Our Scans · (LF.16) 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] 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] Investors are watching for developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace process and the possible impact on future oil prices, as a peace agreement could lead to the removal of international sanctions against Russia's oil sector. MarineLink
• [New] Russia has repeatedly said it was prepared to continue fighting in Ukraine if no peace deal were reached, saying it was confident it could achieve its war aims through military means. The Guardian
• [New] There is a moderate to high probability that the US will increase economic pressure through secondary tariffs and sanctions if Russia continues to avoid taking concrete measures towards a peace deal. FirstPost
• [New] Putin declares Russian forces have seized strategic initiative in Ukraine and will achieve military goals unless Kiev accepts Kremlin conditions at peace talks. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The head of Iran's regime judiciary has threatened firm action against institutions described as promoters of indecency and improper hijab. NCRI
• [New] The latest nudge downwards in inflation expectations was in November on the back of a potential peace deal with Russia, which lowered the price of gas futures for 2026. investing.com
• [New] The United States will reportedly refuse to engage with an Iraqi prime minister or appointees to certain ministries and security institutions who have ties to Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. Critical Threats
• [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
• The South Korean official apparently asked Russia to play a constructive role in ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula, with Seoul looking to reopen dialog with North Korea in 2026 and efforts being made to end the war in Ukraine. Yonhap News Agency
• The estimated €136 billion of budget support needed by Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 is a relatively fixed figure regardless of whether any peace initiative comes to fruition. The Conversation
• The Kremlin has consistently indicated that it will reject any peace deals that offer reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, and is highly unlikely to accept a settlement that contains any provisions safeguarding Ukrainian territorial integrity. Critical Threats
• European leaders are expected to cement support for Ukraine Monday as it faces Washington's pressure to swiftly accept a U.S.-brokered peace deal. The American Legion
• The Kremlin is unwilling to accept the original 28-point peace plan but that Russia will instead demand further modifications should Ukraine agree to it. Critical Threats
• Russia has already made it clear that it will not accept, as part of any peace deal, NATO membership for Ukraine. The National Interest
• The peace deal envisaged economic co-operation between DR Congo and Rwanda, including on hydro-electric power, mining and infrastructure development - something that the US hopes would pave the way for American companies to increase investments in the mineral-rich region. BBC News
• A murky outlook for a peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine - which could lower prices by eliminating sanctions on Russian crude - is helping to support oil. Mint
• The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to loosen capital reserve requirements for major banks, a move that could reshape how financial institutions manage risk - and reignite debate over regulatory safeguards. Cryptodnes EN
• Across global markets, financial institutions are redesigning their data architectures to improve how they organise and use data to support trading, risk and post-trade functions. Risk.net
• Russia may try to renege on any future peace agreement it signs with Ukraine due to the Ukrainian government's alleged illegitimacy - as ISW has long warned. Critical Threats

Last updated: 29 December 2025