dominated by three storylines: the fragile endgame of the 2026 Iran war, with the US-Iran 60-day MoU expiring amid disputed claims over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a US naval blockade Washington says can continue “indefinitely,” and Trump rejecting an MoU extension while claiming the US has taken control of Hormuz; an intensifying Russia-Ukraine war, with record Russian missile/drone barrages hitting Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Zaporizhzhia even as Ukraine claims territorial gains in Dnipropetrovsk and a 103-prisoner exchange took place today; and a last-minute US-Canada tariff truce, with Trump pausing 50% duties and declaring a “deal” (steel/aluminum tariffs reportedly falling from 50% to 25%) just as Israel continues deadly strikes in Gaza and Lebanon, Venezuela’s earthquake-recovery and US oil purchases reshape its economy, and DRC-Rwanda peace-process monitors met this week in Geneva.
Middle East
- Iran / United States / Israel: The 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding expired this week; Trump rejected an extension and said the US now controls the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran denies this and its top negotiator, Ghalibaf, declared “victory” in the war. Washington maintains it can sustain its naval blockade of Iranian ports indefinitely; shipping through Hormuz remains slowed as owners stay cautious.
- State of Palestine / Israel: Israeli strikes continue in Gaza (a seaside café strike killed seven Tuesday; a strike on alleged Hamas commanders killed six more) and Lebanon. Hamas says it remains committed to a US-backed disarmament deal, though reports suggest the “Board of Peace” may push an all-at-once disarmament rather than phased.
- Syria: Damascus allowed IAEA chief Rafael Grossi to inspect undeclared uranium metal and graphite stockpiles tied to the former Al-Kibar reactor site, with Syria agreeing the material will face routine IAEA safeguards.
- Oman / Saudi Arabia / UAE / Kuwait: Oman is negotiating a Hormuz shipping-management arrangement with Iran that the Trump administration opposes; Trump reportedly threatened to bomb Oman over it. A “Mecca Joint Defence Pact” was signed among regional states amid the Iran war.
Europe
- Ukraine / Russia: Russia launched fresh ballistic-missile and jet-drone strikes overnight (Zhytomyr police HQ hit, casualties reported); Ukraine says it repelled a counterattack and struck Russian missile/space-industry facilities and grain ships in the Black Sea. A 103-for-103 POW exchange occurred today. Putin reportedly admitted Ukrainian strikes are hurting Russia’s economy.
- United Kingdom: PM Andy Burnham reaffirmed UK support for Ukraine “100%”; Russia’s Lavrov labeled Britain a “party to war” against Russia.
- Hungary: Ukraine welcomed the closure of Hungary’s “gold convoy” investigation (seized cash/gold shipment from Austria).
- Turkey: A suspected drone exploded at a police station in Trabzon, damaging property.
Americas
- United States / Canada: Trump paused threatened 50% tariffs on ~$20 billion of Canadian goods just before a midnight deadline, announcing a “deal” with PM Mark Carney; officials are finalizing text that reportedly cuts steel/aluminum tariffs from 50% to 25%, with Carney asking provinces to restock American liquor.
- Venezuela: About half of Venezuela’s oil output (500,000+ barrels) is now flowing to US refineries, a sharp pivot away from China. The US also imposed new Venezuela-related sanctions on a British Virgin Islands-based entity. The country continues recovering from June’s devastating earthquakes.
- Brazil: São Paulo police arrested a man accused of importing restricted firearm parts from Florida and 3D-printing weapons for Rio criminal groups.
Asia-Pacific
- South Korea / North Korea / United States: Seoul and Washington are cutting short the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills (ending Aug. 21 instead of Aug. 27) after Trump ordered reduced US participation, which South Korea’s foreign minister said is partly meant to pressure Seoul on Iran-war support.
- China / Taiwan: Tensions continue over Taiwan’s 2026 local elections, which analysts say Beijing is using as an interference testing ground; Taiwan’s government also protested Uganda’s denial of entry to Taiwanese citizens and censorship of its flag at a choir event in Sweden.
- North Korea / Russia: Russian FM Lavrov told his North Korean counterpart the two countries are building a “new and righteous world order,” crediting North Korean troops with helping push Ukrainian forces from a Russian region.
Africa
- Democratic Republic of the Congo / Rwanda: The sixth Joint Security Coordination Mechanism meeting (US, DRC, Rwanda, Qatar, African Union) was held August 12–13 in Geneva to monitor implementation of the Washington Accords; next round set for mid-September.
- Sudan: OCHA continues warning of escalating violence and civilian harm from drone strikes in the Kordofan region, alongside cholera outbreaks and severe funding shortfalls for the humanitarian response.
