15 October 2025
US-Argentina
President Trump hosted Argentinian President Javier Milei at the White House on Tuesday. Part of the discussion centred on a $20 billion currency swap to support the value of Argentina’s peso and stave off inflation. Washington’s continued support is conditional on Milei retaining power and keeping the Peronists out, Trump said. “If he loses we are not going to be generous with Argentina.”
NATO
NATO members are meeting today in Brussels to discuss Russia’s incursions into NATO territory and the alliance’s support for Ukraine. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth promised that “firepower” is coming to Ukraine as NATO countries have purchased American military equipment. No mention was made of Tomahawks.
United States
Major news outlets will not sign onto the Pentagon’s new rules. A statement signed by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Fox News states that “the policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections.” Other media outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters, NPR and The Atlantic, have also signed the document. The concern is that the Pentagon wants news agencies to only report on official statements and news releases that the Pentagon has sanctioned.
Belgium
Belgium received its first three F-35s. A fourth is stranded at the Portuguese air base in the Azores due to “technical uncertainty regarding its airworthiness.” The planes were en route from Fort Worth, Texas. Belgium is replacing its F-16 fleet with F-35s and has pledged to transfer the F-16s to Ukraine.
China
China announced sanctions against five U.S.-linked subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean amid trade tensions. This comes on the day that the US introduced additional port fees targeting Chinese cargo vessels. China states, without elaboration, that “Hanwha Ocean’s U.S.-related subsidiaries have assisted and supported the U.S. government’s relevant investigative activities, thereby jeopardizing China’s sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.”
Afghanistan-Pakistan
Fresh fighting has broken out on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both sides accusing the other of beginning the clashes. Intense artillery use has been reported. Numerous soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded. DefenceReport published an article yesterday on how the policies of having proxy groups have backfired on Pakistan, which has added extreme tensions to its relations with Afghanistan.
Social Media Wires
Reports of airstrikes in Kabul by the Pakistani air force are being reported.
Feature Photo: “Pakistan Al-Zarrar Main Battle Tank” – 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.