Latest news for 2 October 2025

UKRAINE

Strike.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting the US will, in a first, start providing Ukraine with intelligence for long-range strikes on Russia’s energy structure. The US is also weighing deliveries of Tomahawks, Barracudas, and other US missiles. (The WSJ)

Comment: The Kremlin will inevitably warn of consequences if the US supplies these arms, though Putin’s consequences will probably just look the same as when Ukraine got Western systems like ATACMS, Himars, Storm Shadow, and Scalp: ie, he’s bluffing.

COLOMBIA

Be gone.

President Petro has had another busy day on the foreign front, expelling Israel’s last remaining diplomats in protest at the interception of a flotilla of activists headed for Gaza. He’s also in a spat with his own foreign ministry after flagging he’ll replace all “feudal” career ambassadors with loyalists. (MercoPress)

Comment: Petro is facing several scandals back home, including not just a deteriorating security situation, but also an eldest son now facing even more corruption charges at an indictment hearing due within days.

EUROPEAN UNION

Drone on.

European leaders in Denmark have failed to agree on a new ‘drone wall’ to protect Europe’s eastern and northern flanks from Russian drone incursions. Europe’s four biggest economies (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) are the ones managing expectations, while Eastern and Baltic states are full steam ahead. (Euractiv)

Comment: This is partly the point of Putin’s hybrid warfare: send a few drones, then watch the West squabble over any response, while border nations fret over allied reliability. It also distracts Europe from Putin’s own mounting woes (Russian analysts now assess 38% of its refining capacity is now offline, mostly due to Ukrainian hits).

PHILIPPINES

Deadly quake.

A 6.9 earthquake in central Philippines has left some 70 or more people dead, just weeks after the country was battered by two back-to-back typhoons. (Philstar)

SOUTH KOREA

Makin’ it rain.

President Lee has used his Armed Forces Day address to announce that South Korea will boost its military spending by 8.2% next year. Amid US pressure on allies to spend more, Lee said “the momentum for cooperation and shared prosperity is weakening across the world, and we are entering an era of increased conflict, where it’s every man for himself.” (MSN)

Comment: Lee’s diagnosis is spot on.

AFGHANISTAN

Reconnected.

Parts of Afghanistan are now regaining their internet and telecom connections after two days of complete blackout that hit banking, travel, and aid. The ruling Taliban hasn’t offered an explanation, though the group has been intentionally severing cables to cut down on “vice” lately. (France24)

BARBADOS

No borders.

Four Caribbean countries (Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St Vincent & the Grenadines) have finalised an EU-style free movement pact after years of talks. They’re hoping it’ll not just help with economic integration, but also stem the brain-drain of highly-skilled folks leaving for the US, UK, and Canada. (Guardian)

Comment: It’s an interesting counterpoint to immigration debates playing out elsewhere, which have tended to lean away from integration lately. The relevant Barbados ambassador is crediting the neighbours’ cultural similarities for their willingness to open up further.