Weekly News Digest 03.31.2024

Weekly News Digest for March 21st, 2025

Compiled by Lydia Wong, Trinity De Lima, Nila Karunakaran, Layla Jeeth, Mary WahnEdited by John Gooden, Lydia Wong, Joey Quinn, Ryan Simons, Sara Anis Ali

Asia and the Pacific

Military Law Revision Sparks Fears of Authoritarian Backslide

On Thursday, all eight political parties in Indonesia’s Parliament supported a controversial revision to the country’s military law. The amendment allows active military officers to take civilian government positions without having to retire from the armed forces. Under the new law, military personnel can hold positions in 14 civilian institutions, up from 10, and the government has extended the  retirement age for most military ranks. Four-star generals, for example, can now serve until the age of 63, an increase from the previous limit of 60. This revision, pushed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s coalition, marks a significant expansion of the military's role in a country once dominated by its powerful armed forces.

Critics, including pro-democracy groups, have expressed deep concerns. They fear the revision is a troubling step back toward the authoritarian era of former President Suharto, raising the potential for political repression, human rights abuses, and the erosion of democracy. Activists and students worry that the revision could revive the Suharto-era “dual function” system, which granted military officers significant political power, from district chiefs to Cabinet ministers, turning the armed forces into a tool of political oppression. Al Araf, director of the local human rights group Imparsial, argued that the law undermines the democratic reforms that followed Suharto’s downfall in 1998, potentially paving the way for the return of an authoritarian regime. By Thursday evening, hundreds of students gathered outside the parliamentary building in Jakarta to protest the law, some burning tires and clashing with security forces.

While the government insists that the changes are necessary to address global security challenges, activists argue that the rushed and secretive nature of the legislative process raises suspicions about a deeper, more authoritarian agenda. In response to the public’ growing disapproval, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has framed the revisions as a response to shifting geopolitical realities. However, many view the move as a thinly veiled attempt to solidify military control over civilian life. Pro-democracy activists warn that the law could lead to a collapse of accountability, as military officers serve simultaneously in both security and civilian roles, without clear separation between the two. 

Indonesia stands at a pivotal crossroads, as the government’s recent legislation seems to take the country a step backward toward a time when military power overshadowed civilian leadership. Despite being the world’s third-largest democracy, the nation’s commitment to democratic principles is now in question, particularly as President Prabowo consolidates military influence. While the government attempts to suppress public dissent, student organizations have vowed to protest outside Parliament in Jakarta on Thursday, with one group even describing the law as “democracy-killing.”

Central America and the Caribbean

Release of Cuban Prisoners Despite U.S. Reversal on Deal

Cuba released 553 prisoners in a deal with only the Vatican and no longer the United States. Originally, the Biden Administration urged Cuba to free the “political prisoners” and in exchange offered to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsored terrorism. Once current U.S. President Donald Trump took office he reversed this decision by reinstating sanctions and stopping the process temporarily. 

However, Cuba began freeing prisoners gradually even after sanctions. President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba stated, “As part of the close and fluid relations with the Vatican State, I informed Pope Francis of the decision to free the prisoners in the spirit of the 2025 Jubilee.” The dialogue between the Vatican and Cuba continued as its secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin responded that the gradual release is “a sign of great hope” and that he hopes for more “gestures of clemency” in the future. The vice president of Cuba’s top court by the name of Maricela Soza Ravelo announced on March 10 that the full release of all 553 prisoners is complete. 

The deal came to fruition after years of pressure from the United States, European Union, the Catholic Church, and human rights organizations that pleaded with Cuba to free anti-government protestors jailed after a demonstration in 2021. The demonstration was the largest since the 1959 Cuban Revolution and it was a peaceful protest over the government's restrictions on food, rights, medicine scarcity, and its response to Covid-19. After the protests began, President Miguel Días-Canel urged government supporters and security to respond with force. Within this altercation, the government arrested the 553 prisoners. 

Middle East and North Africa

US Court Blocks Deportation of Georgetown Researcher Amid Controversy

A U.S. court has temporarily halted the deportation of Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri after his sudden detention by immigration authorities earlier this week. Masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested Suri, an Indian national teaching on a student visa, outside his Arlington, Virginia, home on Monday night. The agents claimed Suri was “spreading Hamas propaganda” and had connections to a known terrorist. Suri’s lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, called the detention “beyond contemptible,” emphasizing that Suri has no criminal record or pending charges.

Georgetown University has strongly defended Suri, describing him as an interdisciplinary scholar focused on conflict resolution and cooperation among religiously diverse societies. University officials said they had not been informed of any misconduct by Suri and reaffirmed their support for open inquiry and debate. Ahmad claims Suri was targeted due to his wife’s Palestinian identity and constitutionally protected speech, underscoring the broader pattern of discrimination against pro-Palestinian voices in academia.

Suri’s detention follows a string of arrests involving foreign students and academics accused of promoting extremism. Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil faces deportation over his involvement in pro-Palestinian protests, while Brown University professor Rasha Alawieh was deported for allegedly expressing sympathy toward Hezbollah. Critics argue these actions represent a dangerous overreach by the government, suppressing academic freedom under the guise of national security.

The court’s ruling prevents Suri’s removal from the US until further notice, as his legal team pursues a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention. Suri remains held at the Alexandria Staging Facility in Louisiana, with his case sparking national debate over the intersection of immigration policy, academic freedom, and civil rights.

North America

U.S. President Donald Trump Holds Separate Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  

Earlier in the week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone about  a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, strengthening  U.S.-Russia relations, and maintaining peace in the Middle East. The  leaders also discussed Iran’s presence in the Middle East, focusing on the need to stop the spread of strategic weapons to inhibit Iran’s military capabilities against Israel.  It is unclear what  U.S. and Russian officials might do  to address these issues, but both parties are already taking action on the subjects discussed . Most notably, President Putin agreed to not strike energy facilities in Ukraine for 30 days after President Trump brought it up during the call. However, President Putin did not agree to President Trump’s initial idea of a full ceasefire for the 30-day period. 

President Trump also called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing conflict with Russia in Ukraine. During this call, President Trump informed President Zelenskyy of the 30-day power plant strike ceasefire he discussed with President Putin President Zelenskyy responded affirmatively and by agreed to accept the plan. President Trump also brought up the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of Ukrainian power plants but  President Zelenskyy rejected this idea. President Zelenskyy  reaffirmed his belif that peace can be achieved this year under Trump’s role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine. 

It is unclear how talks will continue into the coming weeks and months, but it is clear that the United States will likely not continue to provide aid to Ukraine following President Trump’s decision to pause military aid to Ukraine two weeks ago. The cease in aid may symbolize the Trump Administration’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine War and its mediation, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that Ukraine would likely have to cede territory in any peace deal that might come at the end of the conflict. Foreign policy analysts have cited this pause in aid and comments like Rubio’s in the shift in U.S.-Russia relations to a more ally-like partnership. 

South America

Brazil Faces Criticism for Road Built Near Cop30 Summit Location

The United Nations Climate Change Conference or (COP30) will be held in Brazil this November due to a consensus decision in Dubai at COP28. The summit will take place in Brazil’s Amazonian region in the city Belém which is part of the state of Pará. COP30 aligns with the climate initiatives that the Lula Administration is pursuing but there are some controversies arising due to recent construction in the area. There was a new road built that cuts through a protected region of the Brazilian rainforest called “Avenida Liberdade”. The road is a four lane highway that follows the same path as a power line that cuts through the area. Many locals expressed dissent for the project claiming that it is unethical and hypocritical due to the Lula Administration's stance on climate change and the decision to host the summit in the first place. They also claimed that the road is connected to the summit since Pará, which already holds about 1.3 million people, expects the arrival of around 50,000 delegates from around the world.  

The local government of Para and the federal government of Brazil denies that “Avenida Liberdade” is a major environmental threat and that it has any connection to the COP30 summit but there are a multitude of contrasting claims. A professor of urban studies at the Federal University of Pará by the name of Ana Claudia Cardoso states that “There’s been talk about that project for over 20 years, but there was a lot of resistance. The need to prepare the city for a mega event ends up giving the necessary justification.” The infrastructure secretary for Para Adler Silveira inadvertently agreed to her point by stating that the highway is one of 30 projects that is happening in the city to “modernize” it and “serve people for COP30 in the best possible way.” Conversely, the state government of Pará claims that the project began well before the selection of Belem as the host city with construction beginning as early as 2020.  

Finally, this new road does not solely have adverse environmental impacts but it also negatively affects citizens that live nearby. A man who lives about 200 km away from the new “Avenida Liberdade” by the name of Claudio Verequete told BBC, “Everything was destroyed. Our harvest has already been cut down. We no longer have that income to support our family.” Previously, he grew açai berries on the allotment of land but with all the trees knocked down Verequete is now solely relying on savings. As of now the government has not reached out to compensate those affected. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Rebel Group Pulls Out of Peace Talks for the Democratic Republic of Congo

The insurgency group March 23 (M23) backed out of peace talks in Angola amidst the growing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Congolese officials were set to negotiate with the rebels taking over eastern parts of the DRC before M23 announced that foreign sanctions made the talks impractical. Earlier in the week, the EU sanctioned nine individuals and one entity associated with M23 due to human rights violations, sustained armed conflict, and exploitation of natural resources during the conflict. Rwanda, which is alleged to support M23, is also set to participate in the peace talks.

Shortly after leaving peace talks, M23 captured the strategic town of Walikale, claiming the civilians to be liberated. The town is a mineral-rich area, containing the largest tin deposits in the DRC as well as access to critical gold mines. Walikale also grants  the rebels control of a road connecting four provinces in eastern DRC and the opportunity to cut off strategic positions from the Congolese army.

The conflict heated up in January after M23 captured the major city of Goma in the North Kivu province. The UN and Congolese officials accuse  Rwanda of supplying M23s to troops and weapons to exploit precious minerals in eastern DRC, however, Rwandan officials claim their involvement stems from self-defense. Civilians continue to be impacted by the conflict, with hundreds dead, thousands injured, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Over 21 million people required humanitarian aid and 700,000 were displaced before the fighting, but efforts to get medical care, food, and essential aid to civilians persist.