A series of political and security developments shook various regions across the globe in the final week of August 2025, both domestically and internationally.
In Latin America, tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated after three U.S. destroyers entered Venezuelan coastal waters on Tuesday (26/8). Washington claimed the operation was aimed at combating drug cartels, while Caracas denounced the move as an act of pressure against President Nicolás Maduro. The Venezuelan government responded by deploying warships, drones, and naval patrols along its Caribbean coastline and northern territorial waters.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand faced renewed political turmoil after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was officially removed from office by the Constitutional Court on Friday (29/8). The decision followed the leak of a conversation with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen regarding a bilateral border dispute. The ruling deepened Thailand’s domestic instability amid an increasingly complex regional political landscape.
In the Middle East, the conflict in Yemen further intensified after Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi and several of his ministers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa on Thursday (28/8). The attack occurred amid rising regional tensions linked to the war in Gaza, as Israel continues to strike Houthi positions in response to their attacks on Israel and Western vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have vowed retaliation, heightening the risk of broader regional escalation.
Europe also saw rising tensions. In Ukraine, Member of Parliament Andriy Parubiy was shot dead in an attack in Lviv on Saturday (30/8). President Volodymyr Zelensky described the incident as a premeditated assassination, adding to the strain of the ongoing conflict with Russia. The United Kingdom temporarily closed its embassy in Cairo after the removal of security barriers outside the building triggered a diplomatic dispute tied to the arrest of a pro-government Egyptian activist, further worsening domestic tensions in the capital. Meanwhile, Germany scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft flying without a transponder over the Baltic Sea, in coordination with NATO.
Domestically, Indonesia was gripped by widespread protests beginning Friday (29/8) after a motorcycle taxi driver died when he was struck by a police vehicle. Demonstrations expanded across major cities, including Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and Manokwari in easternmost Papua, with protesters also rejecting parliamentary allowances. Clashes between security forces and students resulted in infrastructure damage and looting. Countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, France, and Japan issued travel advisories urging caution for their nationals in Indonesia.
Sumber:
“Daftar Negara beri Peringatan Warganya di Indonesia Imbas Demo.” CNN Indonesia. 31 August 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250831093555-106-1268419/daftar-negara-beri-peringatan-warganya-di-indonesia-imbas-demo.
“Politisi Terkemuka Ukraina Andriy Parubiy Ditembak Mati, Pelaku Buron.” CNN Indonesia. 31 August 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250831131431-134-1268477/politisi-terkemuka-ukraina-andriy-parubiy-ditembak-mati-pelaku-buron.
“Yemen’s Houthis confirm prime minister killed in Israel strike on Sanaa.” Aljazeera. 30 August 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/30/yemens-houthis-confirm-israeli-airstrike-killed-the-groups-prime-minister.
Hutapea, Rita Uli. “Kapal Perusak AS Mendekat, Venezuela Kerahkan Kapal Perang-Drone.” Detik News. 27 August 2025. https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-8081222/kapal-perusak-as-mendekat-venezuela-kerahkan-kapal-perang-drone.
Hutapea, Rita Uli. “Tegang! Jerman Kerahkan Jet Tempur Cegat Pesawat Pengintai Rusia.” Detik News. 28 August 2025. https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-8084042/tegang-jerman-kerahkan-jet-tempur-cegat-pesawat-pengintai-rusia.
Jati, Haryo. “PM Houthi dan Menterinya Tewas Terbunuh Serangan Israel, Pembalasan Disiapkan.” Kompas TV. 31 August 2025. https://www.kompas.tv/internasional/614765/pm-houthi-dan-menterinya-tewas-terbunuh-serangan-israel-pembalasan-disiapkan.
Karmini, Niniek. Achmad Ibrahim. “Tensions soar in Indonesia as protests over police brutality and lawmakers’ allowances continue.” AP News. 30 August 2025. https://apnews.com/article/indonesia-students-protests-2b4ad65b836a3b38b6a037b2f45cb309.
Leba Elsa Emiria. “Langgar Etika, PM Paetongtarn Kehilangan Jabatannya.” Kompas. 29 August 2025. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/jumat-ini-hari-penghakiman-bagi-pm-paetongtarn?open_from=Internasional_Page.
Somerville, Ewan. “UK closes embassy in Cairo amid row over activist’s arrest.” BBC. 31 August 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27xr2jkp9o.