Framing The World, CLI Edition
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
NORTH AMERICA
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
WESTERN EUROPE AND EUROPEAN UNION
ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA)
TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Burkina Faso, on 10 and 11 March the authorities conducted a large police operation in some villages around Solenzo in the west. In this region, on the border with Mali, several jihadist organisations are active. In Solenzo, the operation degenerated because young men enrolled in the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland corps committed serious violence against the inhabitants of the area, especially against the Peul ethnic group. The NGO Human rights watch examined a dozen videos posted on social media showing at least 58 civilians killed, including women and children, and many people still alive but wounded or with their hands and feet bound.
(Aurelia Puliafito)
Guinea, former leader Camara pardoned after 2009 massacre conviction. Guinea’s former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara, sentenced in 2024 to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity, has been pardoned for health reasons by junta leader Mamady Doumbouya. The decision was announced in a decree read on national television. Camara was found guilty, along with seven other officers, for the September 28, 2009 massacre, when security forces opened fire on a pro-democracy rally at a stadium in Conakry, killing at least 157 people. More than 100 women were raped, and many protesters were tortured in the days that followed. The government has pledged to pay court-ordered compensation totaling over $20 million to victims and the families of the missing.
Sudan, Al-Burhan: “Khartoum is free from paramilitaries”. Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared Khartoum “free” from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announcing his arrival at the presidential palace. In a televised statement, he ruled out any reconciliation with the paramilitaries, vowing to “crush” the group. The announcement follows the army’s advance in Omdurman, where it seized control of the Souq Libya market, previously used as an RSF logistics base. According to a study, more than 60,000 people may have died in the capital alone. The army now seeks full control over the greater Khartoum area, though the RSF still holds some positions.
(Giulio Ciofini)
Aurelia Puliafito and Giulio Ciofini
NORTH AMERICA
Canada, Signal scandal worries Carney. Speaking after the news that a journalist was accidentally included in a group chat where senior US officials were discussing airstrikes against Yemeni rebels, Canada’s new prime minister Mark Carney said that all allied nations must progressively “look out” for themselves. Since Canada is a member of the Five Eyes intelligence agreement, alongside Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US, Carney considered the intelligence leak a “serious, serious issue” and stated that to best protect Canada they would need to be “more and more Canadian in [their] defence capabilities”.
(Lorenzo Graziani)
United States, the arrests of students continue. On Wednesday, major international news outlets shared footage of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, being arrested by masked ICE agents for protesting in support of Palestine. This incident is part of a broader trend. In recent weeks, several students have been detained by ICE: three students from Columbia University, as well as others from Brown, Cornell, the University of Alabama, and the University of Minnesota. Government officials have stated that these arrests signal the beginning of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters. President Trump, in particular, referred to the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Palestinian student at Columbia, as the “first of many cases to come”.
(Giovanni Ferrazza)
JD Vance in Greenland: the battle for the island continues. In recent days, the Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, visited the American military base in Pituffik, in northern Greenland, where he stated that the world’s largest island “would be much safer” if it were independent from Denmark and chose to collaborate with Donald Trump’s government. The Danish government has been the target of the Vice President’s criticism, as he accused it of failing to ensure the necessary security against Russia and China’s aggressive ambitions, as well as not investing enough in the island’s potential. In response to these affronts, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen strongly condemned the American administration for its disrespectful words.
(Bianca Colli)
Lorenzo Graziani, Bianca Colli and Giovanni Ferrazza
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Brasil : Former President Bolsonaro on Trial for Attempted Coup. On March 26th the Brazilian Supreme Court officially initiated criminal proceedings against former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro and 7 deputies, accusing them of attempting a coup d’état. The charges refer to the events of January 8th, 2023, when, following Lula’s victory in the 2022 presidential elections, Bolsonaro incited its supporters to storm government institutions in the capital. Brasilia. According to detailed reconstructions of the Brazilian federal police, the former president’s original plan - called “ the Green and Yellow Dagger” - included the assassination of Lula, his vice-president Geraldo Alckmin and Supreme Court judge Alexandre Moraes, with the objective of sabotaging the democratic transition. However, the plan failed due to lack of support from the army’s top commanders. Bolsonaro now faces a possible sentence of 12 to 43 years of prison.
Ecuador : The Debate Between Noboa and Gonzales Fuels citizen’s confusion just weeks before the runoff. Jost over two weeks before the second round of Ecuador’s presidential elections, the country appears more polarized than ever. The first-round results saw the incumbent president, Daniel Noboa, candidate of the right-wing party Acción Democrática Nacional (ADN), leading with 44.1% of the votes, followed closely by Luisa González, representative of the left-wing movement Revolución Ciudadana,, with 44% - a virtual tie. On March 23, a televised debate was held, intended to help Ecuadorians make an informed decision ahead of the April 13th election. However, the debate quickly turned into a confrontation filled with mutual attacks and accusations, with neither candidate offering concrete solutions to address the country’s pressing challenges, including violence, social security, education and corruption.
(Nicole Mancinelli)
Argentina, $20 billion agreement between IMF and Casa Rosada. In recent weeks, rumors of a new potential agreement between the International Monetary Fund and Buenos Aires, the third since 2018, have been confirmed by the words of Economy Minister Luis Caputo. According to Caputo, the deal would bring $20 billion to Argentina's finances, which will be used according to the IMF's directives, particularly with the goal of stabilizing public finances and repaying part of the debt with the Central Bank, as well as a broader set of economic policies under the Milei government. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozak confirmed the strengthening of relations with the Argentine government but did not ratify the value of the agreement, stating that "any agreed package is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board," thus slowing the enthusiasm of those in favor of a new cycle of loans between the IMF and Argentina.
Peru, Boluarte calls for new presidential elections. The strong dissent against the current President Dina Boluarte has forced the executive to call for new presidential elections, scheduled for April 12, 2026. The unpopularity of the Boluarte government is attributed to the growing increase in organized crime at the expense of the population. Furthermore, the "hereditary" position of the current President does not benefit public opinion. The shadow of Castillo has continued to tarnish the reputation of the former vice president, now President Dina Boluarte, undermining her efforts to redeem herself from the scandals that occurred during Castillo’s presidency. It remains to be seen how the political dynamics in the country will evolve, and whether they will lead to instability due to the lack of foresight in the executive’s political life.
(Lucas Torres)
Lucas Torres and Nicole Mancinelli
ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
China, denied the chance to send Chinese peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. On May 22nd, the German daily newspaper ‘die Welt’ disclosed that China is likely to engage in the European-led “coalition of the willings” with its own forces, as revealed by EU diplomats anonymously. Two days later, the Chinese foreign minister, Guo Jiakun, denied the report’s statements at a news briefing, reaffirming that “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear”. In fact, Beijing officially claims to be a neutral party in Russia’s war on Ukraine, endorsing the territorial integrity of Ukraine on the one hand, and keeping close economic and strategic ties with Russia on the other, but it is well known that China has been baking the latter throughout the entire conflict. The idea of Beijing's commitment has been put forward by reason of the alliance between the two, hoping that the presence of Chinese blue helmets could potentially increase Moscow’s acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
(Antonella Franzelli)
Indonesia: students protest against military reform. Thousands of Indonesian demonstrators continue to rally outside Parliament against a reform expanding the military's role in civilian life. The law, pushed by President Prabowo— former general—has reignited fears of a return to the country’s authoritarian past.
In Jakarta and Surabaya, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the repeal of the measure, which they call "a threat to democracy." Critics and NGOs warn of a revival of "dwifungsi," the Suharto-era doctrine that legitimized military control over civil society. Despite government assurances that the reform is aimed at national security, protests show no sign of easing.
(Valeria Picciolo)
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastates Myanmar and beyond. With its epicentre 16 kilometres northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country at 12:50 local time, followed by a second 6.4-magnitude tremor just minutes later. At the time of writing, the death toll has surpassed 1.000, particularly in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, located about 100 kilometres from the epicentre. However, the number of victims is sadly expected to rise exponentially: according to some rescuers, nearly one-fifth of Mandalay’s homes have been reduced to rubble. Rescue efforts and public information dissemination have been further hindered by the military junta that rules the country since 2021, as it remains focused on suppressing opposition. Several news outlets have also reported the unusual collapse of a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, more than 1.300 kilometres from the epicentre.
(Leonardo Di Girolamo)
Philippines, Visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth. During his speech in Manila, Pete Hegseth stated that the Trump administration "will prioritize and focus on this region of the world in an unprecedented way." The Philippines marked the first stop of his tour in Asia, which also includes Japan. Hegseth announced that the United States will conduct a special forces exercise with the Philippine military in the Batanes Islands, located about 120 miles south of Taiwan, a strategically sensitive area amid tensions between Washington and Beijing. He also revealed that the U.S. will deploy an anti-ship missile system and remotely operated surface vehicles in the Philippines as part of the joint military exercises scheduled for April. President Marcos Jr. hopes to strengthen ties with the United States in response to Beijing’s increasingly aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea.
(Francesco Oppia)
India, Modi consider repealing duties on US LNG. During his recent visit to the US, the Indian president pledged to increase US energy imports by USD 10-25 billion. The elimination of the tax would make US LNG more competitive and help reduce India's trade surplus, which amounted to USD 45.4 billion last year. Currently, India levies a 2.5% duty and an additional 0.25% tax on LNG, but imports from the UAE and Australia are exempt through bilateral agreements. Imports from the US, led by state-owned GAIL, account for 20-25% of the total and could increase. As reported by Reuters, GAIL and other Indian companies are negotiating new deals with US suppliers, while the government has called for expanded energy imports, including ethane, propane, and butane.
(Ratì Mugnaini Provvedi)
Ratì Mugnaini Provvedi, Francesco Oppia, Valeria Picciolo, Antonella Franzelli and Leonardo Di Girolamo
WESTERN EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION
1/ News from the European Council. European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to discuss rearmament, military aid to Kiev and US tariffs. The Commission's rearmament programme was welcomed, with the exception of the Spanish and Dutch prime ministers, who expressed some concern about the funding methods. The plan was also seen by participants as an opportunity to boost Europe's industrial sector - in line with the goal of competitiveness, a key issue on the summit agenda On joint military aid to Ukraine, 26 out of 27 leaders reaffirmed their support for the cause, with Hungarian President Orban being the only one to vote against the resolution - once again proving to be the odd man out. Lastly, there was great concern about the looming US tariffs: possible strategies to stem the wave of inflation - the expected consequence of the imposition of counter-tariffs on US products - were discussed.
2/ News from the European Council. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs' new aid plan for Kiev was widely criticised at the European Council meeting. Kallas had already unveiled her ambitious €40 billion military aid programme - which was immediately scaled back to €5 billion amidst heated criticism from national governments.The plan received the coup de grace during the Council meeting: all 27 heads of state and government expressed their strong opposition and concern about the negative impact the programme on member states’ national public debts - already affected by the rearmament policy. Kallas’ plan foresees a proportional contribution provision: countries would participate to the €5 billion-sum according to their “economic weight”, following the Gross Domestic Income index. This clause left the leaders of France and Italy perplexed (if not irritated), as their countries would face the highest expenses.
(Francesca Rosti)
EU, emergency strategy launched. The EU Commission has unveiled a strategy to strengthen Europe's preparedness for emerging threats such as geopolitical tensions and conflicts, hybrid threats, cybersecurity, foreign information manipulation and interference, climate change and natural disasters. The plan includes the creation of an EU crisis hub to better coordinate emergency response and protect essential services such as hospitals, schools, transport and telecommunications. Brussels then aims to promote preparedness among the population by encouraging them to take measures such as maintaining essential supplies for at least 72 hours in case of emergencies. The strategy also includes the creation of a public-private task force to ensure the availability of essential goods and services, and collaboration with strategic partners such as NATO on military mobility, climate and security, emerging technologies, cyber, space and the defence industry.
(Bianca Franzini)
Francesca Rosti and Bianca Franzini
ECONOMICS AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
US, rates unchanged. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates on hold for the second meeting in a row, concerned about the economic slowdown and still-elevated inflation. Chairman Powell acknowledged the uncertainty created by President Trump's policies, but reiterated that the Fed is in no hurry to change the cost of money. Powell signalled that inflation is picking up, possibly due to tariffs, although it is difficult to quantify their impact. Indeed, the new economic projections show weaker growth in 2025 (1.7% instead of 2.1%) and core inflation rising to 2.8%, with the unemployment rate expected to end the year at 4.4%, also slightly higher. Powell also downplayed recessionary risks while acknowledging a decline in market confidence. Finally, the Fed will slow the pace of its balance sheet reduction from April, reducing the amount of Treasuries it lets mature without reinvesting from $25bn to $5bn per month.
US, mixed data. The US economy grew more than expected in the fourth quarter, with GDP rising 2.4% year-on-year, while the Fed's preferred inflation measure, core PCE, was revised down to 2.6%. Growth was supported by net exports, government spending and business investment, while consumer spending was revised down to +4%. in 2025, instead, economists expect a slowdown due to Trump's economic policies, which worry businesses and households, and which already prompted the Fed to revise down its growth estimates. However, after a few days in which optimism seemed to have returned, financial markets reacted with concern to the drop in consumer confidence highlighted by the University of Michigan survey, fearing the impact of tariffs on jobs, incomes and inflation, and on Friday Wall Street did indeed close sharply lower, with the S&P 500 down -2% and the Nasdaq down -2.7%.
Germany, some optimism. The German economy is showing signs of recovery, with the private sector growing at its fastest pace in a decade. Indeed, the S&P Global Composite PMI index rose to 50.9 in March, above the expansion threshold (50) but below analysts' expectations, thanks to expectations of a massive increase in government spending on defence and infrastructure investment by the new government of Chancellor Merz. However, the improvement will be gradual. In fact, the Bundesbank expects only a slight increase in GDP in the first quarter after a 0.2% contraction at the end of 2024, while uncertainties remain high, with possible negative effects from US tariffs and weak growth in services.
Automotive, the new US tariffs. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are among the companies that will be hit hardest by the new tariffs on US car imports announced by Donald Trump, with an estimated impact of €3.4 billion, or about a quarter of their projected operating profit in 2026. The 25% tariffs, which will come into effect on 3 April, put the European car industry's export model at risk, particularly for the two German manufacturers, which produce in Germany and send many of their most profitable models, such as the Porsche 911 and Mercedes S-Class, to the U.S. The stock market reaction was harsh: Porsche and Mercedes lost up to 5.7%, while BMW and Volkswagen, which produce in the US, limited the damage. The German car lobby VDA said Trump's move was a blow to free trade and urged the European Union to negotiate with Washington.
(Leonardo Aldeghi)
CENTRAL-EASTERN EUROPE AND RUSSIA
Russia-Ukraine war: stalemate in peace talks. Putin has reaffirmed his position, claiming that the current government in Kyiv is not legitimate and proposing the establishment of a temporary administration under the supervision of the United Nations, the United States, European countries, and Russia's partners. According to him, this would be necessary to initiate concrete peace negotiations. However, a U.S. spokesperson has rejected these statements. The negotiations remain at an impasse, as Putin sets unacceptable conditions for Ukraine, including the demand that the ceasefire in the Black Sea take effect for Russia only after certain conditions are met, such as the lifting of sanctions on the Russian state bank.
Poland. Non-governmental organizations have criticized the measure adopted by Warsaw to limit the entry of asylum-seeking migrants into Poland from Belarus. Polish President Andrzej Duda stated that the decision is "necessary to strengthen border security”. In general, Poland is reinforcing the European Union’s external border in an effort to protect itself from the alleged use of migration flows by Russia and Belarus to exert pressure on the EU. Previously, Warsaw accused Minsk of granting visas too easily to citizens from African and Middle Eastern countries and directing these flows toward the Polish border with the aim of destabilizing Poland and creating disorder.
(Silvia Pasetto)
Leonardo Aldeghi and Silvia Pasetto
MIDDLE-EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA)
Hamas condemns Gaza protests and accuses Israel. Tensions in the Gaza Strip are escalating further: a series of protests, which erupted on March 25th, have targeted the leadership of Hamas, which has immediately expressed its strong condemnation. Sami Abu Zuhri, in fact, used very harsh words to describe the demonstrators, calling them "megaphones of Israel" and accusing them of acting in a way that undermines the interests of the Palestinian people. Even more direct was senior official Osama Hamdan, who accused Israel of being behind these protests, suggesting an external attempt to destabilize the internal situation in Gaza.
Iran and Nuclear Issue: Tehran Agrees to Indirect Negotiations with Washington. Iran has expressed its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the United States regarding the nuclear issue, while reiterating its opposition to direct negotiations in a context of "maximum pressure" and military threats. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran responded to a letter from President Trump through the Sultanate of Oman, which serves as a mediator between the two countries. Araghchi also clarified that the refusal of direct negotiations with the United States is a tactic, not a strategy, and emphasized that the ongoing talks with France, Germany and Great Britain are effectively indirect negotiations with the United States.
(Chiara Bertolotto)
Israel Strikes Beirut: First Attack Since Ceasefire. Israel has struck the southern suburbs of Beirut for the first time since the November ceasefire, targeting a building used by Hezbollah as a drone storage facility. The attack was carried out in response to rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel. The operation triggered panic among residents, many of whom fled on foot. The ceasefire appears increasingly fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to national security, as concerns grow over a potential escalation of the conflict.
(Matteo Francescucci)
Turkey, opposition leader arrested: A sensational new politically motivated arrest threatens to slide the Turkish republic permanently into the complete authoritarianism of Islamist leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The popular mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoğlu, was arrested on charges of corruption and terrorism. Immediately, the opposition, led by the Kemalist CHP party, started a long series of mobilisations that culminated in a huge demonstration on Saturday 29 March in Istanbul, where about 2 million people gathered. During the demonstrations, the government tried in several ways to shut down the media, remove or arrest several journalists, including foreign ones. The students and the CHP do not seem intent on giving up their efforts, in a scenario of political tension not experienced since the 2013 protests.
(Michele Magistretti)
Matteo Francescucci, Michele Magistretti and Chiara Bertolotto
TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
Israel Intercepts Two Ballistic Missiles Launched by the Houthis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi rebels from Yemen, the armed group backed by Iran. The missiles were headed toward Israel but were shot down before reaching their targets. According to the Houthi military spokesman, the missiles were aimed at Ben Gurion Airport and a military site near Tel Aviv. Additionally, the group claimed responsibility for an attack on a U.S. warship in the Red Sea. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks originating from Yemen in recent weeks, marking a further escalation of the regional conflict. The Houthis have intensified operations against Israel in solidarity with Hamas, while the United States has responded by striking Houthi targets in Yemen. The situation remains tense, with the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
(Federica Placidi)
Canada, tough response to Trump's tariffs and annexation threats. New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, on the sidelines of a press conference, announced the introduction of a series of tariffs on US goods, the same as a response to those recently imposed by Washington on Canadian exports to the US. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump formalised 25% taxes on all imported cars. For Canada's manufacturing industry, the automotive sector accounts for 10 per cent of profits; moreover, almost 90 per cent of the cars and components it produces go to the US market, so there is no doubt that the duties will have a significant impact on the Canadian economy. The Canadian Prime Minister therefore emphasised how the new US posture forces Ottawa to question the “old order” on which relations between the two countries were based. Amplifying the disagreement is Trump's rhetoric about the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st US state.
(Davide Shahhosseini)
Federica Placidi and Davide Shahhosseini
Framing The World is a project conceived and created by the collaboration between members of the team of Mondo Internazionale associates.
Alessia Boni: Latin America
Aurelia Puliafito: Sub-Saharan Africa
Bianca Franzini: Western Europe and the European Union
Caterina De Rosa: North America
Chiara Bertolotto: Middle-East and North Africa
Davide Shahhosseini: Terrorism and International Security
Federica Placidi: Terrorism and International Security
Francesco Oppia: Asia and Far East
Giovanni Ferrazza: North America
Giulio Ciofini: Sub-Saharan Africa
Gonzalo Pereyra: Terrorism and International Security
Leonardo Aldeghi: Economics and International Finance
Leonardo Di Girolamo: Asia and Far East
Lorenzo Graziani: North America
Matteo Francescucci: Middle-East and North Africa
Michele Magistretti: Middle-East and North Africa
Nicole Mancinelli : Latin America
Ratì Mugnaini Provvedi: Asia and Far East
Silvia Pasetto: Central and Eastern Europe and Russia