Report for Tuesday, August 6, 2024

THE TOP STORIES

U.S. sending messages to Iran through allies not to escalate

America Isn’t Ready for the Wars of the Future

At least 5 U.S. personnel injured in rocket assault against army base in Iraq’s west

Chaos in Bangladesh after Prime Minister flees to India

Chinese launches first set of satellites for ‘mega-constellation’ to rival SpaceX

CIPHER BRIEF EXCLUSIVES

A Nuclear War is Unwinnable, So Why Do We Keep Preparing for One?  The Cipher Brief

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Netanyahu under fire as hopes for hostage deal fade.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under intense pressure from hostage families, much of the Israeli press and his own military establishment for failing to close a deal on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, and for drifting toward full-blown war with Iran. Shouting matches between Netanyahu and military officials have been leaked to the Israeli press. Israeli officials involved in the Gaza negotiations team have publicly worried that Netanyahu’s political problems are causing him to temporize instead of moving decisively toward a deal that would stop the fighting and free the hostages.  Israel’s N12 News quoted President Joe Biden telling Netanyahu to "stop bullshitting me" about advancing the talks.  Another N12 report portrayed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Shin Bet domestic security service chief Ronen Bar sharply questioning Netanyahu's commitment to a hostage deal. The conservative Jerusalem Post editorializes today (Tuesday): “Israelis deserve answers as to who - or what - is holding up a hostage deal.”  Reuters Jerusalem Post  

Israeli strikes kill 18; 80 Palestinian bodies returned to Gaza.  Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 more people Monday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said.  At the same time, Israel returned to Gaza the bodies of more than 80 Palestinians killed in fighting. Yamen Abu Suleiman, the director of the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, said the bodies had been returned without names or other identifying information, a situation he called “a war crime.”  Reuters 

Nine UN relief workers fired on suspicion of participating in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.  U.N. investigators cleared 10 employees of the organization’s Palestinian refugee agency, known as UNRWA. of involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but nine others were fired because of possible participation, the United Nations said.  The U.N. launched the investigation in March, after Israel charged in January that 12 UNRWA staff took part in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks.  Another seven UNRWA staffers were subsequently accused.  The allegations led many donor nations to suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the agency.  Reuters New York Times

U.S. sending messages to Iran through allies not to escalate.  The U.S. is working through diplomatic channels to push Iran back from the brink.  Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "engaged in intense diplomacy, pretty much around the clock" to ease tensions as Iran threatens a retaliatory strike against Israel for assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. “Escalation is not in anyone's interests,” Blinken said.  “It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity."  On Monday Blinken spoke with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.  Reuters

Hamas picking new leader to please Iran.  Hamas will be looking for a leader who can cement ties with Tehran, analysts say.  Khaled Meshaal, who led Hamas for 13 years, would be a frontrunner, except he has clashed with Iran and its ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Another candidate is Khalil al-Hayya, currently Hamas' deputy leader. Reuters

Palestinian President Abbas heading for Moscow, RIA reports. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Russia on Aug. 12-14, Russia's RIA state news agency reported Tuesday.  The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was intended to prolong the Gaza conflict, Palestinian Abbas told Russia's state news agency.  He will discuss the regional crisis with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.    Reuters

THE UKRAINE UPDATE

Inside Ukraine’s Fight for Hearts and Minds. Since the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has sought global support by expanding its foreign policy beyond Europe and trans-Atlantic relations to include Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has led initiatives like the Summit for Peace and various diplomatic visits to rally support, focusing on issues such as sanctions against Russia, military aid, and accountability for war crimes. Ukraine also emphasizes its role in global food security amid Russian blockades. Despite Russian propaganda efforts, Ukraine leverages universal human rights and justice to maintain international backing, aiming to inspire rather than demand global solidarity. Foreign Policy 

Backlash at freed Russians calling for eased sanctions and negotiation. Freed Russian political prisoners Ilya Yashin and Vladimir Kara-Murza have sparked backlash by calling for eased sanctions and negotiations amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Kara-Murza, previously sentenced to 25 years, argued sanctions harm ordinary Russians. Ukrainian lawmaker Iryna Gerashchenko strongly criticized this stance, emphasizing Ukraine's need for a decisive victory. Yashin, recently freed from an eight-and-a-half-year sentence, also faced criticism for urging negotiations, later reaffirming his opposition to Russia's invasion. Ukrainian officials fear these dissidents might influence Western policies. Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, said: “The common goal of all Russians should be to liberate Russia from the insane dictator Putin and his regime, not to fight sanctions. Sanctions should only be strengthened as long as Russia continues its armed aggression … sanctions are what restrain the regime’s military machine.” The Guardian 

Long Battle for a Ruined City Takes a Desperate Turn. In the war-torn city of Toretsk, Ukrainian soldiers of the 32nd Mechanized Brigade are battling to hold their positions amid intense Russian bombardment. The city, now on the front lines, is littered with the remnants of destruction, including burned-out cars and craters from artillery strikes. Despite recent Russian gains and heavy casualties on both sides, Ukrainian forces continue to defend critical positions. The rotation of brigades and lack of sufficient reserves have complicated efforts, but the soldiers remain determined to hold the line. New York Times  Ukrainska Pravda

As Ukraine Collects Medals in Paris, Its Sports Pipeline Is in Tatters. Despite recent Olympic successes, Ukraine's sports infrastructure is in crisis due to the war. The conflict has destroyed facilities, killed or displaced athletes and coaches, and forced many children abroad. Training continues under dire conditions, such as in bomb shelters or without electricity. The war has damaged 518 stadiums and training centers. Roughly 500 high-level current and former athletes and coaches have died in the fighting, according to Ukraine’s sports ministry and Olympic committee. Rebuilding the sports system will be challenging, given the immediate need for other critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals. New York Times 

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 3, injure 19 over past day.  Over the past day, Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least three and injured 19 people across 11 oblasts, Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday. Regions affected include Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Luhansk, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk. Ukraine's Air Force reported downing 15 Shahed-type drones, two Kh-59 guided missiles, and one Iskander ballistic missile. Casualties were reported in several regions, including one killed and several injured in Kherson, Sumy, and Donetsk oblasts. Russian troops fired 495 times in Zaporizhzhia, injuring two women, and targeted Nikopol, wounding a 76-year-old man. Kyiv Independent 

Ukraine says it downs four missiles, 15 Russia-launched drones. Ukraine's air defense on Monday downed two ballistic missiles (Iskander-M or KN-23), two Kh-59 cruise missiles, and 15 attack drones launched by Russia late on Monday. Explosions were heard in Kyiv after an air raid siren, but no direct hits on residential or critical infrastructure were reported. Debris damaged windows in an apartment building, office building, and two gas stations. This follows a previous mass drone attack on the capital July 30-31. In Mykolaiv, 13 Shahed drones were destroyed, causing fires and damaging three residential buildings, a recreation center, and a utility building. There were no reported casualties​. Kyiv Independent

Russians attack central district of Kharkiv. Russian forces launched a missile attack on central Kharkiv, damaging a clinic building on Tuesday. People may be trapped under rubble. The attack caused a fire in a densely populated residential area. The Air Force had earlier warned of potential missile threats from the east. Russia has pummeled the northeastern city, which lies less than 20 miles from its border, since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainska Pravda 

Explosion reported at military plant in Russia, killing 3. An explosion at the Avangard plant in Bashkortostan, Russia, on Monday killed three repair crew members after they dismantled a pipeline. The plant, owned by sanctioned state arms manufacturer Rostec, produces parts for multiple launch rocket systems. The Russian Investigative Committee suggested safety violations may have occurred, and the incident is still under investigation. Kyiv Independent Ukrainska Pravda

Five injured in Ukraine shelling of Russia's Kursk region, 26 drones downed, governor says. Ukraine shelling injured five people, including three children, in Russia's Kursk region, with air defense systems downing 26 drones, interim governor Alexei Smirnov said Tuesday. Residential buildings in Sudzha were damaged. The attacks followed earlier drone strikes and shelling that injured one person and destroyed 41 drones. Ukraine often targets Russian military infrastructure in response to ongoing strikes on Ukrainian territory. Reuters

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian attempt to penetrate the border, regional governor says. Russian forces thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to penetrate the border in Russia's Kursk region, interim governor Alexei Smirnov said Tuesday. About 100 Ukrainian fighters tried to enter Russia in the Sudzha area. Reuters

Russian military chief Gerasimov inspects forces in Ukraine. The chief of Russia's general staff, Valery Gerasimov, has inspected Russian forces in the combat zone in Ukraine, the defense ministry said on Tuesday. The location and timing of the visit were unspecified. Gerasimov has faced criticism for setbacks in 2022 but can point to gradual advances, including the capture of Avdiivka in February. Despite holding nearly a fifth of Ukraine, Russia has not achieved a strategic breakthrough. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Gerasimov and ex-Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for alleged war crimes. Reuters

Ukraine says Mali's decision to cut ties over attack was hasty, short-sighted. Ukraine on Monday condemned Mali's decision to cut diplomatic ties, calling it hasty and unfounded, with no evidence provided of Kyiv's involvement in recent clashes in Mali. Mali severed relations following comments from Ukraine's military spy agency about fighting in northern Mali, where Tuareg rebels reportedly killed 84 Russian Wagner mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers. Ukraine's foreign ministry rejected allegations of supporting international terrorism and criticized Mali for not thoroughly investigating the incident before cutting ties. Reuters

Russia suspected Ukrainian attack on Navy Day parade, state TV says. Russia suspected Ukraine planned an attack during the Navy Day parade attended by President Vladimir Putin and contacted Washington with concerns, according to Russian state TV. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Defense Minister Andrei Belousov discussed the suspicions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The New York Times reported on July 26 that U.S. officials were unaware of such a plot but cautioned Ukraine against any operation. Russia's Navy Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of July each year. In 2024, it took place on July 28, featuring a naval parade in St. Petersburg attended by Putin. Reuters  Ukrainska Pravda

ISW reports detainment of two high-ranking Russian military officials for embezzlement. Russian authorities on Monday arrested Vyacheslav Akhmedov, head of the Patriot Park of the Russian Ministry of Defense, and Major General Vladimir Shesterov, deputy head of the Innovative Development Department, on suspicion of large-scale fraud. They are accused of embezzling over 40 million rubles ($471,000) in government procurement for Patriot Park, a project overseen by former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and recently arrested former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov. A Russian insider source, known for their accurate predictions, suggested that recently dismissed former Deputy Defense Minister Army General Pavel Popov might be the next high-ranking authority to be arrested. Since April of this year, several officials in the Russian defense ministry have been arrested on corruption charges. The arrests of Ivanov and others close to Shoigu suggest a Kremlin effort to purge the old guard and diminish Shoigu's influence under new defense ministry leadership. Ukrainska Pravda Institute for the Study of War 

ISW Russian Campaign Offensive Assessment for Monday August 5, 2024. A Russian insider source predicted Lieutenant General Alexander Shestakov's imminent departure from his role in the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with high-ranking Iranian officials in Tehran. Russia tightened pre-departure standards for Tajik migrants. Ukraine reported successful drone strikes on Russian targets.

Battlefield updates: Russian forces advanced east of Toretsk and Pokrovsk and near Donetsk City and Robotyne. Institute for the Study of War 

AMERICAS

America Isn’t Ready for the Wars of the Future.  Gen. Mark Milley (Ret.), the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Eric Schmidt, chair of the Special Competitive Studies Project and former Google CEO, offer a critique in the latest edition of Foreign Affairs of U.S. preparedness for the next war.  Citing the technological innovations of the Ukraine conflict as a sign of things to come, Milley and Schmidt note that both Ukraine and Russia “are racing to develop even more advanced technologies that can counter relentless attacks and overcome their adversary’s defenses.”  They say that similar technological advances are evident in many of the world’s hot spots – Myanmar, Sudan, Azerbaijan, and Gaza.  The eye-catching trend, they write, is that “today’s shifts are unusually rapid, and they will have a far greater effect.”  The accelerating technological change on the battlefield, Milley and Schmidt assert, “is a future for which the United States remains unprepared.”  The U.S. needs to move quickly on several fronts by reforming force structures, tactics, and leadership development.  Innovation is needed in procurement practices to acquire new types of equipment, and services need to train their forces in the operation of leading tech like drones and AI.  Uncrewed systems and the “integration of AI into every aspect of military planning and execution” are twin features of future war and already are in use and under development by many of the world’s militaries.  China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA), the authors observe, already has created an AI commander with decision-making authority in war game simulations, experience that could result in the use of AI-enabled responses to inform human decision-makers.  The challenge for the U.S. is that it “must change and adapt…and American officials must do so faster than their country’s adversaries.”  Foreign Affairs

Plea deal for three Sept. 11 suspects caught Austin off guard. A Pentagon spokesperson on Monday said that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was surprised by a defense official's agreement to allow plea deals for the man accused of orchestrating the Sept. 11 attacks, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and two accomplices. Austin revoked the plea deals last week and took over the responsibility for pre-trial agreements from Guantanamo war court overseer Susan Escallier, who was relieved of her authority. This decision means the three suspects could face a death penalty trial. The Pentagon spokesperson revealed that Austin was not consulted throughout the process and learned about the deal on July 31 while returning from the Philippines. The plea deals had been heavily criticized by many Republican lawmakers. Mohammed, a high-profile inmate at Guantanamo Bay, is accused of planning the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The plea deals also involved detainees Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin 'Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. Reuters 

Venezuela launches probe into opposition heads as protest repression intensifies.  Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab on Monday announced the launch of a criminal probe into opposition leader María Corina Machado and presidential candidate Edmundo González for urging the armed forces to stop supporting President Nicolás Maduro and to cease repressing protestors. Saab accused González and Machado of falsely declaring a different election winner and provoking police and military officials to disobedience. The opposition leaders, who are both in hiding amid calls for their arrest, face allegations of other crimes, including usurpation of functions and dissemination of false information to incite conspiracy and fear. The military, a key political arbiter in Venezuela, has shown no indication that it will abandon Maduro despite the opposition's claims that it won the July 28 election in an “electoral avalanche.” In a written appeal, González and Machado called on the security forces to support the people. Maduro's government, which has yet to provide voting tallies to confirm his victory, has arrested 2,000 opponents, with at least 11 people killed in post-election unrest. Human rights groups reported an increase in arbitrary arrests and the use of force to suppress dissent. González and Machado urged Venezuelans with family in the security forces to persuade them not to attack demonstrators and to follow the constitution, promising no impunity for abuses. Associated Press Politico Reuters

Colombia resumes military activities against ELN insurgents after cease-fire dies. Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez on Monday announced that the nation’s armed forces have resumed operations against the leftist rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), following the end of a six-month ceasefire on Saturday. President Gustavo Petro's government, which initiated peace talks with the ELN in the winter of 2022 as part of a total peace policy, aims to cease Colombia's 60-year-old conflict, which has caused over 450,000 deaths. Both the U.S. and the E.U. have deemed the ELN a terrorist group. With the ceasefire over, offensive military operations have resumed in Colombia, as ordered by the military and police leadership. The peace talks had stalled recently, and the ELN resumed kidnappings, a key source of their financing. Previous negotiations with the ELN failed due to the group's radical stance and internal dissent. Reuters

Colombia’s government opens dialogue with powerful Clan del Golfo gang. The government of Colombia on Monday approved the creation of a "social-judicial conversation space" with the Clan del Golfo, the country's largest criminal gang, to evaluate their willingness to comply with the rule of law and discuss potential terms for their surrender. The Clan del Golfo, also known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), is comprised of about 5,000 members, mostly former far-right paramilitaries. The government's resolution authorizes discussions between official representatives and the Clan del Golfo to explore their surrender. The government suspended a ceasefire with the Clan del Golfo in March 2023 due to their attacks on the military during protests by informal miners. In May of last year, the Clan del Golfo, which is allegedly involved in murders, drug smuggling, illegal mining, forced displacements, and other crimes, rejected a deal for reduced jail sentences in exchange for cooperation, opting instead to seek a peace deal with the government. Reuters

EUROPE

Britain’s Starmer says ‘standing army’ of police will be established to tackle rioting, unrest across the nation.  U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the creation of a specialist police force to manage riots, as well as an overhaul of the justice system to deal with numerous arrests following a week of violent disorder across the country. This unrest, attributed to "far-right thuggery" fueled by misinformation on social media, erupted after a stabbing incident at a dance class killed three girls and injured ten people. False rumors that the suspect was a Muslim asylum-seeker fueled attacks on both immigrants and mosques. Starmer stressed that such violence would not be tolerated, promising legal action against those involved. In recent days, mobs attacked hotels housing asylum-seekers, injuring dozens of police officers and leading to over 375 arrests. Many of those arrested appeared in court, with some denied bail. The justice system, meanwhile, faces challenges due to existing court backlogs and overcrowded prisons. Starmer rejected calls to reconvene Parliament or deploy the army, asserting that police could manage the situation. Associated Press

Dispute after U.K. nuclear submarine engineers’ IT software contracted out to Belarusian developers. The U.K. is facing pressure to conduct a critical review of defense supply chains after a story broke concerning the outsourcing of IT work for British nuclear submarine engineers to Belarusian developers. The Telegraph reported earlier that part of the IT software, which should have been developed by U.K.-based security-cleared workers, was instead contracted out to Belarusian developers, including one working from Russia. This outsourcing to Belarus, a long-time Kremlin ally, occurred before Moscow invaded Ukraine. The subcontracting was carried out by the firm WM Reply, hired by Rolls-Royce Submarines to upgrade its staff intranet system. The intranet system contained personal data and organizational details of Rolls-Royce Submarines' employees, posing risks of targeting or blackmail. Rolls-Royce asserted that thorough IT security checks were performed on the coding before it was integrated into their network, ensuring that non-cleared individuals could not access secure servers. Following a “rigorous internal investigation,” Rolls-Royce ceased working with WM Reply in 2021. Former U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and former Navy Admiral Alan West have highlighted the potential national security vulnerability, calling on the Defense Ministry to review its supply chains. Kyiv Independent The Telegraph Kyiv Post 

Bulgaria to carry out seventh election in three years after parties fail to form government.  Bulgaria is heading towards its seventh parliamentary election in three years after the latest attempt to form a coalition government failed. The nation’s struggle with political instability was triggered by anti-corruption protests in 2020, which led to the toppling of a coalition led by the center-right GERB party. GERB, the largest party in parliament, and the reformist We Continue the Change (PP) party both failed to form a coalition after the inconclusive June 8 election. On Monday, the anti-elite party There Is Such a People (ITN) also returned the mandate, unable to secure enough support. President Rumen Radev must now appoint a caretaker prime minister and call another snap election within two months. Radev warned that continuous inconclusive elections lead to destructive processes and called for meaningful political debate. Bulgaria, one of the E.U.’s poorest and most corrupt member states, needs a stable government to enhance EU fund utilization and advance its efforts to join the euro and the Schengen area. Reuters Al Jazeera

MOL Group CEO says confident in Hungary’s oil supply, in spite of Ukraine’s block on Lukoil transit.  Zsolt Hernadi, the CEO of MOL Group, a Hungarian oil and gas company, asserted that Hungary will not experience oil shortages despite Ukraine's decision to block the transit of Lukoil PJSC's crude. Speaking at a conference on Monday, Hernadi reassured his audience that panic is unnecessary, and that Hungary has 90 days of strategic reserves. The country also has the option to purchase Russian crude through Croatia. His confidence in the matter stands in stark contrasts to remarks made by both Slovakia and the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, both of which sought E.U. intervention. The bloc dismissed these concerns, stating that Kyiv's sanctions against Lukoil will not affect transit operations via the Druzhba pipeline. E.U. diplomats, as reported by Politico, are unsympathetic to complaints from Budapest and Bratislava, as neither country has managed to reduce its dependency on Russian oil, unlike other E.U. member states. Kyiv Independent Bloomberg

Labor shortages in Poland increasing as influx of Ukrainians slows, data suggests. Poland faces growing labor shortages as the influx of Ukrainian workers slows, with 1.16 million foreigners working in the country, mostly Ukrainians. The number of Ukrainians living in Poland rose from 650,000 in 2021 to 955,000 by the end of 2023. Sectors like logistics, manufacturing, transport, and construction are particularly affected. The potential for further immigration from Ukraine is dwindling, and tighter immigration policies are expected to exacerbate the issue. Kyiv Independent

THE MIDDLE EAST

At least 5 U.S. personnel injured in rocket assault against army base in Iraq’s west. U.S. officials said that at least five American personnel, and possibly up to seven, were wounded in an attack on the al Asad airbase base in western Iraq on Monday. According to two Iraqi security sources, the assault involved two Katyusha rockets, both of which fell within the base. The attack came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following the recent assassinations of senior leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, which have spurred concerns of broader conflict. One of the wounded Americans was seriously injured, and base personnel are assessing the damage. Washington, which said that both the president and vice president have been briefed on Monday’s attack, responded to the region’s escalating tensions by deploying additional military assets. Reuters Associated Press

Jordan claims it thwarted drug trafficking attempt from Syria. Jordan said that it thwarted an attempt to smuggle illicit drugs from Syria on Monday, as reported by state news agency Petra. A military source reported that clashes with security forces resulted in several smugglers being injured before they retreated back into Syria. The quantity of seized drugs was not disclosed. Syria has become a major hub for production of captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, with Jordan serving as a critical transit route to Gulf states. Western anti-narcotics officials and Jordanian authorities attribute the surge in the drug and weapons trade to Lebanon's Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias controlling southern Syria, allegations which Iran and Hezbollah deny. In response to increasing cross-border incursions, Jordan's army has carried out several pre-emptive air strikes inside Syria targeting drug trade-related militias and their facilities since last year. Reuters The Jordan Times  

Iranian president, in talks with Putin ally, calls for expanded ties with Russia. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday expressed a desire to expand ties with Russia during a meeting with Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister who is now secretary of Russia's Security Council. The meeting took place as Iran considers its response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Pezeshkian praised Russia for its support and emphasized their shared goal of promoting a multipolar world. Shoigu also met with Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian. The U.S. has expressed skepticism about Russia's role in easing Middle East tensions and noted Russia's deepening defense cooperation with Iran. Reuters 

ASIA & OCEANIA

Chaos in Bangladesh after Prime Minister flees to India. Exultant crowds flooded Dhaka’s streets following Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to resign and flee the country on Monday after violent crackdowns on protests against job quotas escalated into a movement demanding her removal. The unrest has resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. Jubilant protesters stormed the presidential residence, looting it, making off with costly items, and vandalizing a statue of Hasina's late father, state founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 76-year-old Hasina, who had ruled the nation for 20 of the last 30 years, left for her safety, according to her son. He indicated that she would not seek a political comeback. The army chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, announced the prime minister’s resignation and the formation of an interim government, while urging non-violence and faith in the military. He vowed that “we will bring justice to all the murders and injustice.” Media reports suggest that Hasina, who landed at a military airfield in India, would make her way to London. The protests began last month over job quotas, which seemed to favor Hasina's allies. The demonstrations subsequently turned into demands for her ouster, leading to severe clashes between police and students, including attacks on asylum-seekers' hotels and injuries to dozens of police officers. The U.S. has advocated for a restoration of peace, pressing the military to allow for a democratic and inclusive interim government formation process. A day after Hasina’s resignation, protesting student leaders called for the dissolution of parliament, cautioning the launch of a so-called "strict program" if their deadline is not met. In a video posted to Facebook, the students demanded that "revolutionary students” prepare themselves in case parliament is not dissolved by 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Reuters Wall Street Journal  New York Times Reuters CNN

A look into General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the Bangladesh general who announced Hasina's resignation. General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who became Bangladesh's army chief just over a month ago, has been pushed into the spotlight following the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday. In a televised address, Zaman announced the formation of an interim government after discussions with various political parties, though it remains unclear if the army will play a role in this government. Zaman, who became army chief on June 23, was born in Dhaka in 1966 and has significant military and academic credentials, including degrees from the National University of Bangladesh and King's College, London. His career includes roles such as Chief of General Staff and principal staff officer at the Armed Forces Division under the Prime Minister's Office. He has been involved in the modernization of the army and overseeing military operations, intelligence, and UN peacekeeping efforts. Amid the current turmoil, Zaman has called on army personnel to ensure the security of lives, properties, and state installations. Reuters

Hiroshima governor says nuclear disarmament must be tackled as a pressing issue, not an ideal. Hiroshima officials on Tuesday urged world leaders to abolish nuclear weapons, highlighting the imminent risk of atomic war amid global conflicts. The appeal came during the 79th anniversary of Hiroshima's atomic bombing, as Japan and the U.S. reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to nuclear deterrence. Hiroshima Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki emphasized the pressing need for nuclear abolition, while Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui condemned ongoing global conflicts. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to pursue practical disarmament measures despite Japan’s reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Survivors of the bombings continue to advocate for a nuclear arms ban​. Associated Press

Japan’s defense minister begins visits to Cambodia and Vietnam, both under Beijing’s shadow. Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Monday began his Southeast Asian trip with talks in Cambodia, a key ally of China, to bolster defense ties and counter Beijing’s influence. Kihara met with Cambodian defense officials and Prime Minister Hun Manet, discussing cooperation in human resources, personnel exchanges, and joint military training for disaster rescue operations. The visit comes as Japan seeks to strengthen partnerships with Cambodia and Vietnam amid concerns over China’s aggressive maritime activities. Concurrently, Cambodia started constructing a China-backed canal, highlighting Beijing’s influence in the region. Associated Press

AFRICA

Blinken pressures Sudan’s army to join ceasefire talks. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to join in ceasefire talks in Geneva this month, during a call on Monday. Burhan, in a statement on social media, emphasized the need to address concerns felt by the Sudanese government before negotiations can begin. Sudan’s government has stated that negotiations are unacceptable unless the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fully withdraw and cease expansion. Despite this stance, the government has requested meetings with U.S. officials to discuss the agenda for the upcoming discussions. The talks in Switzerland, which the RSF has agreed to attend, aim to mediate between the warring sides to end the 15-month conflict. Reuters 

Congolese police officers flee to Uganda as fighting intensifies. Nearly 100 Congolese police officers fled to Uganda amid intensifying clashes between M23 rebels and the Congolese military. The officers crossed into Uganda at the Ishasha border, carrying 43 guns and ammunition, and were subsequently disarmed. Over the past four days, 2,500 Congolese refugees also arrived in Uganda due to escalating violence and insecurity. The M23 insurgency, which began in 2022, continues to displace thousands, with 1.7 million people forced from their homes in North Kivu alone. The conflict has exacerbated hunger and instability in the region, despite intensified military efforts to reclaim rebel-held territories. Reuters

Tunisian court jails four presidential candidates and bars them from elections. A Tunisian court on Monday sentenced four presidential candidates, including politician Abdel Latif Mekki and activist Nizar Chaari, to eight months in prison and barred them from running for office on charges of vote buying. This move, seen by opposition parties and human rights groups as an attempt to exclude serious competitors of President Kais Saied, comes ahead of the October 6 election. Saied, elected in 2019, dissolved parliament in 2021 and has ruled by decree since. Opposition leaders accuse his government of judicial pressure to eliminate rivals, a claim Saied denies. Reuters 

CYBER & TECH

U.K. says social media put ‘rocket boosters’ on misinformation fueling riots.  British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Monday that social media platforms “put rocket boosters” on the riots that broke out across the U.K. over the past week.  “Misinformation and encouragement of violence” was widespread online, the government said.  While noting that the police will investigate “online criminality,” Cooper said “social media companies also need to take some responsibility for this.”  More than 420 arrests have been made in the wake of unrest that followed the murder of three young girls near Liverpool.  Cooper added that the government will be in touch with tech platform leaders to discuss the incendiary online content.  She said a “longer-term debate about the wider legal framework” for combating online disinformation is needed.  Soon after the murders, social media posts spread false information about the alleged attacker, describing the suspect as a recent migrant and a Muslim, neither of which is true.  Britain’s 2023 Online Safety Act empowered government media regulators to impose penalties on social media outlets if the misinformation is distributed with intent to cause harm to a target audience.  Some provisions of the Act may result in enforcement actions, including proscriptions of online postings that “encourage, promote or provide instructions for violence, or incite hatred against people of a particular race or religion.”  Financial Times

Google found to have illegally preserved status as ‘monopoly’ search engine.  Google has lost an antitrust case in Federal court on the grounds that the tech platform illegally preserved a search engine monopoly.  According to a U.S. district judge, Google capitalized on its search market position to eliminate competitors.  The judge’s decision described Google as a “monopolist” that has “acted as one to maintain its monopoly.”  The judge also drew attention to Google’s destruction of internal communications related to the case.  According to the Justice Department’s antitrust argument, Google paid billions to web browsers and phone makers to designate the search engine as a default choice.  A Google executive said the company plans to appeal the ruling, noting that the court’s decision “recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn’t be allowed to make it easily available.”  The company’s appeal could delay a final resolution of the case for years.  A Justice Department antitrust official said the court's action “paves the path for innovation for generations to come and protects access to information for all Americans.”  Wall Street Journal   Bloomberg   Reuters

Pentagon R&D chief defends innovation program faulted by Senate appropriators.  In response to sharp criticism from members of the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) concerning slow progress of the Pentagon’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER), Heidu Shyu, undersecretary for research and engineering and the initiative’s chief proponent, has offered a defense of the program.  Shyu said that the RDER already has delivered “critical” capabilities to the military, noting that “we’re doing things because the services are not.”  The entirety of RDER efforts, Shyu pointed out, are “pre-Replicator,” not duplications of that drone program’s goals.  Nevertheless, the SAC’s assessment of RDER accomplishments was skeptical, stating that “less than one-third of RDER programs funded in fiscal year 2023 have ‘graduated’ from the program and formally transitioned into the Services.”  In defending RDER, Shyu cited the support of the Pentagon’s Deputy’s Management Action Group (DMAG), which represents all DoD undersecretaries, services, and combat commands.  “They all concurred,” Shyu said, “thumbs up, on the first four sets of prototypes, that these are mature enough to get into production and rapid fielding.”  The prototypes tested, she added, ranged from “solar-powered stratospheric UAVs, to very low-cost UAVs, to loitering munitions, to unmanned surface vehicles, to decoys, to systems that gave us ability to tie together all these domains, [i.e.] multi-domain command and control.”  BreakingDefense

South Korean agency reports North Korean hacks of construction, machinery sectors.  South Korea’s cybersecurity agency, KCIC, has identified two North Korean hacking groups, Kimsuky and Andariel, as instigators of cyberattacks on South Korean construction, machinery and urban development sectors.  The KCIC said there has been a “significant increase” in hacking attacks targeting these sectors and against government officials.  Kimsuky and Andariel have been associated with Pyongyang’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), an intelligence agency specializing in operations against Seoul along with Japan and the U.S.  The KCIC advisory said it is unusual for two RGB-linked hacking groups “to simultaneously focus on attacking a specific sector to achieve the same policy objectives, indicating the need for thorough preparedness.”  According to the KCIC, the probable goal for the North Korean cyber operations is “to use the stolen data” in targeted sectors to advance the North’s industrial plant construction and local development plans.  In one of the attacks, the Andariel group used vulnerabilities in the VPN information security software of targeted construction and machinery companies to replace update files with malware.  Cybernews

Chinese launches first set of satellites for ‘mega-constellation’ to rival SpaceX.  A Chinese state-owned space launch company reported liftoff Monday of the first set of satellites intended for a mega-constellation to rival that of the U.S. firm, SpaceX.  The Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) enterprise plans to launch 108 satellites this year, 648 satellites by the end of 2025, and to provide a "global network coverage" by 2027.  Before 2030, SSST plans to deploy 15,000 satellites.  Liftoff of the satellites took place from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, one of China's main satellite and missile launch facilities.  SSST's "Thousand Sails constellation," also known as the “G60 Starlink Plan,” is one of three "ten-thousand-star constellation" initiatives through which China plans to close the gap with SpaceX.  SSST did not respond to a request for comment on the report.  Reuters

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Brad Christian, Elaine Shannon, Brian Bonner, Ken Hughes & Katharine Campbell contributed to this report.

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