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Global Affairs · 4 stories · About 2 minutesPublished 12:36 pm IST

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  1. 04Global AffairsUS and UK complete troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending anti-IS missionThe withdrawal concludes a 23-year military presence and resets security relations between Washington and Baghdad.
  2. 08Global AffairsUS sanctions 10 entities across Iran, Hong Kong, and Pakistan over military procurement networkThe action increases compliance and legal risks for international businesses and trade intermediaries operating in major commercial hubs like Hong Kong and Pakistan.
  3. 13Global AffairsRussia launches major overnight strikes on Ukrainian energy grid across 11 regions, PM saysSimultaneous damage to power grids and railway lines impairs both electricity distribution and national transport capabilities.
  4. 15Global AffairsET Government reports: Prime Minister Modi raises US sanctions concerns in call with President TrumpUS sanctions on Moscow and Tehran complicate India's long-standing defence procurement and energy supplies.
Global Affairs04 / 15

US and UK complete troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending anti-IS mission

A military vehicle convoy traveling on a road in Iraq.
A military vehicle convoy traveling on a road in Iraq. · Al Jazeera English / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 2.0

What happened

The United States and the United Kingdom have concluded their anti-Islamic State military mission in Iraq and withdrawn remaining troops. The departure ends Operation Inherent Resolve, fulfilling a demand from the Iraqi government under a deal agreed two years ago.

Why it matters

The withdrawal concludes a 23-year military presence and resets security relations between Washington and Baghdad. Transitioning from a multilateral combat coalition to a bilateral security partnership grants Iraq full authority over its domestic security framework.

Bigger picture

The move reflects a broader geopolitical shift as Western nations wind down long-standing counter-terrorism deployments in favor of direct security cooperation agreements with regional partner governments.

Watch next

Implementation of the new US-Iraq bilateral security partnership, including follow-on agreements on intelligence sharing and ongoing security cooperation.

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Global Affairs08 / 15

US sanctions 10 entities across Iran, Hong Kong, and Pakistan over military procurement network

A truck hauling a large metal cargo shipping container.
A truck hauling a large metal cargo shipping container. · David Valenzuela / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

What happened

The US Department of the Treasury penalized 10 individuals and entities across Iran, Hong Kong, and Pakistan under an initiative named Operation Economic Outcast. The targeted sanctions hit international facilitators supplying weapons components to Iran's Ministry of Defense while diplomatic talks remain uncertain.

Why it matters

The action increases compliance and legal risks for international businesses and trade intermediaries operating in major commercial hubs like Hong Kong and Pakistan. Companies operating multi-jurisdictional supply chains face heightened exposure to US enforcement if trade connects to Iranian defense procurement.

Bigger picture

With formal diplomatic negotiations uncertain, Washington is leveraging targeted economic enforcement against third-country intermediaries to degrade Iranian military procurement without relying on formal diplomatic agreements.

Watch next

Monitor upcoming US Treasury enforcement actions under Operation Economic Outcast and diplomatic updates regarding talks with Iran.

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Global Affairs13 / 15

Russia launches major overnight strikes on Ukrainian energy grid across 11 regions, PM says

What happened

Russian forces launched overnight strikes targeting energy infrastructure across 11 regions, according to Ukraine's prime minister. The offensive marks the largest attack on the country's power grid since spring, while also hitting residential buildings and national railway networks.

Why it matters

Simultaneous damage to power grids and railway lines impairs both electricity distribution and national transport capabilities. The multi-region scope strains emergency response capacity and complicates rapid restoration across affected transit corridors.

Bigger picture

The strikes represent the largest assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since spring, renewing physical pressure on critical civilian supply lines and national power networks.

Watch next

Watch for official Ukrainian damage assessments and reported restoration timelines for regional power grids and railway networks.

Original source
BBC
Edition published 12:36 pm IST
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Global Affairs15 / 15

ET Government reports: Prime Minister Modi raises US sanctions concerns in call with President Trump

A formal appearance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ireland.
A formal appearance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ireland. · Prime Minister's Office / Wikimedia CommonsGODL-India

What happened

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, defence, critical technologies, and energy during a phone call. During the exchange, Modi raised concerns about US sanctions laws targeting Russia and Iran, asking how they might affect ongoing US-India cooperation.

Why it matters

US sanctions on Moscow and Tehran complicate India's long-standing defence procurement and energy supplies. Continued uncertainty over sanctions enforcement risks delaying joint initiatives in critical technology sharing and cross-border trade.

Bigger picture

The exchange underscores a persistent policy friction where domestic US sanctions targeting third nations overlap with Washington's efforts to deepen strategic and economic alliances with key international partners.

Watch next

Monitor official diplomatic readouts for policy clarifications, potential sanctions waiver discussions, or updates from upcoming bilateral working-group meetings.

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