India: Insidious Wave In Punjab

South Asia Terrorism Portal  |  Ruchika Kakkar

Punjab is experiencing an escalation in low-intensity terrorist activities orchestrated by Khalistani extremist networks, often in tandem with foreign-based gangsters and Pakistan-backed handlers. Since early 2026, the state has recorded at least eight low-intensity blasts, targeting critical infrastructure, political offices, military-linked sites, and increasingly, softer civilian targets like clinics and hospitals.

Why the Heart of India’s Indigenous Fighter Ecosystem Will be American for Several Decades to Come

The Diplomat  |  Dinakar Peri

India's military modernization efforts face a significant hurdle in achieving self-reliance due to persistent jet engine development challenges. Several reports indicate that negotiations between India and U.S. manufacturer General Electric for F414 jet engines, intended to power five prototypes of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), have stalled.

Pakistan launches deadliest attack on Afghanistan in months

France 24

Pakistan launched its deadliest attack on Afghanistan in months, conducting air and ground operations that killed 29 militants according to Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar. These strikes, aimed at the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar splinter group of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) blamed for a deadly weekend assault in Karachi, hit three eastern Afghan provinces.

Russia’s Warming Relations With The Taliban Pose New Challenges For US Strategy

Eurasia Review  |  Luke Coffey

Russia has become the Taliban's strongest international backer, formally recognizing its government and signing a military cooperation agreement in May 2026. This partnership, driven by Moscow's desire to counter ISKP, exploit the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and build an anti-Western axis with Iran, China, and North Korea, poses significant challenges for U.S.

Malign Alignment: How China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK) threaten the U.S. and our allies

George W. Bush Presidential Center  |  Joseph Kim, Igor Khrestin

The "Malign Alignment" series examines how China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (CRINK) collectively threaten the United States and its allies across multiple domains. This collection of articles, authored by various experts, explores the multifaceted challenges posed by these nations, including their impact on national security, global economics, and human rights.

White Paper Promotes New World Order

The Jamestown Foundation  |  Arran Hope

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is actively building a new world order, as evidenced by a new white paper released by the State Council on June 6, titled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions.” This document presents Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s “Global Governance Initiative” (GGI) as a comprehensive framework for reforming international governance in Beijing's favor, aiming to displace the United States and the West.

Why AI models like Claude Fable and Mythos defy traditional export control frameworks

The Bulletin | Justin Sherman

On June 12, the United States government directed Anthropic to suspend foreign national access to its large language models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, citing national security authorities. This order, reportedly prompted by a "jailbreak" vulnerability in Fable, aims to prevent foreign adversaries like China from exploiting these vulnerability-discovery-at-scale AI models for offensive cyber operations.

America’s AI Policy Is Truly Chaotic

Persuasion  |  Francis Fukuyama

Washington's artificial intelligence policy has become chaotic, marked by a rapid shift towards regulation following revelations about Anthropic's powerful Mythos 5 model. In February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Anthropic a "supply chain risk," citing political reasons. However, in June, Senator Mark Warner disclosed that Mythos 5 breached "almost all of our classified systems" in hours, prompting the national security community to recognize AI models as a "clear and present danger."

How Russia And China Learned To Love Their Border

Eurasia Review  |  John P. Ruehl

The Russia-China border along the Amur River Basin has transformed from a militarized frontier into a zone of deep economic cooperation, driven by new infrastructure and surging trade. Mutual trade between the two nations increased by two-thirds from 2022 to 2024, reaching $240 billion, with a 23 percent growth between January and May 2026.

Europe Will Never Be an AI Superpower

Foreign Policy  |  Thorsten Benner, Jakob Hensing

The U.S. government's recent imposition of sweeping export controls on advanced Anthropic AI models, Mythos 5 and Fable 5, has starkly highlighted Europe's dependence on leading U.S. artificial intelligence providers. Without a strategic change, Europe risks becoming a technological backwater, potentially leading to disastrous security and prosperity consequences.

Ukraine’s Expanding Strike Campaign Undercuts Putin’s Claims of Steady Progress

Eurasia Daily Monitor | Pavel K. Baev

Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes against Russian energy, industrial, and logistics targets, including a gas processing plant in Orenburg and a defense plant in Volgograd, while disrupting supply routes to occupied Crimea. These attacks expose vulnerabilities that Russian authorities struggle to address, undercutting President Vladimir Putin's narrative of steady battlefield progress.

Israel Needs To Go Back to the Future for a New Strategy

Newsweek  |  Eran Ortal

The war in Iran has taken an unexpected turn, with Iranians, despite a resounding military defeat, managing to impose conditions on the U.S. and compel Israel to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon. This conflict, which began with a blatant violation of the November 2024 ceasefire by Iran's proxy, Hezbollah, became the focal point of pressure on Jerusalem.

Why Ukraine Is Key for Europe’s New Strategic Reality

National Interest  |  Matteo Mecacci

In 2026, Ukraine's future in Europe, particularly its integration into the European Union, has become a strategic question, intertwining with broader debates on Europe’s defense, independence, and economy. Russia’s full-scale invasion shattered the post-Cold War European security framework, prompting renewed discussions on continental security and deterrence.

US-Israel Rift Has Been Brewing For Some Time

Arab News  |  Yossi Mekelberg

The growing rift between the US administration and the Israeli government significantly influences ongoing US-Iran negotiations in Lake Geneva, potentially reshaping the Middle East's political and security architecture. This divide reflects a divergence of interests over the war's continuation, a gradual shift in American attitudes, and the tactical personalities of both leaders.

Iran cyberattacks on Israel surged in 2026, Israeli cyber chief says

Reuters

Iran's cyberattacks against Israel significantly increased in 2026, according to Yossi Karadi, Director General of Israel's National Cyber Directorate. This surge followed the launch of a U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran earlier the same year. Karadi reported to German newspaper Die Welt that hostile cyber incidents jumped from approximately 1,600 in June 2025, during Israeli military operations, to about 4,800 in June 2026.

With America in Retreat, Europe Now Depends on Ukraine

Foreign Policy | Liana Fix and Paul B. Stares

Europe is increasingly preparing for its future security with diminishing U.S. assistance, positioning Ukraine as the linchpin of the continent’s defense against Russia. As Washington’s security guarantee weakens, European policymakers are improvising, exploring options like invoking the EU’s Article 42.7 and discussing the French nuclear arsenal for deterrence.

Inside a secretive Ukrainian team launching deep drone strikes at Russia

NPR  |  Serhii Korovayny

Ukraine's First Separate Center of Unmanned Systems is conducting deep drone strikes into Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine, employing Fire Point drones with 800-1,200 mile ranges. On June 18, Ukraine launched its largest drone offensive yet on Moscow, hitting an oil refinery and causing "oil rain," as residents reported.

Farmers Worldwide Brace for El Niño

Foreign Policy  |  Christina Lu

Meteorologists have declared the world is experiencing El Niño, a cyclical weather phenomenon characterized by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters influencing global rainfall and temperatures, with forecasts indicating a potentially strong event. This development threatens to compound existing challenges for farmers, including trade wars, fertilizer shortages, and high energy prices.

Is Social Media Reshaping Our Identities?

Eurasia Review  |  Maria Sansoni

Social media use may reshape individuals' sense of facial and bodily identity, making it more flexible and blurring the boundaries between self and others, particularly for adolescents. Growing global concerns have led Australia to ban social media for under-16s, while France and Norway mandate disclosure of digitally altered images.

We Can’t Let the Mythos Moment Consolidate AI Power

National Interest | Giulia Neaher

Anthropic's Mythos model, released in April 2026, demonstrated unprecedented capabilities for cyberattacks and malicious cyber activity, shifting AI risk from theory to reality. This prompted the Trump administration to issue an executive order mandating federal screening of frontier models and Anthropic to implement gated releases and safeguards for its public version, Fable 5.

The Army Builds an AI-Enabled “Drone Contact” Layer for Combat

Warrior Maven  |  Tuva Siegel

The 101st Airborne Division is integrating AI-enabled systems and robotic technologies at the brigade level as part of the Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, creating a "drone contact layer" for combat. Col. Richard "Ryan" Bell highlighted that soldiers feed AI systems doctrine and 25,000 drone sensor reports to enhance mission planning and data analysis, generating an "unfair fight" for adversaries.

Israel’s Smart Shooter sees c-UAS demand grow across US military: Exec

Breaking Defense | Seth J. Frantzman

The Israeli firm Smart Shooter secured a $3.4 million follow-on contract from the US Marine Corps, signaling a significant increase in demand for troop-level counter-drone (c-UAS) solutions across the US military. Most US service branches now hold Smart Shooter contracts, including a $1.8 million deal with the US Navy and a $10.7 million follow-on order from the US Army.

Israel’s ‘campaign between the wars’: How strategy to contain Iran and its allies risks further straining ties with US

The Conversation  |  Amy McAuliffe

Israel's "campaign between the wars" (Mabam) strategy, codified in a 2015 IDF document, aims to degrade the capabilities of Iran and its regional allies during interwar periods, maintaining Israel's qualitative military advantage. This policy, evolving from 1950s-60s reprisal operations, involves limited military strikes, covert actions, and cyberattacks across the Middle East, targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, Iranian-backed Shiite militants in Iraq, and Houthis in Yemen.

Germany bets on €580M software after fighter jet split with France

POLITICO  |  Chris Lunday

Germany is developing a national combat cloud system, investing €580 million in a contract with Munich-based defense company Helsing, following the termination of a joint sixth-generation fighter jet project with France and Spain. Internal German defense ministry documents reveal the contract for Helsing to develop the core software and test architecture for the Combat Fighter System Nucleus (CFSN).

The problem with swapping the navy’s destroyers for drones

The Spectator | Eliot Wilson

The UK government's revised Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is reportedly cancelling funding for up to eight Type 83 destroyers and five Type 32 general-purpose frigates, which were intended to replace the Royal Navy's aging Type 45s and Type 23s in the 2030s. This decision leaves the future surface fleet with only 13 new frigates (eight Type 26 and five Type 31 vessels), a significant reduction from 31 in 2010.

Myanmar Reemerges as Frontline in India-China Rivalry

Geopolitical Monitor | Vijay Kumar Dhar

Myanmar's President, U Min Aung Hlaing, recently visited India and then China, signaling a new phase in geopolitical competition in South Asia and the Bay of Bengal. His India visit aimed to secure legitimacy and diversify strategic options, while the subsequent China trip underscored Beijing's enduring influence as Naypyidaw's primary partner.

Suppressing Just Dissent: Pakistan’s Authoritarian Face In Occupied Kashmir

Eurasia Review  |  A. Jathindra

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) escalated significantly in June 2026, transforming from economic grievances into a broad-based movement against Pakistan's control. Initially demanding lower electricity prices and subsidized flour, JAAC's 38-point charter also sought to abolish 12 reserved assembly seats, challenging Islamabad's political strategy.

BRICS Facing Political Divergences, Suspends Its Future Expansion

Eurasia Review  |  Kester Kenn Klomegah

Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, announced on June 24 at the 12th Primakov Readings conference in Moscow that BRICS has suspended its future expansion plans due to political divergences and rising geopolitical perceptions among members. This decision follows BRICS's recent expansion from five to ten members and the creation of 'partner membership' status for 13 countries, which, despite being a significant achievement under Russia’s 2024 chairmanship, has become an obstacle.

Why are Hong Kong, mainland universities rising in global rankings as US ones fall?

South China Morning Post  |  William Yiu

The global higher education landscape has shifted significantly over the past five years, with universities in Asia, particularly Hong Kong and mainland China, climbing international rankings while over 70 per cent of US institutions slipped. UK-based education data firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) reported that excellence is no longer Western-dominated, attributing Chinese universities' improved performance to rising research funding and strategic investments.

If you think China needs to dethrone U.S. dollar, you don't understand how it is waging global currency war

CNBC  |  Dewardric McNeal

China is methodically building financial infrastructure to reduce global dependence on the U.S. dollar-centric system and create alternatives for other countries, a geopolitical strategy highlighted at the Lujiazui Forum. Chinese officials unveiled measures to expand offshore renminbi (RMB) finance, deepen Shanghai's role as an international financial center, create new liquidity facilities for foreign central banks, and expand cross-border RMB trading.

Just How Much is Too Much? The Defense Spending Dilemma

Foreign Policy Research Institute | Frank G. Hoffman

The President requested a record $1.5 trillion defense budget for next year, representing a roughly 50 percent increase over last year's baseline, significantly exceeding previous increases. This proposal addresses a deteriorating security environment, including a shrinking, aging, and overcommitted U.S. military unprepared for modern warfare. Key threats include China's significant military investment, particularly concerning Taiwan, and the "Axis of Upheaval" autocracies collaborating against Western interests.

Power Struggles In The Middle East And Ankara’s Corridor Strategy

Eurasia Review  |  Nejat Tamzok

The Middle East's critical chokepoints and vast energy resources make control over the region central to global power struggles, shifting from fossil fuels to new corridors and green energy. The U.S.-backed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), signed in September 2023 at the G20 Summit, aims to bypass traditional routes and counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by connecting India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel to Europe.

China removes 6 generals from legislature amid ongoing anti-corruption drive

South China Morning Post  |  Phoebe Zhang

China has removed six senior People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officers from the country’s top legislative body, signaling President Xi Jinping’s military anti-corruption campaign remains active and is not slowing down. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee issued a late-night notice on Friday, announcing the removal of 13 legislators, which included these six generals, a former top financial regulator, and the former Xinjiang Communist Party chief.

Gulf states can contain the threat from Iran and Israel. But they’ll need help

Chatham House  |  Rashid Al-Mohanadi

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries face confirmed threats from Iran and Israel, both operating on a shared conviction that security requires regional subordination, fostering systemic instability. In 2019, drones and missiles struck Saudi energy facilities. By June 2025, US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites led to Iranian missile barrages on Qatar, mostly intercepted.

AI-Powered War Is Coming. This Fight Over a Data Center Just Made That Case

Cnet | Katelyn Chedraoui

The US government intervened in a federal court case concerning xAI's Colossus 2 data center in Memphis, Tennessee, arguing its closure "directly threatens" national security. The NAACP filed a class action lawsuit alleging the data center's 27 gas turbines in Mississippi violate the Clean Air Act, posing health risks to nearby Black communities.