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Description: The number of sanctioned ships within the Russian exportation fleet has significantly increased in the past months and the Russian state turned to its fleet of unsanctioned ships in order to continue to export oil. So far Russia has banked on their shadow fleet to export crude oil in order to enlarge their war chest and supply military means to its troops on the ground in Ukraine. The estimated number of ships within the shadow fleet exceeded 1,300 with most of them being flagged by sanctions which disrupted Russian oil exports. The unsanctioned ships would be much more difficult to detect since a precise number of vessels hasn’t been determined. Impact:
Description: Rafael Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko have visited the Kyiv power electrical substation amid recent attacks from Russian forces. He warned that Ukraine’s power grid is seriously threatened by disruptions as the nuclear power facilities could pose significant risk if there are longer power outages in the country. Grossi is also set to meet with Russian representatives in Moscow in open – channel talks in order to ensure nuclear safety in the region as the war continues on. Impact: With the intensifying aerial attacks by Russian forces, Ukraine’s nuclear power plants are signific
Description: Uganda has sent additional 1,000 military troops to support DR Congo’s military in the fight against M23 rebel groups in the eastern parts of the country. The rebel group recently made significant ground advances in the city of Goma as they faced severe resistance from Congolese and Burundian troops near the town. The UN envoy has struggled to ascertain themselves in the region as the scale humanitarian crisis intensified. Even though Ugandan military had previously trained M23 rebel forces, now they appear to support the current Congolese government and military. As the conflict rages on, Ugandan forces could potentially have a significant impact in repelling s
Description: German authorities have uncovered extensive presence by terrorist organization Hezbollah in the northern parts of the country. Conducted investigations disclosed information on over 1,200 supporters who used mosques, cultural centers and youth organizations for recruitment, propaganda activities and the procurement of weapons. The investigations led to the arrest of multiple people which were involved mostly in recruitment and some of them in the procurance of drone components and other weapons. Previously, operations have been conducted to counter terrorist influence in Germany with the closure of Hezbollah – sponsored TV channel Al – Manar TV and arrests of su
Description: Transitional Syrian interim President Ahmed Al – Sharaa met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss bilateral ties, economic and security cooperation and diplomatic relations between the two counties. The meeting took place in Ankara where both presidents discussed the current state of Syria, possible solutions to rapid development and recuperation as well as security and military issues. Sharaa stated that Syria was looking to develop a strategic partnership with Turkey which would increase regional security while Erdogan stated that Turkey would assist the Syrian government in the fight against ISIS and Kurdish Militants. The presidents talked o
Description: The Trump administration has outlined a plan for the continuance of US military aid to Ukraine under the condition Ukraine provides untethered access to its untapped rare earth resources deposits. The US practically conditioned their $300 billion in military aid support for the $12 trillion rare earth metal basins Ukraine has which are mostly located in the war thorn eastern region. The access to these unexploited deposits could facilitate US dominance on the production market, something that both Russia and China strived towards since the beginning of the war in 2022. Russia has already occupied crucial regions rich with these materials such as Crimea, Zaporizh
Description: Chinese government officials have confirmed their intent to impose up to 15% tariffs on coal and liquified natural gas products and 10% tariffs on crude oil and agricultural products and services on the US. The imposition came as a response to Trump’s tariffs on China and the two largest economies in the world are on the brink of a long-lasting trade war. China could initially sustain the blow of 10% on all Chinese products on the US market but could potentially risk of losing any kind of leverage going forward as their imposition wouldn’t do substantial damage to US global economic efforts. Presidents Xi and Trump have apparently agreed to meet in order to disc
Description: US President Donald Trump has continued with his controversial statements with the latest being the taking over of the Gaza Strip. In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump stated that the US would gladly own that land and turn it into a tourist attraction one day. The statement was overwhelmed by negative comments from the opposing Democratic party, as well as negative reactions from Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. Trump also signed several executive orders mostly focusing on disabling Iran’s nuclear attempts and further suspending foreign financial aid to countries and NGOs worldwide. Impact:
Description: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi met with Taliban officials in Kabul to discuss tensions along the border, the treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran and shared water rights. Aragchi met with Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister Hassan Akhund, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob. Even though Iran doesn’t recognize the Taliban as the ruling force in Afghanistan, they have established elementary levels of bilateral relations and Iran has allowed for the Taliban to manage Afghanistan’s embassy in Teheran. Impact: With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a global geopolitical power vacuum was left in the
Description: North Korean state media, KCNA, has reported on the successful test of the newest strategic cruise missiles. The test of North Korean weapons was also followed by pledges and statements from Kim Jong Un in his reaffirmation on taking a tougher stance on the US if they don’t recognize North Korea’s sovereignty. The strategic cruise missile tests were also interpreted as a response from the North Korean government to recent military drills in the region jointly conducted by the US and South Korea. Impact: With North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and enhanced level of new weapons and military exercises, the raising tensions are a serious threat whic