.
Asia
China
May 29, 2026 2:05 AM A cornerstone of China's doctrine is its "no first use" policy, meaning its forces wouldn't initiate a nuclear exchange. China is building launch pads near its nuclear missile silos, infrastructure designed to protect and operate China's land-based nuclear forces, an upgrade in Beijing's efforts to ensure second-strike capability. The ability to protect its desert silos is key to China's stated goal of forging a minimal but credible nuclear deterrent. While the People's Liberation Army (PLA) can fire nuclear weapons from submarines and aircraft, the silo fields in the northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Gansu province are the core of its nuclear forces. The new desert infrastructure is centered on two octagon-shaped installations built over the past six years in eastern Xinjiang. Both are southwest of the Hami nuclear silo fields – one is about 140 kilometers away, the other some 230 kilometers. The octagon structures contain housing for personnel and large military vehicles. They are flanked by armored bunkers and fortified weapons-storage areas, as well as airfields and railheads that link the octagons to the Hami silos. The pads could field mobile missile launchers and electronic-warfare operations. Key details remain unknown - including the weapons China might deploy at the launch pads and whether the octagon structures house truck-mounted ballistic missiles or facilities for fitting nuclear warheads. The pads could be used to deploy mobile air-defense missiles, electronic warfare nodes or, from some of the larger ones, road-mobile ICBM launchers. At the northernmost octagon, a possible space or microwave communications facility is also under construction. A third octagon-shaped installation south of the Lop Nur nuclear test facilities is less developed. It appears to be used as a target range. China is likely to have loaded 100 ICBMs across its three main silo fields. China's nuclear missiles can already reach any city in the United States. Now, satellite images reviewed by Reuters show Beijing is building a sprawling web of launch pads, bunkers and communications nodes near the isolated nuclear silos that hold the Chinese military's longest-range missiles. The images reveal more than 80 pads for possible use by China's expanding fleet of mobile missile launchers and air-defense batteries. They also show facilities that may serve electronic warfare, satellite communications and command operations. China has also been strengthening its early-warning system, underpinned by its Huoyan-1 satellites. The system can detect an incoming ICBM within 90 seconds of launch and alert a command center within three to four minutes. (Source: Miami Herald - U.S. / "Reuters or USA Today Network")
Gaza
May 29 2026 08:53:52 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu orders army to take control of 70 percent of Gaza Strip. "We are currently squeezing Hamas. We now control 60 percent of the territory in the strip," he said at a conference in an occupied West Bank settlement, according to a video aired by Israel's Channel 12 network. He said the military had controlled 50 percent of Gaza under the terms of the ceasefire, adding: "My directive is to move to... 70 percent". Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israeli forces were to pull back behind a so-called "yellow line", a demarcation between the area under Hamas control and that held by the Israeli army. Israel has killed more than 900 people since the ceasefire, according to Gaza's health ministry, On May 27, Israeli Defense Minister Katz repeated Israel's goal of ending Hamas's rule over the Palestinian territory and alluded to a plan for the forced displacement of its residents. (Source: Hurriyet Daily News - Turkey)
India
28.05.26, 12:39 PM US secretary of state Rubio’s visit offers no real medicine for wounds to relationship with India inflicted by the Trump administration’s policies on trade and immigration, and the war in Iran. The secretary of state visited India to reassure New Delhi of Washington’s reliability as a partner, though the trip yielded little tangible gain for the South Asian nation. India, which imports 90% of its crude oil, had come under pressure in the summer after Trump slapped a punitive 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. It was lifted in February after India agreed to limit purchases of Russian oil. The Iran war and closure of the Strait of Hormuz also greatly reduced India’s access to oil. Trump’s tariffs, his close relationship with Pakistan’s leaders and his seeming desire to cultivate stronger ties with China have called assumptions into question. India is concerned that it would lose its value to the United States and become dispensable once the U.S. relationship with China stabilizes. The two sides did sign a framework agreement to cooperate closely on securing supplies of critical minerals. The last day of Rubio’s visit was dedicated to discussing the Quad, a group of four countries - the United States, India, Japan and Australia - intended to build maritime cooperation and ensure safe routes for commerce in the Indo-Pacific. Although it was never explicitly stated, one of the Quad’s main goals was to be a check on China’s influence in the region. With Trump focused on his priorities in China, his level of interest in the Quad is unclear. (Source: The Telegraph - India)
Iran
28/05/2026 - 8:49 GMT+2 Iranians back online after monthslong shutdown but heavy restrictions still remain. Yesterday many users said service was slow and spotty in some areas, with apps like YouTube and Instagram heavily restricted. There were still widespread disruptions. Senior government officials were given SIM cards granting them access to the global internet. Under pressure, the government expanded access to the SIM cards to some professions during the shutdown. (Source: Euronews - based in Lyon, France; "with AP" - U.S.)
May 27, 2026, 15:30 GMT+1 Iranian lawmaker Zohourian, secretary of parliament’s Economic Committee said a current outline of a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington includes lifting the US naval blockade within 30 days, the withdrawal of American forces from areas around Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran within the same period. He wrote on X that the outline also includes declaring an end to the war, including in Lebanon, a commitment by both sides not to use force against each other, and respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Zohourian said a final agreement would be subject to a 60-day period that could be extended by mutual consent. According him, the draft includes a promised $300 billion reconstruction program for Iran if a final agreement is signed, as well as ending US primary and secondary sanctions under a timetable. Zohourian said the nuclear section covers Iran not building nuclear weapons and the creation of a mutually acceptable framework for the fate of uranium stockpiles, enrichment and all issues related to Tehran’s nuclear program in a final agreement. He added that the outline includes freezing Iran’s nuclear program in return for Washington not increasing sanctions during the negotiation period. Zohourian said other provisions include exemptions for Iranian oil and petrochemical sales and related services, as well as the gradual release of Iran’s blocked funds by the United States if negotiations progress. (Source: Iran International)
26 May 2026 10:58pm BST The $24bn cost of Trump’s capitulation on Iran. With no country other than Israel by his side militarily, and without any public or diplomatic backing from traditional allies, the US president promised that overwhelming force would bring a swift victory and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Instead, with higher oil prices and the chances of a global recession higher than at any time since the 2020 pandemic, peace will probably mean releasing those billions in cash to a regime that, despite Mr Trump’s numerous promises and declarations, remains standing. The optics for a president could not be worse: handing over billions of dollars to the very regime America has been at war against. The sum Mr Trump has to contemplate – $24bn, half of it to be paid upfront – would be released in exchange for a memorandum of understanding to end two similarly costly and politically painful months of fighting in the Middle East. Although the money itself belongs to Iran – the funds are frozen under sanctions – it would be a solution for Mr Trump, who broke his campaign promise and led America to war on Feb 28. Releasing billions of dollars is as legally difficult as it is politically complex. Just $2bn of Iran’s assets are thought to be frozen in the United States. Much of the remaining money, calculated to be worth about $100bn, is held in international bank accounts frozen by the United Nations. Allies of Mr Trump see the move as a de facto reward for the regime. (Source: The Telegraph - India)
26.05.26, 09:56 AM 'The Enriched Uranium (Nuclear Dust!) will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed or, preferably, in conjunction and coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, destroyed in place or, at another acceptable location, with the Atomic Energy Commission, or its equivalent, being witness to this process and event,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Yesterday, Trump said negotiations with Iran to end the war were progressing nicely and urged countries involved in the peace talks to sign on to the Abraham Accords, which deal with establishing diplomatic, economic and security ties between Israel and Arab nations. He said it would be an honour to have Iran as a signatory to the Accords. "...after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords,' Trump said, adding that it may be accepted if one or two have a reason for not doing so. Among the negotiators, the UAE and Bahrain are already members of the Accords, and Trump expects Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt and Jordan to sign up. (Source: The Telegraph - India)
24/05/2026 4:17 pm An Israeli political source confirmed that Washington is keeping Tel Aviv fully informed of all developments related to the ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a settlement to end the war with Iran. The source explained to The Times of Israel that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized a firm red line during his conversation with US President Trump last night. He also affirmed that Israel will continue to maintain its freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon. Trump, in turn, reiterated his support for Netanyahu. Regarding the course of the negotiations, President Trump was emphasizing that any final agreement with Tehran must include the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium stockpiles from Iranian territory. This confirmation comes at a time of conflicting statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump had previously stated via Truth Social that a significant portion of a memorandum of understanding had been negotiated. This includes provisions to reopen the strait and he asserted that the final details would be announced soon. This American optimism was met with an official denial from the Iranian side. The Iranian news agency Fars quoted its sources as saying that Trump’s claim regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz does not align with reality. It also emphasized that Tehran maintains its control over the Strait as an integral part of its sovereignty. (Source: Voice of Emirates - headquarters Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Japan
29 May 2026 Japan joins NATO Ukraine mission for 1st time. It said today it will deploy military personnel to a NATO mission supporting Ukraine in Germany. Defense Ministry says personnel will not engage in combat operations, face no direct possibility of involvement in fighting. Four members of its Self-Defense Forces will be stationed at the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine headquarters in Wiesbaden - two members of the Ground Self-Defense Force, one from the Maritime Self-Defense Force, and one from the Air Self-Defense Force. Tokyo said the deployment is intended to strengthen Japan’s own defense capabilities by learning from the war in Ukraine. (Source: Anadolu Agency -Turkey)
Lebanon
31/05/2026 - 16:00 The Israeli army has taken control of Beaufort castle in Southern Lebanon, crossing over the Litani river, which they had been using as a de facto boundary. The Israeli army now has declared all land between the Litani and Zaharani River a conflict zone. (Source: France 24)
Video
May 26 2026 14:21:23 An Israeli airstrike on a village in eastern Lebanon killed 12 people, state media said on May 26, as an Israeli official said the military called up more troops to Lebanon. The strike hit the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley late on May 25, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. It came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he authorized more intensive strikes targeting the Hezbollah militant group across Lebanon. An Israeli security official said the military had called up an additional battalion to Lebanon. (Source: Hurriyet Daily News - Turkey)
Nepal
31 May 2026) Nepal PM says held discussion with China, UK about Kalapani-Lipulekh region. India maintains that the area is part of Uttarakhand and has rejected Kathmandu’s territorial claims to the region. Shah said that he had held discussions with Beijing as the region sits near the trijunction of India, Tibet and Nepal. Shah said that New Delhi and Kathmandu had agreed to resolve the dispute “sitting together with the help of historians, surveyors and concerned experts through diplomatic means”. Nepal has repeatedly claimed that India’s decision to build the road was a breach of an agreement between the two countries. It claims the Lipulekh Pass on the basis of a treaty signed with British colonisers in 1816. In June 2020, the Nepali Parliament amended its Constitution to include a new political map of the country featuring the Kalapani-Limpiadhura-Lipulekh area as its territory. (Source: Scroll - India)
31 May 2026 7:17 pm Newly appointed Prime Minister Shah admitted that just as India has been accused of encroaching on Nepali land, there have been instances of Nepali encroachment into Indian territory. The statement comes at a time of heightened sensitivity over the India-Nepal border dispute. Nepal released a new political map in 2020 claiming certain areas traditionally administered by India. The sensitive regions include Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura in Uttarakhand. The development comes amid efforts by both countries to improve bilateral ties and resolve pending issues through diplomatic channels. The border problem between India and Nepal began in 2019 after Kathmandu objected to a new map released by India, which showed the Kalapani area as part of Indian territory. The tensions escalated in May 2020 when Defence Minister Singh inaugurated a new route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass. (Source: Outlook - India)
.6 6 7
