19 May 2026
Iranian Ceasefire
President Trump paused the resumption of US military strikes on Iran because of diplomatic pressure from the Gulf States. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pressured Trump, saying that a deal would be made, which would be acceptable to the US.
Iran submitted another peace proposal to the US, but it does include measures for war reparations for Iran and the removal of US forces from areas close to Iran.
US intelligence indicates that Iran has operational access to 30 of its 33 missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz. It is also believed that Iran still possesses 70 percent of its pre-war missile inventory and mobile launchers.
The US extended a second Russian oil waiver. The 30-day extension of a sanctions waiver that allows countries to purchase Russian seaborne oil and is in effect until 17 June.
Sudan
An RSF commander, who was seen in videos executing unarmed civilians in al-Fashir last year, has been released from prison and returned to active duty. It is believed that RSF Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris was released to boost morale for RSF troops.
A drone attack killed 28 people in a Sudanese market in the RSF-controlled town of Ghubaysh. One witness believes it struck an RSF vehicle before hitting the restaurant, while another believes it struck the crowded restaurant.
US-Canada
The United States paused the Canada-US Defence Planning Board. According to the US, Canada has failed to make substantial defence spending commitments and has therefore suspended its participation. The board was established in 1940 and is an advisory forum for U.S.-Canada bilateral defence co-operation.
Democratic Republic of Congo
An Ebola outbreak is causing concern at the World Health Organization because of its scale and speed. The latest outbreak so far has 131 suspected deaths and 513 potential cases in the easter Ituri province and other eastern regions of the DRC, where violence has displaced many people.
Nigeria
In a joint US-Nigerian operation, the second in command for ISIS, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, was killed. The Nigerian-based branch is by far the most active ISIS branch globally. Al-Minuka was killed with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin
North Korea
North Korean officials toured a drone operator training facility in Russia’s far east. This further demonstrates that the North Korean military will adopt drone use in its doctrine, but also the potential use in its agricultural sector. The delegation also visited soy and medical facilities during the economic and scientific exchange trip.
Social Media Wires
Russia’s land corridor with Crimea is increasingly under attack
Some news from Ukraine’s drone forces
Featured Photo: “DRC Ebola Outbreak, c 2019” – World Bank, Flickr, 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.