Continued turmoil in West Asia, Donald Trump’s approval ratings and India-China engagement
From the escalating conflict in West Asia to improving India-China ties and Italy's border decision, several key global developments shaped international politics and security over the past week.
EXPLAINERContinued turmoil in West Asia, Donald Trump’s approval ratings and India-China engagementFrom the escalating conflict in West Asia to improving India-China ties and Italy's border decision, several key global developments shaped international politics and security over the past week. From West Asia to Europe, global tensions continue to rise this week. (AI-Generated)Add DNA as a Preferred SourceTRENDING NOWGold, silver prices today, February 8, 2026: Check city-wise rates in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and moreBomb threat to 9 Delhi schools, Bomb squad deployedSourav Ganguly slams PCB's India boycott threat, asks 'backing out of a World Cup for what?'Who is Shivam Mishra? 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While commenting on the same, IRGC said:“non-compliantoil tankers … were struck and brought to a halt, while four other oil tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous positions”. USPresidentDonald Trump held a meeting with his cabinet to discuss the escalating conflict and economic impact. Rising inflation could impact theRepublicans'electoral prospects in the Mid-term elections less than three months away. According to a CNN Survey, conductedinthe end of July, the Democrats were leading the Republicans by 8 points. The same survey revealed that Trump’s approval ratings had dropped to 34%, and a large majority of voters disapproved of the US President’s approach towards the conflict and stated that the damage caused in terms of loss of lives as well as the economic impact has not been worth it. The war in West Asia continues to expand,andsomeimportant developments havetaken placein recent days. First, Iran struck military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Earlier on July 29, the US had struck targets in Iran. Second, Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries have announced the creation of a maritime military coalition to safeguard freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of AdenThe U. S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced fresh sanctionson Wednesday, July 29, adding10 companies and seven oil tankers to its sanctions list. Twofirms, the Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Co and HormuzSafe Marine Services Authority,accordingto theOFAC,supported an IRGC-linked systemwhichcollected revenue from vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Secretary’s China visitForeign Secretary Vikram Misri concluded his two-dayChina visiton July 28. During his visit, he met with several senior officials including Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, Li Wentang, Vice President of the ruling Communist Party’s Central Party School in Beijing, Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. While several issues were discussed during the visit, the key focus was on border stability. External AffairsMinisterS Jaishankar,ina meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister WangYi,on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministersmeetinglast month in Manila,hadhighlighted the importance of the same. While commenting on the meeting between Misri and Hua Chunying, the Indian Embassy in Beijing said:“. . They reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They discussed ways to advance the vision of the two leaders that India and China are partners in development and present opportunities for each other, including through mutually beneficial outcomes in trade and economic ties, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides acknowledged the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China borderareas. ”Misri’s visit to China, days after S Jaishankar’s meeting with WangYiis significant. On August 1, India and China reopened border trade through Nathu La in Sikkim, Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh. China has also repeatedly extended support to India’s BRICS Presidency. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson MaoNingwhile addressing a media briefing on July20said:“China attaches great importance to and actively participates in BRICS cooperation. We support this year’s chairIndiainmaking the BRICS Summit afullsuccess”There are strong indicators that Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the summit. This will be his first visit to India after the Galwan clashes in 2020. While some positive developments have taken place in the context of India-Chinaties,inthe pastyears, important differences betweenbothcountries can not be ignored. Russia-Bangladesh trade in RupeesA proposal to carry out bilateral trade between Russia and Bangladesh in Indian rupees has been discussed. This will include setting upa dedicated payment infrastructureandopening a Russian bank branch in Dhaka. Italy suspends Schengen agreementItaly's Interior Ministry ordered the closure of the country's sea and air borders with Spain, suspending the Schengen free movement regime between the two European nations. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salviniafter thearrival ofthousands of migrants from Moroccointothe Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta. Deputy PrimeMinisterAntonio Tajani,whilecommenting on this decision, said:“The migrant crisis in Ceuta reminds us that the management of the Union’s borders is a shared responsibility among our countries, one toward the other. We must work together to prevent uncontrolled migrant flows from entering EU territory, with all the consequent risks and the threat of terrorism, which must be countered without hesitation. "In conclusion, the continuing turmoil in West Asia is likely to take its toll on global energy markets. Thesetting upof aSaudi-ledmaritime coalition is an important development. The expansion of the conflict has only increased geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The visit of ForeignSecretaryVikram Misri to China is important in the context of bilateral relations as well as India’s BRICS Presidency. Italy’s closure of its sea and air borders with Spain reiterates the growing divisions within the EU over the past decade. Find your daily dose of AllLatest NewsincludingSports News,Entertainment News,Lifestyle News, explainers & more. Stay updated, Stay informed-Follow DNA on WhatsApp.