18 March 2026
Cuba-US
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the US would face “unbreakable resistance” if it tried to seize the country. On Monday, Trump told reporters he thought he would have the “honour of taking Cuba.” Trump said, “Whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it.” As has been previously reported, the US is seeking regime change in Cuba by the end of this year. With Cuba in such a precarious economic situation, it is not an unlikely outcome.
Iran
Israel believes it has killed Iranian intelligence minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike. The Iranians themselves have confirmed this, which is out of step with their modus operandi of not confirming immediately.
Iranian state media claims that the US and Israel hit a major gas field in Southern Iran. The South Pars/North Dome mega-field is the largest known gas reserve in the world and provides 70 percent of Iran’s domestic natural gas.
India is deploying warships and logistical ships in the Gulf of Oman to escort fuel tankers destined for India. It should be noted that these warships will be stationed east of the Strait of Hormuz and will not enter the waters.
French President Macron stated that France will not assist the United States in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Belgian diplomat Etienne Davignon has been ordered to stand trial over war crimes tied to Patrice Lumumba’s killing six decades ago. Davidignon is the only surviving suspect. Lumumba was the Congo’s first prime minister. A few months after he rose to power, he was ousted by Belgian-backed secessionist forces in Katanga. His body was never recovered, and it is believed it was dissolved in acid.
Afghanistan
The UN disputes the Taliban’s claim that 400 people were killed in an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre, also believed to be a suicide drone factory, in Kabul. The UN estimates that 143 were killed.
Pakistan has temporarily paused Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (Righteous Fury) against the Taliban. This is due to efforts by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye to convince Pakistan to initiate a pause during the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr.
Social media wires
Iranian Basj militia checkpoints fire on civilians
Russian army recruiter needs to brush up on his drone skills
Featured Photo: “Pakistani Frontier Corps, c. 2016” Wikimedia Commons, 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.