China 

• Russia Assists China’s Military in Potential Taiwan Invasion 
• China Expands Economic Influence in Nicaragua 
• Political Purges, Information Security, and Politicization of China’s Rocket Force 
• China Expresses Concern Over Potential Somaliland Breakaway 

Russia 

• Russian Influence in Syria Maintained Through Military Equipment Dependency 
• Russian Leadership Focuses on Anti-Aging Research With Military Implications 
• Gold Provides Russia a Financial Lifeline To Sustain War Efforts in Ukraine 
• Dated Russian 2S19 Msta-S Self-Propelled Artillery Remains Prevalent on Battlefield 

Iran 

• Iran Asserts U.S. Agenda Aims for Israeli Dominance in Region
• Quds Force Commander Claims Assassination Rumors Are Intended to Track His Location

North Korea 

• Kim Jong Un Continues To Criticize Corruption Within Ruling Party 
• North Korean Leader Reaffirms Hostility Toward Seoul and Indifference to Washington 

Terrorism and Transnational Crime 

• Mexico’s Navy and Ruling Morena Party Face Criminal Penetration 

Global Operational Environment 

• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement 
• Kazakhstan Assigns Ministry of Emergency Situations Responsibility for Territorial Defense 
• Increasing Turkish-Egyptian Defense Cooperation Could Shift Regional Security Dynamics