Morning Brief: Houthis Vow Retaliation After Israeli Strike; Xi, Modi Seek Border Peace at Tianjin Summit

· Guy D. McCardle

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin. (Screenshot/Image grab via X)

Good morning. Here’s your brief for Sunday, August 31, 2025. At A Glance: The USS George Washington returns to Yokosuka, Houthis vow revenge after Israel kills their prime minister, and Palestinians push the US to restore visas for Abbas ahead of the UN. Macron’s recognition of a Palestinian state sparks backlash, Ukraine mourns the assassination of ex-speaker Andriy Parubiy, and Russian drone strikes leave tens of thousands without power. In China, Putin joins the SCO summit as Xi and Modi pledge to ease border tensions and deepen cooperation.

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USS George Washington Returns to Yokosuka Midway Through Indo-Pacific Patrol

The USS George Washington (CVN-73) recently arrived in Tokyo Bay, marking the halfway point of its annual Indo-Pacific patrol and its first deployment since relocating to Yokosuka last November.

The carrier conducted flight operations in the Philippine Sea, visited Manila and Guam, and joined the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia, as well as multicarrier drills with US, British, and Japanese ships.

The deployment was marred by the loss of 19-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, who went missing in July during operations off Australia and is presumed lost at sea.

The George Washington’s return follows the pattern of past Yokosuka-based carriers, which typically pause patrols mid-deployment for rest and maintenance.

 

Houthis Vow Retaliation After Israeli Strike Kills Prime Minister, Senior Leaders

Yemen’s Houthi rebels pledged retaliation after Israeli airstrikes near Sanaa killed their prime minister, Ahmed Al-Rahawi, and other senior officials.

Houthi political council leader Mehdi al-Mashat vowed revenge in a video statement and warned foreign companies to leave Israel.

Israel confirmed the strike, saying it targeted a facility hosting dozens of high-ranking Houthi officials. The attack, carried out Thursday, marks a major escalation in tensions between Israel and the Iran-aligned group.

 

Palestinians, EU Urge US to Reverse Visa Revocation for Abbas Ahead of UN Meeting

The Palestinian Authority urged the US to reverse its decision to revoke visas for President Mahmoud Abbas and 80 other officials weeks before the United Nations General Assembly and a conference on Palestinian statehood.

The State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, cited national security interests in the move, part of broader restrictions targeting Palestinian officials.

The European Union criticized the decision, with France and the EU’s foreign policy chief calling it a violation of UN host country obligations.

Palestinian spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh warned the action would heighten tensions and said diplomatic efforts to pressure Washington are underway.


The revocations coincide with escalating conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, as Israel intensifies operations against Hamas. The UN said it will seek clarification from the US on the decision.

 

Macron’s Recognition of Palestinian State Sparks Diplomatic Rift with Israel and US

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state, joined by several Western nations, reignited debate over a two-state solution and drew sharp criticism from Israel and the US.

Macron told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that peace and Palestinian statehood were essential to Israel’s security, condemning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as unjustifiable.

Netanyahu rejected the move and vowed to continue Israel’s offensive, while US officials warned recognition could embolden militants.

France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Malta plan to formalize recognition at the UN General Assembly in September, with other nations considering similar steps.

Analysts say the decision adds diplomatic pressure on Israel, strengthens moderate Palestinians, and signals that international support for a two-state solution is gaining momentum despite deepening conflict in Gaza.

 

Former Ukrainian Parliamentary Speaker Andriy Parubiy Shot Dead in Lviv

Andriy Parubiy, former speaker of Ukraine’s parliament and a key leader of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests, was shot dead in Lviv on Saturday.

Prosecutors said a gunman opened fire, killing the 54-year-old on the spot before fleeing. Authorities launched a manhunt but have not disclosed possible motives or links to Russia’s war.

Parubiy, who also served as National Security and Defence Council secretary in 2014, was praised by colleagues and officials as a patriot and defender of Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged a full investigation, while tributes from leaders including former President Petro Poroshenko described the killing as a grave blow to Ukraine during wartime.

 

Russian Drone Strikes Knock Out Power to Tens of Thousands in Ukraine

A large-scale Russian drone attack overnight damaged four power facilities near Odesa, cutting electricity to more than 29,000 customers, regional governor Oleh Kiper and energy company DTEK said Sunday.

The hardest hit area was Chornomorsk, where homes and administrative buildings were also damaged and one person injured.

In the Chernihiv region, strikes damaged energy infrastructure and left 30,000 households without power, including parts of Nizhyn.

Ukraine’s military said Russia launched 142 drones and air defenses shot down 126, but 10 locations were hit.

The attack is part of an intensified Russian campaign against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while Ukraine has targeted Russian refineries and pipelines. Repair crews are awaiting clearance to begin emergency work.

 

Putin Arrives in China for Regional Summit as Xi Seeks to Counter Western Influence

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tianjin on Sunday for a four-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where Chinese President Xi Jinping will host about 20 world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chinese state media called China-Russia ties the strongest in history, highlighting deepening strategic cooperation.

The summit, the largest since the bloc’s founding in 2001, now includes 10 permanent members and 16 observer or dialogue partners, expanding from security and counterterrorism to economic and military cooperation.

Xi is expected to use the gathering to promote an alternative to a US-led global order while giving Russia a diplomatic boost amid Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine. Putin criticized Western trade restrictions in an interview with Chinese media before his visit, as Russia’s economy struggles under sanctions and war costs.

The summit is positioned as a show of unity among countries of the Global South.

 

Xi and Modi Pledge to Ease Border Tensions, Strengthen Cooperation at Tianjin Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to resolve border disputes and expand cooperation ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin.

This is Modi’s first visit to China since the 2020 border clashes that strained relations. Both leaders emphasized focusing on economic development and not letting the border issue define ties.

Xi called for steady growth in bilateral relations, while Modi noted improved conditions at the border after disengagement.

The visit follows recent diplomatic steps, including resumed talks, direct flights, and eased travel for Indian pilgrims to Tibet.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is also set to meet both leaders during the summit.

 

Sources: News Agencies