Threads
Stories that unfold over weeks: where things stand, what has changed and what comes next.
Latest changes
Saturday 18 July
Iran claims missile and drone attack on US Azraq base in Jordan
Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed a combined missile and drone attack on the US Azraq base in Jordan, stating it was retaliation for US operations. This marks a continued pattern of Iranian strikes on US-linked facilities in the region.
Ukraine warns Russia plans to mobilize 500,000 troops after September elections
Kyiv's disinformation chief stated that the Kremlin will call up to half a million men after the Duma vote in September, with some sent to the front within two weeks and others trained for a new axis of attack. This indicates a potential escalation of forces.
Meta in talks to lease $10 billion in AI compute to Anthropic
Meta is reportedly in talks to lease $10 billion in AI compute capacity to Anthropic over two years, aiming to monetize its excess infrastructure and support Anthropic's chip acquisition for its Claude models.
France and Germany agree to draft joint EU roadmap on China
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Paris and Berlin will present a new roadmap for the EU’s China policy by September, aiming for coordinated EU-level instruments.
Ukrainian President Zelensky opens SBU archives on Volhynia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the opening of SBU and foreign intelligence archives concerning the 1943 Volhynia massacres, alongside additional exhumation permits. This move aims to facilitate historical reconciliation with Poland.
President Nawrocki to resubmit EU climate referendum request
President Karol Nawrocki announced he will again ask the Senate to authorize a national referendum on EU climate policy. This follows the European Commission's recent ETS reform presentation, which Nawrocki described as cosmetic.
Iran strikes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain
Iran launched missile and drone attacks on an oil facility in Kuwait, a Saudi air base, and Bahrain's Sheikh Isa Air Base. This came after a seventh night of US bombardment, with Tehran warning of full-scale offensive operations.
Iran suspends commitments under interim US deal
Iran's deputy foreign minister announced the suspension of commitments under the mid-June interim memorandum of understanding with the United States, accusing Washington of violating the accord with ongoing airstrikes.
Hungarian President signs constitutional amendment ending his term
President Tamás Sulyok signed the 17th constitutional amendment, triggering the early end of his mandate one day after its publication. He described the measure as a fatal blow to democracy, separation of powers, and the rule of law in Hungary.
European Commission formally charges Meta over addictive design and researcher access
The European Commission sent Meta a formal statement of objections under the Digital Services Act, citing Instagram and Facebook's design features that may foster addiction and impede user redress.
President Nawrocki to resubmit climate referendum request
President Karol Nawrocki announced he will again ask the Senate to authorize a national referendum on EU climate policy, following the European Commission's presentation of its ETS reform.
European Commission proposes ETS overhaul to extend free allowances
The European Commission proposed an overhaul of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), allowing carbon-intensive industries to receive free allowances until 2038 if they commit to decarbonisation investment plans. This reform aims to ease near-term compliance costs for industry.
Ukrainian drones kill eight at Russian logistics centers
Ukrainian drones struck two Wildberries logistics centers in Russia, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens. A separate attack ignited an oil depot fire in the Moscow region, forcing a hospital evacuation.
Two US service members killed in Iranian missile attack on Jordan base
An Iranian missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan resulted in the deaths of two US service members and one missing, marking the first American fatalities since the US began nightly strikes on Iran.
Zelensky opens SBU archives on Volhynia massacres
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the opening of SBU and foreign intelligence archives related to the 1943 Volhynia massacres, aiming to address historical grievances. This move facilitates greater transparency regarding past events.
Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities
Russia launched a mixed missile-and-drone attack overnight, using seven missiles and 90 drones, with Odesa as the main target. This reflects the continued attritional character of the war.
Iran suspends commitments under interim deal with United States
Iranian negotiator officials announced Tehran has suspended its commitments under the June interim deal with the United States, citing repeated US violations. This decision follows fresh strikes on infrastructure and military targets by both sides.
US service member killed in Iraq by Iranian drone ordnance
A US service member in northern Iraq was killed while handling unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, adding to previous casualties in Jordan from Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.
Zelensky grants more exhumation permits
President Zelensky committed to providing additional exhumation permits, a step intended to allow for further investigation and remembrance of historical events. This decision follows discussions on historical reconciliation.
Ukraine launches major drone barrage on Russian logistics and oil infrastructure
Ukrainian forces conducted one of their largest long-range drone barrages against Russian territory, hitting Wildberries logistics hubs in Tambov and Moscow regions and an oil depot near Moscow.
Trump threatens Canada with tariffs over wildfire smoke
President Trump threatened Canada with additional tariffs, accusing Ottawa of "wilful negligence" regarding wildfire smoke that has triggered air quality alerts across 18 US states. This move escalates trade tensions with a key North American ally.
President Trump claims 2020 election was stolen at FIFA reception
President Donald Trump reasserted the 2020 election was stolen during a FIFA reception, repeating previous falsehoods about the vote. This statement occurred ahead of the World Cup final.
Hungary's government moves to dismantle Orbán-linked think-tank network
Prime Minister Péter Magyar signed a decree ordering the cessation of the foundation supervising the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) by July 31. This action begins dismantling key ideological and patronage structures that supported Fidesz’s illiberal project.
Ukrainian drones kill seven workers in Russian warehouse near Moscow
Ukrainian drone attacks struck a Wildberries warehouse in Kotovsk, Tambov region, killing seven workers and injuring 25 others. This incident underscores the expanding reach of Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign into Russian logistics nodes.
Ukrainian drones hit oil storage facility near Moscow
Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Noginsk, Moscow region, causing a fire and damaging the facility. This strike aligns with Ukraine's strategy of targeting Russian energy infrastructure to disrupt fuel supplies.
Ukrainian drones kill nine, injure 60 in strikes on Russian logistics and oil infrastructure
Ukrainian mass drone raids hit Russian logistics hubs and oil infrastructure, killing at least nine people and injuring over 60. These strikes are part of Kyiv's intensified deep-strike campaign against Russia’s economic and military backbone.
Friday 17 July
US imposes new 25% tariffs on Brazilian exports
The US implemented new 25% duties on a range of Brazilian exports, including furniture, ethanol, and machinery, as part of an effort to restore US leverage after legal setbacks and to apply calibrated pressure on trading partners.
US launches "Gold Eagle" initiative for frontier model pre-clearance
The US launched its "Gold Eagle" initiative, turning a voluntary executive order on AI cybersecurity into a de facto pre-clearance system for frontier models, requiring developers to provide government access for 30-day cybersecurity reviews before broader release.
European Commission approves German state aid for semiconductor facilities
The European Commission approved €659 million in German state aid to support four semiconductor facilities, aiming to strengthen the EU’s autonomy in the sector and reduce dependence on East Asian supply chains.
Zelensky dismisses Defense Minister Fedorov, appoints interim chief
President Zelensky replaced Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and named Yevhen Khmara as interim defense chief, alongside Serhiy Beskrestnov as a presidential adviser on defense technology. This reshuffle generated political backlash and signals a shift in defense leadership.
Russian forces launch extensive missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities
Russian forces killed at least six people and injured 20 in overnight strikes across Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions, using over 130 drones and eight missiles. These combined attacks continue to strain Ukrainian air defenses and damage civilian infrastructure.
European Commission approves German state aid for semiconductor facilities
The European Commission approved €659 million in German state aid to establish four semiconductor facilities, aiming to strengthen Europe’s chip design and manufacturing capabilities and address investment gaps.
Germany and France back EU institutional reforms
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron supported EU institutional reforms, including potential treaty changes and qualified majority voting, during bilateral cabinet talks.
Ukrainian drones critically damage Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber at Engels air base
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed its drones hit a Russian Tu-95MS bomber at Engels air base, inflicting critical damage. This strike, 800 km from the border, extends Kyiv’s deep-strike reach to Russia’s core missile carrier fleet.
China promotes open, lower-cost AI ecosystem at Shanghai conference
Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted an "open and accessible" Chinese AI alternative to US platforms at a global AI conference in Shanghai, positioning domestic GPUs as lower-cost options for emerging markets.
EU Commission proposes major ETS overhaul and Electrification Action Plan
The European Commission tabled a comprehensive overhaul of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and an Electrification Action Plan, explicitly framing them as measures to boost industrial competitiveness and ease the clean transition.
US President declassifies intelligence alleging China stole voter files
The US President declassified intelligence claiming China illicitly acquired 220 million US voter records, ordering a new FBI investigation into the matter. This action introduces election integrity concerns into US-China relations.
Commission proposes slower ETS tightening and extended free allowances
The European Commission proposed reducing the annual emissions-cutting rate from 2031 and extending free allowances for industry until 2038, aiming to provide more flexibility and support for industrial competitiveness.
European Commission proposes ETS reform
The European Commission unveiled a major overhaul of the EU Emissions Trading System, requiring member states to dedicate at least 50% of ETS auction revenues to decarbonisation investments.
Iranian strikes kill two US soldiers in Jordan
Iranian missile and drone strikes on US positions in Jordan killed two US soldiers and left one missing, marking the first US combat deaths since hostilities with Iran resumed on July 7. The personnel were operating to counter Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.