Hello.
The United Nations Security Council finally adopted a resolution on Monday (Mar 25) calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, after the US abstained from the vote.
The rift between US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now a chasm. While Mr Biden is still a staunch supporter of Israel, the US abstention shows that he is trying to thread the eye of the needle, by putting some daylight between himself and Mr Netanyahu, says Middle East Institute’s Carl Skadian.
Russia is reeling from the attack on a Moscow concert hall, one of its deadliest terrorist incidents with more than 140 people dead. Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack, although Russia President Vladimir Putin continues to hint at the involvement of Ukraine and the West without evidence.
The attack not only casts a shadow on Russian security forces’ ability to protect civilians from terrorism, but also dents the image of Mr Putin as an omnipotent ruler who has, in his view, deservedly secured a fifth term in office, says University of Birmingham’s Stefan Wolff.
We hope you enjoyed our selection of commentaries this week.
Erin Low
Deputy Editor, Commentary
