Europe
Germany’s Bundestag opens debate on a bill to speed up Bundeswehr construction, amending ten laws
The government's Bundeswehr Infrastructure Acceleration Act had its first reading on 15 October. It would shorten procedures and ease some…
Desk
News
All the latest international news and verified developments in geopolitics, defense and diplomacy, organised by region.
Europe
Putin and Pope Leo XIV speak by phone: Kremlin says Aleshki and Ukraine were discussed
The Kremlin says Vladimir Putin and Pope Leo XIV spoke on 16 October about Ukraine, the humanitarian situation in Aleshki…
Asia-Pacific
Wang Yi and Lavrov meet in Baku: China readout cites APEC in Shenzhen and new consensus on leader-level contacts
China's foreign ministry says Wang Yi and Sergei Lavrov met on 14 October on the sidelines of the CICA summit…
Middle East & North Africa
EU condemns settler attacks in the West Bank, including on European diplomats, and urges Israel to halt settlement expansion
The EU's diplomatic service says the latest settler attacks in the West Bank included attacks on European diplomats, and asks…
Europe
UN: Ukrainian authorities report six civilians killed and 84 injured as attacks cut power and water in 11 regions
OCHA, briefed by the UN deputy spokesman on 16 October, relays Ukrainian reports of six civilians killed and 84 injured…
Air Force
Romanian F-16s shoot down two jet-powered drones over the Black Sea, defence ministry says
Romania's defence ministry says two F-16s shot down two jet-powered Geran-family drones over its territorial waters on 17 October, after…
Europe
Steadfast Duel 26 ends: NATO command exercise has Estonia rehearsing its own war plan
NATO's Steadfast Duel 26 command post exercise ended on 15 October with all 32 allies taking part. Estonia says it…
Asia-Pacific
EU envoy Frellesen visits Kabul and presses on women’s rights, security and Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue
The EU's Special Envoy for Afghanistan spent 12 to 14 October in Kabul, where he raised restrictions on women and…
Economy & Energy
US sanctions Iraqi bank for “sending dollars” to Iran – Bessent: “The noose is tightening around Iran’s economy”
The US Treasury sanctioned Iraq’s International Development Bank for Investment and Finance, accusing it of giving Iran access to US…
Land Forces
XM30: open architecture will decide the Bradley’s successor – the Lynx and the Wolf in trials at Aberdeen
The US Army will make open systems architecture a key criterion for choosing the winner of the XM30 competition, the…
Europe
Challenger 3: 2,000 kilometres and more than 200 rounds fired in trials – a new, tougher phase from November
Britain’s new Challenger 3 main battle tank has covered 2,000 kilometres in trials and fired more than 200 rounds from…
Drones
Ukraine: the Frodo ground robot tested with the “Buria” remote weapon station – shots up to 1.3 km
Ukraine’s Frodo unmanned ground vehicle, fitted with the “Buria” remote weapon station, was tested in the Kharkiv area in front…