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Daily Brief: The Iran and Ukraine Wars Converge, Russian Drones Breach NATO and Washington Targets Global Accountability
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivers his July 25 address. Screenshot: Video by the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Daily Brief: The Iran and Ukraine Wars Converge, Russian Drones Breach NATO and Washington Targets Global Accountability

Russia’s war against Ukraine and the expanding conflict around Iran are no longer moving along separate tracks. Romania has shot down drones breaching its airspace for three consecutive days, with at least one confirmed as a Shahed of the type used by Russia. Ukraine alleges that Russia is supplying
By Olga Nesterova 10 min read
House Passes NDAA Deepening US-Israel Defense Integration — As Senate Weighs Broader Regional Intelligence Network

House Passes NDAA Deepening US-Israel Defense Integration — As Senate Weighs Broader Regional Intelligence Network

The House passed its FY2027 defense authorization bill Wednesday with a provision establishing deeper US-Israel defense technology cooperation. Meanwhile, a separate Senate intelligence bill would expand intelligence sharing with Israel and Abraham Accords partners — potentially building an intelligence layer on top of the regional normalization framework. The US House
By Olga Nesterova 5 min read
Daily Brief: US–Iran War Widens as Trump Opens New Trade War With Canada
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta patrols the Arabian Sea while enforcing the US maritime blockade on May 18, 2026. (US Navy/CENTCOM)

Daily Brief: US–Iran War Widens as Trump Opens New Trade War With Canada

President Donald Trump announced a 50 percent tariff on most Canadian goods, overriding protections previously available under the North American trade agreement and reopening a potentially devastating dispute with the United States’ second-largest trading partner. The announcement came as the United States carried out a ninth consecutive day of
By Olga Nesterova 7 min read
China Offers AI as a Global Public Good — But Access Also Builds Influence
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers the keynote address at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference on July 17, 2026. (Photo: Mao Ning/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

China Offers AI as a Global Public Good — But Access Also Builds Influence

Beijing’s lower-cost models, weather technology and training programs could narrow a real technological divide. They are also components of a broader effort to shape the infrastructure, standards and institutions governing artificial intelligence.
By Olga Nesterova 6 min read

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Daily Brief: US–Iran War Expands as Ukraine’s Government Shake-Up Draws Protests
US forces approach sanctioned vessel MT Davina in the Indian Ocean on June 4, 2026. The image does not depict Thursday’s operation involving Iran. (USINDOPACOM/Courtesy)

Daily Brief: US–Iran War Expands as Ukraine’s Government Shake-Up Draws Protests

The United States expanded its strikes deeper into Iran on Thursday, Ukraine installed a new prime minister amid protests over the dismissal of its defense minister, and Canada committed nearly C$2 billion to expanding its domestically produced armored vehicle fleet. Elsewhere, more than 500 people are feared dead following
By Olga Nesterova 4 min read
Washington Pulls Back — Then Calls Allied Adaptation a ‘Distraction’
National flags of participating countries displayed during the opening ceremony of Sea Breeze 2026 in Portland, United Kingdom, on July 13, 2026. The US co-sponsored exercise focuses on interoperability among NATO maritime and ground forces operating in the Black Sea region. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leon Vonguyen.

Washington Pulls Back — Then Calls Allied Adaptation a ‘Distraction’

The United States is reducing its physical commitments while asking allies to assume more responsibility. As Europe, Canada and Ukraine build mechanisms to fill the gaps, Washington is warning them not to become "too independent".
By Olga Nesterova 8 min read