12 August 2025
Iran
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian told media executives on 10 August that it would be futile to rebuild Iran’s nuclear programme without diplomatic talks with the United States. By not doing so, Pezeshkian warned, the United States would simply bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities again. A glimmer of hope for diplomacy in the Middle East.
Mali
As Barrick Gold announced their quarterly earnings to be more than last year’s, it has come to light that Barrick wrote down 1 billion USD for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, in which they have an 80% share. This follows a tense relationship between Barrick and the Malian government. Four executives are still in Malian custody. Smaller firms are capitulating to Mali’s new mining terms as Mali’s gold output has dropped.
South Korea
South Korea’s military shrank by 20% over the past six years to roughly 450,000 people. The South Korean government blames the decrease on a low national birthrate, which is at the world’s lowest of 0.75 babies per woman. Military service remains unpopular with the country’s men and is seen as an interruption to careers. It has also sparked controversy over gender equality and whether women would also be conscripted into service.
Pakistan
The United States raised the designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army on the US foreign terrorist list. This comes as President Trump is courting closer relations with the Pakistani government. The Pakistani government was willing to nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, but withdrew the nomination after the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump rejected India’s version of events on the de-escalation between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. Pakistani Field Marshall Munir has been to the US twice within the past few months. It is as much about Pakistani courting Trump as Trump courting Pakistan. DefenceReport will have an article up about this soon.
Russia-Ukraine War
Russian forces appear to have had a breakthrough, with Ukraine’s “New Donbass Line” having been bypassed by Russian assault platoons who are rushing behind Ukrainian lines. Russian forces have used motorbikes to swiftly move behind desperately undermanned Ukrainian forces, a chaotic situation. There are already calls from within the ranks to remove Syrsky, the commander of Ukrainian forces.
Russian Oil Refineries
Russia’s Saratov oil refinery paused operations following a Ukrainian drone strike. Saratov can refine 140,000 barrels of oil a day into gasoline, which will impact the domestic supply. Saratov is the third refinery to pause operations this month due to Ukrainian strikes. Also, Ukraine struck the Orenburg helium facility – Russia’s only helium production facility and one of the largest in Europe. It has a processing capacity of approximately 15 billion cubic metres of natural gas. Helium is a critical component for missiles, the space industry, and the aircraft industry.
Washington, D.C.
Around 800 Soldiers with the District of Columbia National Guard will be activated and begin to deploy to streets throughout Washington, D.C. under the orders of President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The activation of the National Guard will last until September 25.
Feature Photo: “B-2 Bomber – Spirit of New York”, 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