Aug 31, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

Poland commemorated Armed Forces Day on 15 August to mark the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, holding a military parade in the capital and a naval demonstration in Gdynia. High-ranking state representatives attended the nationwide observances.

Speaking at the naval parade in Gdynia, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that deterrence remains central to national defense, asserting that "war will only be avoided by someone who is strong." He reiterated four main security priorities: fortified borders, durable international alliances, sustained defense investment, and economic development.

Tusk also visited the PGZ Naval Shipyard in Gdynia to inspect the construction of the frigate Wicher under the Miecznik program, affirming ambitions to strengthen Poland's maritime capabilities. Military officials, including General Wiesław Kukuła, confirmed that armed forces were fully prepared for the events.

Sources: Defence24, Money, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

United States forces carried out airstrikes against two Iranian launcher sites on Larak Island after detecting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps preparations to target shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran retaliated by attacking American installations in Jordan, marking the first direct military exchange between Washington and Tehran in nearly five weeks.

The military friction pushed global crude oil prices above $90 per barrel amid uncertainty surrounding maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, the US Department of Defense is evaluating its military presence in the Persian Gulf, exploring potential force reductions following repeated strikes on American installations in the region.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info, WysokieNapiecie.

The US Supreme Court has temporarily allowed the Trump administration to resume construction on a $400 million ballroom at the White House. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a short order pausing a lower court injunction that had previously blocked major portions of the development.

The interim decision provides the justices time to evaluate an emergency application submitted by the federal government. The administration is seeking permission to proceed with work on the White House grounds while a lawsuit brought by a historic preservation organization moves through the legal system. Pending a definitive ruling on a full stay during ongoing litigation, preliminary site preparation may continue.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have dismissed media reports alleging critical ammunition shortages in the US military following operations against Iran. Trump stated on social media that the military maintains "huge amounts" of munitions, while threatening individuals spreading shortage reports with long prison sentences. Hegseth similarly rejected reports describing stocks as dangerously low. American media had reported that depleted missile supplies influenced decisions regarding further strikes.

Meanwhile, extended deployments strain US forces in the region, with reports highlighting declining morale among approximately 5,000 personnel aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Diplomatically, Trump asserted that negotiations with Iran have resumed as a "last chance" for an agreement, directly contradicting statements from Tehran denying any talks.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Polish legal authorities have approved search warrants and detention orders for 14 Russian forensic specialists involved in performing autopsies after the 2010 Smolensk plane crash, while courts rejected requests regarding 26 other experts. In a separate legal development in Poland, prosecutors in Gdansk formally closed their investigation into the fatal July 2024 crash of an M-346 Bielik military trainer jet in Gdynia, which resulted in the pilot's death.

Meanwhile, in Russia, a car explosion in Saint Petersburg killed a high-ranking military lieutenant colonel and critically injured his wife. Local reports indicate the blast occurred in the city's Slavyanka district.

Sources: Defence24, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info