Global Tensions Escalate Amid Bridge Collapse, Policy Changes, and International Protests

A tragic incident occurred in Cheonan, South Korea, on February 25, when a bridge at a highway construction site collapsed. Fire authorities reported at least three fatalities and six injuries, with rescue teams actively searching rubble for another individual believed to be trapped.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has generated controversy after revoking National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20). Initially enacted by President Joe Biden in 2024, this policy was created to prevent U.S. weaponry from involvement in war crimes by requiring monitoring and reporting on possible international law violations by allies, including Israel. Trump's move followed the Biden administration indicating Israel may have breached international humanitarian law using American-supplied weapons.

Trump also faced significant criticism online after he shared an artificially-generated vision titled as a redevelopment concept of a "future Gaza." This release follows Trump's earlier announced plan suggesting a U.S.-led reshaping of Gaza into what he termed a regional destination, dubbed the "Riviera of the Middle East," which involved forcibly moving Palestinian residents to new locations.

Separately, on February 27, Israel facilitated the release of numerous Palestinian detainees from the well-known Ofer detention center, busing them to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. This action represents the initial steps of a delayed seventh wave of planned releases that will expand throughout Gaza and the West Bank.

Violent clashes broke out amid a rally by the M23 rebel group in Bukavu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on February 27. Reports from the group's leadership indicated at least 11 fatalities and numerous injuries occurred as participants hurriedly dispersed to avoid gunfire and explosions.

In Greece, February 28 marked the anniversary of the nation's deadliest train crash, prompting thousands of protesters to take to the streets demanding accountability and justice. The train crash had resulted in 57 deaths, yet recent inquiries revealed unresolved safety issues and no successful convictions in the matter.

On the international scene, a joint stance against perceived violations of international law emerged from leaders of South Africa, Malaysia, and Colombia. In an article for Foreign Policy magazine, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa, Gustavo Petro, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israel's impunity in breaking international humanitarian standards. The shared statement announced decisive measures, including barring military shipments to Israel from accessing their ports, and halting all arms transfers that could potentially facilitate further humanitarian abuses.