threats, and conflict prevention.

Denmark and Slovenia elections yield fragmented parliaments

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen faces a weakened mandate after her Social Democrats recorded their worst result in over a century, winning 38 seats—down from 50 in 2022. The centre-left bloc holds 84 of 179 Folketing seats, short of the 90-seat majority. The right-leaning bloc also fell short, leaving Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen’s Moderate Party (14 seats) as a potential kingmaker. Coalition talks are expected to be complex amid voter concerns over cost of living and immigration.

In Slovenia, Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement narrowly won 29 of 90 seats, edging Janez Janša’s SDS. Coalition negotiations are underway amid allegations of foreign interference.

Philippines declares national energy emergency amid Middle East conflict

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared a national energy emergency, citing the “imminent danger” to supply caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Presidential Communications Office confirmed. The declaration, under the Department of Energy Act of 1992, authorises coordinated emergency measures including fuel procurement, conservation, and market monitoring.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin noted the country has roughly 45 days of fuel supply and is seeking 1 million barrels from regional and international partners to build reserves. Diesel prices have doubled to over 120 pesos per litre, prompting expanded subsidies and social support under the UPLIFT framework, effective for up to one year.

Ukraine strengthens Gulf defence ties; Philippines–France VFA signed

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy secured defence cooperation agreements with Qatar and plans a similar 10-year deal with the United Arab Emirates, building on an existing partnership with Saudi Arabia.

The agreements cover expertise exchange in missile defence and unmanned aerial systems, with over 200 Ukrainian experts deployed to advise Gulf countries. Zelenskyy aims to reinforce strategic relationships, bolster regional security, and attract funding for domestic weapons production amid the fifth year of the war with Russia.

Separately, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin signed a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in Paris, enabling joint training, exercises, and legal protections for personnel.

Ghana leads UN resolution recognising transatlantic slavery as crime against humanity

Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa welcomed a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. Spearheaded by Ghana and supported by the African Group, the measure received 123 votes in favour, with three countries – Argentina, Israel, and the United States – opposing and 52 abstaining.

Ablakwa emphasised that the resolution promotes historical recognition, healing, and prevention of future atrocities, without assigning blame across generations or nations. It marks a global step toward acknowledging the scale and enduring consequences of the trafficking and enslavement of Africans.

66 WTO members adopt e-commerce agreement in milestone digital trade move

A coalition of 66 World Trade Organization (WTO) members agreed interim arrangements to implement the E-Commerce Agreement, establishing the first global baseline for digital trade. The framework, announced at the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference on 28 March 2026, covers economies representing around 70% of global trade.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the deal could lower costs, expand opportunities, and support growth and job creation. Digital transactions already account for over 60% of global GDP, with the agreement projected to boost global GDP by US$8.7 trillion by 2040 once 45 members complete domestic ratification.

UK–Türkiye defence deal expands; Kenya–China trade agreement finalised

UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler signed an agreement in London to train Turkish pilots and technicians under the £8bn Typhoon export deal. The programme covers flight, maintenance, simulators, and electronic warfare, involving firms including BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, and aims to strengthen NATO interoperability and UK–Türkiye defence ties.

Separately, Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed a bilateral trade agreement with China, granting duty-free access to up to 98% of Kenyan exports. The deal seeks to boost market access and reduce a persistent trade deficit, though analysts highlight the need for diversification and value addition.

North Korea–Belarus treaty signed; Ghana–Colombia shipping corridor agreed

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Pyongyang during Lukashenko’s first official visit. Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said cooperation will expand across agriculture, information, pharmaceuticals, and food exports, signalling deeper political and economic alignment.

Separately, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Colombian counterparts agreed to launch a direct maritime link between Tema and Cartagena. The corridor aims to reduce costs and transit times, strengthen trade in agricultural goods, and enhance port efficiency, building on ties following Vice-President Francia Elena Márquez Mina’s 2025 visit.

Russia expands nuclear cooperation with Uzbekistan; Vietnam project advances

Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom and Uzbekistan’s Uzatom signed a roadmap on nuclear energy cooperation, covering workforce training, public engagement, and plans for a “nuclear city”. The project will deploy Generation III+ VVER-1000 and RITM-200N reactors, generating 15.4 billion kWh annually—over 15% of Uzbekistan’s electricity demand. The initiative builds on a 2024 agreement and was reinforced in talks between President Vladimir Putin and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Separately, Rosatom Director-General Alexey Likhachev confirmed an agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to develop Vietnam’s first nuclear plant, advancing energy security and broader oil, gas, and LNG cooperation.

Australia–Germany defence talks; Nigeria–Finland digital partnership

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, met Germany’s Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, in Canberra on 26 March 2026, marking Pistorius’ first official visit. Talks focused on Indo-Pacific security, maritime stability, and international law, with plans to expand military exercises, explore a Status of Forces Agreement, and deepen cooperation in space, defence industry, and supply chains.

Separately, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, and Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Jarno Syrjälä, signed a digital economy MoU in Abuja. The deal advances cybersecurity, digital public infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and skills, supported by the EU’s €23m Global Gateway initiative.

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