Wednesday SITREP: Europe and MENA Focus

Black Sea Ceasefire and Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza Andrew Sheves Good morning. Two headlines for you today. 🇺🇦 Black Sea Ceasefire Deal Russia and Ukraine agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea through separate deals with the US after three days of peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Russia stipulated the ceasefire would only take effect after sanctions against its food and fertilizer trade are lifted, while Ukraine’s Zelensky called the agreement “a step in the right direction” but warned his country would seek further sanctions if Moscow violates its commitments. Both sides also agreed to develop measures implementing a ban on attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, though accusations of violations emerged shortly after the announcement. More - BBC ...

March 26, 2025 · 3 min · Andrew Sheves

Tuesday SITREP: Americas Focus

One week out from US ‘Liberation Day’ and Burundi Accuses Rwanda of Attack Plot Andrew Sheves Good morning. Next Wednesday is ‘Liberation Day’: the day when the off-again, on-again US tariffs are imposed across the board but the administration continues to change and adjust what is or is not potentially being targeted so this Bloomberg tracker is very useful. Meanwhile, in addition to the complexities of reciprocal tariffs, President Trump is also threatening ‘secondary tariffs’. ...

March 25, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Monday SITREP: Global Ratings

Stability Ratings, Protests in Turkey, Canada’s Election set for April 28, and External and Internal Tensions In Israel Andrew Sheves Happy Monday. Three headlines to help you catch up quickly. 🇹🇷 ** Anti-Government Protests Sweep Turkey** There were enormous protests across Turkey all weekend following last week’s arrest of Istanbul’s Mayopr and prominent opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. The charges are viewed by many as fabricated, with the main aim of preventing Imamoglu — a popular leader — from participating in upcoming elections. [More - AlJazeera] ...

March 24, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Friday SITREP: Africa Focus

Government Retakes Presidential Palace in Khartoum, Heathrow Closure, Hamas Rockets Target Israel Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇸🇩 Government Forces Retake Presidential Palace in Khartoum Sudanese government forces have retaken the Presidential Palace in Khartoum but the opposition Rapid Support Forces (RSF) still control large parts of the Sudanese capital. [Live coverage - BBC] 🛬 Heathrow Shuts Down After Nearby Fire London Heathrow Airport faces unprecedented closure after a nearby electrical substation fire cut power to the hub, forcing cancellations of over 1,300 flights and affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. British Airways alone will see 677 flights impacted, and there are likely to be widespread knock-on travel delays for days. More - Bloomberg ...

March 21, 2025 · 3 min · Andrew Sheves

Thursday SITREP: Asia and Oceania Focus

Israel Reenters Gaza, Positive Signs in Ukraine Ceasefire Talks and Emergency Declaration in Nigeria’s Rivers State Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇵🇸 Israeli Troops Reenter Gaza Israel initiated a limited ground operation in Gaza, re-establishing control of the Netzarim Corridor to create a buffer between northern and southern regions. Defense Minister Katz issued a “final warning” that Gaza residents would face evacuation from battle zones unless Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages. This marks the first ground incursion since a six-week ceasefire lapsed earlier this month. More - Bloomberg ...

March 20, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Wednesday SITREP: Europe and MENA Focus

Putin-Trump Fail to Agree Ceasefire and Gaza Offensive Resumes with ‘Full Force’ Andrew Sheves Good morning. Two headlines to start your day 🇺🇦** Trump-Putin Fail to Reach Ceasefire Agreement** Putin rejected Trump’s requested 30-day Ukraine ceasefire, instead offering only to limit attacks on energy infrastructure while demanding an end to Western weapons transfers. Despite the limited agreement, Trump claimed victory and announced peace negotiations are underway, while Ukraine’s Zelenskiy conditionally accepted the arrangement. European allies remain skeptical, with the UK discussing accelerated arms shipments before any ceasefire takes effect. More - Bloomberg ...

March 19, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Tuesday SITREP: Americas Focus

Hundreds Killed in Gaza Strikes, Trump Deportations backlash and Netanyahu Moves to Fire head of Shin Bet Andrew Sheves Good morning. 📞 US President Trump and Russian Putin will have a direct phone call today (morning ET) to discuss the proposed peace plan for Ukraine. Three headlines to kick off your Tuesday. 💥** Breaking: Extensive Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Kill Over 300** Beginning at 0200 local, Israel conducted extensive strikes across Gaza hitting 35 targets across the strip. Several senior Hamas leaders were killed in the strikes, along with hundreds of civilians. Israel also issued evacuation notices, establishing a ‘red zone’ along the entire Gaza border, forcing thousands of families to move. The strikes came after two months of relative peace during Phase One of a ceasefire when the hostage and prisoner changes took place, and aid was allowed back into the Gaza Strip. BBC - Live Updates ...

March 18, 2025 · 3 min · Andrew Sheves

Monday SITREP: Global Ratings and 7-Day Audio Summary

Stability ratings, anti-government protests in Belgrade, Yemen Strikes and Mass Deportations from USA Andrew Sheves Happy Monday. Three headlines from the weekend. 🇷🇸 Huge Anti-Government Protests in Belgrade Serbia witnessed its largest-ever protest as up to 325,000 people rallied in Belgrade against the government following a railway station collapse that killed 15 people last November. The massive demonstration, organized as “15th for 15,” brought together students, taxi drivers, farmers, and military veterans demanding accountability for the disaster at Novi Sad station, which many blame on corruption during renovation work personally inaugurated by President Aleksandar Vucic. Despite multiple resignations including the Prime Minister’s, protesters insist none of their demands for transparency and justice have been fully met. More - BBC ...

March 17, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Friday SITREP: Africa Focus

Work Still to be Done on Ukraine Peace Deal, US Shutdown Averted and Weekend Diversions Andrew Sheves Good morning. Two stories to help you stay up on top of things. 🇺🇦 US negotiator Steve Witkoff met with Russia’s Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine peace deal last night to discuss the proposed ceasefire deal. Putin reportedly “expressed solidarity” with President Trump’s position but had “voiced a number of questions that need to be answered together… There’s still a lot ahead to be done”. [BBC Live Coverage] ...

March 14, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves

Thursday SITREP: Asia and Oceania Focus

Moscow Stays Silent on Ukraine Deal, US Shutdown Approaches and Iran Rejects Nuclear Talks Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇺🇦 Ukraine Peace Deal Heads to Moscow The BBC has a line-by-line breakdown of the proposed peace deal for Ukraine here. Russia’s Vladimir Putin has yet to respond to the proposed deal officially but US mediators head to Moscow soon to discuss the deal with the Russian leader. 🇺🇸 US Government Shutdown Looms ...

March 13, 2025 · 2 min · Andrew Sheves