4 November 2026
Iran War
Israel shared intelligence with the United States, claiming that Iran is preparing to use chemical weapons. Many in the US are divided on the shared intelligence while also questioning the credibility of the claims and Israel’s motives. According to sources, many are comparing it to the intelligence about weapons of mass destruction that preceded the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. It does demonstrate a widening divide between the United States and Israel if Israel is providing incorrect and misleading intelligence.
Israel
That divide is also demonstrated by President Trump’s latest defence policy assertion. President Trump announced that in 2027 the US will cease the $4 billion in military aid to Israel. Trump made this announcement as election polls opened for the US midterms, so it may have been a political ploy to win votes. Trump said that Israel does not need the funding anymore, but will continue to sell arms to the country. Again, he linked the military funding to Israel to the US midterms, saying it was an easy target for critics.
Israel’s Attorney General has been asked by Israel’s Security Agency, Shin Bet, to question four Arab politicians in a case of alleged foreign election interference, but hasn’t provided prosecutors with evidence regarding three of them. The Attorney General openly accused Shin Bet of seeking to subvert the rule of law by seeking to interrogate politicians without showing proof of wrongdoing. Netanyahu is the caretaker Prime Minister and has attempted to demonize the Arab vote. The Joint List, which is a political alliance of Arab-majority political parties in Israel, accused Netanyahu and the head of Shin Bet of attempting to delegitimize the vote of hundreds of thousands of Arab citizens.
Yemen
Yemen’s interior ministry claims that 21 Iranian and Hezbollah experts are directing Houthi military operations beyond training and arms supplies and are now part of operational command and planning. Yemen claims that these experts’ responsibilities included selecting commercial ships as targets, developing explosive-laden boats and autonomous underwater vessels, and overseeing networks that smuggle military components.
Syria
Hezbollah in Lebanon denies any involvement in the foiled sabotage attempt at a refinery in Homs. Syrian intelligence claims that Hezbollah was behind the attempted attack and had arrested suspects. Hezbollah used to support the Bashar al-Assad regime, and once he was ousted, relations between Hezbollah and Damascus deteriorated. Syria was the corridor for Iranian weapons to be smuggled into Lebanon for Hezbollah.
Ukraine-Russia War
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Zelensky in Berlin and expressed doubts that Russia is serious about a truce. Both leaders believe the European Union should join peace talks with Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. European representatives will be in Abu Dhabi for next week’s US-led talks, but will not have a seat at the negotiating table.
United States
The Democrats won the US Senate and the House of Representatives in the US midterms. President Trump told Fox News that he would accept those results and that he didn’t see the Republican losses “as a hit” on himself. Given that the president and the administration mainly conduct foreign policy, it’s doubtful this will have any impact. In fact, Trump may double down and concentrate on foreign policy.
Greenland
Greenland’s parliament ratified the security agreement with the United States and Denmark. The deal will expand the American presence on the island with two military bases, and it will permit the stationing of Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence system.
Democratic Republic of Congo
MONUSCO head James Swan met with leaders of the new Front for the Refoundation of the Nation and discussed extending MONUSCO’s mandate, which expires next month. The mission has been active in the country for 28 years. FRN vice president Bertrand Bisimwa was quoted as saying: ” When you take stock of MONUSCO’s activities, you find that it has been a total failure.” The FRN is led by former president Joseph Kabila, a long-term political rival of the current president. The FRN includes members of the M23 rebel group, which has purported ties to Rwanda.
Uganda
Ugandan authorities arrested former deputy military chief Peter Elwelu over allegations of planning to destabilize parts of the country. Elwelu, a previous commander of the land forces, once disagreed with Kainerugaba over military operations, leading to an urgent meeting mediated by President Yoweri Museveni. Kainerugaba is Museveni’s son and is seen as his likely successor, so this may be an attempt to remove opponents.
Ethiopia
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front claims that it killed 500 Ethiopian soldiers and captured territory and seized weapons, ammunition, food supplies, and medical equipment during the confrontation. Clashes have increased in northern Tigray. The Ethiopian government did not comment on the TPLF’s claim. The renewed hostilities will increase tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which Ethiopia accuses of supporting the TPLF.
Pakistan
Pakistan test-fired its first domestically developed air-to-air missile. It is reportedly an over-the-horizon missile with a seeker detection range of 25 km and an overall operational range exceeding 100 km. A JF-17 fighter jet, developed by China and Pakistan, launched it. It is a milestone for Pakistan’s military-industrial complex. It does not mean that Pakistan is shifting away from Chinese military imports, but it does mean that Pakistan continues to develop its production capabilities.
Afghanistan
Will Selber wrote in the Long War Journal that anti-Taliban attacks doubled in October compared to September. 82 attacks occurred, with 122 Taliban members killed and another 68 wounded in the attacks. The killed and wounded numbers cannot be independently verified. This signals that the situation in Afghanistan continues to heat up.
Social Media Wires
Pakistan test-fired its domestically developed air-to-air missile.
Ukraine hit another Ozon e-commerce logistical warehouse
Featured Photo: Wires Brief – Chat GPT
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