Oct 26, 2026, 06:30 AM UTC

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Iraq, ending a presence that lasted over two decades. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the move, calling it a "great day for America" and stating that past policy mistakes would soon belong to history. The drawdown was initially negotiated in 2024 under former President Joe Biden.

Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of Defense is reviewing its military footprint across the Persian Gulf following repeated strikes on American installations by Iranian forces. Although security analysts note that Iraq is currently more stable than during the previous U.S. troop withdrawal in 2011, concerns remain that the resulting security vacuum could strengthen Iranian political influence in Baghdad and benefit regional militant groups.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Polish defense experts and think tanks are calling for structural institutional reforms to accompany the country's rapid increase in military expenditure. Warsaw plans to allocate 200.1 billion zlotys for defense in 2026, representing 4.81 percent of gross domestic product, up from 2.2 percent in 2022.

While this budget supports major equipment purchases including F-35 fighter jets, Abrams and K2 tanks, and HIMARS rocket artillery, analysts stress that acquiring hardware is insufficient to deter potential Russian aggression. Recent assessments from organizations including Rozwój Plus and the Defence Institute emphasize the need to resolve critical vulnerabilities in command structures, arms procurement administration, recruitment, and mobilization speed. Observers conclude that long-term combat readiness requires institutional modernization capable of enduring initial strategic pressure.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported a quieter night across France after local authorities implemented targeted overnight curfews in response to severe weekend unrest. The localized measures affected specific urban districts, including parts of central Paris and Marseille, following widespread rioting, looting, and more than 2,400 arrests nationwide. Demonstrations originally erupted over rising living costs and educational standards.

Lecornu attributed much of the violence to "extreme-left" groups and criminal elements, warning that a state of emergency remains an option if disorder continues. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged security "failures" after police temporarily lost control during peak clashes. Despite the lapses, Macron rejected a resignation offer from Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, keeping him in post to manage ongoing law enforcement operations.

Sources: BBC News, France24, Politico Europe, STV News, The Guardian.

Brazil's Superior Electoral Court has begun releasing preliminary results following the conclusion of voting in the presidential runoff between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. Nearly 160 million voters were registered to participate following a deeply polarized election campaign.

Electoral authorities extended polling operations by two hours due to transport disruptions that delayed voters. Final surveys published prior to the vote showed both candidates deadlocked at 50%, following a first-round election on October 4 in which Bolsonaro unexpectedly led Lula by 47% to 45%. Vote counting is currently progressing, with definitive results expected later in the evening.

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

Former Chisinau municipal official Iurie Savițchi has been sentenced following a guilty plea for accepting a 600,000 Moldovan lei bribe. Savițchi, who previously headed technical supervision at the capital's General Housing and Public Amenities Directorate, entered a plea agreement with prosecutors after taking funds to favor a contractor in public procurement procedures.

The ruling coincides with an investigation by investigative outlet Ziarul de Gardă into financial crime prosecution in Moldova. An examination of Chisinau Court rulings over the past six years revealed that only a single contested tax evasion case—where the defendant maintained innocence—resulted in a criminal conviction. The findings highlight broader challenges within Moldova's judicial system regarding the prosecution of financial crimes and judicial efficiency.

Sources: Newsmaker, Ziarul de Gardă.