16 October 2025
Madagascar
Col. Michael Randrianirina, who led soldiers in the protests against President Andry Rajoelina, is expected to take the position of president within the next couple of days. Rajoelina himself was brought to power in 2009 after a military coup, so this is not a new precedent for the country.
Venezuela
President Trump confirmed that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Trump also has stated that the US is looking at “land targets” in Venezuela. This comes as flight trackers have noticed that American B-52 bombers have flown near the Venezuelan coastline.
India
Reports indicate that India is cancelling three additional Scorpene submarines from France. India recently selected Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to build six Type 214 submarines at the Indian Mazagon shipyard. It is unclear if India will make an additional order with TKMS for the cancelled French submarines.
US President Donald Trump has said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil. Trump told reporters he had received assurances from Modi that India would halt its purchases “within a short period of time,” but India’s statement said only that discussions were “ongoing.” Trump aims to squeeze Russia’s oil revenues by removing its largest oil customers, China and India.
Afghanistan-Pakistan
The Taliban and Pakistan have agreed on an uneasy 48-hour truce. Pakistan agreed to the ceasefire as the Taliban requested it. Pakistan’s Air Force conducted targeted bombings in Kabul and Kandahar. Pakistan’s Prime Minister stated that if the Taliban is ready for talks and agrees to Pakistan’s demands, then there can be peace.
Germany
Germany announced that it will provide $2.3 billion worth of aid to Ukraine. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius pledged that it will provide two additional IRIS-T air defence systems and Patriot air defence interceptors. It also emerged that Germany will provide €400 million for the construction of long-range drones for Ukraine.
Russia-Ukraine
Russia launched a large attack on Ukrainian infrastructure today as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flies to Washington. Hundreds of Russian drones and dozens of missiles and glide bombs targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing outages in 8 regions.
China-UK
The head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, has warned that Chinese state operatives pose a daily threat to the security of the United Kingdom. MI5 says that China is carrying out “large-scale espionage” activities against the UK, which present the greatest threat to the country’s economic security. Conservatives and Labour are blaming each other over the collapse of a case against individuals accused of spying on behalf of China.
Social Media Wires
Dozens of journalists in the Pentagon empty their offices in protest of the new media rules.
A Pakistani soldier going through the Taliban’s laundry
Feature Photo: “Two B-52 bombers over England” – US DoW Imagery, 2025
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.