GlobalPULSE: 13 JAN 2025

Report Summary

This weekly report provides a comprehensive analysis of critical events, emerging threats, and significant developments across our global watchlist countries. Our Geopolitical & Security Analysis Teams continuously monitor and assess incidents affecting regional stability, security, and business operations.

Key Global Concerns:

• Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro began a controversial third presidential term amid allegations of electoral fraud, underscoring ongoing governance challenges and international isolation.
• Haiti's escalating gang violence highlights a humanitarian crisis with over 5,600 deaths reported in 2024. The UN has called for stricter enforcement of sanctions to address the violence.
• Moldova faces mounting challenges in supplying energy to Transnistria amidst electricity shortages, while Serbia prepares for potential U.S. sanctions on Russian-linked energy companies.
• Continued Russian aggression in Ukraine, including bombings in Zaporizhzhia, has resulted in over 100 injured and emphasizes the need for sustained international support.
• Over 66,000 deaths have been reported since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023. Despite international efforts, ceasefire negotiations remain stalled, with devastating humanitarian consequences.
• Yemen faces ongoing U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled weapon storage sites, signaling persistent regional instability.
• Guinea and Mozambique are grappling with unrest over delayed democratic transitions and disputed election results. Meanwhile, Cameroon faces debates over leadership as President Paul Biya considers an eighth term.
• Environmental risks in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria threaten ecological resources, while South Sudan plans to restart oil production after resolving pipeline blockades.
• North Korea’s missile launches into the East Sea and escalating tensions between the Philippines and China underscore the region’s fragile security landscape.
• Indonesia’s entry into BRICS and Taiwan’s investor-friendly policies reflect efforts to strengthen economic resilience, while Myanmar suffers continued violence amid airstrikes by the military junta.

The intersection of governance challenges, humanitarian crises, and security threats continues to reshape the global landscape. Latin America faces compounding pressures from political instability, economic fragility, and health emergencies, while Europe navigates energy security vulnerabilities amid continued conflict in Ukraine. In the Middle East, the prolonged Israel-Gaza conflict emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic resolutions to mitigate humanitarian crises.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains vulnerable to governance and environmental risks, with nations striving to balance stability with progress. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region contends with rising tensions in maritime zones, compounded by domestic policy shifts and economic challenges. These developments underscore the interconnected nature of global risks, requiring sustained international collaboration to address multifaceted challenges.