Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey are involved in arms deals with each other, but concerns over the reliability of new fighter jets from Turkish company KAAN are causing some countries to hedge. KAAN's fighter jets, which made their maiden flight in February 2024, are still in the prototype phase and full operational deployment is expected later this decade. Potential buyers may insist on phased deliveries, demonstration of performance in relevant conditions, and strong support packages. The risk of relying on non-indigenous components, such as engines, is also a concern due to licensing or export restrictions. As a result, countries like Indonesia and Malaysia are cautious about committing to purchase KAAN jets until their reliability and maintenance burdens become well understood. In contrast, proven systems like the Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci UAVs are more easily accepted in the short term.
NATO's Operation Eastern Sentry, a new initiative to reinforce its eastern flank, will include US Air Force F-35 Lightning combat jets and advanced aircraft from Poland, the UK, France, and Baltic nations. This move could be part of a combination of new measures to support Ukraine, including imposing severe secondary sanctions on nations trading with Moscow and confiscating $300 billion in Russian "frozen assets". The alliance's readiness to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, despite the risk of further escalation, may be necessary given Putin's aggressive stance.
NAVER CEO Choi Soo-yeon has been appointed to the UN Global Compact Board of Directors, strengthening international partnerships for AI governance. This move is part of NAVER's sustainable growth strategy, launched through the 2024 launch of NAVER Impact. Choi will participate in transnational discussions on establishing ethical AI governance, following her appointment at the UN Headquarters in New York on September 20.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact, aiming to enhance their security and achieve peace in the region. The agreement was signed on September 17, 2025, after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif embraced. The pact encompasses all military means, including nuclear defense, and aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries. Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was also present at the signing ceremony. The agreement states that any aggression against either country will be considered an aggression against both, reflecting the shared commitment of both nations to security and peace. This comes as Gulf Arab states are growing increasingly wary about the reliability of the US as their long-standing security guarantor, following an Israeli attack on Qatar last week.
Poland is urging the EU to cut Russian energy ties by 2026, with a focus on phasing out crude oil imports. This move is seen as a way to strengthen the EU's energy security and demonstrate its commitment to becoming independent from Russian oil supplies. Slovakia, however, has defended its purchases of Russian gas, citing the high cost of alternatives such as transit fees via Croatia. The country's Economy Minister, Denisa Sakova, discussed the issue with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and emphasized the need for conditions to diversify supplies. Poland's top energy security official, Wojciech Wrochna, believes that US liquefied natural gas flowing through Poland could help eliminate Russian gas from Europe.
US President Donald Trump has named India among 23 countries designated as major drug transit or major illicit drug producing nations in a recent 'Presidential Determination' submitted to Congress. The list includes countries such as Mexico, China and Brazil. Trump also addressed the devastating impact of synthetic opioids, notably fentanyl, which he said are driving a serious public health crisis in the US.
US President Donald Trump's bid to halt Russian energy imports has been resisted by Slovakia and Hungary. The two countries, which are major recipients of Russian gas, have expressed concerns over the potential impact on their energy security. Slovakia's Prime Minister Igor Matlaksa stated that his country will not be swayed by Trump's efforts, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also rejected the idea. The move comes as tensions between Russia and Western countries continue to escalate over energy supplies.
The Australian Prime Minister's talks with US President Donald Trump are at high stakes after the failure to sign a PNG treaty. The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates amid concerns for the labour market, with experts warning of a potential economic slowdown. The US President's name appears in files related to the sex-trafficking investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with FBI director Kash Patel refusing to answer questions about the matter.
The US President's latest boat strikes have sparked debate over the legality of his strategy, with critics arguing that targeting alleged drug-runners in the Caribbean as "narco-terrorists" may violate international law. The President's team has defended the killings, stating that they targeted individuals who posed an immediate and existential threat to Americans. The controversy has raised questions about the President's approach to national security, with some speculating that he may escalate other contentious efforts.