World in Brief - The Economist Roundup

 World in Review

The Economist Roundup

The risk of regional conflict in Middle East

In recent days fears have grown that the Israel-Hamas war could spread across the region. On Tuesday an air strike killed Salah al-Arouri, a senior Hamas commander, in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. Hizbullah, an Iran-backed militia, has been firing rockets daily across Lebanon’s border with Israel, provoking Israeli counterattacks. So far, the exchange of fire has not led to all-out war. But it would not take much to start one. Explosions in Iran, which killed more than 100 people on Wednesday, are sure to heighten tensions, too. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

Nor has Israel confirmed that it killed Mr al-Arouri. Israeli intelligence believes that he helped plan Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7th; he was reportedly on Israel’s hit-list. It remains unclear whether either Israel or Hizbullah really wants to let their border confrontation become something much bigger. But the warning signs are flashing.

US warns military action against Houthis

Hizbullah, an Iranian-backed militia, said that four of its members were killed in an air strike near the Israel-Lebanon border. Tensions have been escalating after the killing of a senior Hamas official by a drone strike in Beirut. Israel has not claimed responsibility for either attack. Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continued, including in Rafah, a settlement in the south of the strip. Meanwhile, America and 12 of its allies warned the Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group, to end attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea or face “consequences.” America is prepared to take military action against the Iranian-backed rebels, according to officials.

Trump's ballot challenges

Donald Trump asked America’s Supreme Court to overturn the decision by Colorado’s top court to remove him from the state’s presidential-primary ballot—and in effect settle the question of his eligibility to hold office. Similar cases, arguing that Mr Trump is an insurrectionist and should be disqualified to be president under the 14th Amendment, are pending across the country.

Blasts hit Iran

At least 103 people were killed by two explosions in Iran during a ceremony to commemorate the death of Qassem Suleimani, an Iranian general who was assassinated by an American drone strike in 2020. The cause of the blasts, which took place in the southern city of Kerman, is currently unknown, but the city’s deputy governor described them as a terrorist attack.

Good news for China's economy

China’s services sector grew more than expected in December, according to a private survey measuring activity. The Caixin services purchasing managers index rose to 52.9 last month, up from 51.5 in November (anything above 50 is considered an expansion). These figures represent good news for China’s economy. But recent official data have been disappointing: China’s factory activity fell in December.