Sep 17, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

The United States Department of State has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the global terrorist designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The policy shift follows an agreement by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate into the national military under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa, offering a prospective path toward regional stability.

Concurrently, military confrontation in the Persian Gulf has intensified. US Central Command reported that American forces permanently disabled two Iranian oil tankers and destroyed a third after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at US warships. No American personnel were injured. Amid ongoing Iranian strikes on strategic bases, the US Department of Defense is evaluating its military footprint, considering a possible reduction of troops across the Gulf.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Cross-border drone attacks and frontline engagements have intensified, inflicting civilian casualties and damaging key Russian commercial infrastructure. Ukrainian strikes targeted major logistics centers, causing fires at Wildberries and Ozon facilities near St. Petersburg and in Dagestan. Following six facility strikes in three days, Ozon shares fell by nearly 30%.

In Russia, local officials reported casualties from drone impacts across several regions. Five people died and ten were injured in Moscow Oblast, while a strike on a beach near Gelendzhik killed seven people and injured roughly 40. Meanwhile, Russian bombardments on Kyiv left nine dead and over 30 wounded.

On the ground, Russian troops made tactical advances near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian forces progressed near Velyka Novosilka. Belarus also announced a new air assault brigade along its southern border.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Радіо Свобода, The Guardian, The Insider

Kremlin officials have intensified criticism of Norway following recent NATO military drills and the seizure of a Russian vessel, with Russian leadership accusing Oslo of threatening regional security. At the same time, intelligence authorities in Germany and Denmark reported foiled Russian sabotage attempts and drone operations targeting airport infrastructure and defense contractors.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have increased long-range attacks targeting strategic assets deep inside Russian territory, including Tu-95 bombers, damaging military logistics. Analytical assessments suggest that while Moscow retains the resources to sustain prolonged combat, its strategic options are increasingly constrained. Security experts emphasize that achieving European security objectives will require a Russian defeat, while advising European governments to maintain composure in responding to Russian hybrid provocations.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter

The US Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point to a range of 3.75% to 4.00%, marking the central bank's first rate increase since July 2023.

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh stated that the unanimous decision aims to accelerate a return to the institution's two percent inflation target amid persistent price pressures. Quarterly projections published alongside the announcement indicate that a majority of policymakers anticipate at least one additional rate hike before the end of the year.

Following the announcement, major Wall Street stock indices declined as Warsh emphasized ongoing inflation concerns during a post-meeting press conference, with banking shares experiencing notable losses.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, Der Standard, ORF, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

The United States military executed airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking Washington's first direct strikes on Iranian territory in a month. Iranian state media confirmed six naval personnel were killed in recent attacks.

Despite renewed military action, diplomatic channels remain active. Qatari officials reported ongoing mediation between Washington and Tehran, while Iran announced a tentative agreement with Oman regarding a new shipping lane through the strategic strait, conditional on no external interference.

However, diplomatic progress faces severe friction after US President Donald Trump announced plans to demand financial compensation from Iran for historical casualties, complicating prospects for a swift resolution.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.