Peacekeeping Operations
What is the Congolese government accusing Rwanda of doing in Eastern DRC?
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of sowing chaos in Eastern DRC and having troops on the ground to benefit from the region's natural resources. President Shisekedi wants his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to face sanctions over the unrest, though Rwanda denies these allegations. A Congolese government representative emphasized a change in narrative, stating they now 'call the cat by its name' - directly identifying Rwandan troops on Congolese territory in the east of the country. The official confirmed they have asked these troops to leave, highlighting the growing tension between the two nations over territorial sovereignty and resource control.
Watch clip answer (00:33m)
WION
04:24 - 04:57
What is happening in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo with the M23 rebels?
The M23 armed group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has captured Bukavu's main airport and is advancing toward the city itself, which is the capital of South Kivu province. This offensive has forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes and created a humanitarian crisis that the UN and European countries warn could spark a wider regional conflict. Amid the escalating violence, the United Nations World Food Program reports that nearly 7,000 tons of food have been looted from a warehouse, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation. The UN has documented human rights violations including looting and summary executions as the security situation continues to deteriorate.
Watch clip answer (00:29m)
WION
02:39 - 03:08
What significant diplomatic engagement occurred between U.S. and Russian officials regarding Ukraine?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict, with both sides agreeing to appoint high-level teams to negotiate a peace solution that would be 'enduring and acceptable to all sides.' This meeting followed a 90-minute phone call between President Trump and Vladimir Putin a week earlier, representing the first regularized contact between the U.S. and Russia in nearly three years. Notably, Ukrainian officials were absent from these talks, with President Zelensky stating his government 'will not recognize any agreement about us made without us.'
Watch clip answer (03:48m)
CBS News
00:00 - 03:49
Why do European nations need US involvement in Ukraine's security efforts?
European nations need US involvement because the US remains the most powerful country with the strongest military in the world. As the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted, "a U.S. security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again." While European leaders have committed billions in aid to Ukraine and considered contributing peacekeeping forces, they view US support as essential to shore up their own security. This was evident when European leaders held an emergency meeting in Paris, concerned about being excluded from peace negotiations between Russia and the US.
Watch clip answer (01:36m)
CBS News
02:32 - 04:09
What has been agreed upon between Russia and the United States regarding the Ukraine conflict during the Riyadh talks?
During talks in Riyadh, Russia and the United States agreed to establish a formal process for settling the Ukraine conflict and to remove barriers for diplomatic missions. This agreement represents a significant step toward diplomatic engagement between the two nations after Russia expressed its strong opposition to any NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire arrangement. This development comes amid divided European positions, with the UK expressing interest in sending troops to Ukraine, France criticizing such moves, and Germany and other European nations remaining undecided. The talks lay groundwork for potential future discussions between Russian President Putin and US President Trump.
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WION
00:08 - 00:38
What is the significance of the body recovery agreement in the context of ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel?
The body recovery agreement is significant as it represents efforts to ensure phase one of the ceasefire deal doesn't falter and to maintain dialogue between the parties. Hamas has already fulfilled part of the agreement by releasing four bodies of deceased captives, which was explicitly included in the deal's terms. The agreement serves as a foundation for continued negotiations toward phase two of the broader ceasefire arrangement. Mediators hope this gesture will facilitate ongoing talks while demonstrating both sides' commitment to upholding the established terms, ultimately creating momentum for further progress in the peace process.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)
Al Jazeera English
01:20 - 01:43