1. US tariff policy deeply impacts the global economy

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced “Liberation Day Tariffs,” imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to over 50% on most countries worldwide, including the US’s close allies. The policy has had a profound impact on the global economy, placed heavy pressure on the international trading system based on multilateral trade institutions such as the WTO and free trade agreements (FTAs), and severely affected global production and supply chains.

Many countries have accepted negotiations on new trade agreements with the US, sought to shift production, and restructured supply chains to optimize access to the US and global markets. The new US tariff policy has significantly affected the global economic and trade order, forcing countries to adjust strategies to mitigate risks and adapt to the new context.

2. Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement after two years of bloody conflict

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip was officially signed on October 13. Mediated by the US, Egypt, and some Arab countries, the ceasefire marked a turning point toward ending the conflict that erupted in October and had claimed more than 70,000 lives as of November 2025.

The ceasefire is the Phase 1 of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which includes transferring Gaza to the Palestinian Authority and establishing a Palestinian state if necessary reforms are implemented. Despite ongoing challenges, the ceasefire is seen as the most important political and diplomatic breakthrough in efforts to end violence and the severe humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

3. The US unveils a new national security strategy, signaling a restructuring of the global landscape

On December 4, the US released a new national security strategy, which covers its most significant shift since the end of the Cold War. The strategy reasserts the Monroe Doctrine, making the Western Hemisphere Washington’s top priority and confirming the US’s plans to redeploy a larger military power to the region.

The new strategy no longer labels Russia as an “enemy,” instead moving toward a partner-oriented approach. It adopts a more cautious and less confrontational language toward China. The US views China as an opponent while seeking talks to rebalance economic relations on a reciprocal basis. The strategy sharply criticizes Europe, signaling a gradual withdrawal of US security commitments on the continent.

4. Israel and the US launch attacks on Iran

On June 13, Israel carried out an operation codenamed “Rising Lion,” striking Iranian nuclear and military facilities, which it said was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran responded with hundreds of missiles and over 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles targeting Israel.

On June 22, the US deployed B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. This marked the first time the US directly attacked Iran’s nuclear infrastructure to weaken its uranium enrichment capabilities.

The operation represented the most serious escalation of hostility between Iran and Israel, backed by the US.

5. Thailand-Cambodia border conflict erupts

Following minor border clashes in late May, large-scale fighting between Thailand and Cambodia broke out on July 24, as the two countries deployed heavy weapons to attack multiple locations on each other’s territory. This was the most serious conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbors since the 2011 clashes over the disputed Preah Vihear Temple.

With international mediation efforts, the two countries signed a joint declaration on a peace agreement at the ASEAN Summit in October in Malaysia. However, fighting flared up again in early December, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement, forcing the other to take defensive actions. The conflict   has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to evacuate, causing significant casualties and infrastructure damage.

The international community is working hard to ease tensions and seek a peaceful solution. The conflict poses serious challenges to ASEAN’s peace and unity.

6. Signs of progress emerge in efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict

The Russia-Ukraine conflict remained deadlocked, with Ukraine launching multiple attacks inside Russian territory and Russia expanding control in eastern Ukraine. In November, the US unveiled a 28-point peace plan, the most comprehensive proposal since 2022, reflecting Washington’s determination to shape negotiations in line with its global strategy. One month later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would abandon its intention to join NATO, marking the most significant policy shift to date. These developments are widely seen as positive signals to end the conflict.

7. Protests and riots break out in many countries

2025 saw protests and riots in numerous countries, reflecting widespread social instability. Despite different political contexts and regimes, many protests shared common roots in socio-economic crises, corruption, and weak governance.

In Nepal, protests erupted on September 8 following the government’s decision to shut down 26 social media platforms. The ripple effect spread to Madagascar, where citizens protested power and water shortages, rising living costs, and corruption. These movements were largely decentralized, relying heavily on social media for communications, with the possibility of external interference.

Protests and unrest have pushed many countries deeper into crisis and division, highlighting emerging demands and the growing political influence of Generation Z.

8. Political turbulence clouds Northeast Asia, China-Japan relations under strain

On April 4, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office and later arrested following a Constitutional Court ruling that his imposition of martial law was unconstitutional.

On October 21, Japan saw Takaichi Sanae, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), become the country’s first female Prime Minister.

Shortly after her swearing-in, China-Japan tensions escalated when the Japanese Prime Minister suggested Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan. China reacted strongly, accusing Japan of interference and reviving historical disputes, while also applying certain economic pressure measures.

9. AI creates a new front in global strategic competition

In late January, the AI application DeepSeek, developed by a Chinese company, created a shockwave through the global tech community. Offering capabilities comparable to ChatGPT by OpenAI but at significantly lower development costs, DeepSeek opened a new AI development pathway for countries without technological or financial dominance in AI development.

The rapid evolution of AI models such as ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini, along with the race to build AI-integrated robots, has created a new global strategic race, led by the US and China. The AI boom continues to raise pressing questions about global governance, safety, human-centered development, and the risk of widening the digital gap.

10. Natural disasters cause severe devastation worldwide

A series of extreme weather events, including super typhoons, floods, droughts, and record-breaking heatwaves, caused heavy damage across the world in 2025. Super typhoons such as Melissa, Kalmaegi, and Ragasa battered the Asia-Pacific, while floods struck Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Earthquakes hit Myanmar and Afghanistan, wildfires raged in the US, and heatwaves scorched Europe and Asia.

Natural disasters are estimated to have caused 220 billion USD in global economic losses, severely affecting trade, logistics, and production, and forcing many countries to increase spending on reconstruction and disaster response. The World Meteorological Organization warned that global temperatures at times exceeded 1.5 DC above pre-industrial levels, making 2025 potentially the second hottest year on record.

COP30, held in Brazil in November, failed to agreed on a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, widely seen as the main cause of global warming.