CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

If China gets a technological advantage over us, that's a real problem.

We can't let that happen.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

Average life expectancy of a Russian recruit arriving on the battlefield in Ukraine now is estimated to be between 20 and 30 minutes.

That's because AI-powered drones have become specialized, low-cost killing machines.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

Right now, Russia occupies 20% of Ukraine. When I came in as CIA Director 18 months ago, Russia occupied 19% of Ukraine.

The pace of their advance has stopped because Ukraine's mastery of drone warfare and asymmetric warfare is such a great equalizer.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe:

The Chinese steal the technology, they replicate it, the state subsidizes it, and that's their model of success.

They are very good at it.

The Kirkuk–Baniyas pipeline (built 1950s, shut since the early 1980s) is being revived to route Iraq's crude through Syria to the Mediterranean.

Combined with new parallel lines, capacity could reach ~2–2.5M barrels/day flowing to Syria's Baniyas port or onward via Türkiye.

US companies including Chevron are expected to join the technical and financing side.

Full revival estimated at $4 billion+ and 2–3 years.

Strategic aim: create a corridor bypassing the Strait of Hormuz after recent Iranian disruptions, cut Iraq's dependence on Iranian-linked routes and militias, and give Syria transit revenue that could pull both countries westward.

Iraq–US memoranda signed June–July 2026, momentum accelerating.

Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s National Defense Committee, Hulusi Akar, on Türkiye's S-400 & F-35 jets:

The S-400 issue will be solved in some way. We expect developments. And it looks like it will happen.

The justification for suspending the F-35 program was the S-400.

Once that is removed, the F-35 will start directly.

Regarding the F-35, our hand is actually very strong. We were a country that manufactured 1,000 parts of the F-35 — literally exactly 1,000 parts as a number.

It will be solved. We have no doubt.

Moscow region, covered with dark clouds.

FIFA President Infantino can't stop smiling and gazing adoringly at Trump while he talks about Harry Kane playing defense.

Germany has raised its national security posture from an "abstract threat level" to a "high threat level."

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence indicates credible attack planning, meaning authorities must assume attacks are possible at any time.

The warning covers threats to critical infrastructure, public institutions, and individuals.

No specific plot or group was identified.

Source: Reuters

NEW: Zelensky is considering replacing Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, as criticism of his leadership continues to grow.

Zelensky is said to be meeting senior military commanders to assess the battlefield situation and evaluate potential successors.

While no decision has been made, he is reportedly open to removing Syrsky if a suitable replacement can ensure a smooth transition without disrupting Ukraine's defense along the front line.

Source: FT

NEW: Kuwait Petroleum Corp reports injuries and significant material damage from repeated Iranian attacks on vital oil sector facilities.

WATCH: Iranian ballistic missiles fly past Patriot interceptor missiles and hit their targets in Jordan.

Scottish actor Brian Cox on why more people do not speak out about the Palestinian genocide:

I'm too old, too tired and too talented to take any shit. I believe that the truth is important.

I believe that it was a travesty what was happening in Palestine.

It's just that the way the Israelis have behaved towards Palestine is just unforgivable.

I think a lot of people are sort of worried about their careers.