8 August 2025
Israel:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would take full control of the Gaza Strip, though Israel’s security cabinet has only approved a plan for the military to take control of Gaza City. “We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
Germany:
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany will not authorize military equipment exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza. This is a move that other countries may be willing to follow in protest of the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to escalate the war.
Armenia-Azerbaijan:
US President Donald Trump will host a signing ceremony today at the White House for a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, alongside the leaders of those countries. The deal includes an economic corridor linking Azerbaijan to Turkey, something Iran and Russia are opposed to.
Russia-Ukraine:
Friday marks Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face greater sanctions and tariffs. A meeting between Trump and Putin is expected next week, though details remain unknown. And reports are suggesting differences as to the format are already apparent.
Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Llyod’s List reports that Russia is concerned about a potential British “false flag” operation that may aim to sink one of Russia’s shadow fleet oil tankers. This comes after sanctions targeting various captains of these ships and an increase in shadow fleet activity in the Baltic, with 20 vessels transiting the sea within the past 46 days since NATO promised action.
North-South Korea:
South Korea and the United States will launch their annual large-scale military exercise this month to bolster readiness against North Korean threats.
Egypt:
Egypt has received approval to join Türkiye’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet program – the Kaan. The deal not only includes fighter jets for the Egyptian air force, but also co-production and technology transfers. This comes as Türkiye continues to bolster its defence export market.
Feature Photo: “Merkava Tank” – Zachi Evenor, Wikimedia Commons, 2025
The Wires Brief is a weekly 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