The Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis served for China as a practical test in the use of strategic chokepoints, demonstrating that disruption to vital global trade routes can impose heavy costs on rivals without direct warfare. This experience is likely to push Beijing toward reinforcing a strategy of encirclement and gradual control over Taiwan—an approach in which the world’s dependence on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry becomes a geoeconomic leverage point. Consequently, the Taiwan conflict may shift from a deterrence model based on military power toward one grounded in control over supply chains and critical global economic chokepoints.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an urgent statement claiming that Russian special services had thwarted an attempt by Ukraine to blow up the TurkStream pipeline. Putin alleged that this attack was intended to derail peace negotiations and undermine the energy security of the entire region. What will be lost and by whom if the terrorist attack succeeds? Why are Trump and Erdogan also targets of this attack?

According to Reuters, Iran is on the verge of signing a contract with China to purchase the CM-302 supersonic anti-ship cruise missile—the export version of the YJ-12B.

The Financial Times has claimed that Iran and Russia have signed a €500 million contract for the purchase of advanced missile defense systems. The agreement, finalized in Moscow, reportedly includes the delivery of 500 “Verba” man-portable launchers and 2,500 “9M336” missiles between 2027 and 2029.

Local sources and Taliban officials have reported that the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes in southeastern and eastern Afghanistan. The strikes reportedly targeted the districts of Barmal and Urgun in Paktika Province, as well as Khogyani district in Nangarhar Province.

Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. envoy for Afghan peace, has arrived in Kabul on a new visit and met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister.

According to reports, 2025 has been the deadliest year for Pakistan’s security forces in over a decade.

The Chinese military has released footage showing the launch of a YJ‑20 hypersonic anti‑ship ballistic missile from a Type‑055 destroyer.

Sadiq al‑Ghariani, Libya’s Grand Mufti and one of the country’s highest religious and political authorities, strongly criticized Pakistan for selling $4 billion worth of military equipment to Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Last night and into this morning, the Russian military launched a massive, coordinated assault on multiple targets across Ukraine, including the capital. Kalibr missiles were fired from the Black Sea, while long‑range bombers launched X‑101 missiles. Tens of “Geran” suicide drones (the Russian version of Shahed) carried out successive waves of attacks against designated sites.

Over the past 12 days, Russian forces captured the town of Seversk in Donetsk province. Other notable developments include advances in Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia province, while clearing operations continue in Myrnohrad against remaining Ukrainian units.

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for the recent explosion in Darah district of Panjshir province, asserting that 17 Taliban members—including the commander of a special forces base—were killed and five others wounded.