Steve Witkoff to Zelensky:

We're having a great time here, and the hospitality is unsurpassed.

The President wanted Jared and I to come here.

We had a great trip, took the train, and as you said, it was a delightful trip.

📸 Trump’s hair color seems to have gotten a bit darker.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar:

The Kurds are a minority in four countries and unfortunately has not yet achieved political independence.

We believe in strengthening relations between the different minorities of the Middle East and specifically in relations between Jews and Kurds.

Putin is not seeking a compromise peace deal at this stage; he wants an agreement that matches Russia’s objectives.

According to sources close to the Kremlin, Moscow’s demands have become more aggressive because Russian leaders believe the battlefield situation is increasingly in their favor.

Source: Bloomberg

Iran's Ghalibaf mocks Bessent.

Netanyahu on Iran:

This regime in Iran — its end is near.

It is weak, it is fighting for its life, it is staggering, and there is still a mission to complete that we are determined to carry out.

This will ultimately change the face of the Middle East and the course of history.

Netanyahu:

Israel is stronger than ever, our enemies are weaker than ever.

Together with the United States, we achieved enormous achievements in removing an existential threat from above our heads.

Netanyahu:

Right now, our nation is the strongest power in the Middle East — and some say beyond it.

I say to our enemies: don’t mess with us.

Gen. Christopher Donahue, one of the U.S. Army’s most combat-experienced commanders, retired after a 16-month struggle to preserve his career amid Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s purge of senior officers.

Hegseth reportedly targeted him over the Afghanistan withdrawal despite evidence clearing him of responsibility for the Abbey Gate bombing, saying, “I don’t care.”

Despite strong backing from senior military leaders, Hegseth blocked him from leading European Command or becoming Army chief, instead downgrading his role.

He retired on August 27 after his last major backer, Army Chief Gen. Randy George, was also fired by Hegseth.

Source: NYT

A New York Times investigation found that Ukraine’s military procurement system has suffered from serious fraud, waste, and mismanagement during the war.

Secret audits show that in 2024 alone, about $1.2 billion was lost through overpayments, failed contracts, and poor oversight.

Several major weapons suppliers received new contracts despite corruption investigations, failed deliveries, or defective products.

One example involved a factory that supplied thousands of faulty mortar rounds but continued receiving government orders.

Auditors also found cases where Ukraine paid much higher prices by using intermediaries instead of buying directly, including a rocket deal that may have cost the country about $130 million extra.

The report says the problems have weakened Ukraine’s ability to efficiently use limited defense funds, even as it seeks more military aid from allies.

Source: NYT

Yemen's Houthis say they shot down a Saudi Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance drone while it was conducting "hostile missions" northwest of Maqbana, Taiz, this morning.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

Enough with this fake statesmanship.

For too many years, we’ve wanted to look nice to the world—how beautiful we are, how sweet we are—but it gives us nothing.

When we come with determination and say, "This is how it’s going to be," and those who come, for example, are supporters of terrorism, and the terrorists in our prisons suffer—well, it works.

Zelensky to Witkoff and Kushner:

Today you performed even better than Patriot systems for our citizens who are in the capital.

Thank you, come more often. And our people will have the opportunity to live a little longer.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

Ten times they tried to assassinate me. Why?

Why did they try to assassinate me? They are afraid.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

The pictures from the prisons are what prevent attacks.

Those are the pictures that a young person in the West Bank or Gaza sees and says, "Wait, wait, wait…"

There used to be hotels, marmalade and chocolate in Israeli prisons.

Today, under Ben Gvir, there’s hell—and we don’t want to go there.

Segal: Why did you remove the picture of Baruch Goldstein from your living room?

Ben-Gvir: Because I do not think that murdering Arabs is a good thing.

When I understood that this was the message, I removed it.

But wait a second — I do think that killing terrorists is a great commandment.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

They want to organize another flotilla now. What did they say?

"There is a crazy minister there. When he leaves, we will organize another flotilla."

They are waiting until after the elections to set the next flotilla.

A U.S. missile likely missed its target and hit a wedding party in Kuhestak, southern Iran, killing at least four civilians and injuring more than 90, according to U.S. officials and investigations cited by The Washington Post.

The strike involved six Navy-launched missiles aimed at a communications complex; five hit the target, while one appears to have gone off course and struck a nearby home about 440 feet away.

The Pentagon is investigating the incident, while officials say the strike was "not intentional" and that the military is reviewing how the missile missed.

Source: WaPo

Israel’s religious nationalist movement has gained growing influence within the Israeli military.

Once dominated by a largely secular elite, the IDF has seen a significant rise in religious Zionists among officers, reservists, and senior commanders over the past two decades.

Supporters argue that they bring "stronger Jewish values and commitment to national service," while critics warn that some far-right religious ideas — including settlement ideology and revenge rhetoric during the Gaza war — are reshaping military culture and challenging the army’s traditionally secular character.

This shift has been driven by higher participation in military service, religious pre-military programs, and a long-term effort to increase the movement’s presence within the army.

Source: FT

NEW: Exit polls in Saxony-Anhalt put the far-right AfD at 44.5%, more than double the CDU’s 18.5%.

French Presidential Candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon:

The Germans say they want to create the largest conventional army in Europe.

Well, if I were president, I would tell them I do not think that is a good idea.

Because if they build the biggest army, they must explain: who are they preparing to go to war against?