Israel: looming crisis over conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews
The long-standing exemption of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men from military service has potentially become a huge crisis for Benjamin Netanyahu. With the Gaza war placing immense strain on reservists, public opinion has shifted decisively toward ending the exemption, which was first granted in 1948. Although the high court ruled it illegal twenty years ago, political gridlock has kept it in place, so that only 1,200 of 24,000 drafted Haredi men reported for duty last year. Haredis have more than doubled their share of Israel's population over the past seven decades, and now account for 14%. What began as an exemption for several hundred religious students has now become a cohort of some 60,000 men left out of the draft. Street protests, clashes with police, and rapid-response networks reflect growing Haredi communal resistance. Supporters of conscription - religious and secular alike - argue that fairness and national survival demand shared burden. Yet ultra-Orthodox leaders insist that studying the Torah protects Israel spiritually and must remain untouched. Netanyahu’s fragile coalition depends on Haredi parties, making meaningful reform politically perilous. The Haredis are now locked in a debate over what it means to be Jewish and Israeli, and whether that means fighting for Israel or fighting for their way of life against the modern demands of war.
Venezuela / USA: Trump’s increasing pressure on Maduro
On 21 November, weeks of escalating threats, military posturing, and diplomatic tension culminated not in conflict but in a stark phone call in which Donald Trump reportedly issued Nicolás Maduro an ultimatum: leave Venezuela immediately or face the consequences. This shows that Trump is not easing pressure and may be edging closer to military action, despite earlier signs of potential compromise through envoy Richard Grenell’s negotiations which freed US detainees and reopened migrant returns. Analysts note that while advisers like Marco Rubio influence policy, Trump himself has long viewed Venezuela as unfinished business touching on his key concerns - migration, drugs, and China. Trump’s resort to a threatening phone call may in itself be a response to the Venezuelan armed forces’ refusal to buckle before the overwhelming US military presence. Experts warn that a ‘decapitation strike’ targeting Maduro is conceivable, with the justification that he is an illegitimate leader after stealing two elections. Observers say Trump is using intimidation to force concessions while leaving the door open to rapid escalation.
Honduras: manual recount necessary for presidential election result
The Honduran presidential election has become increasingly tense after the National Electoral Council (CNE) announced a full manual recount of the 30 November vote. Currently there is a wafer-thin margin between the two leading candidates, which has prompted the CNE to announce a ‘technical tie’; it is calling for patience while all the votes are counted manually. Donald Trump sharply criticised the process on social media, accusing the authorities of attempting to alter the outcome and warning that there would be ‘hell to pay’ if his preferred candidate, Nasry Asfura, is not declared the winner. Asfura, a right-wing former mayor, held a lead of just over 500 votes with more than half of ballots counted. His centrist rival, Salvador Nasralla, cited internal projections suggesting he was ahead but refrained from claiming victory. Whatever the final outcome, the election is a clear defeat for the country’s ruling left-wing, whose candidate, Rixi Moncada, only has 19% of the vote.
Mozambique: 100,000 forced to flee after attacks by armed groups
Nearly 100,000 people in northern Mozambique have fled in recent weeks as armed groups have stormed their villages, often at night. They have burnt homes, killed civilians, and forced families to escape without belongings or documents. Nampula province now faces a fourth major influx of displaced people in recent months, pushing already fragile host communities beyond capacity. Schools, churches, and open spaces are overflowing, while humanitarian workers are struggling to respond to simultaneous attacks in many districts. Violence linked to the so-called IS has already displaced more than 1.3 million people since 2017, and now threatens communities which have previously been safe refuges. UNHCR warns that current funding covers only half of what is required, and needs will rise sharply into 2026. Lacking adequate shelter, food, and water, some families are returning to unsafe areas simply because overcrowded conditions leave them no other choice.
