12 November 2026
Iran War
It is believed that Iran has 1,700 ballistic missiles and is producing up to 50 a month. Iranian state media claims that Iran has an underground missile city. All missile and drone production facilities will be moved underground. Iranian missile launches have caused the US and its regional allies to expend at least 1,000 Patriot missiles. It is also estimated that Iran has fired almost 5,000 Shahed drones and at least 2,200 ballistic missiles since the war began on 28 February.
There has been a lot of talk of how Iran lifted its self-imposed 2,000-kilometre limit on its ballistic missiles, which it said it lifted a few days ago. Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei now claims that Iran will target European bases if they are used for bombing raids on Iran. Of course, this would widen the scope of the war and could propel others to join, and may even trigger NATO’s Article Five. So the likelihood is not likely. Iran wants a simmering war that keeps the United States in place and not a wider war. In fact, Iranian hybrid warfare tactics have been successful enough for the US to redeploy aircraft from Cold War legacy air bases in the United Kingdom.
Argentina
Iran designated the Argentine navy and air force as a terrorist organization. In April, or seven months ago, the Argentinian government designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran’s tit-for-tat response is based on the principle of reciprocity according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Iran
A coalition of ethnic Baluch armed groups is growing as Ansar al-Furqan announced that it merged with the Popular Fighters Front. The Popular Fighters Front was established in December 2025. Recently, there has been an uptick in attacks on Iranian security forces in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.
Iraq
Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia paramilitary group, is finding itself increasingly isolated as its allies, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali, are backing the Iraqi government’s campaign to bring weapons under state control. The Iraqi government has cancelled commercial contracts that benefit these groups and cut out their intermediary companies from defence procurement. The Iraqi Defence Industries Commission now has to contract directly with manufacturers rather than intermediary companies.
Lebanon
The UN warns that more than one million people in Lebanon face an acute food shortage, and that number could rise to 1.15 million by early next year. Lebanon’s estimated population is around 5.9 million. That means one in five will face an acute food shortage by next year, and that does not include those facing it right now. Lebanon’s ability to address this is limited because of tight fiscal constraints. Hezbollah has reportedly been given money from Iran to deal with some housing issues because of the war.
Ukraine-Russia War
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia ended in Abu Dhabi. A large prisoner exchange was agreed upon by the two sides, but nothing else. Zelensky hinted that the exchange might involve 1,000 to 1,500 prisoners. Discussions included territory, security guarantees, and ceasefire terms. Russia continued to reject an immediate ceasefire.
President Zelensky says the Ukrainian military has experienced new, significant disruptions to the Starshield satellite communications service in recent days. This disruption is hampering Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones. Ukraine experienced disruptions last month, and both Trump and Musk denied responsibility, but later Musk claimed that Ukraine violated terms of service by using the civilian version, Starlink, to kill people.
Russia’s new mass-produced Geran-5-5K jet drone contains more than 93 sanctioned US/Chinese dual-use parts, including Texas Instruments components. The Geran-5-5K has a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) and carries a 90-kilogram (198-pound) thermobaric warhead. Ukraine’s military intelligence published a pie chart of the foreign components, with the United States at the top at 52%.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom launched an “Atlantic Net” of underwater drones, sensors, and AI systems to track Russian submarine activity and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic, such as undersea fibre optic cables. The initial £90 million investment is the first operational phase of the Royal Navy’s broader Atlantic Bastion programme. The Royal Navy is attempting to mix AI, autonomous sea drones and manned warships.
Russia denies having any ties with an American soldier who was arrested in the UK for espionage. British counterterrorism police arrested a 41-year-old senior US soldier near Gloucester after a joint investigation with the FBI and US Army Counterintelligence. British authorities claim that the soldier was assisting a foreign intelligence service by disclosing protected information and that country was Russia.
Canada
The Canadian federal government was purportedly active in discussions between Stellantis and Canadian armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel over the sale of a car assembly plant. The plant has been idle since 2023, and its 2,200-member workforce has been laid off. Prime Minister Carney and Industry Minister Melanie Joly expressed disappointment with Stellantis, but if the government was aware of the sale terms, as they might have been part of the discussions, this would be scandalous. Industry Minister Melanie Joly’s office is disputing media reports that the federal government had an active role in negotiations, saying Joly’s role was to resolve disputes between Stellantis and the union.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The number of confirmed Ebola cases has surpassed 11,000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with at least 5,387 deaths. Eight of the DRC’s 26 provinces have been affected. It is the second-largest Ebola outbreak since the 2014-2016 outbreak, when more than 28,600 people were infected, with more than 11,000 deaths. There is no vaccine or treatment for this Bundibugyo strain, but the WHO approved clinical trials of two vaccines; results are expected in early 2027.
Madagascar
The US raised concerns with Madagascar about its growing military cooperation with Russia. The US warned that similar partnerships in West Africa have failed to curb militant violence. Since 2025, Russia has supplied Madagascar with military trainers and weapons after the country’s military took over.
Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Freedom Front executed six people for spying for the Taliban. This followed the ruling of its military judge. The Afghanistan United Front also arrested two Afghans for spying for the Taliban and executed them. The Afghanistan United Front stated that it had evidence that the two were carrying weapons with the Taliban and provided the Taliban with information about civilians as evidence of collaboration. The United Front said it would make its findings public later. Executing suspected spies will become an issue if the West decides to back those opposition groups. However, that will not happen any time soon.
Social Media Wires
Iran opened a training camp for women’s Janfadayan training camp
The unveiling video of the new missile city
Featured Photo: Global Remembrance, 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.