Global Flashpoints: Trade Tensions Among North American Allies, Continued Territorial Disputes in Europe and Asia, and the Ongoing Struggle for Influence Around The Globe

Good Morning,

Trump announced plans for future North American tariffs, European leaders commemorate 3 years of war in Ukraine, Russia and Iran may be expanding their influence into South Africa, and AP declined access to White House press room.

Top Stories

• Trump confirms tariffs on Mexico and Canada will proceed as planned, intensifying trade tensions (Forbes)

• China conducts live-fire drills in the Gulf of Tonkin after Vietnam asserts territorial claims, raising regional tensions (AP).

• European leaders visit Kyiv to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion and pledge continued support for Ukraine (AP).

United States

• Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico ‘will go forward’ (Toronto Sun)

• Dan Bongino Appointed as FBI Deputy Director (ABC)

• Judge declines to immediately grant Associated Press full Trump White House press access(NBC).

  Africa

• South African government faces criticism for welcoming nuclear cooperation with Russia and Iran, risking U.S. sanctions (FDD).

• President Trump issues Executive Order halting aid to South Africa over racially discriminatory property confiscation practices (Global Immigration).

• An unknown illness kills over 50 people in part of Congo with hours between symptoms and death (AP)

Middle East

• EU Partially Lifts Sanctions on Syria’s Oil Industry, Some Banks (Bloomberg)

• Yemen's Houthis launched missile at US fighter jet, missed (Reuters)

• US imposes more sanctions on Iranian oil trade after Trump calls to drive exports ‘to zero’ (AP)

Indo-Pacific

• North Korean hackers behind $1.5 billion crypto hack: Security firm (TheHill)

•  Pakistani security forces kill 10 militants in a raid near Afghanistan (ABC)

• Japan, Philippines to boost military ties amid ‘severe’ environment (AlJazeera)

Europe

• Macron warns against ‘surrender’ in Ukraine as Trump claims Putin will accept peacekeeper deal (Guardian)

• 17 countries voted with US against Ukraine UN resolution (TheHill)

• Russian court upholds French researcher's jail sentence for 'espionage' (VOA)

South America

• Reverse migration: Venezuelans head back toward South America after US dreams dashed (Reuters)

• Argentina’s $4.6 Billion Crypto Scandal; Largest-Ever Crypto Theft (Forbes)

• The murder rate in Venezuela has fallen (TheConversation)

Interested in more from Atlas?

🌐Atlas Technologies: We are building world class OSINT technology that unifies the intelligence cycle by automating data collection, intelligence production and delivery to key stakeholders, all aligned with your priority intelligence requirements (PIRs). If you want to learn more, check out our website.

🛒Merch Store: Visit our merch store to shop our latest gear.

📰Newsletters: Check out our other publications to stay on top of the news and get insights from intelligence professionals.

• The Public Daily Briefing

• Apolitical 

• Table Stakes

• The BLUF 

• The Situation Room

If you'd like to get involved with Atlas, please contact us with your experience or ideas. If you're a solid fit, we'll be in touch.

Advertise with us || Contact Us

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2025 Atlas.1A