Turkish sailors filming the US strikes on the Houthis in Yemen.

NEW: One of the most widespread and complex cyber attacks against Iran's infrastructure was repelled on Sunday, Tasnim news agency reported.

China Declares Sovereignty Over Disputed Reef in South China Sea

China has declared sovereignty over an uninhabited reef in the South China Sea, setting the stage for an escalation of tensions with the Philippines.

Sandy Cay's categorization as a "rock" could allow the controlling nation to claim a 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, overlapping with Thitu Island, a key Philippine military outpost.

The move came just before U.S.-Philippine military drills, increasing tensions.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, but a 2016 Hague ruling invalidated these claims under international law.

Sources: FT, Bloomberg

AI-powered strike drones are coming fast, warns German start-up.

• Stark’s new OWE-V drone can autonomously launch, navigate, and strike up to 100 km away.
• True "no-human-in-the-loop" lethal autonomy is now technologically possible, says ex-NATO innovation chief.
• EU supports bans, but no international treaty exists yet.
• Anduril (U.S.) and Baykar (Türkiye) also racing to field battlefield AI.

The EU favors banning fully autonomous weapons but lacks legislation. UN talks stalled; adversaries like Russia and China likely have fewer restrictions.

Source: FT

In Canada’s election, the U.S. is front of mind

Canadians vote today to choose between Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former banker, and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a career politician.

• Liberal PM Mark Carney faces Conservative Pierre Poilievre.
• Trump’s tariffs and threats to annex Canada dominate voter concerns.
• Liberals surged late; polls predict a Carney victory.
• Election seen as a test of how Trump's policies impact America's allies.

Source: NYT

The world is racing for nuclear energy dominance, with China and Russia leading a resurgence through small modular reactors.

Russia’s Rosatom is building 19 reactors abroad; China targets 30 SMR exports by 2030.

SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) are attractive: faster to deploy, flexible for weaker grids, useful for industrial sectors.

Why China and Russia Lead:

• State financing: Ultra-low rates and major funding packages.
• Supply chain control: Full-spectrum construction to fueling.
• Strategic diplomacy: Nuclear deals strengthen ties with emerging economies.

Why the U.S. Falls Behind:

• Export barriers: Restrictive "123 agreements" deter buyers.
• Slow regulation: Lengthy reactor approval processes.
• Weak financing: No rival to China and Russia’s aggressive funding.

Source: Foreign Affairs

Top 10 Military Spenders in 2024

🥇🇺🇸 United States — $997 billion
🥈🇨🇳 China — $314 billion (estimated)
🥉🇷🇺 Russia — $149 billion (estimated)
4️⃣🇩🇪 Germany — $88.5 billion
5️⃣🇮🇳 India — $86.1 billion
6️⃣🇬🇧 United Kingdom — $81.8 billion
7️⃣🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia — $80.3 billion (estimated)
8️⃣🇺🇦 Ukraine — $64.7 billion
9️⃣🇫🇷 France — $64.7 billion
🔟🇯🇵 Japan — $55.3 billion

Source: SIPRI

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry summons the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires to inquire about how the RSF militia came to possess Chinese-made strategic drones, which are being used to kill Sudanese and destroy infrastructure.

Top 10 Countries by Military Expenditure Increase (2024)

🥇 Guyana 🇬🇾: +78%
🥈 Myanmar 🇲🇲: +66%
🥉 Israel 🇮🇱: +65%
4️⃣ Lebanon 🇱🇧: +58%
5️⃣ Chad 🇹🇩: +43%
6️⃣ Romania 🇷🇴: +43%
7️⃣ Mexico 🇲🇽: +39%
8️⃣ Russia 🇷🇺: +38%
9️⃣ Sweden 🇸🇪: +34%
🔟 Poland 🇵🇱: +31%

Source: SIPRI

Top 10 Biggest Military Spenders in Europe (2024)

🥇 Russia 🇷🇺: $149 billion *
🥈 Germany 🇩🇪: $88.5 billion
🥉 United Kingdom 🇬🇧: $81.8 billion
4️⃣ Ukraine 🇺🇦: $64.7 billion *
5️⃣ France 🇫🇷: $64.7 billion
6️⃣ Poland 🇵🇱: $38.0 billion
7️⃣ Italy 🇮🇹: $38.0 billion
8️⃣ Türkiye 🇹🇷: $25.0 billion
9️⃣ Spain 🇪🇸: $24.6 billion
🔟 Netherlands 🇳🇱: $23.2 billion

Source: SIPRI

*Note: Russia and Ukraine are classified under Eastern Europe in the report.

Top 10 Biggest Military Spenders in Asia (2024)

🥇 China 🇨🇳: $314 billion
🥈 India 🇮🇳: $86.1 billion
🥉 Japan 🇯🇵: $55.3 billion
4️⃣ South Korea 🇰🇷: $47.6 billion
5️⃣ Australia 🇦🇺: $33.8 billion
6️⃣ Taiwan 🇹🇼: $16.5 billion
7️⃣ Singapore 🇸🇬: $15.1 billion
8️⃣ Indonesia 🇮🇩: $11.0 billion
9️⃣ Pakistan 🇵🇰: $10.2 billion
🔟 Philippines 🇵🇭: $6.1 billion

Source: SIPRI

Chinese Foreign Ministry denies Trump's claims once again:

"President Xi and President Trump did not have a call recently."

Ukrainian Army's new contract advertising for 18-24 year olds.

"Are you an elite fighter or a couch expert?"

German Defense Minister Pistorius:

Germany will support Ukraine and provide weapons even if the US stops aid.

Putin thanks North Korea:

We pay tribute to the heroism, high level of special training and dedication of the Korean soldiers who, shoulder to shoulder with Russian fighters, defended our Motherland as their own.

Chinese Foreign Ministry:

We call on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and conduct an impartial investigation as soon as possible.

Kremlin:

Russia, if necessary, can also provide military assistance to North Korea in accordance with the agreement between Pyongyang and Moscow.

Russian Army publishes footage of training of North Korean soldiers in its ranks.

Kremlin:

Russia continues its special military operation, but Moscow is ready to begin negotiations with Kiev without preconditions.

🇲🇱 Mali: JNIM attacks are spreading south, hitting key regions near Bamako and Sikasso.

Roadside IEDs, ambushes, and armed raids are creating major instability.

Russia’s FSB announces the arrest of 42-year-old Ignat Kuzin, accused of killing Russian Lt. General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the General Staff’s Main Operations Directorate.

Kuzin, allegedly a Ukrainian intelligence agent, was captured in Istanbul.

FSB claims he planted a homemade bomb in a Volkswagen Golf using components prepared in Moscow Oblast.

After the attack, Kuzin reportedly fled to Türkiye, where he was arrested in Istanbul and later extradited to Russia.