Putin Knows More Than We Realize – Newsweek newsweek.com/putin-knows-kre…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 19, 2026
Month: August 2026
JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇬🇧 Russia says British involvement in missile strikes against its territory can be considered participation in the war.
— @BRICSinfo Aug 19, 2026
World News: August 19, 2026 share.gemini.google/vjKH0kPU…
Here is a summary of the top global news and geopolitical developments for the morning of August 19, 2026:Middle East & International Security
Israeli Military Probes: The Israeli military announced it is opening criminal investigations into the high-profile killings of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, her family, and 15 Palestinian paramedics in Gaza. However, the military stated it will not pursue criminal probes into the strikes that killed World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders aid workers.
Gaza Strikes & Ceasefire Efforts: Deadly airstrikes continued in Gaza, killing at least 10 people, casting doubt on recent U.S. diplomatic efforts to solidify a tenuous ceasefire. The strikes occurred shortly after a visit by U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner.
Iran Diplomatic & Regional Tensions:
France Expulsions: France announced it is expelling two Iranian diplomats in retaliation for the expulsion of French diplomatic staff from Tehran, which France described as a “premeditated” assault.
UAE Embargo: The United Arab Emirates has imposed an indefinite trade embargo on Iran over alleged missile attacks.
Iraq Visit: Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, arrived in Iraq for a three-day visit to meet with officials and leaders of an Iran-backed political coalition.
Global Politics & U.S. Foreign Policy
Ukraine: Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s ousted defense minister, has publicly called for national elections to be held despite the ongoing war with Russia. This marks the first such demand by a major Ukrainian political figure since the full-scale invasion began.
U.S.-South Korea Military Drills: The United States and South Korea are scaling back their annual joint military exercises following an order from President Trump.U.S. Trade: President Trump paused a planned 50% tariff on Canada in a last-minute deal.
U.S. Sanctions on ICC: The United States has sanctioned the president and top lawyer of the International Criminal Court.
Global Health & Weather
Central Pacific: Hurricane Lala is currently moving northwestward as a strong hurricane, packing maximum sustained winds of 125 mph.
DR Congo: The World Health Organization is highlighting the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where infections have surpassed 5,000. Delayed detection, mistrust, and regional conflict are complicating containment efforts.–
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 19, 2026
Read more
NATO has developed a ground warfare concept for a large-scale Russian attack on NATO member states. The document outlines a sequence of actions in the event of missile and drone strikes, as well as a Russian ground offensive, according to Bild.
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would
 |
Michael_Novakhov shared this story from |
NATO has developed a ground warfare concept for a large-scale Russian attack on NATO member states. The document outlines a sequence of actions in the event of missile and drone strikes, as well as a Russian ground offensive, according to Bild.
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would be to stop the Russian offensive and significantly weaken Russia’s military capabilities. The plan is outlined in NATO’s Land Warfighting Concept, which was developed under the leadership of US Army Major Andrew Pingrey.
NATO would first seek to stop missile strikes
According to Bild, if Russia attacked the Baltic states, Moscow could use missiles and drones while also launching a ground offensive involving tanks.
NATO’s first task in such a scenario would be to suppress the missile strikes. The Alliance plans to use fighter jets, missiles and drones to disable Russian missile systems.
One of the targets identified in this scenario is the Kaliningrad region, where Russia has deployed a significant number of air defense and missile systems.
NATO plans to create an ‘autonomous zone’ along the border
At the same time, NATO plans to establish what it calls an “autonomous zone” along its borders with Russia and Belarus. The idea is for it to serve as a defensive barrier between Russian troops and NATO forces.
Under the concept, the zone would be defended primarily by drones and unmanned military vehicles operating against the enemy. NATO troops would not be directly stationed there.
If Russian forces continued their advance, unmanned systems would be used to contain and stop them.
Alliance plans to strike Russian military logistics
The next stage, according to Bild, could involve striking targets inside Russia itself.
The focus would be on military logistics infrastructure supporting Russian forces. Potential targets include airfields, military factories, bridges and railways used to transport troops and supplies to the battlefield.
The goal would be to significantly disrupt Russian supply lines and make it harder for Moscow to organize subsequent waves of attacks.
NATO wants to work with Putin’s opponents
According to the concept, the Alliance also plans to rely on Russians who oppose Vladimir Putin.
Another element of the plan is the creation of an “air bridge.” Through it, aircraft would deliver drones and robotic systems into Russia, which could be used, among other things, to destroy military bases and airfields.
At the same time, the concept emphasizes that NATO does not seek to conquer Russia. The goal would be to stop and push back advancing Russian forces to Russia’s borders.
Putin is supposed to know NATO’s plans
One notable feature of the concept is that NATO military planners do not consider it necessary to keep the plans completely secret. The Alliance’s logic is that deterrence works more effectively when a potential adversary knows exactly what response it would face if it attacked a NATO member.
Thus, the concept is intended not only to establish the Alliance’s course of action in the event of war, but also to serve as a warning to Russia about the possible consequences of aggression against NATO member states.
Context
Some NATO countries are already actively preparing for a possible Russian attack. Warsaw has information suggesting that Moscow could soon launch another large-scale provocation.
“We are preparing for war, hoping that it will never begin,” Poland’s deputy defense minister said.
Meanwhile, Latvia believes Russia has already launched a hybrid war against EU countries, seeking to intimidate states that support Ukraine. Western intelligence agencies are currently investigating a series of acts of sabotage, attempted attacks, arson incidents and other provocations.
Read more
NATO has developed a ground warfare concept for a large-scale Russian attack on NATO member states. The document outlines a sequence of actions in the event of missile and drone strikes, as well as a Russian ground offensive, according to Bild.
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would
|
Michael_Novakhov shared this story from |
NATO has developed a ground warfare concept for a large-scale Russian attack on NATO member states. The document outlines a sequence of actions in the event of missile and drone strikes, as well as a Russian ground offensive, according to Bild.
The Alliance’s main objectives in such a scenario would be to stop the Russian offensive and significantly weaken Russia’s military capabilities. The plan is outlined in NATO’s Land Warfighting Concept, which was developed under the leadership of US Army Major Andrew Pingrey.
NATO would first seek to stop missile strikes
According to Bild, if Russia attacked the Baltic states, Moscow could use missiles and drones while also launching a ground offensive involving tanks.
NATO’s first task in such a scenario would be to suppress the missile strikes. The Alliance plans to use fighter jets, missiles and drones to disable Russian missile systems.
One of the targets identified in this scenario is the Kaliningrad region, where Russia has deployed a significant number of air defense and missile systems.
NATO plans to create an ‘autonomous zone’ along the border
At the same time, NATO plans to establish what it calls an “autonomous zone” along its borders with Russia and Belarus. The idea is for it to serve as a defensive barrier between Russian troops and NATO forces.
Under the concept, the zone would be defended primarily by drones and unmanned military vehicles operating against the enemy. NATO troops would not be directly stationed there.
If Russian forces continued their advance, unmanned systems would be used to contain and stop them.
Alliance plans to strike Russian military logistics
The next stage, according to Bild, could involve striking targets inside Russia itself.
The focus would be on military logistics infrastructure supporting Russian forces. Potential targets include airfields, military factories, bridges and railways used to transport troops and supplies to the battlefield.
The goal would be to significantly disrupt Russian supply lines and make it harder for Moscow to organize subsequent waves of attacks.
NATO wants to work with Putin’s opponents
According to the concept, the Alliance also plans to rely on Russians who oppose Vladimir Putin.
Another element of the plan is the creation of an “air bridge.” Through it, aircraft would deliver drones and robotic systems into Russia, which could be used, among other things, to destroy military bases and airfields.
At the same time, the concept emphasizes that NATO does not seek to conquer Russia. The goal would be to stop and push back advancing Russian forces to Russia’s borders.
Putin is supposed to know NATO’s plans
One notable feature of the concept is that NATO military planners do not consider it necessary to keep the plans completely secret. The Alliance’s logic is that deterrence works more effectively when a potential adversary knows exactly what response it would face if it attacked a NATO member.
Thus, the concept is intended not only to establish the Alliance’s course of action in the event of war, but also to serve as a warning to Russia about the possible consequences of aggression against NATO member states.
Context
Some NATO countries are already actively preparing for a possible Russian attack. Warsaw has information suggesting that Moscow could soon launch another large-scale provocation.
“We are preparing for war, hoping that it will never begin,” Poland’s deputy defense minister said.
Meanwhile, Latvia believes Russia has already launched a hybrid war against EU countries, seeking to intimidate states that support Ukraine. Western intelligence agencies are currently investigating a series of acts of sabotage, attempted attacks, arson incidents and other provocations.
NATO reveals step-by-step plan for a potential Russian attack | RBC-Ukraine newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/nato…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Aug 19, 2026