14 November 2025
Mali
There has been a surge in foreign kidnappings in Mali. Data shows that between May and October 2025, there have been at least 22 to 26 abductions of foreign nationals. These include Chinese, Indian, Egyptian, Emirati, and Iranian nationals, as well as several people from the Balkans — a Serbian, a Croat, and a Bosnian. JNIM is attributed to most of these kidnappings, and ransoms have increased. It is believed that “the group is believed to have secured up to 50 million dollars for the release of an Emirati hostage and his entourage.”
Germany
Germany’s coalition government plans to introduce a new military service plan, which will require all 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire and undergo a medical screening to determine their suitability for service, starting in 2027. The Bundeswehr has approximately 182,000 troops and plans to increase its size to 260,000 over the next decade. If targets are not met, a compulsory enlistment bill could be considered by parliament.
Pakistan
Pakistan is restructuring its military command. The 27th constitutional amendment will effectively give the Army chief command over the Pakistani Air Force and Navy. It will also grant lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution to the country’s top military leaders. The removal of a five-star officer will require a two-thirds majority in the parliament.
Pakistani and Saudi Arabian military officials met to discuss their broadening strategic ties and how to strengthen the mutual defence agreement, which the two countries signed. These discussions also included financial aid and oil for Pakistan.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s defence minister states that the country has trained up to 20,000 troops to take on health and construction-related tasks for a potential peacekeeping operation in Gaza. A recent policy draft of the possible International Stabilization Force in Gaza has measures for peacekeepers for the use of force to “demilitarize Gaza, secure its borders, protect civilians and aid delivery, and support a newly trained Palestinian police force.” So Indonesia’s contingent would require an operational caveat not to use force. Operational caveats were used by various NATO members in Afghanistan, but it was a foggy route to plan cohesive operations.
South Korea
The United States has officially approved South Korea’s ambition to build nuclear-powered submarines and voiced its support to secure uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities. The fact sheet also mentioned that US military vessels might be constructed in South Korea.
Social media wires
Security is high for the upcoming Pakistani-Sri Lankan cricket match.
Ukraine took out Russian air defence systems before hitting the Novorossiysk oil terminal.
Featured Photo: Bundeswehr Panzergrenadiere – Wikimedia Commons, 2025
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.