More National Guard Deployed to DC; Brazil Enters Trade Talks With Canada; Trump Envoy Alleges "Article 5-like" Ukraine Deal

Good Morning,

Three Republican governors are deploying National Guard units to Washington DC as the Trump administration reportedly considers a 40,000-person refugee cap prioritizing white South Africans. Meanwhile, international tensions continue with South Africa's military leadership facing criticism over Iran support, while the US and South Korea launch major joint military exercises. Diplomatic efforts advance on multiple fronts, with Russia allegedly offering NATO-style security guarantees for Ukraine and Brazil working with Canada to revitalize the Mercosur trade agreement.

Top Stories

• Three Republican-led states to send National Guard troops to DC - BBC

• Exclusive: Trump administration weighing refugee cap of 40,000 with focus on white South Africans - Reuters

• Why is South Africa’s army chief under fire for backing Iran? - Al Jazeera

• S. Korea, US begin key summertime joint military exercise - Korea Herald

• White House envoy claims Russia agreed to ‘Article 5-like’ security guarantees for Ukraine - CNBC

• Brazil in talks with Canada to revive Mercosur trade deal - Reuters

United States

• Three Republican-led states to send National Guard troops to DC - BBC

• White House envoy claims Russia agreed to ‘Article 5-like’ security guarantees for Ukraine - CNBC

• 2 Americans drown in a 3-hour span at same Bahamas resort: Police - ABC

• The United States Is Southern Now - Bloomberg

• Hurricane Erin a Category 4 after briefly strengthening to fierce Category 5 storm - USA Today

Africa

• Pan-Africanism finds fresh momentum in the Caribbean - BBC

• Why is South Africa’s army chief under fire for backing Iran? - Al Jazeera

• Exclusive: Trump administration weighing refugee cap of 40,000 with focus on white South Africans - Reuters

• South African court blocks TotalEnergies' offshore oil exploration permit - Africa News

• Nigeria’s Heirs Aims to Double Oil Output, Targets Africa Growth - Bloomberg

Middle East

• Why is South Africa’s army chief under fire for backing Iran? - Al Jazeera

• Time not right to recognise Palestinian state, says Danish PM - The Guardian

• Hezbollah warns Lebanon 'will have no life' if state moves against it - Reuters

• Syrian president: country should not be unified 'with blood' - Middle East Eye

• Mistrust and fear: The complex story behind strained Syria-Lebanon relations - Arab News

Indo-Pacific  

• Fake news on Thai-Cambodian border dominates list of false reports - Asia News Network

• Hong Kong to continue implementing ‘patriotic education,’ leader John Lee says in lead-up to 4th Policy Address - HKFP

• New missiles, drones and tanks: what’s been rolling through Beijing’s streets? - SCMP

• S. Korea, US begin key summertime joint military exercise - Korea Herald

• US seeks shipbuilding expertise from South Korea and Japan to counter China - Kyodo News

Europe

• White House envoy claims Russia agreed to ‘Article 5-like’ security guarantees for Ukraine - CNBC

• Should Europe wean itself off US tech? - BBC

• These European leaders will accompany Zelensky to meet with Trump - Axios

• Hungarian opposition leader demands Russia refrain from interference - Reuters

• France in discussions with Mali over ‘unjustified’ arrest of its citizen - France24

Latin America

• 2 Americans drown in a 3-hour span at same Bahamas resort: Police - ABC

• Brazil in talks with Canada to revive Mercosur trade deal - Reuters

• Brazil’s former president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves house arrest for medical exams - Associated Press

• Seven killed in latest Ecuador pool hall shooting - Citizen Tribune

• Should I still travel to Mexico? Security expert weighs in on updated terrorism risks - USA Today

If you’re a legacy subscriber, and would like more info on how to manage your membership, please reach out to [email protected]

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