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Turkey is in the spotlight today, with Ankara expanding its Sahel strategy, while also signing a civil nuclear deal with Washington that signals a revival of US-Turkey strategic ties. Meanwhile, Moldova heads into a pivotal election that could decide its European future, and analysts warn that President Trump’s crackdown on dissent resembles McCarthyism for the digital age.

Our lead story examines Nepal’s political reset following its historic uprising.

More details below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇫🇷 🇱🇾 French court convicts Nicolas Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy in Libya financing case: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy over allegations he sought millions in campaign financing from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi between 2005 and 2007. The Paris court acquitted him of other charges, including illegal campaign financing and passive corruption, but ruled that he allowed close aides to pursue illicit funding channels. Sarkozy, who maintains his innocence and claims political persecution, has vowed to appeal the verdict.

2️⃣ 🇸🇩 Battle for El Fasher reaches its crescendo as peace talks falter: The battle for El Fasher, the Sudanese army’s last foothold in Darfur, is approaching a decisive and catastrophic phase as the UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces encircle the city, cutting off aid and bombarding civilian areas. More than 260,000 people — including 130,000 children — are trapped without food or medical care, with cholera spreading and recent RSF strikes killing dozens at a mosque and central market. Control of El Fasher would give the RSF total dominance of Darfur and major leverage in peace talks, but risks derailing a U.S.-led effort for a humanitarian truce before mass starvation sets in.

3️⃣ 🇨🇳 Beijing eyes supply-chain security and tech self-sufficiency: As Beijing drafts its 15th five-year plan, analysts expect it to double down on securing supply chains, advancing up the value chain, and breaking dependence on foreign technology. China’s manufacturing ecosystem — still the world’s most comprehensive — has driven nearly 30% of global manufacturing growth in the past five years, but vulnerabilities in critical areas such as high-end semiconductors and lithography equipment remain exposed by U.S. export controls. The next plan is likely to accelerate investment in “little giant” firms, digitalised supply chains, and frontier technologies like 6G and quantum computing, reflecting a strategic pivot from scale to resilience in an era of geopolitical tension.

4️⃣ 🇲🇩 🇪🇺 🇷🇺 Moldova faces make-or-break election: Moldova heads into a pivotal election that could determine whether it stays on its path toward EU membership or swings back into Moscow’s orbit. President Maia Sandu’s pro-European PAS party is struggling to hold its parliamentary majority amid economic discontent, unmet anti-corruption promises, and relentless Russian disinformation campaigns. Kremlin interference is unusually overt, with authorities alleging hundreds of millions of euros have been deployed for large-scale vote buying, enough to decisively swing the result. Analysts warn that Sunday’s vote could mark the most consequential moment for Moldova’s independence since it left the Soviet Union.

5️⃣ 🇹🇷 🇺🇸 US and Turkey sign civil nuclear agreement, revive strategic ties: Washington and Ankara have signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s White House meeting with Donald Trump. The deal marks a diplomatic win for Erdogan, who was sidelined under the previous US administration, and comes alongside an agreement to reopen the Iraq–Turkey pipeline for Kurdish oil exports. Trump praised Erdogan as a “valued friend” and hinted at future talks on F-35 fighter jets, missile systems, and expanded defence trade, signalling a renewed phase in US-Turkey relations.

Major Story

🇳🇵 NEPAL’S UPRISING FORCES HISTORIC POLITICAL RESET

Nepal is undergoing one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history. The government of Prime Minister K.P. Oli collapsed after security forces killed 21 demonstrators—most under 30—during mass protests on 8 September. The “Gen Z protests,” fuelled by anger at corruption and inequality, quickly spiralled into nationwide unrest. Parliament, the prime minister’s office, and the Supreme Court were torched, and several senior politicians were attacked, including former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba. In just two days, 73 people were killed, thousands were injured, and prisons across the country saw mass breakouts.

Social Media, Corruption, and Public Rage

The protests were sparked by years of frustration over systemic corruption and impunity. Allegations of graft against all three major parties—Oli’s UML, Dahal’s Maoists, and Deuba’s Congress—had already eroded public trust. The government’s decision to ban 26 social media apps on 4 September became the tipping point. For a country where nearly half the population uses social platforms—many for income—the ban was seen as an assault on free expression and livelihoods. Viral posts exposing the extravagant lifestyles of political elites’ children deepened the anger, framing the protests as a generational revolt against a detached ruling class.

Rise of an Interim Government

The army intervened to restore order, imposed a nationwide curfew, and evacuated top leaders. After three days of negotiations with protest representatives, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister—the first woman to hold the post. Parliament was dissolved, and elections have been scheduled for March 2026. Karki has promised a commission of inquiry into the violence and corruption, though her government faces legal challenges from mainstream parties contesting its legitimacy.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Karki’s priority is to stabilise the country, restore state functions, and oversee credible elections. Monarchist factions are seeking to exploit the crisis to push for a return of the crown, risking further polarisation. With public expectations high and the youth movement demanding rapid reforms, Nepal’s fragile transition will hinge on whether the interim government can deliver justice, maintain peace, and lay the groundwork for a cleaner, more accountable political order.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇲🇼 Peter Mutharika returns to power in Malawi after defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera: Malawians have voted former president Peter Mutharika back into office, handing him 56.8% of the vote against Lazarus Chakwera’s 33%, amid frustration over years of economic crisis, high inflation, aid cuts, and climate disasters. Chakwera conceded after turnout reached 76% of registered voters, marking Malawi’s third consecutive peaceful transfer of power. Analysts warn that expectations are high but solutions may be elusive, with one expert remarking this “may have been an election to lose” given Malawi’s entrenched fiscal woes.

2️⃣ 🇹🇷 🇳🇪 Turkey to deploy troops to train Nigerien forces amid growing Sahel focus: Turkey is preparing to send commandos and special forces to Niger to train its military in counterterrorism operations, deepening a partnership forged through defence and financial cooperation agreements since 2020. The deployment, which does not require parliamentary approval, will involve several battalions providing training and advisory support but not direct combat. Analysts say the deal allows Niger to modernise its army with Turkish drones and weaponry while giving Ankara a stronger foothold in the Sahel and an opportunity to compete with Western and Russian influence.

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Book Shelf

Here are some books we recommend 📚:

Prisoners of Geography

The Revenge of Geography

The World: A Brief Introduction

The Shock Doctrine

Sea Power

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics