SOFREP Daily: US Halts Intelligence Sharing After Trump-Zelensky Rift, Switzerland Cancels Geneva Conventions Meeting on Palestine

Good morning! It’s Friday, March 7, 2025. Here’s your essential briefing on defense and global affairs to close out the week.

US Halts Intelligence Sharing After Trump-Zelensky Rift

The United States has temporarily paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a public fallout between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The dispute, which unfolded in the Oval Office, also led to the suspension of critical US military aid, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s invasion.

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the freeze, citing Trump’s doubts about Zelenskyy’s commitment to the peace process.

While the White House insists the pause is temporary, many Ukrainians view the decision as a serious blow to their war effort.

Zelenskyy has since attempted to mend ties, expressing regret over the spat and reaffirming Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate with Moscow.

Trump later read a letter from Zelenskyy to Congress, signaling a possible diplomatic reset.

Macron Proposes Nuclear Shield for European Allies

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed discussions on extending France’s nuclear deterrent to European allies and raised the possibility of sending European troops to Ukraine to enforce a future peace deal.

His speech comes amid concerns over Donald Trump’s foreign policy shifts, which have cast uncertainty over US support for Ukraine.

Macron warned that Russia poses an ongoing threat to Europe and stressed the need for increased European defense spending.

He also reaffirmed that any peace deal in Ukraine must be firmly upheld, potentially with European troops ensuring its enforcement.

German political leaders have supported discussions on nuclear sharing, while European military leaders are set to meet in Paris to strategize post-war security.

Meanwhile, tensions between Europe and Trump continue to rise, with the French leader criticizing planned US tariffs on European products.

Macron is also considering a joint visit to Washington with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Switzerland Cancels Geneva Conventions Meeting on Palestine

Switzerland has canceled a planned conference on the application of the Geneva Conventions in the occupied Palestinian territories due to a lack of participation and consensus among invited countries.

The conference, scheduled for March 7, aimed to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem but faced resistance from several nations, including those who felt the proposed declaration did not go far enough.

The conference on the implementation of the 4th Geneva Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, mandated by the #UNGA, will not take place.

Due to a lack of consensus among High Contracting Parties, 🇨🇭, as the depositary state, has decided not to convene it.@swiss_un

— Swiss MFA (@SwissMFA) March 6, 2025

The Palestinian delegation and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation had planned to boycott the event, arguing that stronger measures against Israel were needed.

Meanwhile, Israel opposed the conference, calling it part of a legal campaign against the country.

Western states, including Britain, also expressed reservations, contributing to the event’s cancellation.

The decision marks a diplomatic setback for Switzerland, which prides itself on neutrality and mediation in global conflicts.

Lithuania Quits Cluster Bomb Treaty Over Security Fears

Lithuania officially withdrew from the international convention banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighboring Russia.

This makes it the first country to leave the treaty, drawing sharp criticism from human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who warn of increased risks to civilians.

The Lithuanian government argues that withdrawing from the treaty enhances its ability to defend against large-scale threats, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Lithuania withdraws from international convention banning cluster munitions

It is the first European Union country to withdraw from a multilateral arms control agreement

Lithuania has also announced its intention to withdraw from a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel… pic.twitter.com/oiPEoo1JwI

— Ukraine Front Line (@EuromaidanPR) March 6, 2025

The country is also considering leaving another treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, though that decision remains pending.

Critics fear Lithuania’s move may set a precedent for other nations to reconsider their disarmament commitments.

Syria Hunts Assad Loyalists in Deadly Crackdowns

Syria continues to face instability following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, with violent clashes and security operations occurring in former pro-government strongholds.

In Latakia, a former Assad stronghold, a security operation targeting pro-Assad militants led to the deaths of four civilians. Authorities claim the operation was in response to an ambush that killed two security personnel.

Meanwhile, in Daraa, security forces launched a large-scale campaign to root out armed groups linked to the former regime’s military intelligence.

Clashes left at least seven people dead, including security personnel and fighters, while several civilians, including women and children, were wounded.

Uprising in Syria!

Serious fighting is taking place in the Syrian city of Latakia.
The local population, with the support of former Syrian soldiers, announced the creation of an armed “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria”.
The association’s statement states:
“The… pic.twitter.com/tUpDkLFQpC

— Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) March 6, 2025

The province, historically a center of resistance, remains unstable despite government control since 2018.

The new Syrian authorities continue operations to suppress “regime remnants,” though sporadic violence and attacks on checkpoints persist in former Assad-loyalist regions.

Myanmar Rebels Battle Junta for China-Backed Port

Fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA) near the site of a planned China-backed deep-water port has displaced 4,000 more people, adding to the 15,000 already affected.

The conflict in Rakhine state, a key front in Myanmar’s civil war, threatens billions of dollars in Chinese investments, including oil pipelines, power plants, and transport links.

The Arakan Army (AA) and allies are tightening control over the Ann-Padan Road, threatening military factories as they take more ground

Read more:https://t.co/bjqXKJplsf pic.twitter.com/O6uJZoNZ5W

— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) March 6, 2025

Kyaukphyu, the planned port site, has become a battleground as the junta and AA vie for control of strategic infrastructure.

The conflict has stalled the port project, but China-backed energy and naval facilities remain operational.

Aid groups report an urgent need for healthcare and medicine for displaced civilians, while the broader Myanmar conflict has left more than 3.5 million people internally displaced, including over 500,000 in Rakhine.

Pentagon Scrubs Military History Amid DEI Purge

The Pentagon is removing tens of thousands of images and online posts as part of a sweeping effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content, following President Donald Trump’s executive order.

A database obtained by the Associated Press lists over 26,000 images flagged for deletion, with officials estimating the final number could reach 100,000.

Among the flagged content are historical references, including images of World War II Medal of Honor recipients, the Enola Gay aircraft, and milestones achieved by women and minority service members.

Some images appear to have been flagged due to keyword confusion, such as pictures containing the word “gay” or references to fish gender in a scientific study.

The rapid purge has sparked debate, with some removals—such as those related to the Tuskegee Airmen—drawing scrutiny.

The Pentagon insists that any accidental removals will be reviewed, but the scale of the deletion makes full archival preservation uncertain.

The US Marine Corps alone has identified at least 10,000 images for removal, and efforts are ongoing to gain administrative control over thousands of old military social media pages.

China Slams US Tariffs, Vows Retaliation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States for imposing “arbitrary tariffs” on Chinese goods, warning that Washington’s approach of suppressing China while expecting good relations is unsustainable.

He accused the US of acting in bad faith, particularly in imposing tariffs despite China’s efforts to curb fentanyl exports.

Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, the two countries have been locked in a tit-for-tat tariff battle, with China imposing additional duties on key US exports.

Wang also condemned the Trump administration’s “law of the jungle” approach to international relations, warning that such a strategy undermines global stability.

🇨🇳 US CANNOT SUPPRESS CHINA WHILE DEVELOPING GOOD RELATIONS – WANG YI

Chinese foreign minister criticized US tariffs on Chinese goods, urging countermeasures in case of constant pressure. pic.twitter.com/zmThl3Ex18

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 7, 2025

On Ukraine, he reaffirmed China’s commitment to diplomatic conflict resolution and dismissed any notion that China-Russia ties have weakened, emphasizing their continued cooperation.

Regarding Taiwan, Wang reiterated China’s firm stance that the island is not a country and warned that any attempt at independence would be met with severe consequences.

On the Israel-Palestine conflict, he rejected Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians elsewhere, stressing China’s support for a two-state solution.

New Zealand Flags China’s Growing Influence in Pacific

New Zealand’s top intelligence official, Andrew Hampton, has warned of the security risks posed by China’s expanding influence in the Pacific, particularly following the Cook Islands’ deepened ties with Beijing.

Hampton, the Director-General of the Security Intelligence Service (SIS), stated that China’s strategic agreements with Pacific nations intertwine economic and security cooperation, raising concerns over foreign interference and espionage.

New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the Cook Islands, had previously shared classified intelligence with its government before the latest deal with China was signed.

Now, Wellington plans to increase scrutiny of the growing relationship between the Cooks and Beijing.

SIS boss Andrew Hampton says he shared classified intel with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown b4 agreements with Beijing were signed. Also gives an assessment of China’s goals in the Pacific: https://t.co/AX88C1VcYQ pic.twitter.com/n6zcoU1Cdd

— Thomas Manch (@thomas_manch) March 6, 2025

Hampton also reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, emphasizing its critical role in national security, despite shifts in global alliances under the Trump administration.

Sources: Associated Press, US Department of Defense, News Agencies, Reuters