Evening Brief: Trump Eyes Reclaiming Bagram Base, Ukraine Launches Push in Donetsk, China Renews Threat to Take Taiwan

· Guy D. McCardle

A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon taking off at Bagram Air Base, 2015. (Wikimedia Commons)

Top headlines for Thursday evening, September 18, 2025.

 

Trump Says He Seeks to Reclaim Bagram Air Base to Counter China

President Donald Trump said he is working to reestablish a US military presence at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, four years after the US withdrawal left it in Taliban control.

Speaking at a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump tied the move to countering China, citing the base’s proximity to Chinese nuclear facilities. He claimed the Taliban may agree to the return because they need US support, though the White House and Pentagon have not confirmed any plans.

Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the 2021 withdrawal, calling it a disaster that emboldened Russia to invade Ukraine.

The US and Taliban have no formal diplomatic ties but have held talks on hostage releases and prisoner exchanges.

 

Trump Says US Would Help Secure Peace After Russia-Ukraine War Ends

President Donald Trump said the United States would help secure peace once Russia’s war in Ukraine is settled, acknowledging the conflict has been harder to resolve than he expected.

In a press conference, Trump sounded very disappointed in Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying “He’s really let me down,” and noted his earlier belief that the war would be easier to end due to their past relationship.

He said lowering Russia’s oil revenue by stopping European purchases could push Moscow toward a settlement.

Trump previously hosted Putin at a peace summit in Alaska but failed to secure concessions.

 

Italian Driver Sets World Record for Fastest Car on a Ship

Fabio Barone set a new world record by reaching 164 kilometers per hour (101 miles per hour) in a Ferrari SF90 while racing on the flight deck of an Italian Navy ship in Civitavecchia.

The attempt surpassed his previous 152 kph record set last year on another carrier.

Barone’s team dried the wet deck before the run to ensure safety, and he stopped safely before the deck’s “ski jump.”

Officials certified the speed, and his team plans to submit the result to Guinness World Records for validation.

 

Hyundai Confirms $2.7B Expansion of Georgia Plant Despite Recent Immigration Raid

Hyundai Motor Group confirmed it will invest $2.7 billion to expand its Ellabell, Georgia plant, increasing annual production capacity by 200,000 to 500,000 vehicles over three years.

The move follows a recent immigration raid that delayed the opening of a related battery plant and sparked diplomatic tensions between South Korea and the US.

Hyundai plans to build 10 electric and hybrid models at the site, up from two, and aims for 80 percent US-made content in its vehicles by 2030. The company remains committed to its broader $10.3 billion US investment at Ellabell, pledging to hire at least 8,500 workers by 2031, while pursuing global production growth and new extended-range EVs.

 

US Vetoes UN Resolution Calling for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release

The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, arguing it did not strongly condemn Hamas.

All 14 other council members supported the measure, which described Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as “catastrophic” and urged Israel to lift aid restrictions.

The vote underscores US and Israeli isolation as the war nears its two-year mark and comes ahead of a UN General Assembly session where key US allies plan to recognize a Palestinian state.

The US has opposed similar resolutions, saying ceasefire calls without linking them to hostage releases would embolden Hamas. Israeli ambassador Danny Danon rejected the resolution, saying Israel will keep fighting Hamas.

The move comes as Israeli forces launch a new ground offensive in Gaza City amid worsening famine conditions.

 

Jordanian Driver Kills Two in West Bank Border Shooting as Gaza War Toll Rises

A Jordanian aid truck driver opened fire at the Allenby Bridge Crossing in the occupied West Bank, killing two people before being shot dead, Israeli officials said.

Jordan identified the attacker as Abdel-Mutalib al-Qaisi and condemned the attack.

The crossing was closed following the shooting.

Separately, the Israeli military said four soldiers were killed by an explosive device during an operation in Rafah, the first Israeli casualties since launching its current offensive in Gaza City.

The war has killed at least 65,141 Palestinians and 460 Israeli soldiers since October 2023.

Meanwhile, a missile fired from Yemen triggered air raid sirens, and a drone struck near Eilat without causing reported damage.

In other developments, Israel cut funding for its top film awards over a Palestinian-themed movie, and the military plans to indict a former officer over a deadly Hezbollah ambush in southern Lebanon.

 

Turkey Warns Cyprus Against Reported Israeli Air Defense Deployment

Turkey warned that Cyprus’ reported acquisition of an Israeli Barak MX air defense system could destabilize the island’s “fragile balance.”

Turkish defense officials said the system’s deployment threatens peace and may lead to “dangerous consequences,” while affirming Turkey’s commitment to protecting Turkish Cypriots.

The island has been divided since Turkey’s 1974 invasion following a coup seeking union with Greece, and Turkey maintains over 35,000 troops in the north.

The Barak MX system can intercept missiles, drones, and aircraft from 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, marking a major upgrade from Cyprus’ Soviet-era defenses.

Turkey previously threatened military action in 1997 over Cyprus’ plans to deploy Russian S-300 missiles, which were later sent to Greece.

 

Turkey and Egypt to Hold First Joint Naval Drills in 13 Years

Turkey and Egypt will conduct their first joint naval exercises in 13 years, the Turkish Defense Ministry said.

The drills, called Friendship Sea, will run from September 22 to 26 in the eastern Mediterranean and involve Turkish frigates, fast attack vessels, a submarine, F-16 jets, and Egyptian naval units.

Senior naval commanders from both countries will attend an observer day on September 25.

The move signals improving ties after years of strained relations following Egypt’s 2013 coup and disputes over Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The two countries restored diplomatic relations in 2023 and have coordinated efforts calling for a Gaza ceasefire.

 

Greece and Libya to Hold Talks on Mediterranean Maritime Border Dispute

Greece and Libya’s UN-recognized government agreed to begin talks on delimiting their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean, the Greek foreign ministry said after a meeting in Athens between Greek officials and Libyan Foreign Minister Taher Salem Al Baour.

The next session will take place in Tripoli.

The move follows years of tension after Libya signed a 2019 maritime deal with Turkey that Greece says ignores its islands’ rights.

Greece recently sent a letter to the UN rejecting Libya’s maritime claims over areas south of Crete earmarked for hydrocarbon exploration.

Libya remains politically divided between its UN-backed western government and an eastern administration aligned with commander Khalifa Haftar.

 

Denmark Plans to Acquire Long-Range Precision Weapons to Deter Russia

Denmark announced it will acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time to strengthen its defense against potential Russian threats, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

She called the move a “paradigm shift” in Danish defense policy, saying the weapons could include missiles or drones capable of neutralizing enemy missile threats.

Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, called the plan “pure madness” and warned it signals preparation for direct confrontation with Russia.

Frederiksen said his remarks amounted to a threat and affirmed Denmark would not be intimidated.

The defense ministry will assess which weapons to purchase as part of Denmark’s broader military buildup following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which includes major investments in air and missile defense systems.

 

Lithuania Charges 15 Over Russia-Backed Parcel Bomb Plot in Europe

Lithuania charged 15 people with terrorism offenses for allegedly sending explosive parcels from Vilnius to Germany, Poland, and Britain in a Russia-backed plot.

Prosecutors said the suspects used DHL and DPD to ship four explosives hidden in cosmetics containers, causing blasts at Leipzig airport, in a Polish truck, and in a British warehouse, while one device failed to detonate.

The accused include Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, and Ukrainian citizens, though it is unclear how many are in custody.

Prosecutors said the plot was organized by Russian nationals linked to Russian military intelligence.

 

Ukraine Launches Counteroffensive in Donetsk, Reclaims Seven Settlements

Ukrainian forces have launched a counteroffensive in the Donetsk region, reclaiming seven settlements and about 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) from Russian control, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He added that another 170 square kilometers (66 square miles) and nine settlements had been cleared of Russian troops, though he did not specify when the operation began.

Zelenskyy said the offensive is disrupting Russia’s plans for a major push in the area, where fighting remains heavy around Dobropillia and Pokrovsk.

The Donetsk region continues to see the war’s fiercest battles, and a Russian airstrike on Kostiantynivka killed five civilians as Russian forces advanced closer to the city.

 

Poland and Ukraine Launch Joint Drone Warfare Program

Poland and Ukraine agreed to create joint training and manufacturing programs for military drones, aiming to strengthen defenses after Russian drones recently violated Polish airspace.

Defense ministers from both countries signed a memorandum to form a working group on uncrewed systems, while also pledging to test drone interception methods and improve interoperability between their armed forces.

Ukraine also struck a Russian oil refinery over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) away, escalating its drone campaign against Russian infrastructure.

NATO has reinforced defenses on its eastern flank amid growing concerns about Moscow’s ambitions.

 

EU Weighs Early Ban on Russian LNG in New Sanctions Package

The European Commission is considering advancing a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of its 19th sanctions package against Moscow over the war in Ukraine, an EU official said.

The proposal follows a call between Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, who urged Europe to end Russian oil purchases and impose tariffs on China and India.

The EU has already planned to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by January 2028, with short-term contracts banned from next year. About 19 percent of Europe’s gas still comes from Russia, mainly via the TurkStream pipeline and LNG imports to several EU countries.

The new sanctions package is expected to be presented to member states on Friday.

 

Car Bombings Kill Eight in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province

Two car bombings hours apart killed at least eight people and wounded about two dozen in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.

A suicide bomber struck a security convoy in Turbat, killing two personnel and injuring 23 others, police said. Later, a car bomb exploded in Chaman near the Afghan border, killing six people, according to local officials.

No group claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Baloch separatists, both active in the region.

The attacks follow a recent suicide bombing near Quetta that killed 13, amid a surge in militant violence in Pakistan.

 

China Repeats Threat to Take Taiwan at Beijing Security Forum

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun reiterated that China will take control of self-ruled Taiwan, calling its “restoration” an essential part of the post-war international order, during the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

He warned China would block any attempts at Taiwanese independence and resist “external military interference,” while indirectly criticizing US influence.

Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has increased military activity around the island, while Taiwan’s government rejects China’s claims and asserts its sovereignty.

Dong also said China aims to uphold the current UN-centered global system and promote stability, not create a new international order.

 

Sources: News Agencies