In the first week of September 2025, geopolitical dynamics and domestic political developments across various regions continued to shift, ranging from a large-scale military parade in Beijing to leadership changes in several countries.
In China, President Xi Jinping led celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in World War II. During the large-scale military parade held on 3 September 2025, Xi Jinping showcased laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles, and giant underwater drones, and the event was attended by several world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump, who was absent, issued criticisms on social media, accusing China, Russia, and North Korea of conspiring against Washington.
Meanwhile, the relationship between India and Russia grew closer during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin. The cordiality between Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin, personally welcomed by Xi Jinping, once again prompted sarcastic comments from Trump on social media. “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote, accompanying a photo of Putin, Modi, and Xi in his post. This tension arises amid deteriorating U.S.-India relations after Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian products.
Political dynamics in East Asia also continued to unfold. On Sunday (7/9), Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation following internal party pressure due to his defeat in the July elections. He ordered an emergency leadership election to find his successor, although he will continue to perform his duties until the transition process is complete. In Thailand, the parliament officially elected Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister, replacing Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Bhumjaithai Party leader won the parliamentary vote, ending the political deadlock that had gripped the country.
Domestically, Indonesia faced international scrutiny after demonstrations that escalated into clashes with security forces, resulting in several casualties. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged Indonesian security forces to comply with the rule of law and emphasized the need for a thorough, swift, and independent investigation into the use of force during the demonstrations.
Tensions also escalated after the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lost another staff member when Zetro Leonardo Purba, a staff member at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Lima, was shot dead by a hired assassin in Peru. The Indonesian Embassy in Lima has submitted a diplomatic note to the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging a thorough investigation into the incident.
In Washington, Trump signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War in all executive statements. The signing ceremony, held in the Oval Office, was viewed as a sign of increasingly aggressive U.S. foreign policy under President Trump.
Source:
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