Five flashpoints define the emerging shape of conflict in 2025: full-blown war between Thailand and Cambodia, state-backed cyberattacks disrupting nuclear and aviation systems, formal moves to recognize Palestinian statehood, a fragile ceasefire in Congo, and Russia’s expanding military footprint in the Sahel. This week’s Under Report breaks down where power is shifting and why it matters.
Ukraine's "spiderweb" attack takes out a third of Russia's bombers. China and the Philippines ram each other over a critical shoal. Australia asks Beijing why it's building up its military. Starship stumbles and Nigeria bans making it rain money at weddings.
The gray zone is everywhere these days. Europe warns Russia with deep strikes while protecting undersea cables. Kenya complains about Chinese Debt traps. ASEAN comes together to reject Trump's tariffs. And trains keep chugging through Turkmenistan.
The roll-back of US overwatch has Europe looking for deterrence. Japan and Korea consider acquiring the bomb. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan's tensions threaten to boil over, and the Middle East meanders towards escalation.
Turkish boots touch ground in Somalia. Europe debates digital IDs while tech companies lick their chops. Indonesia hits the BRICS harder than ever before and Kabila returns to Congo as the fight for minerals in Goma heats up.
NATO is bracing for Russian aggression. China plays hot and cold with its neighbors as US tariffs bite. The US and Israel look for a relocation deal in Africa. Finland prepares to protect its border with Russia.
The world changes while we're worried about something else. Smaller stories oftentimes have big results in the world of geopolitics. Here are five under reported stories, what we're watching for, and how they might change the world.