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Vietnam’s political scene has recently undergone a major personnel shift. The current General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, has officially taken on the concurrent role of State President, becoming the top leader holding the highest authority over the Party, government, and military. This arrangement is widely interpreted as a further concentration of power, signaling that Vietnam’s political system is moving toward a more strongman-centered leadership model, drawing international attention.

On the 7th, Vietnam’s National Assembly, with 495 members present and 5 absent, unanimously approved the Communist Party’s nomination for To Lam, the current General Secretary, to concurrently serve as State President. This move breaks from the previous “four pillars” collective leadership system, in which the General Secretary, State President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly Chairperson were held by four separate individuals. Last year (2025), the Standing Member of the Secretariat was added as another top leadership role. With his authority further expanded, To Lam was immediately sworn into office.

Vietnam’s State President To Lam stated: “Under the sacred red-and-gold star flag of the fatherland, before the National Assembly, the people, and the voters, I, the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, solemnly swear absolute loyalty to the Party and to the Constitution of Vietnam, and I will do my utmost to fulfill the tasks entrusted to me by the Party, the State, and the people.”

Analysts believe this approach follows China’s model. While it may enable Vietnam to accelerate decision-making when facing various challenges, it could also push this one-party state toward greater authoritarianism.

Analysts also note that To Lam has long overseen the public security system. During his tenure as Minister of Public Security, he was known for his hardline measures against corruption and dissent. His concurrent appointment as State President not only continues the trend of internal power consolidation within the Communist Party of Vietnam but also marks the peak of his personal political influence. Observers see similarities between this concentration of power and Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent efforts to strengthen personal authority.

Vietnamese officials, however, emphasize that this move is intended to ensure policy continuity and political stability, and to help deepen anti-corruption efforts. In recent years, Vietnam has vigorously pursued its “blazing furnace” anti-corruption campaign, with multiple high-ranking officials being removed from office, leading to a political reshuffle. Against this backdrop, having one individual simultaneously hold Party and state power is seen as an important way to improve decision-making efficiency.

However, critics argue that excessive concentration of power may weaken institutional checks and balances, increase decision-making risks, and even affect foreign investors’ long-term confidence in Vietnam’s political stability. Especially amid global supply chain restructuring and intensifying geopolitical competition, Vietnam is striving to maintain its attractiveness as a manufacturing hub, making changes in its political system a subject of close scrutiny by the business community.

U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his threats against Iran. In a post made 12 hours before his self-imposed deadline, he warned that “an entire civilization will be wiped out tonight, never to return.” This statement triggered strong condemnation and concern from the international community. However, several Republican lawmakers and White House officials quickly stepped in to downplay the remarks, stating that such extreme rhetoric is part of Trump’s usual “high-level negotiation strategy,” aimed at applying maximum pressure to force Tehran to make last-minute concessions.

Trump’s outburst on social media has been described as “crazy,” “mentally unstable,” and “highly irresponsible.” Some members of Congress even accused him of inciting “genocide,” raising concerns about his mental state and intentions to go to war. Nevertheless, some continued to support him. Representatives from Nebraska, Don Bacon and Mike Flood, defended Trump, saying this was simply his “way of negotiating peace,” using threats to compel the Iranian regime to yield and enable Persian civilization to flourish again without the rule of the Ayatollahs. White House officials also revealed that Trump’s inflammatory remarks did not indicate any real intent to use nuclear weapons: “He is creating leverage through unpredictability—he wants Tehran to blink first.”

Edward Wertheim, an associate professor at Northeastern University, categorized this approach as the use of “extreme anchors.” Social psychology experts refer to it as the “door-in-the-face technique.” Both involve making an extreme demand that is likely to be rejected, in order to facilitate acceptance of a more moderate objective afterward.

Fortunately, less than two hours before Trump’s deadline (8:00 p.m. on the 7th), the United States and Iran, with mediation by Pakistan, reached a two-week temporary ceasefire agreement. Iran agreed to temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump then posted again celebrating the “double-sided CEASEFIRE,” calling it a “total and complete victory,” and stating that it demonstrated the effectiveness of his strategy—not only achieving military objectives but also advancing the beginning of a long-term peace agreement.

As the Iran conflict enters its sixth week, Reuters reported on the 6th, citing informed sources, that the United States, Iran, and mediator Pakistan are discussing a potential agreement that includes a 45-day ceasefire, during which negotiations would be held to permanently end hostilities. Both Washington and Tehran have received the proposed framework, but Iranian officials stressed that Tehran rejects making the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz a precondition for a temporary truce and will not accept any arrangement tied to a “deadline.”

U.S. political outlet Axios previously revealed that the proposal would unfold in two phases: an initial 45-day ceasefire followed by negotiations on terms to end the war. Sources said Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, has recently been in frequent contact with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in an effort to broker consensus. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Tehran, demanding that it reach an agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz by the 7th, or face further U.S. strikes on Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure.

At the same time, Iran has put forward a 10-point ceasefire proposal via Pakistan, expressing willingness to lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz only if U.S. and European sanctions imposed since 2018 are removed. The plan also includes charging high transit fees on passing vessels as a substitute for war reparations. U.S. officials described the proposal as “excessive,” while Israel has also voiced opposition. Analysts note that deep differences between Washington and Tehran over ceasefire terms and the Strait issue could make a near-term agreement difficult to achieve.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks said that Iran has imposed a nationwide internet shutdown for over a month, setting a new record for the longest countrywide blackout in history.

NetBlocks stated: “Iran has now enforced an internet shutdown for 37 consecutive days, totaling 864 hours, marking the longest nationwide outage ever recorded. The severity of the disruption also surpasses other comparable cases.” NetBlocks added that while some countries have experienced longer periods of intermittent or localized outages, North Korea has never been connected to the global internet in the first place.

Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and tightening global energy supplies, a liquefied natural gas (LNG/LPG) carrier operated by Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has successfully and safely transited the strategic energy corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel is among the few ships to navigate the waterway following what has been described as a “de facto blockade,” drawing significant market attention.

According to multiple media reports, the Japanese-affiliated vessel and its crew were confirmed safe after completing the passage. This suggests that even under heightened military tensions, limited commercial shipping operations remain possible.During the same period, a French container ship and other international vessels also passed through the strait, a development widely interpreted as a sign of slightly easing risks along the route.

Analysts note that Iran has recently been in talks with Oman to establish a new transit mechanism, aiming to allow ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under specific conditions through joint oversight, balancing security concerns with shipping needs.In addition, Iran has reportedly provided safe passage assurances to vessels from certain “friendly nations” and has even introduced a screening and escort system, requiring ships to submit detailed information and obtain prior authorization before transit.

Market observers believe this reflects a strategic shift by Iran from a full blockade to a policy of “selective access,” maintaining geopolitical pressure while avoiding the economic backlash of completely halting energy exports.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to open seas, is one of the world’s most critical oil and natural gas transit routes, typically carrying over 20% of global oil supply. Any disruption can have severe impacts on global oil prices and supply chains.

Following military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, Tehran at one point blocked the strait and targeted passing vessels, triggering sharp volatility in global energy markets and heightened shipping risks.
Although vessels, including those operated by MOL, have successfully transited the strait, the international community remains divided over whether to implement military escort operations, with related discussions at the United Nations reaching a stalemate.Experts caution that a full restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will depend on future developments in U.S.-Iran relations and broader regional security arrangements. In the short term, “limited transit” is likely to remain the norm.

Tensions in the Middle East have yet to ease, and the Strait of Hormuz remains under blockade. According to reports by Bloomberg and other international media, Iran is working with Oman to draft a monitoring agreement and is considering charging transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Observers are concerned that even if hostilities subside, ships may still struggle to regain freedom of navigation. On the 2nd, more than 40 countries—including the UK, France, and Germany—held an online meeting to discuss the Strait of Hormuz crisis, but no breakthrough was achieved, and the United States did not participate.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi, in an interview with Russia’s Sputnik News Agency, stated that the proposed fee scheme is still under review. He emphasized that the arrangement is not intended to restrict vessel passage, but rather to make navigation smoother and safer while providing better services for transiting ships. Iran also plans to institutionalize a “toll collection” system for the Strait of Hormuz, with oversight even during peacetime.

On the 2nd, over 40 countries—including the UK, France, Germany, and Japan—held a virtual meeting calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; the United States did not participate. Meanwhile, British media reported that military and shipping representatives from various countries are expected to meet next week to discuss post-war mine clearance and the feasibility of escorting vessels.

Bloomberg noted that since the outbreak of hostilities, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been significantly disrupted, prompting countries worldwide to seek ways to restore operations along this critical shipping route. Against this backdrop, Iran’s parallel efforts—negotiating a monitoring agreement while proposing transit fees—leave markets watching closely to see whether these measures can help gradually restore maritime traffic.

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a national address on the morning of the 2nd (Taiwan time), outlining the latest developments in military operations against Iran and emphasizing that the United States has gained a significant advantage on the battlefield. He stated that after one month of operations, Iran’s military system—including its naval and air capabilities as well as its command structure—has been severely damaged. He also claimed that the overall situation is developing in a favorable direction and that the military objectives are “very close” to being achieved.

Trump reiterated his long-standing position that Iran will not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He warned that if the conflict is not resolved through negotiations, military actions will continue to expand. He added that stronger attacks will be launched within the next two to three weeks, potentially targeting energy facilities, and described the intention to push the opponent back to the “Stone Age.” He also claimed that Iran’s leadership has been severely weakened, that changes are occurring within the regime, and called on allies to participate in regional security operations.

However, the speech has drawn attention and scrutiny. Some analysts noted that his remarks do not differ significantly from his previous positions and lack specific details on how the conflict would conclude. Fact-checking has also indicated that Iran does not currently possess nuclear weapons capability, suggesting a gap between the actual threat level and Trump’s claims. At the same time, his earlier pledge to avoid new wars has been questioned by some political groups.

In the markets, Trump’s tough rhetoric shattered prior expectations of a ceasefire, triggering sharp volatility in financial markets. International oil prices surged due to supply concerns, while gold dropped significantly amid shifting capital flows and changing interest rate expectations. Asian stock markets also declined, with Taiwan’s stock market reversing earlier gains and extending losses. Overall, investor sentiment has turned more cautious, reflecting concerns over escalating conflict and rising inflationary pressures.

On the 31st, Iran warned that if further terrorist assassinations targeting Iran occur in the future, it will launch retaliatory strikes against 18 U.S. companies in the Middle East, including Apple, Microsoft, Google, NVIDIA, and Tesla.

The 18 companies named are accused of having their AI and cloud technologies used to track targets and of being involved in U.S. and Israeli assassination and terrorist activities against Iranian leaders. These retaliatory measures took effect at 8:00 PM Iran time on April 1 (approximately 1:00 AM Taiwan time on April 2). For each action taken against Iran, related technology facilities in the Middle East may face potential attacks.

In the Middle East, many tech giants have factories or offices. Thirteen percent of NVIDIA’s global workforce resides in Israel, where it also hosts its second-largest R&D center outside the United States. Intel employs nearly 10,000 people in Israel as well. The U.S.-Iran conflict is now impacting the technology sector: Amazon AWS data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been targeted by drone attacks, and mounting pressure on global helium supplies could have devastating consequences for chip production.

Analysts note that Iran’s targeting of the information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence industries represents a new strategy to expand the economic battlefield. This move tests the United States’ ability to support its Middle Eastern allies’ defense and examines whether geopolitical risks will further drive up global energy and technology prices. The conflict among Israel, the United States, and Iran is expanding from the traditional military domain into the technological and economic spheres.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to countries such as the United Kingdom that refuse to participate in actions against Iran, stating that the U.S. will no longer provide assistance and that these countries should secure oil themselves from the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also stated that the coming days will be decisive for the war and urged countries to take responsibility in the Strait of Hormuz.

French President Emmanuel Macron is currently visiting Japan and is scheduled to hold talks on the 1st with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Although the trip was originally intended to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy and space, the worsening U.S.–Iran situation has shifted the focus toward the Middle East crisis, with both sides seeking solutions to ongoing conflicts.

Macron began his four-day Asia tour on the 31st, aiming to strengthen strategic alliances with Japan and South Korea. This marks his fourth visit to Japan, during which he will hold a summit meeting and “2+2” defense consultations with Prime Minister Takaichi. He will then travel to Seoul for a summit with President Lee Jae-myung to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and South Korea. In addition to attending a luncheon with the Japanese Emperor and Empress, Macron is leading a delegation of over 350 French companies. Building on shared Indo-Pacific strategic consensus, the parties are expected to sign substantive cooperation agreements covering key areas such as economic security, artificial intelligence, space technology, and next-generation nuclear energy development.

During the summit on the 1st, France and Japan reached a consensus to jointly formulate a roadmap for the procurement of critical minerals, aiming to diversify supply sources and establish a rare earth supply chain “independent of China.” To this end, both sides confirmed continued efforts to build a rare earth refining plant in southwestern France, with the goal of beginning operations by the end of 2026 to meet demand for heavy rare earths used in electric vehicle (EV) motors. The joint statement also expressed concern over the potential negative impact of export controls on minerals, implicitly pointing to supply monopolies by specific countries. In addition, the two nations are actively strengthening public-private cooperation in the space sector, with plans to sign 12 memoranda of understanding across five major areas, including space debris removal, rocket launches, and satellite communications. By boosting both government and private investment, they aim to comprehensively enhance their international competitiveness.

This visit is not merely a routine diplomatic trip but a strategic move by France and Japan to respond to global instability. Japan faces energy pressure, relying on the Middle East for as much as 95% of its oil. As fellow G7 members, both countries are actively promoting “de-risking” and placing economic security at the top of their agenda. Macron views Japan and South Korea as key partners in the Indo-Pacific region and seeks to reduce dependence on both the United States and China. He has also advocated the concept of a “buyers’ club,” whereby reliable partners collectively procure strategic materials to counter China’s supply dominance and ensure the stability and security of supply chains amid energy tensions and geopolitical conflicts.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times on the 29th that his “preferred option” is to secure control over Iran’s oil, and he did not rule out seizing Kharg Island, the country’s key oil export hub. He confirmed that April 6 has been set as the final deadline for negotiations, warning that if Tehran fails to accept an agreement by then, U.S. forces will strike Iran’s energy facilities. As the United States and Israel join forces against Iran, tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. Global oil prices have surged by more than 50% over the past month, with Brent crude briefly nearing $116 per barrel during early Asian trading on the 30th.

In preparation for a potential escalation, the Pentagon announced the deployment of approximately 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, including thousands of Marines already on the ground and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division set to be deployed. These forces are trained in island seizure and ground control operations. However, any attempt by U.S. forces to capture Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf would likely face threats from Iranian missiles and drones, increasing both casualties and operational costs.

While Trump did not disclose details of the negotiations, he stated that U.S. forces have already struck around 13,000 targets, with another 3,000 still pending, emphasizing that an agreement “could be reached quickly.”

Trump also claimed that Iran has allowed more oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and alleged that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been seriously injured or killed—claims denied by Tehran. Analysts note that domestic support in the United States for military action against Iran remains low, and Trump had previously pledged to avoid entanglement in new Middle East conflicts. Launching a large-scale ground operation at this stage could therefore pose significant political risks for his administration.