Weekly Updates on International Politics: Civitas One Magazine

Vol. 1, Issue 2 — Week of August 3, 2025

I. Middle East : Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Diplomatic Tensions

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened significantly, with a sharp rise in deaths caused by malnutrition. Of the 74 total reported fatalities in July, 63 were attributed to hunger-related causes, many among infants and young children. This indicates an accelerating collapse of basic nutritional access. The World Health Organization has raised alarms over this trajectory, describing it as a critical failure of the humanitarian response infrastructure.

In an effort to address the crisis, Israeli military authorities instituted limited daily "tactical pauses" between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to facilitate the movement of humanitarian aid. However, major aid organizations have stated that these measures are inadequate, as consistent access to many parts of the Gaza Strip remains severely restricted. Ongoing insecurity, checkpoints, and bureaucratic bottlenecks continue to impede aid delivery to high-risk zones.

In response to mounting needs and logistical failures on the ground, regional powers including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt have launched emergency air-drops of food, water, and medicine into densely populated areas. These operations mark a shift toward unilateral regional intervention in a situation previously dominated by international NGOs and multilateral agencies.

At the political level, the situation has triggered diplomatic reassessments. The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss progress toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, signaling a potential shift in British foreign policy. Meanwhile, the United States dispatched a senior envoy who met with families of Israeli hostages, amid increasing international calls for a formal ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access.

Despite these efforts, conditions on the ground remain dire. On August 2, at least 18 civilians were reported killed by Israeli gunfire while attempting to reach aid distribution points. Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes of people rushing for supplies, with some killed while carrying food. These incidents have drawn sharp condemnation and intensified scrutiny of Israel’s rules of engagement.

The combination of deepening malnutrition, limited aid corridors, and ongoing military activity has left much of the civilian population in a state of desperation. Analysts warn that without a sustained and coordinated international intervention, Gaza may face one of the worst humanitarian breakdowns in the region’s recent history.

Implications:

• Humanitarian deterioration threatens regional stability.

• Diplomatic pressure is mounting on Israel to permit broader access and negotiate ceasefire terms.

• Civilian casualties continue to amplify global alarm.

II. U.S. Trade Policy Shockwaves : New Tariffs and Market Fallout

On July 31, President Trump issued an executive order imposing new tariffs on 68 countries and the EU, effective August 7. Baseline rates begin at 10 percent, with higher duties (15–50 percent) targeting nations without recent trade agreements. The move triggered political backlash and legal challenges, and Trump urged cancellation of the Senate’s recess to expedite appointments.

A 50 percent tariff was imposed on Brazilian goods, one of the steepest enacted, though certain key sectors such as aerospace and energy were excluded. The move led to a sharp reversal in Brazil’s foreign exchange flows and discouraged foreign direct investment, prompting concerns over capital outflows and an expanding current account deficit.

Implications:

• Tariff escalation heightens inflation risks and disrupts global supply chains.

• Emerging markets such as Brazil face capital flight and economic pressure.

• Trade tensions may erode past U.S. leadership in market predictability.

III. Regional Border Conflict : Cambodia–Thailand Escalation

Heavy fighting broke out from July 24 to 27 across more than a dozen border sectors between Cambodia and Thailand, marking the most intense escalation between the two countries in over a decade. The clashes resulted in at least 33 fatalities and forced over 168,000 residents to flee from conflict zones in Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

In a rapid deterioration of diplomatic ties, Thailand recalled its ambassador and shut several key border checkpoints, while Cambodia responded by expelling Thailand’s envoy. The UN Security Council held an emergency session as global powers called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.

The violence inflicted casualties on both soldiers and civilians. Thailand accused Cambodia of deploying cluster munitions and conducting airstrikes, accusations Cambodia rejected while asserting that Thailand had provoked the conflict. Independent human rights monitors confirmed repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and religious sites.

By July 28, a ceasefire agreement was brokered through emergency negotiations led by Malaysia. The deal called for an immediate and unconditional halt to hostilities. However, reports of ceasefire violations quickly surfaced, with Thai military officials accusing Cambodian forces of renewed attacks at several positions along the border.

On August 2, mass demonstrations erupted in Bangkok’s Victory Monument. Protesters demanded the resignation of suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, blaming her for exacerbating the conflict due to her longstanding political ties to Cambodian leadership and alleged mishandling of border diplomacy.

Implications:

• Regional stability directly threatened by unresolved historical border claims.

• Civilian displacement and political unrest in Thailand illustrate domestic ramifications.

• Diplomatic mediation via ASEAN demonstrates shifting regional conflict resolution dynamics.

IV. Africa Security : Rising Terror Threats in Togo

Militant violence linked to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has surged in northern Togo in 2025, marking a dangerous spillover of Sahelian insurgencies into West Africa’s coastal states. According to official estimates disclosed on July 29, armed jihadist factions have killed dozens of civilians and at least eight Togolese soldiers since the beginning of the year. The announcement, made by Togo’s Foreign Minister during a formal briefing on regional security threats, reflects a rare public admission of the severity of the crisis.

The attacks have primarily targeted remote areas in the Savanes region, which borders Burkina Faso, a known stronghold for Islamist groups operating in the central Sahel. These incursions signal a growing shift in militant strategy, with efforts to destabilize countries previously seen as peripheral to the region’s broader conflict. Analysts note that the violence in Togo is part of a larger pattern of extremist expansion into littoral West Africa, including Ghana, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.

In response, the Togolese government has deployed thousands of troops to reinforce its northern frontier and has intensified intelligence-sharing partnerships with neighboring states. Despite these efforts, limited infrastructure, porous borders, and fragile civil-military relations continue to hinder long-term containment of extremist threats. Security experts warn that without a comprehensive regional strategy, Togo may face prolonged instability similar to that of its northern neighbors.

Implications:

• Terrorism is expanding into new West African peripheries.

• Regional counterterrorism coordination and resilience measures will be tested.

• International funding and response strategies may shift toward underrepresented states like Togo.

Thematic Summary

Domain	Key Development
Humanitarian Crisis	Gaza facing acute starvation and violence amid faltering ceasefire efforts
Trade Disruption	Tariffs shake global trade rules and destabilize emerging economies
Cross‐border Violence	Cambodia–Thailand conflict reveals latent territorial risks
Regional Terrorism	Al Qaeda-linked violence increases in Togo; West Africa at heightened risk

Sources:

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

• Associated Press. 2025. “Israeli Fire Kills at Least 18 in Gaza, and U.S. Envoy Visits Hostage Family Protest.” August 2. Accessed August 2, 2025. AP News.

• Guardian, The. 2025. “Middle East Crisis Live: Malnutrition in Gaza on ‘Dangerous Trajectory’.” July 27. Accessed August 2, 2025. The Guardian.

Cambodia–Thailand Border Conflict

• Associated Press. 2025. “Deadly Thailand–Cambodia border clash causes mass evacuations.” July 26. Accessed August 1, 2025. AP News.

• Associated Press. 2025. “Protests in Bangkok demand resignation of suspended prime minister.” August 2. Accessed August 2, 2025. AP News.

• Guardian, The. 2025. “Thailand–Cambodia border clashes escalate into civilian displacement and ceasefire.” July 25–28. Accessed August 2, 2025. The Guardian live updates.

• Reuters. 2025. “Thailand and Cambodia agree cease‐fire, but violations reported.” July 28–29. Accessed August 2, 2025. Reuters.

Trade Policy and Tariffs

• Associated Press. 2025. “Trump Signs Order for More Tariffs on U.S. Partners to Go into Effect in 7 Days.” July 31. Accessed August 2, 2025. AP News.

• Reuters. 2025. “Trump Hits Brazil with Tariffs, Sanctions but Key Sectors Excluded.” July 30. Accessed August 2, 2025. Reuters.

• Reuters. 2025. “Trump Spat Leaves Brazil Holding World’s Worst Tariff Hand.” July 30. Accessed August 2, 2025. Reuters.

Terrorism in Togo

• Reuters. 2025. “Al Qaeda Affiliate Has Killed Dozens of Civilians in Togo This Year, Minister Says.” July 29. Accessed August 2, 2025. Reuters.