8 September 2025
US-North Korea
Details are emerging about a failed US SEAL Team 6 North Korean mission in 2019. Several North Korean fishermen were killed when they stumbled upon by US SEALs as they came onto shore. The SEAL team was tasked with planting a listening device to spy on the country’s officials. The Trump administration did not inform Congress of the mission, as they are supposed to notify congressional oversight committees on important missions. The Biden administration did inform the oversight committee in 2021. Trump denies any knowledge of the failed mission, while earlier this year, North Korean officials rejected a letter from Trump to Kim Jong-un.
France
A no-confidence vote for the French government is underway. French Prime Minister François Bayrou called a surprise vote of confidence in himself. The vote is likely to fail. Macron can still appoint a new Prime Minister if the vote fails, but he will have to be quick about it. It will also be Macron’s fifth Prime Minister within two years.
Japan
On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his resignation after ruling for less than a year. Ishiba’s resignation, announced at a news conference in Tokyo, came just days after he finally won relief on punishing tariffs that were squeezing Japan’s powerhouse auto sector and other important exporters. His party turned on him after a series of election defeats stemming from problems with inflation, immigration and slow growth.
Russia-Ukraine War
On Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Russia launched its largest aerial bombardment in its 3 and a half year long war, launching 800 drones and 13 missiles. Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down some 500 of the drones. A Russian strike targeted Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, a government building located in an area of the capital that is one of the most protected by air defences.
Norway
Norwegians head to the polls today to elect the country’s next parliament in what is expected to be a close race between a centre-left bloc led by the incumbent Labour Party and a centre-right bloc dominated by the populist Progress Party and Conservatives. About 4.3 million people in the Scandinavian nation are eligible to vote for the new 169-member parliament, or Storting. A close outcome is expected between a center-left bloc led by the Labor Party of Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and a right-wing bloc. Official results are expected Tuesday, and they are likely to be followed by weeks of negotiations to build a coalition and agree on Cabinet positions before King Harald can swear in a new government.
Turkey
Turkey’s new main battle tank, the Altay, has begun mass production. Turkey’s defence industry has been aiming for larger export markets and deals. The Altay tank has been pitched to NATO countries and countries such as Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Oman.
Argentina
Javier Milei’s party has suffered a crushing defeat in local elections in the capital of Buenos Aires, less than two years into his term of office. The results, announced on Sunday, put the candidate for Milei’s recently formed La Libertad Avanza (LLA) party, or Liberty Advances, Diego Valenzuela, who captured 34 percent, far behind Gabriel Katopodis, the Peronist left-wing challenger who received 47.4 percent.
Feature Photo: “US Navy Seals emerging onto beach” Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan Lavin – US DoD Imagery, 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