13 May 2026
Iran Ceasefire
The cost of the Iran War has increased to nearly $29 billion. This figure is $4 billion higher than what US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth disclosed nearly two weeks ago.
Iran has restored operational access to 30 of the 33 missile sites it maintains along the Strait of Hormuz, according to US intelligence. It is also believed that Iran still retains 70% of its missile launchers and 70% of its prewar stockpile of missiles. 90% of its underground missile storage and launch facilities nationwide are fully or partially operational.
A series of tremors suggests there might be an earthquake near Tehran soon.
Iraq and Pakistan have struck a deal with Iran to allow the transit of oil and LNG through the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq has been dealt a significant blow with the closure of the Strait, while Pakistan, which faces an energy crisis at home, has also been negotiating a permanent ceasefire between Iran and the US.
United States
President Trump landed in China ahead of talks with President Xi. This is the first meeting between the two leaders this year, and four meetings are expected in 2026.
The cost of the Golden Dome missile defence system is now estimated at $1.2 trillion. This is a substantial increase from the $175 billion original estimate put forth by the Trump administration. Its overall effectiveness against a missile barrage is also under question, as with previous proposed US missile defence systems.
North Korea
Kim Jong-un recently toured “several” weapons plants producing small arms, artillery shells and nuclear missiles and stated that production needs to be ramped up, the factories need to be modernized, and additional factories need to be constructed. This comes after South Korean intelligence believes that North Korea has received $13 billion worth of assistance from Russia since North Korea supplied munitions and troops to the Ukraine War. It also comes when Kim Jong-un removed unification from the constitution.
Burkina Faso
The ruling military junta announced a suspension of a further 247 NGO and civil society groups. This now brings the total number of organizations under suspension to nearly 900. The recent crackdown targeted groups working in health, education, women’s rights, farming, the environment, culture, and sport
Philippines
Shots rang out in the Philippine Senate after marines and police moved in to arrest a senator who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. Senator Ronald dela Rosa was a former police chief and enforcer for ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
Canada
Canada and Ukraine are negotiating a drone deal, according to President Zelensky. There was no confirmation of this from the Canadian government. Twenty other countries are also negotiating drone deals with Ukraine.
Social Media Wires
Péter Magyar gave the press a tour of propaganda minister Antal Rogán’s newly renovated, and now abandoned headquarters in Buda Castle
Trump in China
Featured Photo: “Golden Dome” – ChatGPT, 2026
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.