Situation Report

A weekly digest of national security, defense, and cybersecurity news from Foreign Policy reporters Jack Detsch and Robbie Gramer, formerly Security Brief. Delivered Thursday.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.

Meet Ukraine’s New Defense Boss

He’s not the same as the old boss.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Amy Mackinnon
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Musk’s Starlink Shutdown Raises Eyebrows

No one man should have all that power, U.S. lawmakers say.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch
Armenian soldiers patrol at a checkpoint after a Russian-brokered ceasefire ended a six-week conflict with Azerbaijan, near a demarcation line outside Askeran in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Nov. 21, 2020.
Armenian soldiers patrol at a checkpoint after a Russian-brokered ceasefire ended a six-week conflict with Azerbaijan, near a demarcation line outside Askeran in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Nov. 21, 2020.

Putin Faces Geopolitical Setback in South Caucasus

Armenia turns toward West after accusing Russia of failing as a partner.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer
The State Department building is seen in Washington on Sept. 4, 2022.
The State Department building is seen in Washington on Sept. 4, 2022.

State Department Taps New Top China Official

Veteran diplomat Mark Lambert will lead the new “China House.”

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A member of the private mercenary Wagner Group pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin after his plane crashed at the makeshift memorial in front of the Wagner office in Novosibirsk, Russia.
A member of the private mercenary Wagner Group pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin after his plane crashed at the makeshift memorial in front of the Wagner office in Novosibirsk, Russia.

What’s Next for the Wagner Group?

The infamous Russian mercenary group finds itself without a leader, but still with a mission.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol greet each other ahead of a meeting during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima, Japan on May 21.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol greet each other ahead of a meeting during the G7 Leaders' Summit in Hiroshima, Japan on May 21.

Biden’s Big Bet on Japan and South Korea

Can rising enemies bring old frenemies together?

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
A Ukrainian marine from the 37th Brigade walks past an M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer at a position in the Donetsk region on July 10, 2023.
A Ukrainian marine from the 37th Brigade walks past an M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer at a position in the Donetsk region on July 10, 2023.

Biden Scrounges Up More U.S. Weapons for Ukraine

Too little, too late?

Situation Report
Jack Detsch
A person holds a Nigerien flag during an Independence Day demonstration in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on Aug. 3.
A person holds a Nigerien flag during an Independence Day demonstration in Niamey, Niger’s capital, on Aug. 3.

Niger Is Not Just a Western Problem

The whole region wants to jump into the fray.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch
Platoon commanders of Ukraine's National Guard take part in a military training in the Kharkiv region on July 26.
Platoon commanders of Ukraine's National Guard take part in a military training in the Kharkiv region on July 26.

Ukraine Brings the Pain

Kyiv’s forces are finally starting to breach the dragon’s teeth.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
People browse books as part of the world's longest outdoor bookcase at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
People browse books as part of the world's longest outdoor bookcase at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

The Definitive Summer Reading Guide for National Security Nerds

Your vacation (hopefully) awaits. And here are the best books to pair with it.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
Soldiers patrol just outside the NATO summit venue on in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 10.
Soldiers patrol just outside the NATO summit venue on in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 10.

A (Mostly Secret) Revolution Is Afoot in NATO’s Military

New defense plans signal the biggest alliance overhaul since the Cold War.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
Ukrainian soldiers fire a M777 howitzer toward Russian positions on the front line in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a M777 howitzer toward Russian positions on the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Biden Set to OK Cluster Munitions for Ukraine

The decision to send the controversial weapons comes after months of knife fights within the U.S. administration.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
A Sudanese soldier stands guard onboard a tugboat ahead of transporting evacuees to a warship at Port Sudan on April 30, during a rescue operation carried out by the Royal Saudi Navy.
A Sudanese soldier stands guard onboard a tugboat ahead of transporting evacuees to a warship at Port Sudan on April 30, during a rescue operation carried out by the Royal Saudi Navy.

U.S. Envoy Pick Reveals Battle Over Sudan Policy

Biden’s detractors worry the U.S. administration is doubling down on policy failures in Sudan.

Situation Report
Robbie Gramer, Jack Detsch
U.S. President Joe Biden hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a welcoming ceremony for Modi, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 22.
U.S. President Joe Biden hugs Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a welcoming ceremony for Modi, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 22.

Biden Gives India a Bear Hug

Modi is getting the star treatment in D.C.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Rishi Iyengar, Robbie Gramer
Pope Francis waves after giving a speech at Sophia University in Tokyo.
Pope Francis waves after giving a speech at Sophia University in Tokyo.

The Archbishops of Disarmament

Anti-nuclear weapons activists have a new best friend: the Catholic Church.

Situation Report
Jack Detsch, Robbie Gramer
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