Weekly World Report Overview November 16th, 2025
Morning of November 9th to morning of November 16th
Russian invasion of Ukraine:
• “Gas gangrene, once a hallmark of WWI trench warfare, is reemerging in Ukraine. Medics report rising cases due to delayed evacuation caused by Russian drone strikes. Wounded soldiers often wait days underground before reaching a hospital, making deadly infections more likely and harder to treat.” Via the Telegraph
• “The forces are exhausted”: Pokrovsk on the verge of a critical shortage of Ukrainian soldiers. Via Financial Times
• “Russia is preparing the deportation of Ukrainians from occupied territories to Siberia.” Via CNS
Israel-Hamas War:
• “We are pleased to confirm that Türkiye has successfully facilitated the return of Hadar Goldin’s remains to Israel after 11 years. This achievement is the outcome of intensive efforts and reflects Hamas’ clear commitment to the ceasefire. At the same time, we are working to ensure the safe passage of some 200 Gazans currently trapped in the tunnels” Turkish government to Axios
• “The US is planning to build a large military base in Israel’s Gaza border region. The facility would be used by international forces operating in Gaza to help maintain the cease-fire and could accommodate several thousand soldiers.” Via Ynet
Middle East:
• “Analysts and regional officials now warn another Israel-Iran war is only a matter of time.” Via NYT
• “Saudi Arabia will only normalize ties with Israel if there is ‘agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood’ and that with ‘Netanyahu staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood, Saudi Arabia sees no immediate prospect to satisfy Trump’s demand that it normalise ties with Israel’.” Via Reuters
• “Greece is accelerating talks with Israel’s Defense Ministry on a €3 billion deal to purchase three Israeli-made air defense systems: Barak MX, David’s Sling, and SPYDER.” Via Globes Media
• “A Pentagon intelligence report warns that China could gain access to sensitive F-35 stealth fighter technology if the Trump administration finalizes a deal to sell 48 jets to Saudi Arabia. The $142B arms package raises alarms over Chinese espionage, Riyadh’s military ties with Beijing, and potential erosion of Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region. The deal is under review amid broader U.S.-Saudi talks on defense and nuclear cooperation.” Via NYT
• Iran has seized a Marshall Islands–flagged tanker, the Talara, in the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. official says. The ship was forced into Iranian waters after being approached by small boats. UKMTO reports possible “state activity,” and the operator has lost contact. Via AP
Southwest Asia:
• “The UK issues travel advisory against all travel to parts of India, following an explosion at the Red Fort (Lal Qila) Metro Station. FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border.”
• “At least 9 deaths and 21 injuries have occurred following an explosion outside the district courts in Islamabad, Pakistan. The explosion is now being investigated as a suspected suicide bombing.” Via Khorasan Diary
Americas:
• “The U.S. Navy has released a statement confirming the arrival of the Ford Carrier Strike Group in the SOUTHCOM AOR.”
• “Venezuela is deploying weapons, including old Russian-made systems, and preparing to wage guerrilla-style resistance or create chaos in the event of a U.S. air or ground attack.” Via Reuters
• “The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal.” Via CNN
• “Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered Colombian public security forces to suspend intelligence sharing with U.S. intelligence agencies until Washington stops attacking boats in the Caribbean.” Via Reuters
• “France is worried about U.S. military operations in the Caribbean because they violate international law, the country’s foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday.”
• “Mexico has agreed to intercept alleged drug boats off its coast in an effort to prevent further U.S. strikes near its waters.” Via El País
• “Trump’s national security team has held two straight days of meetings on potential military action against Venezuela. Defense Secretary Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Caine, VP JD Vance, Sec. of State Rubio and others joined the talks. U.S. forces in the region are preparing for possible orders, while Maduro has mobilized nearly 200,000 personnel. No clarity yet on whether Trump will approve a strike.” Via Washington Post
• Maduro reportedly offered the U.S. rights to much of Venezuela’s oil reserves. Trump initially shut the talks down, but an administration official now says the negotiations are “not entirely dead.”
Indo-Pacific:
• “Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s response today at the House of Representatives Budget Committee marks a historic turning point in Japan’s security policy. She clearly stated that if Taiwan faces a military attack, accompanied by actions such as a naval blockade with warships, the Japanese government may regard this as a “national survival crisis situation,” allowing the Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense rights accordingly. She emphasized that the Taiwan situation has entered an extremely severe phase, and the government must prepare on the premise of the worst-case scenario. The significance of these remarks lies in the fact that, for the first time, a sitting Japanese prime minister has formally acknowledged that if a war breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, the Self-Defense Forces may intervene.” Via Japanese government
• “Australia has imported more than three million tonnes of Russian-originated oil products since 2023, through a loophole, despite Australia claiming to have stopped purchases.” Via the Guardian
• “Cambodian soldiers fired into Thai territory near Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Sa Kaeo Province, around 4 PM Wednesday. Thai forces returned warning shots under rules of engagement. The exchange lasted about 10 minutes with no Thai casualties. Via Khaosod
• “The Japanese government abruptly canceled its plan to provide the South Korean Air Force with aerial refueling support at the Air Self-Defense Force’s Naha Base. The decision came after it was learned that South Korean military aircraft had conducted training flights around Takeshima in Shimane Prefecture.”
• “China warns Japan will face a “crushing defeat” if it intervenes militarily over Taiwan, after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s comments on the island.” Vie Reuters
• “The U.S. approves South Korea to build nuclear-powered attack submarines, enabling months-long underwater operations to track Chinese and North Korean vessels, as part of alliance modernization amid Indo-Pacific threats, per White House read out.”
Africa:
• Nigeria was told by a US official that “Nigeria should go quiet and wait for the president’s attention to shift. Via WSJ
Europe:
• “Three drones were spotted over Belgium’s Doel Nuclear Power Plant, according to a spokesperson. This comes hours after air traffic was stopped over Liège Airport for the same reason.” Via HLN
• German police and other officials familiar tell the WSJ that there is a “clear picture” that an “elite” Ukrainian military unit, under the supervision of former Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi, carried out the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage.
• “UK’s Starmer prepared to fight any Labour attempt to remove him from office.” Via The Times
• “Raytheon will explore the possibility of manufacturing its AIM-120 advanced medium-range, air-to-air missile in the Netherlands, after the United States gave the green light for a feasibility study.” Via Defense News