Across Turkey, women are rallying passionately against gender violence following recent tragic femicides, calling attention to President Erdogan's policies and the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention. This movement is gaining momentum in cities like Ankara and Izmir, highlighting the broader issue of femicide, which has claimed 299 women's lives this year. In response to these growing protests, Erdogan has vowed to enhance the justice system.

Meanwhile, the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are causing widespread panic among Lebanese civilians due to late-night airstrike warnings. This situation has resulted in the mass displacement of over 1.2 million people, as many question the effectiveness and legality of these warnings. Human rights groups argue that the warnings often come too late, while Israel maintains they aim to minimize civilian harm.

Complicating the situation, Lebanon's army is struggling to respond adequately amidst these clashes at the Israel-Lebanon border, hindered by limited resources and an ongoing economic crisis. The Lebanese military watches mostly from the sidelines due to its inferior capabilities compared to Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Even with aid from the U.S., regional politics and financial constraints prevent significant military advancements for Lebanon.

This backdrop of regional conflict has seen global calls for investigation following attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, as forty countries have condemned these assaults. Nations contributing to the peacekeeping force stress the need for immediate cessation and in-depth investigation of such attacks to preserve stability in South Lebanon. Support remains firm for UNIFIL's mission, emphasizing the importance of peacekeeper safety and mandate adherence.

In the Pacific, New Zealand's Defense Minister has denounced misogynistic attacks against Commander Yvonne Gray, following the safe evacuation of a navy ship near Samoa. All personnel aboard were safely evacuated when the ship ran aground and caught fire during a survey mission, while the incident's cause awaits investigation. The Defense Minister underscored that gender had no relevance to the maritime mishap.

Finally, in Lithuania, the recent elections signal a shift as the Social Democratic Party is set to take power from the ruling conservatives, while steadfastly maintaining a pro-Ukraine stance against rising populism. Despite the change in administration, Lithuania's commitment to NATO, EU missions, and heightened defense spending remains constant, reflecting wide bipartisan support for these policies amidst regional challenges.