Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

We are not in favor of tensions in the Aegean. We absolutely do not accept the militarization of islands that have a demilitarized status, and we have made very persistent efforts on this issue.

This region needs peace, not militarization.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Both Ukraine and Russia are particularly targeting ports and all maritime activity.

We have now sent a proposal to both sides on this issue. We are working on it and waiting for their responses.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Greece:

Hopefully, some of the statements made by Greek politicians will remain only at the level of rhetoric.

But if they take this further and pursue irrational, adventurous steps, Türkiye’s seriousness and strength are known by everyone.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

There are some creative ideas for resolving the S-400 issue.

Hopefully, we will take positive steps on this matter.

France’s far-right National Rally (RN) leaders Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella issued a rare condemnation of Russia, warning against Moscow using intimidation, threats and destabilization to influence France.

“We will never tolerate a foreign power, in this case, Russia, seeking to dictate, directly or indirectly, the policy of our country through intimidation, threats, destabilization or psychological pressure.”

The statement condemned Russia’s seizure of assets belonging to French retailer Auchan and Swiss company Nestlé, calling it:

“A hostile act against the interests of France and the nations of Europe.”

Le Pen and Bardella also referenced Russia-linked hybrid threats, including the August drone attack at Leipzig airport, and said:

“No provocation, clandestine operation, or destabilization effort could lead France to facilitate Russia’s achievement of its war aims in Ukraine.”

Source: POLITICO

Zelensky:

Our enemy is Russia — for Ukraine, for independence, for democracy. And if this is about democracy, about Europe, then it is a common enemy for Poland as well.

In such cases, we need unity not only with Poland, but with all of Europe.

First of all with Poland, because we are big neighbors and we must be friends.

Zelensky:

The war will end, I am sure people will return. I do not know what percentage will return.

It will depend on what I said: education, on parents who did not allow their children to forget Ukraine — in their hearts, in their minds, in everything.

And it will certainly depend on the rebuilding of the state, the conditions for doing business, and jobs.

Zelensky:

People of different generations left. Many people took their children — small children. Elderly people of different ages left.

Many people did not leave and went to the front. Well, war is war. And everyone made their own choice.

In the same way, every person will make their own choice in the first days after the end of the war.

Iran's Security Council Secretary Rezaei:

Iran has announced 7 conditions for starting any negotiations to the US government.

Tehran's message is clear and unambiguous; if Washington wants to escape the quagmire it has created for itself and avoid getting further entangled in it, it has no choice but to accept Iran's rights and conditions.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz:

Missiles are falling, drones are falling one kilometer from the Polish border.

If Ukraine does not have air defense systems, if it does not have ammunition to shoot down these drones, most of these drones will fly through Ukraine and reach Poland.

The state interest is supporting a Ukraine that is fighting, so that missiles are intercepted there and do not reach Poland.

Germany has begun mandatory medical examinations for 18-year-old men born in 2008 as part of the new military registration system.

Nearly 1,000 men who did not volunteer interest in joining the Bundeswehr have already been examined.

A nationwide screening system with 24 assessment centers is planned to begin in July 2027.

A UAE official source rejected a Haaretz report that Abu Dhabi had warned Israel of an imminent Hamas attack in the weeks before October 7.

The source said:

The UAE discusses security matters with other countries through the relevant entities, and does not discuss such details at the level of national leaders.

A major point of tension between the UK and Israel was a disputed conversation between British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar over the E1 settlement project in the West Bank.

British officials said they left an Aug. 11 phone call believing Gideon Sa’ar had indicated that Israel would not open construction bids for E1 before Israel’s October elections.

A week later, Israel published tenders for around 1,200 housing units in E1, which British officials viewed as a reversal of what they understood Gideon Sa’ar had promised.

The dispute became one of the factors behind Britain’s decision to impose sanctions targeting Israeli settlements.

Source: NYT

Finland’s first two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets arrived at Lapland Air Wing in Rovaniemi on September 18, 2026, marking the start of Finland’s new F-35 era.

Netanyahu:

We returned. We are here, and we will always, always stay here.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog pardoned former IDF soldier Elor Azaria, who was convicted in 2016 of killing a wounded Palestinian assailant in Hebron.

Herzog said the decision was made “in the spirit of these days” and reflected the importance of “repair, reconciliation and the ability to move forward.”

Source: Haaretz

INTERESTING: Trump left Camp David a day early Saturday night with no explanation.

The likeliest reason is the Iran situation.

Tehran sent seven conditions via Qatar and threatened "decisive war" if rejected, while U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued security warnings the same day.

U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber was filmed taking off from RAF Fairford tonight with full afterburners.

Afterburner takeoffs typically mean the jet is heavy — often indicating a full weapons load — though they can also happen on training runs.

Fairford has been the main base for Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iranian targets since March, with roughly a dozen B-1Bs still stationed there.

BIG: U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued coordinated security alerts today.

Event: Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation.

Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.

🇮🇷 Iran – Do Not Travel; leave now
🇮🇶 Iraq – Do Not Travel
🇱🇧 Lebanon – Do Not Travel
🇸🇾 Syria – Do Not Travel
🇾🇪 Yemen – Do Not Travel
🇵🇸 Gaza – Do Not Travel
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – Reconsider Travel
🇧🇭 Bahrain – alert issued
🇴🇲 Oman – alert issued
🇶🇦 Qatar – alert issued
🇰🇼 Kuwait – alert issued
🇯🇴 Jordan – alert issued

Ed Sheeran went solo in Philly after his entire support lineup quit over Macklemore's removal — then broke down on stage talking about Gaza.

At Lincoln Financial Field last night, Sheeran opened with a long statement. He apologized for "difficult decisions" and "mistakes," said he never wanted to be political but can't stay silent anymore:

"What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate."

He called October 7 and the Nova attack "horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain," said his heart is broken by civilian and children's deaths, and added:

"The systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked."

He acknowledged he's still "listening and learning because I do not know enough."

Reports say he wept before going into "Castle on the Hill."