13 November 2026
Iran War
The IRGC claims that it targeted a US early-warning radar installation in Bahrain following a US strike on an Iranian telecommunications tower in southern Iran. There has been no comment from the US or Bahrain.
President Trump shifted Vice President Vance’s responsibilities away from the Iran talks. President Trump is asserting that the US does not need to have a deal with Iran; obviously, it is a smokescreen. Apparently, Trump privately criticized the June memorandum of understanding that the vice president helped negotiate, and Vance openly stated the reason why the Republicans lost the midterms was because of the Iran War.
Yemen War
The United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed to strongly condemn the Houthi rebels’ military escalation inside Yemen and its cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Security Council renewed its sanctions on the Houthis and will move to cut off supplies of dual-use components and chemicals the Houthi rebels use to build drones and missiles. The unanimous resolution demands that the Houthi rebels halt their military offensive in Yemen and their strikes against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping.
Israel
Currently, because no new government has emerged from the latest Israeli election, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government remains a caretaker government. Defence Minister Israeli Katz said he does not need opposition approval to launch fresh military operations. The leader of the opposition, Gadi Eisenkot, asked the government to show restraint and warned that any overt action might lead to “disastrous consequences for Israeli democracy and for citizens’ trust.” Eisenkot has been invited by Israel’s president to form a governing coalition.
France
The most hacked country in Europe will spearhead an AI defence resilience centre with partner nations and aims to get NATO recognition, probably as a NATO Centre of Excellence. The French ambition is to “accelerate its mastery and adoption in support of military operations, alongside our allies.” Currently, NATO has paused the creation of any new COEs, but France decided the project was important enough to continue.
Belgium
After France summoned the Iranian ambassador to France, Belgium says that Iran is probably behind the slew of cyberattacks on grocery store chains across Europe. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said that the evidence pointed towards Iran, but fell short of accusing the regime.
Norway
Norway has so far recorded zero Russian sabotage attempts, but Norwegian security officials are expecting that to change in 2027, revealing that Russian agents have mapped out infrastructure and potential targets throughout the country. Security officials have warned the main targets will be defence industry enterprises, military-linked companies, and critical infrastructure facilities. Svalbard and the Arctic are of particular concern for Norway.
Haiti
Haitian security forces have gained control of the country’s main soccer stadium after two years of gang control. El Salvadorian troops took over security at the venue. El Salvador deployed 2,000 troops to the country after four of its troops went missing after an ambush.
South Sudan
Amnesty International released a report claiming that despite several warnings, South Sudanese government and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) failed to stop an attack on Abiemnom, a town in a remote area near the border with Sudan. Between 1,000 and 1,500 armed men from neighbouring Mayom County raided the village, looted and burned homes and shot residents. The death toll was at least 213. UNMISS stated that it had “limited resources to provide protection and medical care to the roughly 2,500 people who sheltered at a protected area established in anticipation of the attack.”
Somalia
Türkiye is increasing its efforts to mediate between the federal government and opposition groups ahead of Somalia’s scheduled 2027 federal elections. Political disagreements over the country’s constitutional framework and electoral process remain unresolved. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit. Erdoğan stressed that peace and security remain a priority and that Türkiye is willing to expand its cooperation with Somalia across various sectors, particularly defence and energy.
Central African Republic
The United Nations Security Council is discussing the fate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic. MINUSCA’s mandate ends this weekend and is up for renewal. MINUSCA has already been scaling back its operations, but still has nearly 10,000 military personnel and 2,000 police officers. The situation has improved since 2014, when it was deployed in the middle of a civil war, but armed groups still exist in border areas with Chad, Sudan, and the DRC.
Afghanistan
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk landed in Kabul to lead a delegation on economic talks with the Taliban. Overchuk, one of 11 deputy prime ministers, is overseeing areas related to economic integration and regional cooperation across Eurasia. Russia formally recognized the Taliban government in July 2025 and since has improved economic, political and some defence ties with the regime. The Taliban are seeking investment in oil refineries and the mining sector.
Pakistan
Pakistan claims that it killed 74 militants in multiple raids over the past ten days on hideouts bordering Afghanistan. Weapons, ammunition and explosive devices were seized. Separately, Pakistan claims that it has killed 31 militants in multiple operations in Balochistan province. This comes as security forces repelled an attack on a police post, which resulted in the deaths of two civilians and at least 13 injured.
Social Media Wires
Cannot be confirmed
The Taliban continue to fortify tunnels in mountains
Featured Photo: Main two articles, ChatGPT
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates 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 cropping, and a title is added.