14 August 2025
Cartels
American military officials are warning of the growing threat of Mexican drug cartels in Africa, with West Africa emerging as a critical transit point for drugs entering Europe and the US. US Africa Command said it was stepping up its security measures against cartels in countries like Angola and Namibia, intending to proactively shield these countries from cartel and Islamist influence. US officials say ISIS has franchises in Mozambique and South Africa, which they aim to counter.
Artificial Intelligence
A former Google executive, Mo Gawdat, has warned that AI might lead to a “short-term dystopia” by 2027 unless systematic changes are made to how AI is being developed. Gawdat served as chief business officer at Google. Gawdat says that more white-collar workers are going to be at risk of losing their jobs in this “dystopia” scenario, and it may not be just entry-level workers either.
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force to supervise missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict. The force is modelled after the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. The force was created to counter Indian conventional missile capabilities.
Trump-Putin
US President Donald Trump has vowed severe consequences for Russia should negotiations not be fruitful. The US has already added a higher tariff to India for its purchases of Russian oil. It’s likely that if the US does take action, it will be to impose tariffs on those nations friendly to Russia.
Israel
Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to build over 3,000 homes in the West Bank. This controversial settlement plan has been described by Smotrich himself as a means to crush any notion of an independent Palestine: “because there is nothing to recognise and no one to recognise” under the plan.
Nigeria
The US State Department approved a $346 million weapons package for Nigeria and its war on terrorism. This deal will include hundreds of precision-guided munitions, rockets and bombs. The principal contractors will be: RTX Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ; Lockheed Martin Corporation, Archibald, PA; and BAE Systems, Hudson, NH.
Afghanistan
Yesterday, 13 August, marked the fourth anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The Taliban have plans to shower Kabul with flowers in celebration of this anniversary. It is a stark reminder for the West, as Afghan women’s rights have been erased, former colleagues are still trapped within the country, and groups such as ISIS-K and al-Qaeda are posing a threat to Europe and beyond.
Feature Photo: “Israeli settlements near Bethlehem” – 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