Morning Brief: Pentagon Eases Flu Shot Mandate, Trump to Host Erdogan at White House, North Korea Running Uranium Enrichment Sites

· Guy D. McCardle

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un inspects a uranium enrichment facility. (KCNA/X)

Good morning, here’s your Thursday, September 25, 2025 brief. At a glance: The Pentagon eases its flu shot mandate, NORAD intercepts Russian aircraft near Alaska, and the National Guard surpasses recruiting goals. US lawmakers in China push for trade and military dialogue as Trump readies meetings with Xi and Erdogan. Denmark faces new airport drone disruptions, Ukraine reacts cautiously to Trump’s shift on war support, and reports link Chinese technicians to Russian drone production. Deadly clashes erupt in India’s Ladakh over autonomy demands, while South Korea warns North Korea has expanded uranium enrichment.

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Pentagon Eases Flu Shot Mandate, Exempts Reservists From Annual Requirement

The Pentagon has scaled back its mandatory flu shot policy, introducing exemptions for reservists and narrowing the circumstances in which all service members must get the vaccine, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

A May 29 memo from Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg states that reserve troops now need to be on active duty for at least 30 days before being required to receive the shot, and the military will no longer cover the cost for reservists or National Guard members outside duty. The memo says flu vaccines will only be required when they contribute directly to readiness, but it also maintains the annual requirement for active-duty troops, creating conflicting guidance.

The policy shift surfaced publicly after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amplified an online post from a service member celebrating the exemption.

The change follows broader Trump administration moves to challenge vaccination mandates, including halting COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and reinstating service members who were previously discharged for refusing the COVID shot.

Despite offering back pay to encourage reenlistment, only a small number of discharged troops have returned to duty.

 

NORAD Intercepts Four Russian Aircraft in Alaska Defense Zone

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) intercepted two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two Su-35 fighter jets in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone on Wednesday.

US and Canadian forces deployed an E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft, four F-16s, and four KC-135 tankers to identify and monitor the planes, which remained in international airspace and did not enter US or Canadian territory.

NORAD said the activity occurs regularly and does not pose a direct threat.

The incursion was the first since late August, when a Russian Il-20 surveillance plane flew near the Aleutian Islands. Russian aircraft made multiple flights into the zone earlier this year, with NORAD recording 12 in 2023.

The interception followed comments by President Donald Trump at the United Nations and on social media, where he said Ukraine could reclaim its territory with European support and urged NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace.

 

US Army and Air National Guard Surpass 2025 Recruiting Goals with Nearly 50,000 New Recruits

The US Army and Air National Guard exceeded their fiscal year 2025 recruiting targets, enlisting almost 50,000 new members by Aug. 31, the National Guard Bureau announced Wednesday.

The Army Guard recruited 38,028 soldiers, surpassing its goal of 35,600, while the Air Guard added 9,577 recruits, more than 700 above its target.

General Steven Nordhaus, the Guard’s top officer, credited strong recruiting systems and growing interest among young Americans who want to serve while maintaining civilian careers. He said new missions and higher visibility for the Guard likely fueled the momentum.

This marks the second straight year the Guard has hit its goals after earlier struggles, coinciding with a broader military-wide recruiting rebound in 2025.

The Guard, with about 433,000 members across the Army and Air components, continues to balance global deployments with domestic operations, including law enforcement support, disaster relief, and border missions.

Nordhaus emphasized the need to sustain the recruiting surge to prepare for expanding future missions while retaining experienced personnel.

 

US Lawmakers in China Call for Easing Trade Tensions, More Military Dialogue

Representative Adam Smith, leading a bipartisan US congressional delegation in China, said Thursday that significant work remains to resolve trade conflicts creating difficulties for businesses in both countries.

Speaking in Shanghai after meeting the American Chamber of Commerce, Smith noted that economic activity between the two nations continues despite the trade war and stressed that both sides, along with the global economy, would benefit from improved cooperation.

The delegation, including Democrats Smith, Ro Khanna, and Chrissy Houlahan, as well as Republican Michael Baumgartner, spent three days in Beijing meeting Premier Li Qiang, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Defense Minister Dong Jun before arriving in Shanghai.

Smith emphasized the importance of US-China military communication, citing the need for dialogue between two nuclear powers with ongoing disagreements.

The visit marked the first US House delegation trip to China since 2019, following a Senate delegation’s visit in 2023. It came as President Donald Trump announced plans to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a summit in South Korea in October and visit China early next year, though Beijing has not confirmed the meetings.

 

Trump to Host Erdogan at White House as US Considers Lifting F-35 Jet Ban

President Donald Trump will meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday, with talks expected to focus on trade and military deals, including the possible resumption of F-35 fighter jet sales to Ankara.

The United States removed Turkey from the F-35 program during Trump’s first term after it bought Russia’s S-400 air defense system, raising concerns the technology could compromise NATO security.

Trump recently signaled progress, saying discussions included Boeing aircraft purchases, a major F-16 deal, and the continuation of F-35 talks. Erdogan has pushed for the restriction to be lifted, noting Turkey already paid $1.4 billion toward the jets.

The visit marks Erdogan’s first trip to the White House since 2019 and comes after years of strained ties under the Biden administration over Turkey’s human rights record, democratic backsliding, and close ties with Russia.

Despite tensions, Trump views Erdogan as a key partner and intermediary in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, and Gaza. Both leaders share a more aligned approach toward post-Assad Syria, while Erdogan has criticized Israel’s war in Gaza as genocide, a charge rejected by Washington and Jerusalem.

The meeting underscores Turkey’s bid to position itself as a pivotal broker in regional security and global trade disputes.

 

Drone Sightings Disrupt Flights at Multiple Danish Airports

Drones were spotted overnight near Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark and three smaller airports, according to police.

The activity, which lasted from late Wednesday to early Thursday, halted flights for several hours at Aalborg, a dual civilian-military facility, and also affected airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup.

Authorities were unable to neutralize the drones but said the public was not at risk.

The incident follows a drone disruption at Copenhagen Airport earlier in the week that grounded flights for hours. Police described the operator as a “capable actor,” fueling speculation about possible Russian involvement.

The government scheduled a news conference Thursday morning, but officials have not confirmed if the incidents are connected.

 

Ukraine Reacts Cautiously to Trump’s Shift on War Prospects, Russia Dismisses US Criticism

Ukrainians responded with caution after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly said Ukraine could win its war with Russia and retake occupied land.

While some in Kyiv welcomed the possibility of stronger US backing, others expressed doubt about Trump’s consistency and motives. Ukrainian officials emphasized the need for concrete support, including sanctions on Russia and military cooperation.

A delegation is set to visit Washington next week for talks on joint weapons production, focusing on drones.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected Trump’s description of Russia as a “paper tiger,” calling the country a “real bear” and insisting its military actions protect national security.

Other Russian officials dismissed Trump’s remarks as unrealistic, with Dmitry Medvedev suggesting Trump could reverse himself again.

Analysts noted that Trump’s comments, while unusually critical of Russia, signaled a push for Europe and NATO to shoulder more responsibility in supporting Ukraine.

 

Chinese technicians flew to a sanctioned Russian plant as Chinese attack and ISR drones were shipped to Kupol

Chinese drone experts traveled to IEMZ Kupol, a state-owned Russian weapons maker under Western sanctions, to conduct tests and technical work, according to two European security officials and documents seen by Reuters.

The records show Kupol received shipments of Chinese-made one-way attack and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) surveillance drones from Sichuan AEE and Hunan Haotianyi via Russian intermediary TSK Vektor.

Flight tests took place at the Chebarkul test site and Chinese teams visited Kupol’s Izhevsk facilities to assemble drones and train staff.

Documents, invoices and bank records reviewed by Reuters record deliveries of A140 and A900 attack drones and later billing for A200s fitted with anti-jamming gear, and they describe continued technical visits into 2025 to work on a GA-21 model.

Reuters noted Kupol previously developed the Garpiya series with Chinese help and that Kyiv says Garpiya variants are used heavily in Ukraine.

China’s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the cooperation and that it does not supply lethal weapons for the conflict.

Reuters reportedly could not independently confirm all details and said Russian firms and officials named did not respond to requests for comment.

 

Four Killed in Ladakh Clashes as India Imposes Security Restrictions

Authorities in India enforced strict security measures in Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil districts Thursday after four people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between police and protesters demanding greater autonomy.

Officials banned gatherings of more than five people, deployed police and paramilitary patrols, and shut down businesses following Wednesday’s violence.

The clashes erupted when protesters in Leh threw stones and set fire to government buildings and vehicles. Police responded with gunfire, tear gas, and batons, which led to the casualties.

The protests, driven by demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards over land and agriculture, escalated after hunger strikers collapsed earlier in the week.

India’s Home Ministry said officers acted in self-defense and blamed the unrest on activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has led a hunger strike since September 10 but ended it after the violence.

The incident marked the worst unrest in Ladakh in decades, highlighting growing discontent since New Delhi stripped the region of statehood and autonomy in 2019. Residents fear land grabs, ecological damage, and worsening trade conditions, while further talks with Indian officials are scheduled for October 6.

 

South Korea Says North Korea Running Four Uranium Enrichment Sites, Stockpile Growing

South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday that North Korea is operating four uranium enrichment facilities, including the known Yongbyon site, with centrifuges running daily. He did not disclose the locations of the other plants but stressed the urgency of halting Pyongyang’s nuclear buildup.

Chung cited an assessment that North Korea possesses about 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, though his ministry later clarified the figure came from civilian experts. If accurate, the amount represents a sharp increase from past estimates of 250 to 500 kilograms in 2018.

North Korea has long pursued both uranium and plutonium pathways to nuclear weapons and is believed to have dozens, possibly over 100, nuclear devices.

International efforts to curb its program stalled in 2019 when talks between Kim Jong Un and US President Trump collapsed over sanctions relief. Since then, Kim has rejected further diplomacy, expanded missile tests, and vowed never to use nuclear weapons as a bargaining chip, though he has left the door open to future talks under different terms.

Analysts say an expanded arsenal would strengthen Kim’s leverage in any renewed negotiations.

 

Sources: News Agencies