Evening Brief: Amazon Web Services Outage Cause Global Disruptions, Via Baltica Highway Opens, Iraq to Keep Small US Adviser Force

AWS’s last major outage occurred in 2021 and lasted more than five hours.   US Envoys Push to Stabilize Gaza Ceasefire After Deadly Weekend Clashes US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to salvage the Gaza ceasefire following a surge of violence that killed at least 30 people. The flare-up began Sunday when a Palestinian attack killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting retaliatory Israeli strikes that left 28 Palestinians dead. Both Israel and Hamas have since reaffirmed their commitment to the US-brokered truce, though tensions remain high. The US delegation is seeking to stabilize the ceasefire and move forward with the next phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-step peace plan. Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel to discuss implementation of Trump’s Gaza ceasefire deal They’ll meet Prime Minister Netanyahu and senior officials to review progress on the agreement with Hamas https://t.co/rcfV8zOpN7 pic.twitter.com/WUBaInlF64 — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 20, 2025 Vice President JD Vance is expected in Israel on Tuesday for additional talks. Meanwhile, Hamas said it would return the body of another hostage as Egypt hosts follow-up negotiations in Cairo. Israeli officials warned they would strike any militants remaining beyond new buffer lines in Gaza, while residents described confusion and fear as the fragile ceasefire wavers.   Trump Says Survivors of US Strike on Drug Submarine Will Be Sent to Ecuador and Colombia President Donald Trump said over the weekend that the two survivors of a US military strike on a suspected drug-carrying submersible in the Caribbean will be repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia for prosecution. The strike, the sixth since early September, destroyed a vessel that Trump claimed was loaded with fentanyl and other narcotics bound for the United States. Two people were killed in the attack, bringing the total death toll from recent US operations in the region to at least 29. President Trump said two survivors of its military strike on a boat in the Caribbean strike will be repatriated to Colombia and Ecuador for prosecution https://t.co/uQblZeUpy8 pic.twitter.com/91sOO4CaLd — Reuters (@Reuters) October 19, 2025 Trump has described the campaign as an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, invoking post-9/11 war powers to justify the use of lethal force. The move has raised legal and congressional concerns over the scope of presidential authority and the legality of military actions against non-state actors. Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed one survivor’s return, while Ecuador’s government said it had not yet been notified.   US and Australia Sign $8.5 Billion Rare Earths Deal to Curb China’s Supply Dominance President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a major agreement Monday at the White House to boost joint development and processing of rare earths and critical minerals, aiming to secure supply chains as China tightens control over the global market. The deal includes an $8.5 billion investment pipeline, with both nations contributing $1 billion over the next six months to launch joint projects. The pact complements ongoing cooperation under the AUKUS defense alliance, which the leaders also discussed, reaffirming plans for Australia to acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines with US and UK support. .@POTUS signs a critical minerals deal with Australian Prime Minister @AlboMP: “We’re doing a real job on rare earth and many other things.” pic.twitter.com/clwDafPPk5 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 20, 2025 The agreement underscores Washington’s strategy to reduce reliance on Chinese exports of materials essential for electric vehicles, defense systems, and high-tech manufacturing, while Canberra balances its economic ties with Beijing—still its largest trading partner.   Pressure Mounts to Strip Prince Andrew of All Titles After New Epstein Revelations Prince Andrew faces growing calls to be formally stripped of his remaining royal titles and evicted from his residence following fresh revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. After discussions with King Charles III, Andrew agreed Friday to stop using the title Duke of York but still retains it legally, along with his status as a prince. The move came after leaked emails showed he stayed in contact with Epstein longer than he had admitted and ahead of the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir alleging she was trafficked to Andrew at age 17. Prince Andrew faces renewed scrutiny after BBC obtained Nobody’s Girl, the late Virginia Giuffre’s memoir detailing sexual abuse by Epstein, claims involving Andrew Giuffre wrote she once feared she’d “die a sex slave” Andrew denies all allegations https://t.co/zmxLkV2LFJ pic.twitter.com/dhsTP2Q6Zn — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 20, 2025 Lawmakers, including SNP leader Stephen Flynn, urged Parliament to revoke his titles, calling public anger “widespread.” The government said the issue rests with the royal family. Andrew, who paid a multimillion-dollar settlement to Giuffre in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing, continues to live at Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are reviewing reports that he once sought damaging information about Giuffre through his security detail.   Zelenskyy Says Trump Meeting Was ‘Positive,’ Announces Plan to Buy 25 Patriot Systems Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump as constructive, saying it advanced efforts for Ukraine to acquire 25 Patriot air defense systems, despite reports of a tense exchange. Zelenskyy said Trump’s message was “positive” and focused on maintaining current front lines as part of a potential ceasefire. However, sources told media outlets that Trump used harsh language and urged Zelenskyy to make territorial concessions to Russia. We are working with the United States to ensure that Ukraine still can receive the necessary number of Patriot systems. This is not an easy task, but it is one of the security guarantees for Ukraine – and it will work in the long term. In Washington, I spoke with defense… pic.twitter.com/MG8JoojNiV — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 20, 2025 Zelenskyy confirmed that the meeting did not secure US approval for Tomahawk missiles, saying Trump appeared reluctant to provoke Moscow ahead of a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Zelenskyy criticized the choice of Hungary as a venue but said he would attend peace talks there if invited.   Ukraine’s Drone Strike on Russian Gas Plant Forces Kazakhstan to Cut Output A Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Orenburg gas processing plant has forced Kazakhstan to slash production at its Karachaganak oil and gas field by up to 30 percent, industry sources told Reuters. The Orenburg facility, one of the world’s largest, halted intake of Kazakh gas after sustaining damage in Saturday’s strike. Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry confirmed the disruption, while sources said output had dropped to 25,000–28,000 metric tons per day from the usual 35,000. Operated by a consortium including Chevron, Shell, and Eni, Karachaganak relies on Orenburg for processing and reinjection operations. Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s Orenburg gas processing plant overnight, damaging one of the country’s biggest energy sites. The regional Governor confirmed the strike, while Kazakhstan suspended gas deliveries as a result. pic.twitter.com/bFAsyCQPG4 — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) October 20, 2025 Kyiv claimed responsibility for hitting both the Orenburg plant and an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region as part of its expanded campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure. The production cut highlights the cross-border ripple effects of Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s energy sector.   Baltic States and Poland Open Via Baltica Highway Poland and the Baltic states inaugurated the Via Baltica highway on Monday, a 970-kilometer-long (600-mile-long) route linking Warsaw to Tallinn that passes through the strategic Suwalki Gap between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. The corridor is viewed as vital for both regional trade and NATO defense, allowing faster troop movement to the Baltics in the event of conflict. Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda hailed the project as key to economic growth and regional security. “Historic moment!” 🇵🇱🇱🇹 The Presidents of Poland and Lithuania met at the Polish-Lithuanian border to officially open a key section of the Via Baltica highway It is the only road of this class that directly connects Poland with Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania🌍 Via… pic.twitter.com/YJQwMQdLX6 — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 20, 2025 The opening comes as tensions rise following Russian drone incursions into Poland and airspace violations in Estonia. Parts of the route remain two lanes and will be expanded in future construction phases.   Fire on Gas Tanker in Gulf of Aden Kills Two Sailors, Ship Drifting Off Yemen A fire aboard the Cameroonian-flagged gas tanker Falcon killed two crew members and left the vessel adrift in the Gulf of Aden, authorities said Monday. The blaze began Saturday and was likely accidental, according to the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center. Twenty-four of the 26 crew members, mostly Indian with one Ukrainian, were rescued and taken to Djibouti. Satellite images showed the ship still burning but upright, with salvage operations planned by a private company. Initial reports suggested the vessel may have been struck, but investigators found no sign of external attack. UPDATE: According to @UK_MTO, the vessel was “hit by an unknown projectile”.https://t.co/ZMQD1gKXA2 pic.twitter.com/K1AzKxRVgV — TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) October 18, 2025 The incident comes amid months of Houthi assaults on shipping in the region, though no such attacks have been reported since the Gaza ceasefire on October 10. The Falcon has previously been linked to Iran’s “ghost fleet” of sanctioned oil transporters.   Iraq to Keep Small US Adviser Force as Security Concerns Rise After Syria Upheaval Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Monday that a small contingent of 250 to 350 US military advisers will remain in Iraq beyond September to coordinate counter-ISIS operations with American forces in Syria. The decision follows recent instability in Syria after the fall of President Bashar Assad, raising fears of an ISIS resurgence. US personnel will stay at Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq, near Baghdad airport, and al-Harir base in the north, while other sites continue phased reductions. A small contingent of U.S. military advisers will remain in the Iraq for now to coordinate with U.S. forces in neighboring Syria combating the Islamic State group.https://t.co/BmqFpsW1o8 — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) October 20, 2025 Al-Sudani emphasized that ISIS no longer poses a major threat inside Iraq and reaffirmed his stance that Iraq will not act as a proxy in regional conflicts. He urged renewed US-Iran dialogue and said his government supports integrating armed groups into state institutions or politics ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections.   Jihadist Violence in Africa’s Sahel Doubles, Expanding Across Area Twice the Size of Spain Jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have doubled their operational reach across Africa’s Sahel region since 2019, now covering over one million square kilometers—twice the size of Spain—and leaving around 77,000 people dead, according to AFP’s analysis of ACLED data. Attacks surged from 1,900 in 2019 to more than 5,500 in 2024, with 3,800 already recorded in 2025. Most violence is concentrated in Mali and Burkina Faso, where military juntas have expelled Western troops, while smaller hotspots persist near Lake Chad in Nigeria. Analysts warn that military-focused strategies have failed to curb extremism, allowing jihadists to expand by exploiting local grievances and economic hardship. Once hunters, now militias: self-defense groups across the #Sahel have become entrenched in violence. ACLED’s new series opens in #Mali, analyzing the structure, operations, evolution, and impact of Dozo militias. Explore: https://t.co/r8vgZHNxyV pic.twitter.com/DhcTjcGbV3 — ACLED (@ACLEDINFO) October 14, 2025 Al-Qaeda’s JNIM now threatens to isolate West African capitals like Bamako and Ouagadougou by targeting transport routes and fuel supplies, particularly in Mali’s key western region of Kayes.   Myanmar Junta Seizes Starlink Devices in Raid on Major Internet Scam Center Myanmar’s military raided the KK Park compound near the Thai border, one of the country’s largest internet scam centers, and seized 30 Starlink satellite internet devices, state media reported Monday. The operation followed an AFP investigation revealing widespread use of Starlink at scam hubs that defraud foreigners through online schemes. Myanmar scam cities booming despite crackdown — using Musk’s Starlink. They said they had smashed them. But fraud factories in Myanmar blamed for scamming Chinese and American victims out of billions of dollars are still in business and bigger than ever, an AFP investigation… pic.twitter.com/pMSeKa915g — AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 14, 2025 The crackdown comes amid growing concern over the resurgence of cyberfraud operations in Myanmar’s border regions, despite earlier multinational efforts by Thailand, China, and Myanmar to dismantle such networks and rescue thousands of trafficked workers.   Sources: News Agencies