Insight: What is happening in Europe and Asia in November 2025?

This month’s developments across Asia and Europe reveal a landscape marked by simultaneous breakthroughs, intensifying security dilemmas, and shifting regional alignments. In Asia, the UN Security Council’s approval of a comprehensive plan for Gaza signals a rare moment of diplomatic convergence amid a highly volatile conflict, even as disagreements persist over the contours of a future Palestinian state. Southeast Asia continues to grapple with climate-driven disasters, while fragile peace processes face renewed strain following landmine incidents along the Thai–Cambodian border. The region also witnesses sharper great-power tensions as maritime lawfare in the South China Sea escalates and China–Japan relations deteriorate, unfolding alongside Timor-Leste’s long-awaited accession to ASEAN.

Across Europe, policymakers push forward major legislative initiatives—from ambitious climate targets to reforms of visa-free travel rules and the simplification of agricultural policy—reflecting the continent’s balancing act between economic competitiveness and regulatory ambition. Efforts to support Ukraine’s reconstruction gain new momentum through a multi-state EU partnership, while Kosovo enters another electoral cycle following a protracted political stalemate. Together, these developments underscore a month defined by diplomatic manoeuvring, evolving legal frameworks, and the ongoing contest to shape regional security and governance in a rapidly shifting global environment.

Asia:

UNSC greenlights International Stabilisation Force in Gaza amid volatile Palestinian question

RV – The United Nations (UN) Security Council approves a draft for a “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” which includes establishing a Board of Peace. The United States approved both the plan and the proposal for a temporary International Stabilisation Force to be deployed in Gaza. 

According to the draft, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) would withdraw from the Gaza Strip once Gaza is considered secure from renewed terror threats, except for a limited security perimeter that remains as needed. This process followed agreed-upon demilitarisation standards, deadlines, and milestones, as determined by the UN, its member states, and the Board of Peace.

Though the adoption charts a ‘new course’ for the Middle East, several concerns were raised:

• Some countries (China, Slovenia, Somalia) stress the need for clearer terms regarding the two-state discourse. 

• Many (Guyana, France, Pakistan) emphasise that Palestine must remain central to the process, framed within a transparent legal context. 

• Some members (Sierra Leone and Denmark) convey that the plan represents “the Palestinian right to statehood, and its best opportunity to bring lasting peace to the land.” 

• The Russian Federation abstained, stressing that the plan does not align with its vision.

 [UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, Security Council Report].

Southeast Asia grapples with deadly landslides, floods amid torrential rains

RV – As Southeast Asia transitions from wet to dry season, several ASEAN countries experience extensive rainfall, landslides, and flooding. In Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, torrential rain caused over 43 deaths and 88 people missing while landslides in early November left more than 30 people confirmed dead.

Vietnam’s death toll increased by 188 as the country continues to feel the impacts of Typhoon Kalmaegi, which first made landfall in the Philippines. A landslide along the Khanh Le Pass further caused over six fatalities and 19 injuries, according to state media. In Southern Thailand, seasonal rainfall has produced over 55 reported flooding occurrences as of writing. [Al Jazeera, NHK, Detik].

Thailand suspends peace deal with Cambodia after border landmine explosion

RV – Following a landmine blast along the disputed border between Thailand’s Sisaket province and Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province, Thailand halted the implementation of its peace agreement with Cambodia. 

The two countries had previously signed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, which temporarily paused the conflict.  After the explosion, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for an immediate halt to the peace accord after four soldiers received injuries. 

“The hostility towards our national security has not decreased as we thought it would… What we have been pursuing must now be put on hold until clarity is restored,” Anutin said. The Thai National Security Council had likewise approved the decision, indicating that the United States-brokered truce will be needed for a lasting peace. [The Thai Government Public Relations Department, The Diplomat, East Asia Forum]

China revamps legal strategy in South China Sea amid rising tensions with Japan

RV – The President of the Philippines signed two pivotal acts in international lawfare: the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (MZA) and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act (ASLA), which establish the Philippines’ rights and boundaries within defined maritime zones. In response, China intensifies its challenge to the Philippines’ newly enacted laws by declaring straight baselines around Scarborough Shoal to cast doubt on the legal status of the MZA and ASLA.

This followed the overlapping regional disputes amid existing tensions between China and Japan, with Beijing accusing Tokyo of “armed intervention” after the latter suggested a potential military mobilisation in a “survival-threatening situation” over Taiwan. [Philippine News Agency, The Diplomat, Reuters].

China to suspend Japanese seafood imports amid diplomatic tensions

RV – Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing intensify following recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding the Taiwan situation. These tensions result in China banning all Japanese seafood imports. According to reports from Japan’s public broadcaster, the new ban was implemented shortly after China lifted its 2023 import restrictions on Japanese marine products.

Rising tensions between China and Japan were further emphasised after Takaichi told parliament that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan and may constitute a circumstance for a military response. Rising tensions between China and Japan continue as Tokyo summons the Chinese ambassador in response to a now-deleted social media post by the Chinese Consul-General in Osaka. Japanese officials argued the post constituted inappropriate interference amid ongoing debates on the security implications of a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan. [Al Jazeera]

Timor-Leste officially secures decade-long ASEAN membership bid

ER – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is now 11.

The Declaration on the Admission of Timor-Leste into ASEAN has been officially signed by Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and the rest of the bloc’s heads of state during the Opening Ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits on October 26.

Following its official membership application in 2011, ASEAN leaders have agreed in principle to admit the nation in 2022. A roadmap for its full membership was adopted in 2023 before its full accession in 2025.

In his speech, Gusmao vowed to enter the bloc with full commitment to the ASEAN Charter as a "constructive, peaceful, and devoted" member in ensuring the region's peace, stability and resilience in the time ahead. [ASEAN Secretariat, Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste]

Europe:

MEPs push for 90% emissions cut by 2040 under new EU Climate Law

AD – On November 10, the European Parliament approved the reduction of emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels by 2040, with the goal of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050, which is a legally binding objective established by the European Climate Law. The proposal also included more flexibility for member states to reach the environmental goals with tools such as carbon credits for partners countries, meaning that 5% of a state’s emissions reduction can come from a third country.

MEPs also supported delaying the inclusion of natural gas and oil in the EU’s trading system until 2028, as well as the new emissions plan for buildings and road transport (ETS2), originally contemplated for 2027. The goal is to guarantee the competitiveness of the EU while reaching its environmental compromises.  [EU Parliament, DW].

EU Council and Parliament strike deal to simplify the common agricultural policy

AD – Following the European Commission’s ‘Omnibus III’ plan presented in May 2025, the European Council reached an agreement to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The deal aims to reduce bureaucracy and regulatory burdens by easing administrative obligations for farmers.

Key measures include crisis payments for farmers affected by natural disasters or catastrophic events, increasing the percentage rate of advanced direct payments, and expanding access to risk-management tools. Member states may also ease the criteria for organic farmers to meet environmental standards known as GAECs (Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions).

The simplification of the CAP is expected to generate up to €1.6 billion in savings for farmers and €200 million for national administrations [Council of the EU, EU Parliament].

EU adopts tougher rules to suspend Visa-free travel for third countries

AD – The European Council has given the green light to the current Schengen Area Visa suspension rules for citizens of third countries.

Once the amendments are enforced, the suspensions can now be triggered by running investor citizenship schemes (golden Visas) misaligned with the EU Visa policy, or the deterioration of diplomatic relations. The threshold for suspension due to irregularities, refused entry, or overstaying has dropped from 50% to 30%, with the initial suspension increasing from nine to 12 months, and the extension period from 18 to 24 months.

These new rules will allow the EU to target specific groups, such as diplomats and government officials, rather than applying restrictions to the entire population [Council of the EU].

EU launches €37 million reconstruction project for Ukraine

AD – The EU, together with Denmark, Germany, France, and Lithuania, launched the EU4Reconstruction initiative to strengthen governance and budget accountability in Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Over the next three years, this plan will reinforce Ukraine’s normative framework and support state agencies in large-scale project management, bringing Ukraine closer to EU standards.

With a €37 million budget, the EU4Reconstruction will also work alongside partner governments through their agencies to monitor and guide Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development in ensuring efficiency and transparency throughout the process. [MoD Ukraine, EEAS].

Kosovo calls snap elections following political deadlock

AD – On November 20, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani called early elections after Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to secure the 61 parliamentary votes needed to pass his Cabinet proposal. Osmani criticised the political deadlock, which delayed urgently needed international funding from the EU and the World Bank.

Opposition parties refused to support Kurti’s re-election due to controversies in his mandate: his policies in northern Kosovo, where Albanian mayors are sworn in in majority-Serb municipalities, escalating ethnic tensions; and strained relations between Kosovo and its Western allies over the same issue. Elections are set for December 28, with the new parliament expected to end a year-long political impasse [Kosovo Presidency Official Blog, Politico, AP News].

Contributors:

RV: Ravania Alya Putri

AD: Adrián De los Santos Bonilla

ER: Prince Ernest Eugene Ronson Sabado