Your Monday Brief: The G7 Wraps

G7 wraps with support for Ukraine

The G7 summit concluded in Japan yesterday with leaders of the world’s major economies welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky as an honored guest and reaffirming their support for Ukraine. But Russia claimed victory in Bakhmuteven though Ukraine says it still owns a few blocks of the destroyed city.

Even though Moscow trumpets a “mission accomplished” moment, Ukraine still sees an opening to seize the initiative from the outskirts of the city if Russian troops no longer push forward in the center of the city.

Bakhmut’s conquest by Russia would be a powerful symbolic success. But controlling it would not necessarily help Russia achieve its larger stated goal of conquering the eastern Donbas region. In fact, some analysts say Russia’s ability to repulse a wider counter-offensive could be compromised if it continues to send reinforcements to defend Bakhmut.

Comparison: Zelensky acknowledged that little was left of Bakhmut. He said he saw echoes of Ukraine’s pain in images of the destruction in Hiroshima in 1945where the summit was held.

Other G7 updates:

• F-16s: President Biden reverse course, agreeing to let Ukrainians train on the American-made jets. He told his allies that he is ready to approve other countries to transfer the jets to Ukraine.

• China: The G7 countries said they would focus on “de-risking, not disconnectionfrom Beijing.

• Japan: Critics say the US Ambassador to Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, is pushing too hard for gay rights.

A political battle is looming in Thailand

Pita Limjaroenrat recently stunned Thailand’s political establishment by leading his progressive Move Forward Party to a memorable victory in last week’s election. He seems poised to become the next prime minister unless the military blocks him.

Pita needs 376 votes from the 500-member House of Representatives to defeat the military-appointed Senate. So far he only has 314.

Several senators have said they will not support a candidate like Pita who threatens the status quo. Now Thais wait to see if their choice will be allowed to lead or if he will be blocked, a result that could plunge the country into political chaos.

Pita’s Policy: He has pledged to undo the military’s grip on Thai politics review a law criminalizing criticism of the monarchy. He insists a return to democracy after nine years of military rule preceded by a coup. He also wants to take a strong stance on foreign policy.

A complaint: The election commission said Pita failed to disclose that he owned shares in a now-defunct media company he inherited from his father. Pita said he reported the stock.

Some had been working with the West for years. They were lawyers, human rights lawyers or members of the Afghan government. During their travels to the US, almost all are robbed or extorted, while some are kidnapped or imprisoned.

“I helped these Americans,” said a former Afghan Air Force intelligence officer from a Texas detention center, sometimes near tears. “I don’t understand why they don’t help me.”

A dangerous journey: Since early 2022, some 3,600 Afghans have crossed the treacherous Darién Gap, which connects North and South America, according to data from Panama.

report: My colleagues traveled through the Darién Gap with a group of 54 Afghans.

THE LAST NEWS

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Lives lived: The bleak comic novels of Martin Amis changed British fiction. He died at the age of 73.

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA

African architecture on the cutting edge

The Architecture Biennale which opened in Venice on Saturday, explores how cultures from Africa can shape the buildings of the future.

For the first time the exhibition will have a curator of African descent, Lesley Lokkoand more than half of the Biennale’s 89 participants come from Africa or the African diaspora.

The work of Sechaba Maape, which is inspired by South Africa’s first nations and their connection to nature, is displayed in that country’s national pavilion. Worldwide, architecture is beginning to evolve towards biomimicry, in which the built environment mimics the natural one. African design, says Maape, has always done this through pattern and form. The response in Venice and on social media has been overwhelming, he said.

“Architecture should be the thing that instead of separating us from our home, the earth, should help us feel more mediated and more connected,” Maape told Lynsey Chutel, our Briefings writer in Johannesburg.

PLAY, WATCH, EAT

What to cook

a Robert Royswapping the rye for Scotch is a more musky take on a classic Manhattan.

What to watch

In “White building”, a richly observed coming-of-age story from Cambodia, the story of an apartment complex reflects the country’s fraught recent history.

What to listen to

Hear new songs from Bad Bunny, Sparks, Anohni and others in our weekly playlist.

Where to go

Spend 36 hours Buenos Aires.