Over the past week, the international landscape has been marked by strategic developments spanning sports, geopolitics, foreign policy, and natural disasters.
Starting in Asia, Indonesia’s national football team suffered a 0–6 defeat against Japan in the third round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held on 10 June 2025 at Suita City Stadium, Osaka. The result places Indonesia in fourth position in its group.
Meanwhile, tensions rose once again after environmental activist Greta Thunberg was deported by Israel to France on 10 June. Of the 12 people aboard the vessel Madleen, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, five were detained after refusing to leave Israel voluntarily. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) stated that the Israeli military intercepted the Madleen in international waters approximately 185 kilometers west of Gaza on Monday morning.
In East Asia, China on 12 June announced sweeping visa relaxations to boost international exchanges. Beijing introduced reciprocal visa-free entry with 25 countries, unilateral visa-free access for 38 countries, and visa-free transit for 54 countries, including Indonesia. However, on the same day in India, Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport in Gujarat. The Ahmedabad–London flight carried 242 passengers and crew. A total of 241 people were confirmed dead, with only one survivor.
Regional crises escalated on 13 June when Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military infrastructure, and residential areas. Iran retaliated by striking Tel Aviv and targeting Israel’s nuclear installations. Thousands of civilians from both countries were forced to flee their homes, marking one of the most severe escalations in the bilateral conflict in recent years.
From Africa, severe flooding struck the western outskirts of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 14 June following heavy rainfall from Friday night. At least 19 people were reported dead due to flooding and landslides, and two major roads in the city were cut off.
Closing the week, the United States held a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., on 15 June to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. However, the event—estimated to cost up to $45 million—was accompanied by protests from hundreds of demonstrators criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Source:
“Timnas Indonesia Kalah Telak 0-6 dari Jepang.” Tempo. 10 June 2025. https://www.tempo.co/sepakbola/timnas-indonesia-kalah-telak-0-6-dari-jepang-1674127.
“Israel Deportasi Greta Thunberg ke Prancis.” Tempo. 10 June 2025. https://www.tempo.co/internasional/israel-deportasi-greta-thunberg-ke-prancis-1674136.
Indra Komara. “China Terapkan Transit Bebas Visa 10 Hari Buat Turis Indonesia.” detik news. 12 June 2025. https://news.detik.com/internasional/d-7960386/china-terapkan-transit-bebas-visa-10-hari-buat-turis-indonesia.
“Pesawat Air India Jatuh di Dekat Bandara Ahmedabad, Bawa 242 Penumpang.” CNN Indonesia. 12 June 2025. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/internasional/20250612163851-113-1239104/pesawat-air-india-jatuh-di-dekat-bandara-ahmedabad-bawa-242-penumpang.
“Fakta-Fakta Israel Serang Besar-besaran Iran, Apa AS Tahu & Dampaknya.” CNBC Indonesia. 13 June 2025. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250613110504-4-640726/fakta-fakta-israel-serang-besar-besaran-iran-apa-as-tahu-dampaknya.
Kamale, Jean-Yves. “Heavy rains flood Congo’s capital, killing at least 19 people.” abc news. 14 June 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/heavy-rains-flood-congos-capital-killing-19-people-122842638.
“Tanks, troops and flyovers in D.C. as Trump gets his military parade.” The Washington Post. 15 June 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/14/army-parade-dc-trump-birthday-national-mall/.