15 September 2025.
Romania-Russia
On Saturday, Romania said a Russian drone breached Romanian airspace during an attack on Ukraine. In response, Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets, but did not shoot down the drone, which was over Romania for 50 minutes before heading back into Ukraine. On Sunday, Romania summoned the Russian ambassador to protest the incursion. Romania is now the second NATO country where Russian drones have intruded on its airspace.
Poland
Poland’s Foreign Minister says that NATO should impose a No-Fly Zone over Ukraine to help protect against the threat of Russian drones. Russian drones intruded into Polish airspace last week, and drone incursions continue in Romania. These incursions should be seen as an escalation on the alliance. Russia has been conducting GPS jamming in Eastern Europe and is suspected of sabotage and targeted killings in Europe.
US-NATO
On Saturday, President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to NATO allies in a letter, saying the US will issue “major” sanctions on Russia only when they agree to do the same and stop buying oil from Russia.
Iran
Iran is tabling a motion at the IAEA to ban attacks on nuclear facilities. Iranian officials are displeased with how the IAEA did not fully condemn the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The wording of the proposed resolution is unknown. Still, Iranian officials have declared that if the resolution is not adopted, it will show that the UN Charter is damaged and show an international double standard.
South Korea-Japan-US
South Korea, Japan and the US initiated a military exercise dubbed “Freedom Edge,” aimed at strengthening the countries’ combined operational capabilities in the sea, air and cyberspace. The exercise off South Korea’s southern Jeju Island runs through Friday and will be the most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date.
North Korea
The UN Human Rights Office is reporting that executions are on the rise in North Korea for people who watch foreign films and television programmes. The report is based on hundreds of interviews with North Korean defectors.
Mali
The Malian government claims that al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM conducted an ambush on a military convoy in the Kayes region. JNIM has been increasing its activity in Mali over the past month. JNIM is attempting to impose a blockade from neighbouring countries to put a stranglehold on supplies to Mali.
Feature Photo: “Russian drone stuck in tree – Kyiv Oblast”, Ukraine Emergency Services, Wikimedia Commons, 2025
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