Here are some key events to keep a tab on,
- Russia-U.S. - Syria: It is getting increasingly likely that the U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in July in Austria ahead of his NATO summit. Syria is likely to be a key part of that discussion. Syrian forces are pressing offensives against rebels in South Syria, despite warnings from the United States. The United States has however told the rebels that you are on your own. Russia has reportedly carried out airstrikes against the rebels to break the stronghold of Deraa.
- Korean Peninsula: The effect of the peace prospect continues. North Korea and South Korea holding talks to discuss economic projects to boost tied further. North Korea has called for the faithful implementation of Trump-Kim summit.
- Palestine - Israel: Donald Trump is moving closer to another victory as the global rating for PA President Mahmoud Abbas declined after PA’s violent crackdown of Palestinian protesters last week, who were protesting against cuts in their pay packages. President’s special envoy to Jared Kushner announced that the peace plan would go ahead with or without PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
- Turkey-Israel-United States: Despite an agreement between Turkey and the United States over Syria, the relation continues to worsen. U.S. lawmakers approved a halt in selling advance U.S. fighter jets F35s to Turkey.
- Italy election: Italian government is at loggerheads with Brussels over immigration. The newly formed government has toughed border security and has closed its port to several migrant ships. Recently it refused to accept chancellor Merkel’s pan-European immigration plan and continued to refuse ships carrying migrants.
- Trade war: In response to President Trump’s announcement of tariffs, Europe, India, China, Mexico all have announced retaliatory tariffs. Majority of the retaliatory tariffs would go live by next month.
- Germany: German Chancellor Angela Merkel struggles to find common grounds across Europe over immigration. She has been given a 14-day ultimatum by Horst Seehofer, the leader of her coalition partner Christian Social Union (CSU). He is the interior minister and announced that he would force stricter border laws if Merkel fails to reach an agreement over immigration with other European leaders.
- Turkey: The incumbent president Recep Tayipp Erdogan won a victory in Sunday’s election, which now gives him additional powers over the country and firms his grip as an autocratic leader.
