Top story per country this week, ranked by coverage volume. Select a story to visit the full country summary, or a region name to visit the region overview.
Frontline and Eastern Europe
Domestic politics are threatening democratic institutions and defense commitments across four NATO allies.
Ukraine
Budanov appointed as head of Presidential Office, outlines negotiation strategy and Russian empire dissolution
Lithuania
Ignitis Group reports strong 2025 results, sells stake in Vilnius plant
Latvia
Prime Minister and President lead commemoration of fourth anniversary of war against Ukraine
Finland
President visits Ukraine and Paris, promotes narrative of Ukraine winning the war
Poland
Prime Minister defends SAFE program with ‘zakute łby’ comment, faces ethics backlash
Czech Republic
Speaker invited to Václav Moravec TV show after nine-year absence
Romania
Ciolacu launches sustained attack on PM Bolojan amid Social Democratic Party internal tensions
Estonia
Foreign Minister sparks controversy by stating Estonia open to hosting NATO nuclear weapons
Western Europe
European allies split over US-Israeli Iran strikes while governing parties faced domestic crises from Macron’s historic disapproval ratings to Labour’s third-place by-election finish.
United Kingdom
Green Party delivers historic by-election victory, pushing Labour to third place in Gorton and Denton
Germany
Chancellor conducts first China visit, meets Xi Jinping amid trade tensions
Spain
Government declassifies 23-F coup documents revealing Superior Center for Defense Information agent involvement and new details
Norway
King hospitalized in Spain with infection, discharged after treatment
France
President to deliver major nuclear deterrence doctrine speech at submarine base
Italy
US-Israel attack Iran as Italian military personnel in Kuwait base hit by missiles
Sweden
Russian drone intercepted near French aircraft carrier in Malmö
Asia-Pacific
US allies in Asia-Pacific split over Iran but boosted militaries in the same week, showing an alliance built on separate deals rather than joint planning.
Taiwan
TSMC hits $2 trillion market cap amid AI chip surge and expansion plans
Indonesia
Central bank opens currency exchange service for Ramadan and Eid
Japan
Emperor marks 66th birthday with disaster remembrance focus
South Korea
Former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeals life sentence for insurrection
Australia
Angus Taylor rises to Liberal leadership, faces early polling challenges
Near East and South Asia
Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE forced both countries to abandon rapprochement efforts with Tehran and coordinate their defense response despite recent bilateral tensions.
United Arab Emirates
Iran launches major missile and drone assault on UAE in response to US-Israeli strikes, killing 3
India
Prime Minister makes historic Israel visit, addresses Knesset amid regional tensions
Turkey
President celebrates 72nd birthday amid domestic and international congratulations
Saudi Arabia
Iran launches retaliatory strikes against Saudi Arabia and Gulf states following US-Israeli attacks
The Americas
American countries split four ways when responding to strikes on Iran, with Canada backing the action as a Western partner, Mexico advocating diplomacy, Brazil condemning as a BRICS member, and Chile criticising both sides.
Canada
Prime Minister launches major trade mission to India, Australia and Japan seeking to diversify from US
Mexico
National Defense Secretariat kills Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader ‘El Mencho’ in operation with US intelligence support
Chile
US sanctions Chilean officials over proposed Chinese submarine cable, sparks diplomatic crisis
Brazil
Finance Minister accepts President’s invitation to run for São Paulo governor after months of resistance