Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, Syria sought stability after renewed clashes, the DRC and M23 agreed a ceasefire, and the EU’s €2tn budget plan drew criticism. Meanwhile, global alliances and conflicts continued to shift.

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Syria seeks stability following Sweida clashes and Israeli airstrikes

Syria has declared a ceasefire in Sweida following a week of violence involving Druze militias, Bedouin groups, government forces, and Israeli airstrikes. The fighting, sparked by a reported highway robbery on 13 July, escalated into wider clashes that killed over 900 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Israel, citing protection of its Druze minority and security concerns, launched strikes on Syrian government targets, including in Damascus and Sweida. Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, has pledged to protect minority communities but faces scepticism from Druze leaders.

A US-backed truce was announced on 19 July, though sporadic fighting continues. The ceasefire may allow Syrian forces to redeploy in Sweida without further Israeli attacks.

DRC and M23 agree provisional ceasefire in Qatar

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the M23 armed group have signed a provisional ceasefire in Qatar, with plans to finalise a permanent peace deal by 18 August. Backed by the African Union, the agreement follows earlier talks in Washington and is seen as a step toward stability in eastern DRC.

Both sides agreed to halt hostilities, refrain from hate speech, and avoid territorial advances. M23 is seeking the release of detained fighters, while the DRC demands full withdrawal from occupied areas. Over seven million people have been displaced by the conflict, which the UN ranks among the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

EU unveils €2tn budget plan, sparking pushback from key members

The European Commission has unveiled a €2 trillion budget plan for 2028–2034, aiming to enhance EU security, competitiveness, and Ukraine’s reconstruction. €451 billion is allocated to competitiveness, including €131 billion for defence and space — a fivefold increase. Up to €100 billion is earmarked for Ukraine, with added crisis-response flexibility.

The proposal also reforms the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), cutting direct subsidies and redirecting funds — prompting protests from farmer unions. Germany rejected the plan, criticising the size of the budget and proposed taxes on large firms. France welcomed the ambition, while others called it too expensive. The proposal now enters a two-year negotiation process across EU institutions.

UK and Germany sign defence and security treaty

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed a bilateral treaty to deepen defence, security, and law enforcement cooperation. The agreement includes a mutual assistance clause in case of armed attack, continued support for Ukraine, and expanded dialogue on defence strategy, including nuclear issues.

Germany will criminalise migrant smuggling to the UK by late 2025, boosting joint efforts to combat cross-Channel trafficking. The treaty also covers defence industry collaboration, with German firm Stark set to open a drone factory in the UK and plans for joint development of military hardware. Additional measures aim to ease student travel and school exchanges. Starmer called it a “clear signal of shared purpose.”

Trump signs landmark cryptocurrency act into law

President Donald Trump has signed the GENIUS Act, the first major US law regulating stablecoins—digital assets pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar. The legislation, passed with bipartisan support, creates a legal framework for issuing and overseeing stablecoins, aiming to ensure consumer protection and financial stability.

Under the new law, banks, credit unions, and approved nonbank firms can issue stablecoins, provided they meet regulatory standards. Supporters say it could modernise payments by enabling faster, low-cost transactions.

Introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty, the act is seen as a step toward integrating digital assets into the mainstream financial system. The stablecoin market is currently valued at approximately $250 billion.

UK resettles Afghans after data breach; proposes lowering voting age to 16

The UK has resettled around 4,500 Afghans under a confidential scheme launched after a 2022 Ministry of Defence data breach exposed nearly 19,000 ARAP applicants. Caused by an unauthorised email, the breach raised fears of Taliban reprisals. A super-injunction blocked reporting until this week. Around 2,400 remain in Afghanistan. The scheme is now closed, though existing offers will be honoured.

Separately, the government has announced reforms to modernise democracy, including lowering the voting age to 16 in all UK elections. The changes expand voter ID options, tighten rules on foreign donations, and increase penalties for election-related abuse. The Electoral Commission will also gain stronger enforcement powers under the new measures.

Sudan’s Kordofan region emerges as key battleground in conflict

Sudan’s western Kordofan region is central to the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF controls much of western Sudan and aims to advance north, potentially limiting army movements and paving the way for a rival administration.

The army seeks to regain control of key routes through Kordofan to influence Darfur, where the RSF has made recent gains. Intense fighting near El-Obeid has caused hundreds of casualties, with strategic towns like Umm Sumaymah and Bara changing hands.

Analysts warn the conflict may be prolonged, with the RSF’s territorial ambitions and tribal alliances suggesting plans for a divided government similar to Libya’s. The region’s military and economic importance makes it a crucial focus for both sides.

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