Global Security and Policy Insights- June 10, 2025
| International Affairs → On Tuesday, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick stated that US-China trade talks were going well following their second day of talks in London. A central issue appears to be the export of Chinese rare earths, which include a crucial component in electric vehicle motors. China suspended exports of these minerals in April, prompting the US to halt exports of semiconductor design and services and aviation equipment. The present talks are expected to ease strain on trade in both sectors. → Russia launched a large airstrike at Odessa, hitting a maternity ward. This week, Russia has ramped up its attacks on key Ukrainian cities, following Ukraine’s shocking drone attack on Russian strategic bombers last week. Despite engaging in direct peace talks, the two countries have reportedly made progress only on the exchange of POWs. They held the first stage of a prisoner swap on Monday, to include wounded soldiers and prisoners under 25. Due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, the details of the precise numbers and locations of the swap have not been released. → Right-leaning Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head at a campaign event on Saturday — the first high-profile assassination attempt of a Colombian politician in decades. He is in critical condition. Authorities apprehended the alleged shooter, an underage boy, who they believe to have been hired by a third party. Some Colombian politicians, including Vicky Davila, a conservative presidential candidate, publicly accused incumbent President Gustavo Petro of orchestrating the assassination attempt. Likewise, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X that the “leftist rhetoric” coming from the Colombian government was to blame for the attack. |
| Middle East → US officials are reportedly considering pulling support from UNIFIL, the peacekeeping force in Lebanon, in an effort to cut costs. While no decision has been made, the decision would significantly reduce UNIFIL’s presence and increase the responsibility of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The LAF is still deployed in southern Lebanon to enforce the peace deal with Israel and suppress Hezbollah activity. The decision will not be officially made until August, when UNIFIL’s mandate is put to a vote in the UN Security Council, where the US could veto its renewal. UNIFIL has long been criticized by Israel as ineffective and a de-facto human shield for Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. While Israel has been advocating for the removal of UNIFIL, Trump is likely more motivated by an opportunity to avoid “unnecessary” foreign spending. It is possible that rather than eliminating UNIFIL completely, it is phased down, enabling the LAF to continue sharing resources. → On Monday, the IDF intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists, preventing them from breaching the naval blockade on the Strip. The activists underwent medical exams and will be deported from Israel imminently. The flotilla has generated significant controversy, with some calling it a publicity stunt and others accusing Israel of violating international law by intercepting the vessel. Thunberg and her companions claimed to carry humanitarian aid on the small vessel. Meanwhile, Gaza Health Foundation-administered aid operations continue in northern Gaza. On Tuesday, several Palestinians were reportedly killed by gunfire while attempting to retrieve aid. The IDF claims it fired warning shots at those appearing to advance outside of the designated aid route. There are ongoing disputes about the accuracy of reporting around shootings at the aid distribution sites due to fog of war and questionable sources. United States → On Friday, protests broke out on the streets of Los Angeles against ICE raids in the city. Protests quickly spread to other parts of California — and across the country — with thousands coming out to march. Local police arrested approximately 56 people in LA, 60 in San Francisco, and 24 in NYC, among others, between Friday and Monday. In LA, police used tear gas on protestors and there were several reported confrontations. In response to the unrest, the Trump administration ordered 700 US Marines to Los Angelese, in addition to the 2000 National Guard soldiers Pete Hegseth dispatched over the objections of the Governor. The decision was sharply criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who, with his Attorney General, are suing the Trump administration for executive overreach. Nationwide protests remain ongoing. This is the first time since 1965 that troops have been dispatched within the United States by federal caveat, bypassing state officials. → Late last week, Elon Musk and Donald Trump engaged in a public feud on X. Musk called for President Trump’s impeachment and for the release of the Epstein files, while Trump threatened to cancel federal contracts and tax subsidies for Musk’s various companies. The fallout came after the passage of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which Musk had criticized. The public argument highlighted Musk’s disproportionate power and wealth, allowing him to fund primaries against vulnerable politicians, influence social media, and guide national space initiatives. → Last week, federal agents charged a University of Michigan scholar from China with accusations of smuggling a biological pathogen into the US. Authorities suspect that the woman, Yunqing Jian, intended to use the pathogen for agricultural terrorism. Jian is allegedly tied to the Chinese Communist Party. Jian entered the US with her boyfriend, who may have committed immigration fraud in addition to the smuggling charges. Both individuals are currently in FBI custody. Cyber → A report by iVerify, a cybersecurity firm, was released last week alleging the hacking of high-profile Americans’ phones during 2024. However, the findings make it clear that while they suspect tampering occurred, the researchers stop short of claiming that malicious software was installed. Among those targeted were members of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Each phone identified was an iPhone. Apple has pushed back on the findings. |
| Resources: US Department of State Travel Advisories CISA: nation-state cybersecurity threats and other resources for cybersecurity matters. Check out our newly enhanced media hub. Our latest blog reviews recent Ukrainian drone strikes. |
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Interfor International‘s Weekly Security Digest – June 10, 2025