The United States has opened direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government, marking a significant change in Washington’s approach to the Southeast Asian country following years of diplomatic isolation after the 2021 military coup. The outreach has been led in part by Michael Vance, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research, who met Myanmar’s military-backed leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in the capital Naypyitaw in September, according to U.S.

The security situation around the Strait of Hormuz has deteriorated sharply, with a surge in attacks and harassment involving commercial tankers raising fears of further disruption to one of the world's most important energy corridors. At least 12 incidents involving tankers were recorded between September 28 and October 5, according to shipping and security sources cited by Reuters. The incidents included attacks, attempted attacks, drone overflights and aggressive communica