Good morning! Kickstart your day with the latest updates on defense and global affairs—here are the top news reports you need to know for this Wednesday, November 20.
Biden Races to Arm Ukraine as Trump’s Inauguration Looms
The Department of Defense is sending Ukraine at least $275 million in new weapons as part of the Biden administration’s final push to bolster Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the package will include air defense systems like High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), artillery rounds, Javelins, and more, all drawn from US stockpiles under presidential drawdown authority.
This rush of military aid comes amid escalating tensions with Ukraine recently using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS missiles, to strike deep into Russia, targeting ammunition depots in the Bryansk region.
In response, Moscow lowered its nuclear-use threshold, warning that further attacks could provoke a nuclear response. While US officials say there are no signs Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons, the situation remains volatile.
President Biden has also reportedly authorized the sale to Ukraine of an additional “$100 million in unspecified equipment and services,” underscoring the administration’s urgency to arm Ukraine against escalating Russian aggression.
Simultaneously, the administration is working to finalize a $20 billion loan to Ukraine, part of a broader $50 billion package backed by frozen Russian assets, to sustain Kyiv’s economy and military efforts through the winter.
The US plans to send its portion of the loan to the World Bank, which will then disperse the funds to Ukraine. The remaining $30 billion will come from other Group of Seven (G7) nations, including the European Union, Canada, and Japan.
US officials aim to complete the deal before Biden leaves office, ensuring Ukraine is fortified against potential shifts in US policy under Trump.
President-elect Trump has vowed to end the war quickly, suggesting that Ukraine may need to cede Russian-occupied territory to achieve peace—a stance that contrasts sharply with Biden’s robust military support.
Trump’s criticisms of US aid to Ukraine and praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin have raised concerns about the future of American involvement in the conflict.
UN Report Shows Iran Inches Closer to Nuclear Capability
Iran has ramped up its uranium enrichment, pushing its stockpile to concern levels, according to a confidential United Nations’ nuclear watchdog report.
As of late October, Iran’s uranium enriched to 60 percent has increased by nearly 40 pounds since August, leaving it just a step away from weapons-grade material.
This development, reported Tuesday by The Associated Press, comes amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel and uncertainty about how Trump’s potential reelection could shape US policy toward Tehran.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted Iran’s uranium stockpile far exceeds the limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, from which the US withdrew under Trump.
Talks during the IAEA chief’s recent visit led Iran to temporarily pause enrichment expansion, but Western nations are skeptical. If censured at the upcoming IAEA meeting, Iran has hinted at retaliating by advancing its nuclear program even further.
Despite Iran’s claim that its nuclear program is peaceful, the IAEA warns it now has enough enriched uranium to create multiple nuclear weapons if fully processed.
Cooperation between Iran and the IAEA remains limited, with Iran barring some inspectors, refusing to reinstall monitoring equipment, and restricting access to critical data.
Suicide Bombing Kills 12 Soldiers in Northwest Pakistan
A devastating suicide bombing in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday claimed the lives of 12 soldiers, the military confirmed.
The attack occurred near Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a military post after a failed infiltration attempt.
The Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant group has claimed responsibility.
This deadly blast came less than a day after a separate clash in the same region that killed eight soldiers and nine militants. That attack, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was reportedly in retaliation for a military search operation.
The region has seen a spike in violence since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with both the TTP and Hafiz Gul Bahadur groups increasing their attacks.
Adding to the turmoil, seven police officers were taken hostage near Bannu earlier this week but were released after negotiations by a tribal council.
Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, condemned the violence and reiterated their commitment to eradicating terrorism. However, with militant activity surging in border areas, Pakistan faces a tough battle against growing instability.
Austin Reaffirms US-Philippines Alliance, Condemns China’s Actions
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin didn’t mince words during his recent visit to Palawan, a Philippine province near the disputed South China Sea.
Condemning China’s aggressive actions, Austin reaffirmed that the US would defend the Philippines under the Mutual Defense Treaty if Filipino forces faced armed attacks in the volatile region.
He emphasized that the US-Philippines alliance would remain steadfast despite upcoming changes in American leadership, signaling strong bipartisan support.
Austin and his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, unveiled deeper military cooperation, including a new agreement to secure classified intelligence exchanges and advanced weapons systems, such as missile defenses and drone surveillance.
This partnership reflects a growing effort to counter China’s maritime claims, which have sparked tensions not just with the Philippines but also with neighboring nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
And with $500 million in new US military funding on the table, the Philippines is bolstering its external defenses in response to heightened confrontations with China.
Meanwhile, Beijing dismissed the moves as destabilizing, warning against agreements that could escalate regional tensions.
Despite China’s criticism, the US commitment to its treaty ally remains resolute, reinforcing a united front in the Indo-Pacific against growing Chinese aggression.
Myanmar Tops Global Landmine Casualties in 2023: Report
Myanmar recorded the world’s highest number of landmine and unexploded munition casualties last year, with an estimated 1,000 people killed or injured, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) on Wednesday.
However, the real numbers could be double or even triple that figure due to poor data collection in the conflict-torn country.
Decades of fighting between the military and ethnic rebel groups have left Myanmar littered with deadly explosives, a problem worsened by the military coup in 2021 and the rise of People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) fighting against the junta.
Both the military and various armed groups have been accused of using landmines indiscriminately, with reports of civilians being forced to clear minefields and infrastructure like mobile towers and pipelines targeted for attacks. Myanmar, not a signatory to the global treaty banning landmines, has seen a sharp increase in their use since the coup.
Globally, civilians account for 84 percent of all landmine casualties, with Myanmar leading the grim statistics ahead of Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Despite international condemnation, the indiscriminate use of landmines continues to displace millions and claim lives, particularly in Myanmar’s intensifying post-coup conflict.
US Navy Halts Rehab Program Over Staffing Issues
The US Navy has temporarily shut down its residential substance abuse treatment program at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, citing staffing shortages that compromised care quality.
Known as the Navy’s premier rehab center on the East Coast, the program closed in September, redirecting patients to other Defense Department programs or private care through Tricare.
The closure, as reported by Military.com on Tuesday, is the latest setback for the program, which has faced maintenance issues, a rat infestation, and morale problems among staff over the past two years. Patients had previously been relocated to less secure barracks, raising concerns about their access to alcohol or drugs during treatment.
The 35-day residential program served over 160 sailors in the past year, providing vital addiction recovery services.
Critics argue its suspension reflects broader mismanagement, leaving service members without critical resources in a military culture that has higher rates of binge and heavy drinking than the general population.
Despite ongoing outpatient services and efforts to restore staffing, the Navy has not provided a timeline for reopening the program.
Meanwhile, questions linger about whether a $43 billion Defense Health Agency contract to address staffing shortages across military health facilities will impact this vital rehab center.
