The first week of October 2025 was marked by political dynamics, conflicts, and natural disasters across various parts of the world. From East Asia to the Middle East, key events once again highlighted ongoing geopolitical tensions and persistent humanitarian challenges.
In Japan, former Minister for Economic Security Sanae Takaichi was officially elected as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party on Saturday (6/10). Takaichi’s victory over Shinjiro Koizumi marks a new chapter in Japanese politics, with a strong likelihood that she will become the country’s first female prime minister in the next two weeks, replacing Shigeru Ishiba. According to Nikkei Asia, Takaichi received 185 votes, surpassing Koizumi’s 156 votes.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Hamas has, in principle, agreed to the ceasefire plan proposed by the United States. According to Anadolu, senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk stated that the group is ready to hand over its weapons to a Palestinian state, although its implementation will require negotiations. However, Israel continued to launch airstrikes on a refugee camp in Al-Mawasi—an area designated as a “humanitarian zone”—killing at least seven civilians. Further attacks across various districts in Gaza have worsened an already critical humanitarian situation.
In another part of the world, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu Island in the Philippines on Tuesday (30/9), killing at least 72 people and forcing 20,000 residents to evacuate. The earthquake occurred only a few days after a tropical storm devastated the same area, claiming 27 lives. The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is once again facing compounded impacts from geological disasters and severe climate-related crises.
From Washington, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed an attack on a vessel in international waters off the coast of Venezuela that was suspected of transporting narcotics to the United States. The operation killed four individuals whom President Trump referred to as “narco-terrorists,” reinforcing the United States’ aggressive foreign policy toward transnational criminal networks.
Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Syria has held its first parliamentary election since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government. However, the process has drawn criticism because one-third of the 210 parliamentary seats were filled through direct appointments by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharra, raising concerns over the erosion of pluralism in the post-conflict democratization process.
Natural disasters also struck Nepal, which was hit by heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides that killed at least 47 people. The government declared two days of national holidays for emergency response. Transportation access to the capital, Kathmandu, was cut off due to infrastructure damage, worsening the crisis amid the return flow of people following Dashain, the country’s most important religious festival.
Source:
“At least 47 killed in Nepal as heavy rains trigger landslides, flash floods.” Al Jazeera. 5 October 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/at-least-47-killed-in-nepal-as-heavy-rains-trigger-landslides-flash-floods.
Anwar, Laraswati Ariadne. “Sanae Takaichi Terpilih Menjadi Ketua LDP, Potensi Perempuan Pertama PM Jepang.” Kompas. 4 October 2025. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/sanae-takaichi-terpilih-menjadi-ketua-ldp-potensi-perempuan-pertama-pm-jepang.
De Guzman, Chad. “Why the Latest Earthquake in the Philippines Was Particularly Deadly.” Time. 2 October 2025. https://time.com/7322543/philippines-earthquake-cebu-why-so-deadly-night-manila-big-one/.
Flaherty, Anne. “Hegseth announces another US attack on alleged drug boat off Venezuelan coast.” ABC News. 4 October 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/US/hegseth-announces-us-attack-alleged-drug-boat-off/story?id=126188707.
Hume, Tim. “Syria counts votes after indirect election for post-Assad parliament.” Al Jazeera. 5 October 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/5/syrian-electors-vote-in-indirect-polls-for-first-post-assad-parliament.
Planasari, Sita. “Israel Abaikan Trump, Serangan ke Gaza Tewaskan 7 Orang.” Tempo. 4 October 2025. https://www.tempo.co/internasional/israel-abaikan-trump-serangan-ke-gaza-tewaskan-7-orang-2076279.
Shiga, Yuichi dan Yurika Yoneda. “Takaichi elected as first female leader of Japan’s ruling LDP.” Nikkei Asia. 4 October 2025. https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/japan-leadership-race/takaichi-elected-as-first-female-leader-of-japan-s-ruling-ldp.
Younis, Jomaa dan Rania Abu Shamal. “Hamas agrees with Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan ‘in principle’: Senior official.” Anadolu Ajansi. 4 October 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-agrees-with-trump-s-gaza-ceasefire-plan-in-principle-senior-official/3707126#.