Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, shifting security strategies, deepening bilateral partnerships, US-brokered diplomacy, and rising public unrest underscored a global landscape in motion — from Europe’s defence recalibration to expanding transatlantic ties, Asian drug economies, and African health cooperation.

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US National Security Strategy  urges Europe to ‘stand on its own feet’ as Washington shifts global priorities

The United States has released a new National Security Strategy outlining a significant shift in its approach to Europe, calling for the “cultivation of resistance” to what it views as declining democratic standards, restrictive governance, and demographic pressures. The 33-page document argues that European governments are hindering an “expeditious cessation of hostilities” in Ukraine, which Washington frames as essential for economic stability and restoring strategic balance with Russia.

The strategy reorients US foreign policy around an updated Monroe Doctrine, prioritising American dominance in the western hemisphere, border control, reindustrialisation, and shifting defence burdens onto allies. It also highlights long-term competition with China, a pivot toward investment-led engagement in the Middle East, and a transition in Africa policy from aid to trade and minerals.

China and France deepen cooperation across energy and tech; India and Russia reaffirm oil and defence ties

China and France signed 12 cooperation agreements during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Beijing, covering nuclear energy, investment, ageing, aviation, AI, and biopharmaceuticals. Following talks at the Great Hall of the People, President Xi Jinping called for deeper collaboration in green development and technology, while Macron emphasised sustained dialogue amid rising geopolitical and economic pressures. The visit, supported by a major French business delegation, comes as Paris seeks greater foreign policy influence ahead of 2027 and as China eases tensions with the EU.

In New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Russia would continue “uninterrupted” oil supplies despite US President Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian crude. Both leaders highlighted the resilience of the India–Russia partnership and agreed to expand defence and economic cooperation, including a 2030 trade roadmap and plans for joint development of advanced defence systems.

DR Congo and Rwanda endorse US-backed peace accord in Washington

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have formally endorsed a new peace accord at a Washington summit hosted by US President Donald Trump, seeking to stabilise eastern DR Congo after months of renewed fighting. The agreement, first signed by both countries’ foreign ministers in June, comes as clashes persist between government forces and the M23 movement, which Kinshasa says is backed by Rwanda — a charge Kigali denies.

At the ceremony, President Félix Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame expressed cautious optimism, calling for strict implementation of troop withdrawals and disarmament. The United Nations reports Rwanda retains “de facto control” over some M23 units, while the US promotes wider regional economic cooperation. Qatar continues parallel talks with M23.

UK and Norway launch defence pact to operate joint anti-submarine fleet in the North Atlantic 

The United Kingdom and Norway have agreed a new defence pact to strengthen anti-submarine warfareacross the North Atlantic, responding to a reported 30% rise in Russian naval activity near UK waters. The deal, signed by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O Sandvik, will see both nations jointly operate at least 13 anti-submarine ships, including Type-26 frigates, enhanced maritime patrols, and integrated Sting Ray torpedoes and Naval Strike Missiles.

The partnership will also develop new undersea “motherships” for uncrewed systems, alongside expanded Arctic training, war-gaming, and protection of seabed infrastructure. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmercalled the pact “historic” for European security

Russia cancels military pacts with Portugal, France, and Canada as EU eyes frozen assets

Russia has formally terminated its long-standing military cooperation agreements with Portugal, France, and Canada, declaring the Cold War–era pacts — signed between 1989 and 2000 — no longer strategically relevant. The move continues Moscow’s rollback of post–Cold War engagement, following its July decision to cancel a 1996 agreement with Germany, which it accused of adopting “hostile” and “militaristic” policies.

The terminations come as Portugal and France support EU proposals to use frozen Russian state assetsto finance loans for Ukraine, with the bloc debating how to mobilise roughly €210bn in immobilised funds to address Kyiv’s two-year budget gap.

Mass protests erupt in Bulgaria over budget and corruption; German youth rally against military service reform

Bulgaria saw its largest demonstrations in years as an estimated 50,000 people gathered outside the National Assembly in Sofia, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov over proposed tax rises, corruption concerns, and calls for a “Young Bulgaria without the mafia”. Protests were largely peaceful, though later clashes resulted in 10 arrests and two police injuries. President Rumen Radevurged restraint and supported early elections as Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro in January 2026, with Christine Lagarde warning of inflation risks.

In Germany, youth groups staged protests across 90 cities against the government’s new military service reform. The legislation requires all 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire on their fitness and willingness to serve, while participation remains voluntary for women. Defence Minister Boris Pistoriusdefended the policy, stressing that democracy “must be defended every single day” as Berlin aims to expand troop levels to meet NATO targets.

Canada joins EU’s €150bn SAFE defence fund, expanding transatlantic cooperation

Canada has become the first non-European country to join the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund, a €150bn initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s defence readiness by 2030. Prime Minister Mark Carney said membership will expand market access for Canadian defence firms and deepen cooperation with the EU in what he called a “dangerous and divided world”.

The move comes amid heightened concerns over Russia and uncertainty about long-term US security guarantees. Ottawa has already signalled procurement changes, with over 70% of future Canadian military capital spending set to move away from US suppliers. SAFE prioritises missiles, drones, cyber, and air and missile defence; UK–EU talks on participation ended without agreement.

Spain and Morocco sign 14 agreements as bilateral ties reach “historic high”

Spain and Morocco signed 14 cooperation agreements at the 13th High-Level Meeting in Madrid, hosted by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and attended by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, alongside foreign ministers José Manuel Albares and Nasser Bourita. Both sides described relations as at a “historic high”, following Spain’s 2022 backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

The agreements span diplomacy, economic development, education, disaster response, and cultural exchange, ahead of the countries’ co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The package includes a new Feminist Foreign Policy MoU, cooperation on agriculture and IUU fishing, expanded digital governance, and migration and security coordination. Annual bilateral trade now exceeds €22.7bn.

US-UK agree zero-tariff deal on pharmaceuticals

The United Kingdom and the United States have agreed a three-year deal preserving zero tariffs on UK pharmaceutical exports, while committing London to allow higher NHS medicine prices for the first time in two decades. The UK will raise its cost-effectiveness threshold for new medicines by 25%, double NHS drug spending from 0.3% to 0.6% of GDP over ten years, and cap industry rebate payments at 15%.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said the agreement safeguards at least £5bn in annual exports. White House spokesman Kush Desai described it as a “historic step”. Analysts, however, warn NHS costs could rise by £3bn annually as pricing reforms take effect.

UNODC: Myanmar opium cultivation hits decade high as prices surge

Opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar has reached its highest level in a decade, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The 2025 survey records a 17% increase, rising from 45,200 to 53,100 hectares across all major growing regions, reinforcing Myanmar’s position as the world’s leading source of illicit opium amid declining output in Afghanistan.

UNODC Representative Delphine Schantz said the expansion shows how deeply the opium economy has re-established itself. Rising farm-gate prices — up from $145/kg in 2019 to $329 in 2025 — continue to draw farmers back to poppy crops, even as conflict and insecurity limit yields. Authorities also report increased flows of Myanmar-origin heroin entering international markets.

US signs major health agreements with Kenya and Rwanda under new aid strategy

The United States has signed new long-term health agreements with Kenya and Rwanda, signalling a restructuring of US foreign aid under President Donald Trump. A $2.5bn, five-year pact with President William Ruto’s government redirects funding from NGOs to state systems, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio framing the shift as support for national “self-sustainability”.

Washington has also agreed a $228m, five-year framework with Rwanda, co-funded by both governments. The deal allocates up to $158m for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and disease surveillance, while Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said it advances Rwanda’s goal of a more “technology-enabled” health system. Further African agreements are expected as the USAID wind-down continues.

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