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As the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked, Russia is actively seeking to play a mediating role. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to travel to Moscow on the 27th to attend a summit related to gas-exporting countries and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral economic cooperation and geopolitical developments, with attention focused on whether Moscow and Tehran will use the meeting to advance a diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

According to an October 24 report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Iranian media quoted Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, as saying that Pezeshkian would travel to Moscow to attend the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit scheduled for the 27th and hold talks with Putin on economic cooperation and international affairs. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said on the 23rd that the two presidents would continue their previous discussions and consultations the following week.

Russia has recently continued to signal its willingness to mediate the conflict in the Middle East. Earlier this month, during a phone call with Pezeshkian, Putin said Moscow supported diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions and was prepared to assist in creating conditions for an end to the fighting. On the 8th, when the two leaders met in Turkmenistan, Putin reiterated that Russia was willing to make every effort to help resolve the conflict and praised Iran's efforts to seek a peaceful solution.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also arrived in Iran on the 19th for a visit, holding separate meetings with Pezeshkian and Araghchi. Their discussions focused on the situation in the Middle East, bilateral cooperation, and ways to prevent the conflict from expanding further. Araghchi emphasized that regional issues should be resolved through diplomacy and advocated the establishment of a regional security framework jointly developed by Middle Eastern countries.

Russia and Iran have deepened their political, economic, energy, and security cooperation in recent years. The two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in 2025, further establishing a framework for bilateral cooperation. Relations have grown closer since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February this year, Moscow has also repeatedly opposed resolving disputes through military force.

However, whether Russia can actually help secure a ceasefire remains uncertain. Negotiations between Washington and Tehran have made limited progress, with major disagreements persisting over security arrangements and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite its close relationship with Iran, Moscow's ability to influence decision-making in the United States and Israel remains unclear.

Analysts say Pezeshkian's visit will not only deepen bilateral cooperation between Russia and Iran but also provide an important opportunity to assess the direction of Middle Eastern diplomacy. If Russia can serve as a communication bridge between Iran and the United States, it could help reduce the risk of further escalation. However, with the parties still sharply divided in their positions, whether diplomatic mediation can translate into a concrete agreement remains crucial to determining whether tensions in the Middle East can ease.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas recently met with a United Nations envoy, demanding that a stern warning be relayed to top Israeli leadership. The group stated it is prepared to once again replicate the October 7, 2023 assault model, launching large-scale attacks targeting Israel, the West Bank, and overseas locations.

Hamas stated that Israel’s continuous military expansion has progressively shifted Israeli military perimeters within Gaza. Combined with targeted assassinations of Hamas elite forces and the cancellation of the Palestinian Authority elections originally scheduled for November 28, the group has been steadily losing control over the local situation—a reality it stated it can no longer tolerate.

Currently, Hamas is also grappling with a severe financial crisis. According to Israeli security estimates,roughly 30,000 Hamas members remain across the Gaza Strip, requiring approximately 90 million shekels (around NT$945 million) in monthly payroll. Blaming Israel for the prevailing military blockade and economic chokehold, Hamas may resort to renewing terror-driven counteroffensives.

In response to this blunt threat conveyed by Hamas, UN peace officials and mediators demanded that the group disarm. Meanwhile, Israeli national security chiefs were deeply alarmed, viewing it as an exceptionally severe threat and urgently escalating the assessment to relevant cabinet leadership. Currently, Israel continues to deny entry into Gaza for personnel such as technical expert committees or Palestinian police forces.

According to consolidated reports citing U.S. officials across major American news outlets, the United States and Israel have drawn up plans for a new three-day wave of intensive airstrikes against Iran following the November 3 midterm elections. In response to rising tensions, the U.S. State Department has ordered drawdowns of diplomatic and military personnel across the Middle East, with staff in Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait already being progressively reassigned or relocated. Furthermore, the U.S. military is scheduled to deploy the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) Carrier Strike Group, alongside Marine Corps forces, to formally enter the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Middle East before the end of November.

A joint review of reporting from The New York Times, Fox News, and the Associated Press (AP) indicates that this late-November troop movement will introduce approximately 10,000 U.S. sailors and Marines to the region. Once on station, the Theodore Roosevelt will join the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington, assembling a formidable three-carrier strike force. Planned operational targets encompass Iranian nuclear facilities, missile and drone installations, and key energy infrastructure such as Kharg Island, aiming to severely degrade Tehran's economic and military capabilities and compel it back to the negotiating table.

NBC News reported that, in light of potential retaliatory threats, the State Department issued an "ordered departure" directive, cutting staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and several regional diplomatic outposts, while the military has concurrently drawn down select personnel at bases across Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait. In addition, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently traveled to Israel to hold confidential consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding regional security threats and the latest joint military contingencies.

Following revelations of the proposed airstrikes and troop buildup, international crude oil markets reacted with sharp volatility: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures surged past the $101-per-barrel threshold, while Brent crude climbed toward $114 per barrel. Iranian authorities swiftly issued a stern warning, vowing that any strike would trigger retaliation against oil infrastructure across the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials emphasized,however, that President Donald Trump has not yet formally authorized the military action, noting that any final decision will hinge on domestic political considerations, energy price fluctuations, and tangible diplomatic progress.

Raging forest fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia, continue to burn out of control, sending thick smoke across the region and triggering severe haze across Southeast Asia. In neighboring Malaysia,widespread air pollution has worsened to the point where authorities in the southern state of Johor ordered all schools closed for a second consecutive week. Meanwhile, deteriorating air quality in Singapore has sparked panic buying of masks, forcing the government to release N95 masks from its national stockpile.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation confirmed on the 20th that domestic air travel has been brought to a near-standstill by the haze. Between August 11 and October 19, a total of 2,604 domestic flights across the country were disrupted, with more than 1,400 flights canceled or rescheduled and another 1,129 delayed.International travel has also suffered: at least 14 flights connecting Singapore to Pontianak and Palembang have been canceled, while Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines suspended its flights to and from Singapore for an entire week.

Amid the mounting cross-border public health and aviation crises, a fierce blame game has erupted between Indonesia's central government and local authorities. Officials in Central Kalimantan, one of the hardest-hit provinces, publicly criticized Jakarta, pointing out that since legal revisions in 2020 centralized forestry concession approval powers with the national government, local administrations and communities have been left to shoulder the burden of firefighting without adequate budget support. Furious university students also surrounded the governor’s office to protest the government’s ineffective disaster response and months-long indifference to public suffering. [Compiled and reported by reporter Lin Xiao-ming]

Tensions have flared once again near the Military Demarcation Line separating North and South Korea. Kim Yo-jong, Director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, accused the South Korean military on the 19th of conducting over 2,800 warning broadcasts and 201 warning shots along the border over the past two months, plunging the situation into extreme instability. She warned that North Korea is considering deploying additional tactical strike weapons along its southern border and resuming loudspeaker broadcasts targeting the South. She also criticized South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s administration for adopting an even harder line toward Pyongyang than that of his predecessor, Yoon Suk-yeol.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated once again. North Korea recently accused South Korea of provocative actions threatening regional security and threatened to ramp up weapon deployments to strengthen its national defense capabilities. The statements have drawn international concern, fueling fears that an intensifying military standoff could further undermine peace and stability across Northeast Asia.

North Korea has long viewed joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States as a direct threat to its security, regarding them as military pressure tactics. South Korea, for its part, has repeatedly maintained that sustaining a joint defense posture with the U.S. and enhancing military preparedness are essential measures to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and ensure national security. The stark divide between both sides' positions continues to make de-escalation on the peninsula difficult to achieve.

Pyongyang’s threat to boost weapon deployments could involve fortifying conventional military forces as well as continuing the development of missile systems and other armaments. However, specific deployment details,quantities, and timelines remain unconfirmed. Outside analysts suggest North Korea may be using this hawkish rhetoric to showcase its military strength while sending strategic and political signals to both Seoul and Washington.

Meanwhile, South Korea continues to deepen its security cooperation with the United States, enhancing its readiness for contingencies through joint drills, intelligence sharing, and defensive deployments. The strengthening of the U.S.–ROK alliance, however, could also be cited by North Korea as justification for expanding its own arsenal, creating a cycle of reciprocal pressure.

Experts point out that the security dilemma on the Korean Peninsula stems fundamentally from a mutual lack of trust and the fact that military actions easily trigger chain reactions. An arms buildup by one side often prompts countermeasures from the other, fueling an arms race that heightens the risk of miscalculation and accidental conflict.

For now, political dialogue and military confidence-building between North and South Korea face steep hurdles. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, urging all relevant parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate tensions.

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Iran on the 19th for a visit, marking his first trip to the country since the outbreak of the Middle East war. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Lavrov would meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional and international developments. Moscow emphasized its intention to pursue diplomatic mediation to prevent the conflict from escalating into a full-scale war.

Russia said negotiations between the United States and Iran had stalled, leaving the situation in the Middle East highly uncertain. Moscow is therefore actively seeking to play a mediating role. Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed Russia’s willingness to help Iran advance the peace process. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the talks would focus on resolving the international crisis triggered by US and Israeli military operations against Iran and finding ways to ease regional tensions.

Russia and Iran have strengthened their cooperation in military, economic and diplomatic affairs in recent years, particularly following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. Since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran in February this year, Washington and Tehran have reached a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding, but clashes around the Strait of Hormuz have not fully subsided. Moscow stressed that the war has not only undermined security and stability in the Middle East but has also had far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and international affairs. It added that peace negotiations remain a priority for all parties seeking to resolve the conflict.

France saw one of its largest protest movements in recent years on the 17th, with approximately 550,000 people taking to the streets, according to the Interior Ministry, to protest inadequate education funding, the rising cost of living, and soaring fuel prices. However, demonstrations in some areas quickly spiraled out of control, escalating into large-scale violent clashes rarely seen in decades. Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Bordeaux, and other cities reported arson, looting, and clashes between protesters and police. City halls, government offices, and luxury boutiques were also targeted.

According to French government statistics, more than 1,200 people had been arrested by the end of the day, while 150 police officers were injured. Some media outlets put the nationwide arrest toll at nearly 1,800. In Paris, large groups of masked individuals smashed the security shutters of shops and looted jewelry stores, clothing retailers, food outlets, and luxury boutiques. High-end brands including Louis Vuitton and Hermès were also affected. Police deployed tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds, while burning vehicles and barricades were reported on streets across several cities. Parts of central urban areas were temporarily thrown into chaos.

The protests initially began with student groups demanding improvements to deteriorating school facilities, teacher shortages, and perceived unfairness in the admissions system. The movement later expanded to encompass broader public anger over high prices, rising energy costs, and social inequality. In response to the escalating unrest, the French government announced the withdrawal of some planned tuition fee increases and pledged to recruit additional teachers. However, students and labor unions said the proposed reforms did not go far enough.

With France's presidential election scheduled in six months, the nationwide protests have added further uncertainty to the country's political landscape, posing a major challenge for President Emmanuel Macron's government in the final months before his departure.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on October 16 that millions of Ukrainians who fled their homes because of the war and later returned could be forced to flee again this winter as Russia continues its airstrikes and colder weather approaches.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, approximately 3.8 million people have returned to their homes, while nearly 3.6 million remain internally displaced. After years of fighting, Ukraine continues to face Russian missile and drone attacks targeting energy infrastructure, electricity networks and water supply systems in cities across the country. In addition to the ongoing destruction of critical infrastructure, damaged homes and rising living costs have further worsened living conditions. As winter approaches and temperatures are expected to plunge in the coming months, many households may be left without heating, electricity or running water. With essential winter supplies in critically short supply, millions of Ukrainians face another harsh winter.

The IOM said Russia's continued attacks on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure have placed enormous pressure on water and electricity supply systems. The organization has established 31 solar power stations across Ukraine to support water supply systems. However, humanitarian funding remains insufficient to meet the enormous demand. As freezing temperatures approach, many homes also urgently need resources to improve insulation and protect residents from the cold.

According to the IOM's survey and analysis, Ukrainians who returned home within the past three months have the highest proportion of people considering leaving again, reflecting growing concerns over deteriorating living conditions. Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic, among other countries, have already taken in approximately six million Ukrainian refugees. Governments across Europe are closely monitoring the situation amid concerns that a new wave of displacement could emerge.

Russia launched massive airstrikes on five major power plants across Ukraine overnight from October 13 into the early hours of October 14, cutting electricity to more than 600,000 households and killing at least six people. As the attacks unfolded, Starshield, a military satellite communications system heavily relied upon by Ukrainian forces, was reportedly subjected to sudden restrictions, severely disrupting Ukraine’s air defense operations. In an interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he felt betrayed by U.S. President Donald Trump for choosing to “side with the other party,” accusing Washington’s technical restrictions of directly contributing to casualties among Ukrainian civilians and military personnel.

Ukrainian military technology advisers and the Defense Ministry said Starshield terminals, operated under the U.S. military’s control, were being used for interceptor drones designed to pursue fast-moving Russian drones, as well as for medium-range attack missions. The U.S. military allegedly imposed an unexpected speed limit, causing network connections to be cut off whenever drones exceeded 160 kilometers per hour, resulting in failed missions. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk publicly clarified that Starshield belongs to the U.S. government and that all controls and restrictions are directly managed by the U.S. military, with decisions made by the military and President Trump. The White House, however, reportedly told Ukraine that it could not control private companies. The conflicting accounts have further eroded military trust between Washington and Kyiv, bringing bilateral relations to a historic low.

Analysts suggest that the Starshield restrictions may be linked to the Trump administration’s efforts to broker an “energy ceasefire” between the United States and Russia. Under the reported arrangement, Washington agreed to lift certain sanctions related to Russian diesel exports while demanding that Ukraine halt attacks on Russian oil refineries. In response to what Kyiv sees as a dramatic shift in Washington’s position, Zelenskyy made an urgent visit to London on October 14 to seek assistance. The British government announced that it would accelerate the delivery of surface-to-air missiles to meet Ukraine’s urgent defense needs.

Zelenskyy reiterated in his interview that defending Ukraine is a matter of survival, not a commercial transaction. He stressed that Ukraine would never make concessions involving its territory or national security.

Since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, Tehran has been seeking different strategies to gain control over the Strait of Hormuz and secure leverage in negotiations with Washington. A senior Iranian official revealed that Iran is deploying new tactics targeting vessels transiting the strait, aiming to drive up international oil prices and influence the upcoming US midterm elections.

Iranian threats and attacks have sharply reduced traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed up global oil prices, although some oil shipments continue to pass through the waterway. About 10 days ago, Iran began using different methods to attack vessels that violated its restrictions, leading to a significant increase in attacks.

US military officials confirmed that Iran has undergone a major tactical shift. With most of its radar installations destroyed by US forces, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has turned to small, unarmed reconnaissance boats known as dhows to identify targets at close range, including US naval vessels.

US President Donald Trump said publicly on October 13 that Washington would make a major decision on Iran soon. Meanwhile, White House officials reiterated that the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before Election Day for the US midterm elections on November 3 this year.