23 October 2025
Ukraine-Sweden
Sweden made a major defence export announcement. Ukraine will be procuring between 100 and 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets. This deal will take over 10-15 years to complete, but it is a significant step towards a new Ukrainian air force. Sweden’s air force has just started flying the E variant, which is considered to be a 4.5-generation fighter jet.
US-Russia
The US hit Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, with sanctions on Wednesday. Subsidiaries were also sanctioned. Oil prices rose 5% on the news. The two Russian oil firms export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Rosneft is responsible for nearly half of Russia’s oil production, accounting for 6% of global output.
US-Israel
US Vice President JD Vance criticized the Israeli parliament for voting on West Bank annexation, calling the move a “stupid political stunt” that he took as a personal insult as he was leaving the country. He said the Trump administration’s policy is that there will be no Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
US-NATO
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met yesterday at the White House with US President Donald Trump. Trump said he would not be providing Ukraine with Tomahawks because they would require a year of training to use. He also said if they were used, it would be with US personnel – something he ruled out.
Pakistan
A string of videos published by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan openly mocked the Pakistani army and its commanders. The videos feature footage of the TTP’s recent attacks and challenge Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshall Munir to come and fight them himself. In one clip, a senior TTP figure identified by Pakistani officials as Commander Kazim appears on camera and says, “Face us if you are a man.”
Sudan
The Khartoum International Airport briefly reopened on Wednesday before drone strikes by the paramilitary group, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for the third day. The government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) intercepted the drones on Thursday. The Khartoum International Airport recently reopened after being shut down for over a year due to the ongoing civil conflict in the country.
Mali
The seized mine, formerly operated by Barrick Gold, has resumed production under the Malian government’s management. The Loulo-Gounkoto mine, which produced 723,000 oz of gold in 2024, is thought to be one of Barrick Gold’s more lucrative assets. The Malian government arrested Barrick Gold employees and altered its mining legislation. For this reason, the Malian government accused Barrick of owing back taxes.
Social media wires
Pashtun rally in Quetta.
More footage of Ukrainian drones targeting Russian oil and gas refineries
Feature Photo: “JAS 39C Gripen” – Wikimedia Commons, 2025
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