标签： Asia

Algeria has entered a three-day period of national mourning following the passing of former President Liamine Zeroual at age 84. The military hospital in Algiers confirmed his demise after a prolonged struggle with severe illness, prompting nationwide reflection on his multifaceted political legacy.

Zeroual’s journey from a 16-year-old National Liberation Army combatant during Algeria’s independence war against France to the nation’s highest office embodies Algeria’s turbulent post-colonial trajectory. His military career saw extensive training across Egypt, the Soviet Union, and France, establishing him as a respected officer who ascended through strategic command positions.

The political turning point arrived in 1994 when Zeroual assumed leadership during Algeria’s devastating civil war against Islamic militant groups. His 1995 presidential victory—the country’s first democratic election—occurred amidst violent opposition from the Armed Islamic Group, which threatened voters with coffins and denounced his presidency as hell’s seat.

Those close to Zeroual describe his presidential tenure as profoundly traumatic, particularly during the GIA’s brutal civilian massacres. His principled stance against amnesty negotiations with militant groups contrasted with his eventual political surrender in 1998, when he unexpectedly announced early elections that brought Abdelaziz Bouteflika to power.

Zeroual’s subsequent retirement to his native Batna revealed his enduring dissent toward Bouteflika’s administration. In a significant 2014 public letter, he condemned the president’s extended rule and advocated for generational transition. His final political act occurred during the 2019 Hirak protests, when he rejected offers from the embattled regime to lead a transitional government, instead expressing confidence in the demonstrators’ capacity to shape Algeria’s destiny.

His critical assessment of Algeria’s political system highlighted its historic failure to implement meaningful reforms or address popular demands for democracy—a testament to his complex relationship with the power structures he both served and challenged.

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical juncture as former US President Donald Trump openly contemplated seizing Iran’s strategic Kharg Island oil terminal, while regional diplomatic efforts intensified through Pakistani mediation.

In a provocative statement to the Financial Times, Trump revived his long-standing proposition to “take the oil” from Iran, specifically mentioning Kharg Island – the nation’s primary oil export facility located in the Persian Gulf. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump stated, though military experts immediately questioned the feasibility of such an operation given the need to navigate through the strategically vulnerable Strait of Hormuz.

The threat emerged against a backdrop of continued military action, with US and Israeli forces conducting strikes across Iran for the fifth consecutive week. Targets included the Tabriz Petrochemical Complex and Khondab’s heavy water production plant, which the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed is no longer operational.

Iran responded with defiant rhetoric through Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who accused Washington of duplicity: “The enemy publicly sends messages of negotiation and dialogue while secretly planning a ground attack. Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire.” Navy Commander Shahram Irani issued additional warnings that the USS Abraham Lincoln would face missile strikes if it entered Iran’s strike range.

Amidst the escalating rhetoric, Pakistan emerged as a crucial diplomatic intermediary, hosting foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt for extensive consultations aimed at de-escalation. Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar characterized the talks as “detailed and in-depth,” announcing that Islamabad would host US-Iran negotiations “in the coming days,” though the format—direct or indirect—remained uncertain.

The conflict has already produced significant regional consequences. Kuwait reported an Indian worker killed in an attack on a power and desalination plant, while Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province. Bahrain activated missile alerts, and defenses in Dubai intercepted incoming projectiles.

The economic impact continues to intensify globally, with Brent crude approaching $117 per barrel—a nearly 60% increase since the conflict began—disrupting energy markets, triggering fertilizer shortages, and affecting international air travel.

Adding to the complexity, Iran experienced widespread power outages in Tehran and Alborz Province, which authorities attributed to attacks on electrical infrastructure, though the connection to Trump’s threats against Iranian energy facilities remained unclear. The former president extended his ceasefire deadline to April 6 as Washington circulated a 15-point peace plan.

President Donald Trump has openly discussed the potential seizure of Iranian oil resources and strategic territories as the United States continues its substantial military mobilization in the Middle East. In a revealing interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, the president specifically mentioned Kharg Island—Iran’s critical oil export terminal—as a possible target for military action.

“My favorite option would be claiming Iran’s oil reserves, though certain critics domestically question such maneuvers,” Trump stated, dismissing opposition as coming from “stupid people.” He drew parallels to previous U.S. actions in Venezuela, where American forces attempted to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro and establish permanent control over the country’s petroleum industry.

The geopolitical tensions have triggered significant market reactions, with Brent crude surging past $116 per barrel in Asian trading Monday, approaching peak levels not seen since the initiation of hostilities between the U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran.

This military escalation coincides with substantial troop deployments ordered by the Pentagon. Approximately 10,000 personnel with specialized training in territorial seizure operations are being dispatched to the region, including 3,500 troops who arrived Friday with another 2,200 Marines en route. Additional forces from the 82nd Airborne Division have also received deployment orders.

The administration has contemplated military raids along coastal areas near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to eliminate weapons systems threatening international shipping lanes. Iran has effectively blockaded this critical waterway, which typically handles twenty percent of global oil shipments, since conflict commenced one month ago.

Despite these aggressive posturings, Trump indicated diplomatic progress, claiming Iran has acquiesced to “most of” a 15-point list of U.S. demands aimed at resolving the conflict. The president revealed ongoing negotiations through both direct channels and intermediaries, characterizing them as “very good.” As a gesture of goodwill, Trump asserted Iran has offered twenty tankers of oil, with shipments potentially beginning imminently.

The comprehensive U.S. demands reportedly include constraints on Iran’s defensive capabilities, cessation of support for proxy organizations throughout the region, and formal recognition of Israel’s sovereignty.

Chinese President Xi Jinping formally extended congratulations on Monday commemorating the establishment of the World Data Organization, marking a significant advancement in international cooperation on data governance. The inauguration represents a multilateral effort to address the growing importance of data security, cross-border data flows, and digital infrastructure on a global scale.

President Xi’s message emphasized China’s commitment to constructive participation in shaping international data standards and fostering collaborative digital ecosystems. The initiative aligns with broader global discussions about creating equitable frameworks for data management that balance innovation with security concerns.

This development occurs amid increasing international attention to data sovereignty issues and the need for coordinated approaches to digital economy governance. The World Data Organization’s establishment signals a growing recognition among nations that data represents both an economic asset and an area requiring international regulatory cooperation.

The organization is expected to facilitate dialogue between developed and developing nations regarding data resource allocation, technological capacity building, and ethical artificial intelligence development frameworks. China’s active endorsement positions the country as a key participant in these emerging global digital governance architectures.