标签： Asia

The Italian government has formally summoned Israel’s ambassador to Rome following a serious security incident involving two Italian carabinieri officers near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. The diplomatic confrontation emerged after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani demanded immediate clarifications regarding Sunday’s event where Italian security personnel faced armed intimidation.

According to official statements from Italy’s foreign ministry, the two officers—stationed at Italy’s consulate general in Jerusalem—were conducting official duties in Palestinian territory adjacent to Ramallah when an individual identified as a ‘settler’ intercepted them while brandishing an automatic rifle. The armed confrontation represents a significant breach of diplomatic security protocols.

Minister Tajani personally instructed the summoning of Israeli Ambassador Alon Bar to convey Italy’s formal protest and seek comprehensive explanations regarding the alarming incident. During the meeting, Italian authorities expressed their “strong disapproval” of the event and emphasized growing concerns about escalating violence by settlers in the West Bank region.

In parallel diplomatic channels, Italy’s embassy in Tel Aviv lodged an additional formal protest, underscoring the seriousness with which Rome views the security of its diplomatic personnel. The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing international attention on settler activities in occupied territories, with several nations previously expressing concerns about destabilizing actions that threaten regional stability and diplomatic operations.

The diplomatic démarche represents one of the most direct confrontations between Italy and Israel regarding security matters in recent years, potentially affecting bilateral cooperation frameworks. Both governments are expected to continue discussions through diplomatic channels to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of foreign diplomatic personnel operating in contested territories.

In a significant diplomatic move, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has articulated a foreign policy approach that refuses to prioritize relationships with either the United States or China, marking a departure from binary Cold War-era thinking. The announcement comes as the Prime Minister prepares for the first official visit by a UK leader to Beijing in eight years, with dozens of British business executives joining the delegation.

Speaking exclusively to Bloomberg News, Sir Keir emphasized that maintaining “close ties” with the United States on business, security, and defense matters remains paramount while simultaneously pursuing economic opportunities with China, the world’s second-largest economy. “I’m often invited to simply choose between countries. I don’t do that,” stated the Prime Minister, drawing parallels to his previous stance during US trade deal negotiations when he similarly rejected choosing between America and Europe.

The timing of this diplomatic mission follows recent transatlantic tensions, including President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on allies who opposed his Greenland territorial ambitions and his controversial remarks about NATO troop deployments in Afghanistan. Additionally, Trump’s warning of 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada pursued trade agreements with China highlighted the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Sir Keir addressed national security concerns directly, particularly relevant following the UK’s controversial approval of a massive new Chinese embassy in London despite warnings it could facilitate espionage activities. “They understand the opportunities that there are… That does not mean compromising on national security – quite the opposite,” the Prime Minister noted regarding the business delegation accompanying him.

The Prime Minister characterized previous UK-China relations as inconsistent, swinging from a “golden age” to an “Ice Age,” and explicitly rejected this polarized approach. However, he indicated that his engagement would not avoid difficult conversations, specifically mentioning intentions to raise human rights concerns including the case of Jimmy Lai, the British citizen and Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher convicted of colluding with foreign forces.

This position has drawn criticism from prominent China hawks, including Lord Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, who described such diplomatic approaches as “pathetic” if human rights discussions were treated as secondary concerns. Patten argued that British policy toward China had historically rested on the “falsehood” that business relations required avoiding uncomfortable topics.

The Prime Minister’s visit, encompassing both Beijing and Shanghai, represents a strategic effort to stabilize UK-China relations while maintaining critical Western alliances, reflecting what Sir Keir previously described as necessary to avoid a “dereliction of duty” in navigating complex international relationships.

In a significant diplomatic development, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa conducted a discreet meeting with 15 prominent Kurdish intellectuals and community leaders from the northern city of Kobane, according to Kurdish sources familiar with the matter. The encounter occurred during an unpublicized presidential visit to the recently captured Tabqa Dam, Syria’s largest hydroelectric facility.

The diverse delegation represented various segments of Kurdish political society, including both supporters and opponents of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). President Sharaa utilized the forum to emphasize implementation of his recently declared initiative recognizing Kurdish civil and cultural rights, while simultaneously criticizing SDF leadership for what he characterized as territorial ambitions rather than genuine concern for Kurdish welfare.

“They prioritize territorial control over Kurdish rights,” Sharaa asserted during the meeting, adding, “I will prevent this fragmentation and pursue national unification.” Despite these criticisms, attendees reportedly found reassurance in the president’s commitments to protecting Kurdish rights within a unified Syrian state.

This diplomatic outreach coincides with a substantial shift in American foreign policy, with Washington redirecting support from the SDF—formerly its primary partner against Islamic State—to President Sharaa’s transitional government. This policy realignment has enabled Syrian government forces to reclaim strategic territories including Aleppo, Raqqa, and Deir Ezzor, along with critical infrastructure such as oil fields, agricultural lands, and detention facilities housing ISIS suspects.

The geopolitical maneuvering follows a January 18 ceasefire agreement that has faced implementation challenges. Additional reporting reveals that SDF chief Mazloum Abdi met with President Sharaa in Damascus for five hours on January 19, where Sharaa offered significant concessions including nomination rights for deputy defense minister and governor of Hasakah positions. Abdi reportedly retreated from previously agreed terms, demanding full autonomy for Hasakah and integrated military unit status for SDF forces rather than individual incorporation into the Syrian army.

The negotiations reached a critical juncture when US envoy Tom Barrack departed the meeting in apparent frustration over Abdi’s reversal on the agreement he had personally mediated. This development prompted direct communication between former President Trump and Sharaa, during which Trump emphasized Syrian sovereignty and unity while urging secure management of ISIS detention facilities previously overseen by SDF forces.