Evening Brief: Trump Signs Order to Defend Qatar, US Begins Troop Drawdown in Iraq, Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla

· Guy D. McCardle

US Army UH-60M Black Hawk conducts hover checks at Al Asad Airbase, Iraq, June 1, 2025. (DVIDS)

Closing out Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – here’s the latest.

 

Trump Signs Executive Order Pledging US Defense of Qatar After Israeli Strike

President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar “against external attacks,” including with US military action if necessary.

The order, reportedly dated Monday (September 29) and published Wednesday (October 1), followed Israel’s strike on Qatar that killed six people, including a Qatari security officer, as Hamas leaders weighed a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

The order cites US-Qatar “close cooperation” and states any attack on Qatari territory, sovereignty, or infrastructure will be treated as a threat to US peace and security. It pledges diplomatic, economic, and potentially military responses.

Trump arranged for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting Washington at the time, to call Qatari leaders and express regret over the strike.

The scope of the pledge remains uncertain, as treaties normally require Senate approval, and military action ultimately depends on presidential decision.

Qatar hosts the US Al Udeid Air Base, a critical hub for US operations in the Middle East.

The move comes amid heightened Gulf security concerns, with Saudi Arabia recently entering a mutual defense pact with Pakistan.

See the executive order here.

 

US Begins Troop Drawdown in Iraq, Plans 20% Reduction Under Agreement With Baghdad

The US military has started reducing its presence in Iraq as part of a deal with Baghdad to wind down the coalition mission against the Islamic State (IS) group.

Pentagon officials said the drawdown will cut American troop levels by about 20 percent, from just over 2,500 to fewer than 2,000, consolidating forces mainly at a base in Irbil in northern Iraq.

The move shifts responsibility for countering IS to Iraqi security forces, which US and coalition troops have trained for the past decade. Troops have already begun leaving positions in Baghdad and Ain al-Asad airbase, with only a small number of advisers remaining.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the reduction a reflection of “combined success in fighting ISIS” and said coordination with Iraq and coalition partners will continue to ensure a responsible transition.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed the US and Iraq will meet later this year to define their future security relationship.

The drawdown comes as IS remains active in Iraq and Syria, though at a much-reduced level compared to its peak.

 

Hegseth Sparks Backlash With Call to Reinstate ‘Male Standard’ for Combat Roles

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told top US military leaders Tuesday that new directives will require combat jobs to meet the “highest male standard,” even if that excludes women from some positions.

He said the military must eliminate “woke” policies and ensure standards are uniform and uncompromising, emphasizing readiness and combat effectiveness.

The remarks revived criticism from Hegseth’s confirmation battle and drew pushback from female veterans, lawmakers, and advocacy groups. Critics stressed that women in combat roles already meet the same requirements as men and accused Hegseth of misrepresenting military policy. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot, called him “the most incompetent secretary of defense we’ve ever had,” while retired Marine Lt. Col. Amy McGrath said his claim ignored decades of unified standards.

Some Republican women voiced support, including Sen. Joni Ernst, who said combat arms already operate under one standard, and Rep. Nancy Mace, who praised Hegseth’s rejection of diversity and inclusion programs.

Hegseth urged leaders who oppose his approach to resign, framing his agenda as a return to excellence and accountability in the armed forces.

 

Civilian Employee Charged After Hoax Shooter Report Sparks Lockdown at Major New Jersey Base

A civilian employee at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey triggered a lockdown Tuesday after falsely reporting an active shooter, federal prosecutors said.

Malika Brittingham, who works for the Naval Air Warfare Center, allegedly texted a colleague claiming she heard gunfire and was hiding with co-workers. The message prompted calls to 911 and the base operations center, leading to a lockdown that lasted about an hour before officials confirmed there was no threat.

Brittingham was arrested and charged with knowingly conveying false information about a shooter.

Prosecutors said she admitted staging the hoax because she felt ostracized at work and hoped to “trauma bond” with colleagues.

Acting US Attorney Alina Habba condemned the incident, warning that fear-mongering and disruption would not be tolerated.

The 42,000-acre base, one of the largest US military installations, houses more than 42,000 service members, families, and civilian employees.

 

Federal Government Shuts Down as Health Care Fight Stalls Budget Deal

The US  government entered a shutdown Wednesday after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a funding agreement, with Democrats demanding an extension of expiring health care subsidies and Republicans refusing to negotiate.

Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed or laid off under administration plans, while many agencies brace for closures and service disruptions.

Vice President JD Vance warned mass layoffs could follow within days, as Trump’s budget office instructed agencies to prepare cuts targeting programs favored by Democrats.

Medicare, Medicaid, and the Pentagon will continue to operate, though staffing shortages may cause delays, while some museums and parks could remain open only temporarily.

The Senate rejected both Republican and Democratic funding bills, with divisions appearing in the Democratic caucus as some lawmakers signaled openness to a compromise on health care subsidies. Wall Street reacted cautiously, though stocks later rebounded.

With no new talks scheduled, the shutdown marks Trump’s third and underscores a deep partisan divide over budget priorities, raising the risk of a prolonged closure with nationwide economic fallout.

 

Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla Carrying Activists and Symbolic Aid

The Israeli Navy began intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla late Wednesday as it approached Gaza in international waters north of Egypt.

The flotilla, made up of nearly 50 boats and 500 activists — including Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela, and several European lawmakers — set out from Barcelona a month ago carrying a symbolic load of humanitarian aid.

Activists reported Israeli warships circling their vessels, jamming communications, and ordering them to cut engines, with Italy’s foreign minister confirming the boats would likely be towed to Ashdod and participants deported.

Israel’s government called the flotilla a provocation, urging participants to transfer aid through approved channels, and accused some activists of Hamas links without providing evidence.

European governments issued mixed responses: Italy and other states advised the flotilla to turn back, while Spain defended the mission as a legitimate humanitarian effort.

The activists livestreamed parts of the encounter, chanting “Free Palestine” and posting solidarity messages before some threw phones overboard as Israeli ships closed in.

The legality of Israel’s blockade remains disputed under international law, with experts noting that while Israel can search vessels for weapons, international norms also protect humanitarian missions attempting to reach Gaza.

 

Germany Arrests Three Suspected Hamas Members Over Alleged Plot to Attack Jewish, Israeli Targets

German authorities arrested three men on Wednesday on suspicion of plotting attacks against Israeli or Jewish institutions in the country.

Prosecutors said the suspects — identified only as Abed Al G., Wael F. M., and Ahmad I. — had been seeking firearms since the summer. Police seized weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, and ammunition during raids.

Two of the men are German citizens, while the third was born in Lebanon.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in court Thursday, where a judge will decide if they remain in custody ahead of trial.

Hamas denied any connection, saying the accusations were baseless and part of an effort to undermine support for Palestinians in Germany.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany has become a zone of activity for alleged terrorists and stressed the need for vigilance.

The arrests follow heightened security concerns across Europe since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel and amid a rise in antisemitic violence. They also come months after four other alleged Hamas members were arrested in Europe on charges of organizing weapons caches for possible attacks.

That case is still on trial.

 

EU Considers $165 Billion Loan to Ukraine Backed by Frozen Russian Assets

European Union leaders on Wednesday debated a plan to provide Ukraine with a long-term loan of about 140 billion euros ($165 billion), backed by frozen Russian assets.

The proposal, presented at an EU summit in Copenhagen, is intended to cover Ukraine’s financial and military needs through 2027, as US support has sharply declined under President Donald Trump.

Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, the EU has already provided 174 billion euros ($204 billion) in aid.

Most frozen Russian funds are held in Belgium, worth about 194 billion euros ($228 billion), while additional sums are kept in Japan, the US, the UK, and Canada.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the assets would not be seized outright but used as collateral, with Ukraine repaying the loan only if Russia pays war reparations.

Russia denounced the plan as “theft.”

The proposal faces divisions among member states. Belgium is cautious about becoming a Russian target, France has debt concerns, and the European Central Bank has warned about risks to the euro’s credibility. Still, countries such as Finland, Sweden, and Germany have voiced support, framing the plan as an essential investment in European security.

Legal and political hurdles remain before a final decision can be made.

 

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Faces Longest Power Outage Since War Began, Safety Concerns Grow

Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been without external electricity since September 23, its longest outage since Russia seized the site in 2022.

The facility, Europe’s largest, no longer generates power for the grid but requires electricity to cool its six shut-down reactors and spent fuel. Diesel generators are keeping systems operational, though experts warn they are only a temporary safeguard.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said conditions remain stable but stressed that restoring external power is critical. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation as “critical,” while nuclear safety officials warned that prolonged reliance on generators carries risks of failure.

Staff continue rotating 20 generators, with fuel supplies expected to last over 10 days, though resupply depends on security conditions.

All reactors remain in cold shutdown, reducing immediate danger, but cooling remains essential to prevent overheating of spent fuel.

Fighting around the plant has blocked repairs to damaged power lines. Ukraine blames Russian artillery for the outage, while Moscow denies responsibility, despite controlling the facility.

 

Afghanistan Restores Internet After 48-Hour Blackout, Taliban’s Role Remains Unclear

Internet connectivity in Afghanistan began returning Wednesday after a nearly two-day nationwide blackout that disrupted banking, commerce, aviation, and aid operations.

Confusion surrounded the outage when a false statement circulated on WhatsApp and social media claiming the Taliban blamed worn fiber optic cables.

The Taliban later issued a verified message through their official channel, saying mobile services were gradually being restored and repair teams were at work.

Netblocks confirmed partial restoration, noting the blackout followed Taliban moves to enforce new “immorality” rules on telecom operators.

Afghan airline Kam Air resumed flights after halting operations due to the outage. Aid groups and the United Nations warned the disruption severely affected humanitarian work and undermined Afghans’ rights to communication, information, and economic stability.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the cut, implemented “without clear explanation,” appears to have been reversed without explanation as well.

The Taliban has not clarified whether the shutdown was deliberate or technical in nature.

 

Russian and North Korean Defense Ministers Meet, Unveil WWII Memorial

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov met North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol in Moscow region on Wednesday, according to state news agency TASS.

The two officials took part in a ceremony unveiling a memorial honoring Korean partisans who fought with Soviet forces during World War II.

TASS did not report on any other issues discussed during the meeting.

 

Taiwan Accuses China of Misusing UN Resolution to Justify Future Attack

Taiwan’s government accused China on Wednesday of deliberately misrepresenting a 1971 United Nations resolution to create a legal basis for a future military assault.

China argues that Resolution 2758, which gave Beijing the UN seat and expelled Taiwan, provides international recognition of its sovereignty over the island.

Taiwan countered that the resolution never mentioned Taiwan and that the People’s Republic of China has never governed it.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Beijing is misleading the global community to alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, stressing that only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent its 23 million people.

China maintains Taiwan is a province and has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

The US State Department rejected Beijing’s claim, calling the interpretation a coercive attempt to isolate Taiwan. It said Resolution 2758 does not restrict countries from engaging with Taiwan.

China’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to Taiwan’s latest statement.

 

Sources: News Agencies