Evening Brief: Trump Suggests New Orleans Could Be Next for Guard Deployment, Emirates Warns Annexation of West Bank

· Guy D. McCardle

Trump speaks to the press in the Oval Office during his meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. (Screenshot/X)

Your Wednesday evening news brief for September 3, 2025.

 

Trump Suggests New Orleans Could Be Next for National Guard Deployment

President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is considering sending the National Guard to New Orleans to combat crime, expanding on his plans to deploy federal forces in Chicago and Baltimore.

Speaking in the Oval Office with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Trump praised Louisiana’s Republican Governor Jeff Landry for supporting potential intervention and claimed federal troops could “straighten out” New Orleans in two weeks. Local leaders immediately rejected the idea, noting that crime in the city is down.

Trump has already deployed federal agents and troops in Washington, D.C., where the White House says more than 1,760 arrests have been made since August 7.

While Trump touts the capital as a “safe zone,” officials in Chicago, Baltimore, and New Orleans remain firmly opposed to similar federal actions.

 

Trump Pledges More US Troops in Poland, Reaffirms Defense Ties Amid Ukraine War

President Donald Trump said Wednesday the US could increase its military presence in Poland, pledging firm support for the country’s defense during a White House meeting with Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

Trump, who welcomed his ally with a military flyover, said Washington has a “tremendous relationship” with Warsaw and would “put more [troops] there if they want.”

Nawrocki confirmed Trump had strongly guaranteed Poland’s security, a priority as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

The talks also addressed stalled peace negotiations, with Trump expected to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday. Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lack of progress toward peace but said he had “no message” for him, insisting Putin “knows where I stand.”

Poland, a NATO member bordering Russia and Ukraine, has become a major buyer of US weapons, including tanks, fighter jets, helicopters, and rocket systems. Washington approved a $4 billion loan guarantee in June to support further purchases.

Analysts say Trump is likely to press for even greater Polish arms spending to strengthen both its own defenses and Ukraine’s.

 

US Approves $32.5 Million Aid Package to Fight Hunger in Nigeria

The United States announced Wednesday it will provide $32.5 million in food and nutrition assistance to Nigeria, marking a rare shift in aid policy since President Donald Trump halted most USAID programs.

The funding will support 764,205 people in conflict-affected regions of northern Nigeria, including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children through electronic food vouchers.

The move comes amid what the World Food Program has described as an “unprecedented hunger crisis” that could leave more than 1.3 million people in Borno state without food and force the closure of 150 nutrition clinics.

Insecurity and aid cuts have worsened the situation, with recent attacks killing hundreds and long-running insurgency displacing over 2 million civilians.

 

UN Watchdog Says Iran Expanded Near-Weapons-Grade Uranium Stockpile Before Israeli Strikes

A confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report seen and reported by The Associated Press on Wednesday said Iran increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent to 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) by June 13, just before Israeli strikes on its nuclear and military sites.

That level is close to weapons-grade, with about 42 kilograms (93 pounds) theoretically enough for one bomb if enriched to 90 percent.

The IAEA confirmed Iran’s overall enriched uranium stockpile reached nearly 9,875 kilograms, up more than 600 kilograms since May.

Inspections have been halted since June due to the war and Tehran’s subsequent decision to suspend cooperation, which the IAEA called “deeply regrettable.” Only the Bushehr power plant has been inspected since.

Talks between Iran and the IAEA to restore access continue, but European nations have triggered a “snapback” process to reimpose sanctions unless Iran allows inspections, resumes negotiations with the US, and clarifies its highly enriched uranium stockpile. None of those conditions has been met.

 

UAE Warns Annexation of West Bank a ‘Red Line’ as Israel Expands Gaza Offensive

The United Arab Emirates warned Wednesday that any Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank would be a “red line,” raising questions about the future of the 2020 Abraham Accords that normalized ties between the two countries.

The warning came as Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 31 people, including women and children, during an expanded operation in Gaza City that has fueled international condemnation and domestic protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call-up of 60,000 reserves.

Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich presented a map proposing annexation of most of the West Bank, a plan critics say would end the prospect of a two-state solution. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry reported over 63,600 Palestinian deaths since the war began, including 367 from malnutrition, while Israel maintains it targets only militants.

In Jerusalem, Israeli police raided a Palestinian-owned cafe and bookshop, the third such raid this year, seizing books and detaining the owner. Separately, Israel’s Shin Bet said it foiled a Hamas plot to assassinate far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir using drones rigged with explosives.

 

Germany Warns Public of Russian Recruitment of ‘Disposable Agents’ for Sabotage

German authorities launched a public campaign Tuesday to alert citizens about Russian attempts to recruit untrained “disposable agents” through social media to commit espionage and sabotage.

Officials said Moscow-linked operatives have increasingly used locals to carry out acts such as arson, property damage, and drone overflights of sensitive sites, often in exchange for small payments. Targets have included military facilities, defense industries, and critical transport and energy infrastructure.

The campaign warns that Russia seeks to destabilize Germany without direct involvement, while intelligence chief Bruno Kahl described such activities as deliberate attacks on democracy through deception and subversion.

Serious offences can carry prison terms of up to 10 years.

 

German Foreign Minister Urges India to Press Russia Toward Peace Talks on Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Wednesday called on India to use its ties with Russia to push for renewed peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine.

Speaking during a two-day visit to India, Wadephul said Europe and the US have made repeated efforts, but Moscow has refused talks. He urged New Delhi to help ensure “the only demand is that weapons fall silent,” noting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s willingness to seek peace.

India has maintained neutrality since Russia’s 2022 invasion, purchasing discounted Russian crude while calling for an end to hostilities.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods has strained relations with Washington. Seeking to bolster its economy, India is accelerating free trade negotiations with the European Union, with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar urging Germany to help finalize an agreement by year’s end.

 

Czech Republic Approves $1.6 Billion Deal for 44 Leopard 2A8 Battle Tanks

The Czech government on Wednesday approved a defense ministry plan to purchase 44 Leopard 2A8 battle tanks from Germany as part of its military modernization program.

The deal, valued at more than 34 billion koruna ($1.6 billion), includes deliveries between 2028 and 2031, with an option for additional tanks later.

The Leopard 2A8 is the newest version of Germany’s main battle tank.

The acquisition follows earlier Czech contracts for 24 US F-35 fighter jets and 246 CV90 armored vehicles from Sweden, reflecting Prague’s push to strengthen defense capabilities amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.

 

Russia Launches 500-Drone Barrage as Zelenskyy, Europe Push for Stronger Defense and Peace

Russia fired more than 500 drones and two dozen missiles at Ukraine overnight, targeting energy infrastructure in western and central regions and wounding at least five people, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the strikes “demonstrative” and urged tougher sanctions, accusing Moscow of acting with impunity. The attacks came as Zelenskyy met European leaders to secure new military aid, with commitments exceeding $2 billion and plans to raise $1 billion monthly for weapons.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is preparing security guarantees for Ukraine once a peace deal is reached, while NATO officials assessed alliance contributions.

In Beijing, Russian President Vladimir Putin, after meetings with Chinese, Indian, and North Korean leaders, suggested peace talks with Zelenskyy could occur if “well prepared,” but warned Russia would pursue military goals if diplomacy fails.

EU officials accused China of sustaining Russia’s war effort by supplying up to 80 percent of its dual-use imports.

 

EU Trade Chief Voices Doubts Over Trump Deal, Predicts Amendments in Parliament

European Parliament trade committee chairman Bernd Lange said Wednesday he and colleagues have “doubts” about the European Union’s trade agreement with the Trump administration and predicted amendments during the approval process.

The July 27 deal lowers EU tariffs on US cars and industrial goods to zero while imposing a 15 percent tariff on most European goods, with exemptions for aircraft, cork, and generic pharmaceuticals. Business groups warn the deal will hurt exports, while the European Commission argues it prevents a wider trade conflict.

Lange cited unpredictability after the US raised tariffs on 400 steel-based goods to 50 percent just weeks after the agreement. Some lawmakers expressed concern about Trump’s additional threats of tariffs tied to EU digital regulations.

The deal still requires European Parliament approval, where opposition exists but lacks a majority.

Meanwhile, the EU moved forward with separate trade agreements with Mexico and Mercosur, which would create the world’s largest free trade zone and lower tariffs on EU exports to Latin America while providing safeguards for European farmers.

 

Suicide Bombings and Militant Assaults Kill 25 in Pakistan

At least 25 people were killed in three separate attacks in Pakistan on Tuesday.

In Quetta, Balochistan, a suicide bomber struck a political rally of the Balochistan National Party, killing 14 and wounding dozens. Party chief Akhtar Mengal, who had just addressed the crowd, confirmed he was unharmed. Later the same day, five paramilitary personnel died when a roadside bomb hit their convoy near the Iranian border.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, six soldiers were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a paramilitary base in Bannu, followed by a 12-hour firefight with additional attackers.

The militant group Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan claimed responsibility for the Bannu assault, while no group has claimed the Balochistan attacks, as of writing.

The violence adds to a surge in unrest across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where hundreds have been killed this year.

 

Indonesia, US Wrap Up Garuda Shield Drills With 6,500 Troops and Live-Fire Exercise

Indonesia and the United States concluded the annual Garuda Shield military exercise on Wednesday with a large-scale live-fire drill that included artillery, rocket strikes, air support, and ground maneuvers.

The 11-day exercise, which began August 24, involved 6,500 troops from 14 nations, including Australia, Japan, the UK, France, and South Korea, with several Asian countries sending observers.

US soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division fired two FIM-92 Stinger missiles in Indonesia for the first time, marking a milestone in the drills.

Indonesian defense leaders praised the exercise for boosting interoperability and regional cooperation amid rising global tensions.

China criticized the exercise, accusing Washington of attempting to build an “Asian NATO” to counter its influence in the region.

 

Rescuers Find One Body After Helicopter Crash in Borneo, Seven Still Missing

Indonesian rescue teams on Wednesday located the wreckage of an Airbus BK117 D-3 helicopter that crashed in Borneo’s forests with eight people on board.

One body was recovered about 100 meters from the burned aircraft, while authorities said more victims are likely still inside but cannot be confirmed due to bad weather and darkness.

The helicopter, owned by Eastindo Air, lost contact with air traffic control eight minutes after departing Kotabaru on Monday en route to Palangkaraya.

Among those on board were an American, a Brazilian, and an Indian national.

More than 200 personnel, supported by five helicopters, have been searching a 27-square-kilometer (10-square-mile) area, with recovery efforts now focused on the crash site.

 

Sources: News Agencies