A series of security, geopolitical, and diplomatic developments once again shaped international affairs over the past week.
In the United States, the U.S. Southern Command carried out a strike on a vessel suspected of narcotics trafficking in international waters of the Eastern Pacific on Saturday (15/11). The operation killed three alleged narcotics-linked militants. The incident brought the total number of deaths from recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels to 83. Washington has deployed military assets—including fighter jets, drones, and helicopters—in an effort to curb the flow of narcotics toward U.S. territory.
In Mexico, a wave of protests dominated by Gen Z demonstrators against President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration turned violent, leaving 120 people injured. The unrest began when a small group attempted to dismantle barriers surrounding the National Palace, triggering clashes with security forces who responded with tear gas. The use of tear gas sparked retaliation from parts of the crowd, escalating into direct confrontations between police and demonstrators.
Tensions also resurfaced in East Asia following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Beijing reacted by deploying the China Coast Guard vessel formation 1307 to conduct patrols in the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, administered by Japan. China additionally issued a travel advisory for its citizens planning to visit Japan on Friday (14/11), underscoring the deterioration of bilateral relations.
In Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that the Israeli military has been constructing a wall along the border that crosses the UN-endorsed demarcation line. The construction has rendered more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible to local civilians. UNIFIL also noted that Israel continues to carry out near-daily strikes inside Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement reached one year ago with Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II conducted a state visit to Indonesia, holding bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening friendship and strategic cooperation, particularly amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin also received a courtesy call from H.E. Major General Yousef Ahmad Al-Huaneti, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Jordan Armed Forces. Discussions centered on enhancing defense cooperation and addressing human security concerns in Gaza.
Relations between Cambodia and Thailand flared once again after an exchange of gunfire on Wednesday (12/11) left one person dead. Both sides accused the other of firing first. Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense stated that Thai troops opened fire near a border village at around 15:30 local time, while Thai military spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree rejected the claim, asserting that Cambodian soldiers fired first into Thai territory. Tensions have escalated since a landmine explosion on Monday (10/11) killed a Thai soldier, prompting Bangkok to suspend a bilateral peace agreement on Tuesday (11/11), alleging that Phnom Penh violated the pact by laying new mines near the border.
In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Talara, which was transporting high-sulfur crude from the United Arab Emirates to Singapore on Friday (14/11). The U.S. Navy deployed an MQ-4C Triton drone to monitor the seizure—marking the first such incident in several months and once again heightening tensions in the strategic maritime corridor.
Source:
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“China Coast Guard ship formation sails through Japan-administered Senkaku Islands.” Reuters. 16 November 2025. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-coast-guard-ship-formation-sails-through-japan-administered-senkaku-2025-11-16/.
“Demo Gen Z Meksiko Protes Presiden Berujung Ricuh, 120 Orang Terluka.” CNN Indonesia. 16 November 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20251116150256-134-1296071/demo-gen-z-meksiko-protes-presiden-berujung-ricuh-120-orang-terluka.
“Kamboja-Thailand Saling Tembak Lagi di Perbatasan, 1 Orang Tewas.” CNN Indonesia. 13 November 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20251113194844-134-1295242/kamboja-thailand-saling-tembak-lagi-di-perbatasan-1-orang-tewas.
“UN peacekeepers say Israel built walls inside Lebanese territory.” Aljazeera. 14 November 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/14/un-peacekeepers-say-israel-built-walls-inside-lebanese-territory.
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BPMI Setpres. “Pertemuan Presiden Prabowo dan Raja Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, Teguhkan Persaudaraan dan Kerja Sama Bilateral Indonesia-Yordania.” Presiden Republik Indonesia. 14 November 2025. https://www.presidenri.go.id/siaran-pers/pertemuan-presiden-prabowo-dan-raja-abdullah-ii-ibn-al-hussein-teguhkan-persaudaraan-dan-kerja-sama-bilateral-indonesia-yordania/.
Planasari, Sita. “Iran Menyita Kapal Tanker di Selat Hormuz, Ketegangan di Kawasan Meningkat.” Tempo. 15 November 2025. https://www.tempo.co/internasional/iran-menyita-kapal-tanker-di-selat-hormuz-ketegangan-di-kawasan-meningkat-2089764.