Transnational Thursday is a thread for people to discuss international news, foreign policy or international relations history. Feel free as well to drop in with coverage of countries you’re interested in, talk about ongoing dynamics like the wars in Israel or Ukraine, or even just whatever you’re reading.
PaperclipPerfector
3mo ago
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Transnational Thursday for September 4, 2025
- 27
- 4
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A motte is a stone keep on a raised earthwork common in early medieval fortifications. More pertinently,
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originally identified by
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Notes -
Some headlines
Europe
"Therefore, if some troops appear there, especially now, during military operations, we proceed from the fact that these will be legitimate targets for destruction," Putin told an economic forum in Vladivostok.
Middle East
Syria arrests defence, interior ministry members suspected of abuses against the civilian population, particularly Druze.
Iran
Iran executing more people
Gaza
At least 21,000 children disabled in Gaza since war began, says UN committee (number seems between very fake and somewhat plausible)
Israel mobilizes reservists as it pushes into initial stages of Gaza City offensive
Yemen
Asia
"Southern Theater Command responds to joint patrols by the Philippines, Australia, and Canada: Any attempt to stir trouble in the South China Sea and create hotspots cannot succeed"
Chinese military news generally seem more bellicose this last week, covering their recent parade.
Foreign Policy on China's rising military might.
North Korea's Kim Yong Un arrives in Beijing for military parade
Xi hosts 'old friend' Putin, Kim ahead of military parade in challenge to West
China's Xi Convenes 'Axis of Upheaval' in Beijing, Sidelining Trump
Xi Jinping: Accelerate the building of a world-class military, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
India/Pakistan
Peace agreement between insurgent groups and the Manipur government in India
Bellingcat: A Guide To Monitoring Conflict Amidst a Sea of Misinformation
Africa
A deal between the DRC and the M23 militia is not holding.
7 killed, 71 injured in RSF shelling on Sudan's El-Fasher
Rapid Support Forces commander sworn in as head of a parallel government in Sudan
Herdsmen kill seven Christians in central Nigeria
US approves $32.5 million in assistance to Nigeria to help address hunger
Biorisks
Chikungunya CDC page
HHS Abandons mRNA Vaccines, Experts Warn of Threats to U.S. Health Security (possibly old news)
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