Conflicts

• India's Permanent Representative P Harish urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate action to mitigate the humanitarian fallout of global conflicts. • Speaking during a Tuesday open debate titled "Food Under Fire," Harish highlighted how modern conflicts create ripple effects that extend far beyond the immediate zones of hostility. • The discussion focused on the UNSC's critical role in addressing and mitigating both local and global food crises exacerbated by war.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure to protect global trade arteries. • Guterres urged all parties to strictly adhere to international law and restore navigational freedoms amidst escalating regional conflicts. • Simultaneously, US Central Command reported that as of Monday, it has redirected 71 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to enforce a blockade against Iran.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Monday that the global food supply has become "collateral damage" due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts. • He highlighted that disruptions to maritime traffic in the Black Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait have severely worsened hunger crises. • The instability is driven by conflicts involving Russia and Ukraine, the US, Iran, and Israel, as well as the Yemeni Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

• Former Indonesian Ambassador Dr. Wajid Fauzi delivered a presentation at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) analyzing the historical and geopolitical drivers of Middle East conflicts. • He specifically highlighted the conflict in Yemen, explaining how domestic strife evolved into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. • The strategic importance of Yemen was emphasized due to its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical global maritime chokepoint for trade and security.

• Ethiopia is currently navigating a turbulent environment shaped by overlapping conflicts, geopolitical rivalries, and significant economic risks. • The situation highlights the limitations of diplomacy, as weak trust between major international actors hinders the resolution of regional crises. • These developments illustrate a global trend where security shocks, climate emergencies, and humanitarian pressures are interconnected rather than isolated events.

• The SET Index is currently trading sideways as investors maintain a cautious stance amid a lack of significant new market drivers. • Market participants are closely monitoring geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, specifically focusing on negotiations regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. • Investors are also awaiting the release of upcoming U.S. labor data, which is expected to influence global market sentiment.

• Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated, undermining the stability hoped for following a recently signed memorandum of understanding. • Gulf nations are increasingly analyzing the conflict in Ukraine to understand how global geopolitical shifts and converging conflicts impact their own regional security. • This convergence of crises highlights a deeper transformation in international politics, where legal and administrative decisions are reflecting broader strategic realignments.