Latest news for 14 May 2025

SYRIA

US to lift sanctions.

As we foreshadowed, President Trump has announced in Riyadh he’ll lift US sanctions on Syria to give the newly Assad-free country “a chance at greatness”. He’s set to meet Syria’s leader al-Sharaa today (Wednesday) before jetting to Qatar. Meanwhile, the Saudis have pledged $600B in US-bound investments. (CNN)

Comment: Trump’s announcement got a standing ovation in Riyadh, but you can add it to his list of irritants with Israel, which has been bombing Syrian targets, citing the jihadi roots of its new ruling factions. There’ll also be divisions within Trump’s team, with his spymaster (Gabbard) famously sceptical of Syria’s anti-Assad forces.

CHINA

Boeing stocks rally as Beijing lifts restrictions.

Following the weekend’s US-China trade truce, Beijing is now lifting its Boeing restrictions, meaning the US firm can now resume deliveries to China’s airlines (though details are still TBC). (Wall Street Journal $)

Comment: This past week has been a vindication for any traders who bet that Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs (and China’s response) would be wound back. The S&P500 has now recovered beyond its pre-Liberation levels. Foreign capitals, however, tend to have longer memories than markets.

LIBYA

Killing of militia leader sparks clashes in capital.

Someone has killed Gheniwa, one of the many militia leaders now ruling Libya, triggering a night of violence in Tripoli that’s left at least six dead. (The Guardian)

POLAND

Poles love polls.

Voters are set to elect a new president this Sunday, and while the presidency is largely ceremonial, the race is still a barometer: interestingly, some candidates are downplaying their support for neighbouring Ukraine, reflecting local fatigue. (AP)

THAILAND

Search ends at quake-hit skyscraper.

More than a month after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the region, authorities have halted search operations at a collapsed skyscraper that left at least 89 dead. They’re still investigating why this was the sole structure to collapse. (The Strait Times)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Kenya and DR call for more Haiti support.

Top Dominican and Kenyan diplomats have agreed for injured Kenyan peacekeepers in crisis-hit neighbouring Haiti to get care in the Dominican Republic. (Africanews)

Comment: The bigger message here was really that we’re doing our part, so where’s everyone else? Despite the presence of 1,000 security personnel (mostly Kenyan police), Haiti’s gangs have further expanded their territorial control this year.

ZAMBIA

Diplomats warned against interference.

US-Zambia tensions have flared after the US ambassador suggested Zambia is allowing "systematic theft" of medical donations. In response, Zambia’s foreign minister has warned foreign diplomats to stay out of domestic affairs. (BBC)