Global Scans · Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• [New] A window of opportunity to sign a peace deal may emerge in the second half of 2026 - if Russia does not succeed in breaching the front line and advancing rapidly and realises that Kiev can stomach the war of attrition. Al Jazeera
• [New] Experts overwhelmingly pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war, the Gaza Strip, and China-Taiwan tensions as the areas where US influence or international partnerships could most effectively bolster peace efforts. @mathrubhumi
• [New] The Canadian government welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Venezuelan people. CBC
• [New] A giant nation regularly running war games aimed at invading its tiny neighbour - and threatening Japan, for good measure-counts as hegemonic behaviour that threatens the peace and security of a region, and China knows it. The Atlantic
• [New] The United Nations has warned that the extremist group al-Shabab continues to pose the most immediate and serious threat to peace and stability in Somalia and the wider region, including neighboring Kenya, despite sustained military pressure. Africa Eye
• [New] Russia's aggression poses a real threat to peace in Europe. Bundesministerium der Finanzen
• [New] A Ukraine peace deal facilitated by Washington could revive Moscow's appetite and ambitions. Middle East Institute
• [New] Trump's comments that a Ukraine peace deal is a lot closer help the EUR through reduced war risk in Europe, but escalation around China-Taiwan lifts safe-haven demand into the USD. investing.com
• [New] The Israeli position is a stark illustration that, post-October 7, Israel views control over territory and key buffer zones as its only guarantee of protection - rejecting Trump's arguments that broader Middle East peace is what will secure Israel in the long term. The Soufan Center
• [New] Peace and Security Index, Afghanistan ranks bottom out of 181 countries on almost every measure of women's wellbeing, from the threat of partner violence to gender-based political persecution and general women's safety. Spiked
• [New] Japan and South Korea advanced stablecoin licensing and institutional trading pilots, reducing ambiguity around how traditional financial institutions could engage with digital assets. Fintech Singapore
• [New] The Toda Peace Institute's analysis warns of the risks in nuclear contexts, advocating for international regulations to prevent misuse. WebProNews
• [New] As long as Tel Aviv continues pursuing its Greater Israel vision, and as long as the US-Israeli military confrontation with Iran persists, there will be little hope for lasting peace. Middle East Eye
• [New] Safe-haven demand is expected to remain strong amid tensions in the Middle East, uncertainty over a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and more recently U.S. action against Venezuelan tankers. GV Wire
• [New] Inclusive institutions - including democratic participation, the rule of law, and broad access to economic opportunities - are a major contributor to shared prosperity in all parts of the world. NobelPrize.org
• [New] The foreign ministers of Egypt, Somalia, and Turkey condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland, considering it a dangerous precedent and a threat to international peace and security. Sada News Agency
• [New] Somalia's Foreign Ministry denounced Israel's deliberate attack on its sovereignty and warned that recognizing Somaliland as an independent state would undermine regional peace. commonspace.eu
• [New] America is advised to take strong measures against Rwanda otherwise there will never be peace and investment will not be possible. African Agenda - A new perspective on Africa
• [New] Regional victim and survivor-centric demands for justice will continue to grow in 2026 in countries that are emerging from conflict, experiencing government transitions, or where restive populations wish to usher in a change of rule. Atlantic Council
• [New] Transnational repression - the set of tactics used by governments to reach across borders and silence dissent among exiles - is a serious threat to human rights, democratic institutions, and state sovereignty, as well as a disturbing manifestation of global authoritarianism. Freedom House
• [New] Ukrainian peace hopes, combined with Trump's assertion that a settlement is closer than ever, have triggered a selloff in commodities and shifted risk appetite toward equities and away from defensive assets. Anndy Lian | Inter-Governmental Blockchain Adviser | Bo
• [New] U.S. officials assess that extensive U.S. involvement in implementing the peace plan will give regional leaders the confidence to provide personnel to the International Stabilization Force, which is to secure post-war Gaza. The Soufan Center
• [New] The group of Ukraine's allies, known as the coalition of the willing, is scrambling to help steer peace negotiations as European governments warn their own security is at stake and to dilute Russian maximalist demands that the US has been leaning towards. Al Jazeera

Last updated: 05 January 2026