The Munich Security Conference 2026, scheduled for February 13–15, is expected to be overshadowed by dark clouds of tension stemming from deep divisions and fractures in the transatlantic alliance between the US and Europe. Once again, the issue of strategic autonomy has emerged as an urgent concern for Europe in an unpredictable world, marked by continual policy shifts from Washington.

At first glance, the newly concluded trade agreement between India and the US appears to be a “win-win” deal, giving fresh impetus to bilateral trade ties. Yet beneath the surface lie unresolved questions, particularly over the extent to which New Delhi will cut its imports of Russian oil.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) - the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms control agreement in force between Russia and the US - officially expired on February 5, 2026.

The euro area (Eurozone) economy has shown signs of a strong recovery, with growth exceeding forecasts. At 1.5% in 2025, this marked the Eurozone’s second consecutive year of growth, despite a highly volatile year marked by challenges from trade disputes and global geopolitical tensions.

Political parties in Japan have officially entered the campaign period for the House of Representatives election scheduled to take place on February 8. This will be the first election since the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ended its 26-year alliance with Komeito and formed a new ruling coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung joined his counterparts from other ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretary-General at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) that opened in Cebu, the Philippines, on January 29 under the chair of Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro.

The coalition forces have completed their withdrawal from bases on the territory of the Iraqi federation, marking the end of the first phase of the US-led military mission against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.

Over the past days, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked closely with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and relevant agencies to provide the best possible medical care for former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Hae-chan in the city, the ministry’s spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said on January 25.

The latest meetings between Russia and the US, as well as trilateral talks involving Ukraine, show that channels of dialogue are being maintained, but they remain insufficient to produce substantive change.

Thousands of the world’s most prominent figures in fields of business, economics, and politics are gathering on Davos, a small town in the Swiss Alps, to discuss a wide range of global pressing issues.

After more than 25 years of arduous negotiations and several moments on the brink of collapse, the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) has finally been signed, laying the foundation for one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

US President Donald Trump has recently unveiled a draft bill for the Great Healthcare Plan. The proposal has been described by analysts as bold, aiming to enhance transparency, eliminate hidden commission practices, and reduce the burden of medical costs - for the health and wellbeing of the American people.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has recently released a report showing that the global labour market has undergone significant upheaval in recent years and is set to change even more rapidly.

With the situation of a declining population, rising prices, and impacts of intense strategic competition, 2026 is forecast to be a year with few advantages for Japan. However, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae affirms that with its inherent strength and the people's will to rise, Japan will welcome a bright future.