Trump showing Zelensky and Macron his “4 more years” hat during their White House visit.

French President Macron:

The first security guarantee is a strong Ukrainian Army, hundreds of thousands of men, well-equipped, with defense systems and better standards.

The second is reassurance forces: the British, French, Germans, Turks, and others ready to carry out operations in the air, at sea, and on land.

Not on the front line, not provocatively, but to send a strategic signal that lasting peace in Ukraine is also their concern.

China is about to roll out extra-large underwater drones (XLUUVs) at its September 3 Beijing parade.

Two new types spotted: AJX002 (~18–20m long, torpedo-like, pump-jet) and a larger, fatter model with X-rudders.

At least 6 drones seen in rehearsals.

PLAN now runs the world’s biggest XLUUV program (5+ designs tested since 2022).

Source: Naval News

Somalia: Defense Ministry says over 100 Al-Shabaab fighters including key commanders were killed yesterday in an Awdheegle operation with international partners.

India is fast-tracking indigenous MALE drones after U.S. tariffs.

India's DAC cleared $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri-service MALE UAVs (≥60% local).

Adani’s Drishti-10 (Israeli Hermes 900 variant) a frontrunner.

34 years ago today, Soviet hardliners attempted to seize power in what became known as the August Coup.

Declaring a state of emergency, they moved tanks into Moscow and tried to roll back political reforms.

The coup failed, weakening central authority and hastening the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Taiwan’s mobile Hellfire missile launcher disguised as a light commercial van, likely inspired by Ukraine’s covert Brimstone launchers.

Russia's Medvedev:

The anti-Russian warmongering Coalition of the Willing failed to outplay Trump on his turf.

DR Congo: M23 rebels reportedly withdraw from peace talks, saying they will not return unless authorities respect the previous ceasefire agreement.

NEW: Three U.S. Arleigh Burke destroyers are heading to waters off Venezuela, arriving within ~36 hrs.

Mission: Counter narco-cartels.

Assets: 4,000 sailors/Marines, P-8 Poseidons, extra warships, at least 1 sub.

DR Congo: Islamic State-backed rebels armed with machetes and hoes reportedly killed at least 52 civilians in Beni and Lubero.

Putin's envoy Dmitriev mocks Trump and the European leaders.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Pakistan on August 21. He is currently in India.

Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is visiting Türkiye to discuss defence cooperation, including possible purchases of Turkish drones.

He will meet Türkiye's Defense Minister to cover equipment, technology, and regional security, and will tour firms such as Baykar and TUSAS.

Japan is expanding unmanned systems in its forces, with Turkish drones under consideration.

Netanyahu on Australia's PM Anthony Albanese:

History will remember Albanese for what he is: A weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews.