3/ The United States and PRC appeared to convey conflicting views on the necessity of North Korean denuclearization during the Trump-Xi summit. The PRC is likely providing tacit acceptance of North Korea’s nuclear program to improve North Korea-PRC relations.

2/ Other Key Takeaways: WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un is likely aiming to modernize KPA force structure, training, and operations to integrate lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Kim is likely to work towards integrating unmanned systems into KPA warfighting practices.

NEW: South Korea is considering “phased” participation in the US-led operations in the Strait of Hormuz, following an investigation into an explosion on the civilian vessel Namu-ho, which revealed that the explosion was caused by an “external impact.” Full report: isw.pub/KoreanPenins...

Romanian F-16s Shoot Down Rogue Drone in Estonian Airspace Romanian F-16s deployed as part of the Baltic Air Policing shot down a rogue drone, possibly of Ukrainian origin, which entered Estonian airspace from Russia. Story: theaviationist.com/2026/05/19/r...

We are very honoured by the choice of the Swedish Ministry of Defence to select the #FDI to provide the Royal Swedish Navy with 4 latest-generation 1st rank frigates. We are proud and committed to contributing further to the security of Europe. #StrongerTogether

"Russian jamming blamed after #Nato jet downs Ukrainian drone over #Estonia" - #Russia #Ukraine www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

"Rising #Cuba - US tensions amid talk of drones, emergency plans" www.dw.com/en/rising-cu...

Kaspiyisk is turning into a graveyard for russia’s Caspian Flotilla. 5 confirmed hits in under two weeks: May 7 — “Karakurt” May 15 — “Buyan” + minesweeper May 17 — “Svetlyak” May 18 — “Grachonok”

" #Sweden orders 4 frigates from French company Naval Group" www.dw.com/en/sweden-or...

"The battle for people and identity. How #Ukraine can undermine #Russia ’s imperial paradigm from within" informnapalm.org/en/how-ukrai...

" #NATO planes down suspected Ukrainian drone over #Estonia" www.dw.com/en/nato-plan...

Russia Starts Testing Twin-Seat Variant of Su-57 Felon According to a post by the popular FighterBomber Telegram channel, Russia has started the taxi trials of a twin-seat variant of the Su-57, with a new cockpit reminiscent of the Su-30 Flanker. Story: theaviationist.com/2026/05/17/r...

🇨🇳 Full text: China secretly trained Russian soldiers currently fighting in Ukraine, - Reuters A secret agreement signed in July 2025 between Moscow and Beijing provides for both training Russians in China and training Chinese in Russia.

" #Iran demands Big Tech pay fees for undersea #Internet cables in Strait of #Hormuz" arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...

"5 facts about #Africa ’s population growth" www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/...

Iranian state media separately highlighted that 1,500 vessels are currently waiting for Iranian permission to transit the strait as part of broader regime efforts to portray Iran as the sole authority responsible for managing transit through the strait.

Article 38 guarantees passage of all ships and aircraft, while Article 44 prohibits bordering states from suspending passage.

MORE | The newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) stated on X on May 18 that it serves as the “legal institution and representative authority” of the Iranian regime for managing transit through the strait. Read more: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

"Moscow begins #nuclear drills as #Russia - #Ukraine drone strikes intensify" - #WMD www.dw.com/en/moscow-be...

"How #China became #Russia 's economic lifeline" - #DragonBear www.dw.com/en/china-rus...

"What really holds #China and #Russia together" - #DragonBear www.bbc.com/news/article...

"Putin, of course, has set aside money for the war, but certainly not enough to fight indefinitely. Right now, a significant number of their regions are already bankrupt, and Putin is leading Russia to bankruptcy." - Zelenskyy.

Northern Fleet takes part in major nuclear exercise. Big areas in the Barents Sea and the Arctic is closed for navigation and civilian air traffic. What happens up north is closely linked with the exercise over Belarus and Kaliningrad on Tuesday.

Ukraine built more than 1,170 kilometers of anti-drone protection routes in frontline regions amid the Russian FPV drone threat Over recent months, construction speeds have more than doubled, rising from 4 km to 8.5 km per day compared to 2025 📹 Fedorov

"Yes, #Trump might really attack #Cuba" www.politico.com/news/magazin...

"The #Pentagon Wants 300,000 #Drones But #China Controls The #Magnets" oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...

" #Trump ’s shifting remarks on #Taiwan are perfect for #China to exploit" www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

#MidEast - " #Trump says he paused attack on #Iran at Gulf leaders' request" www.dw.com/en/trump-say...

6/ Iran Update Special Report, May 18, 2026:

5/ Iran continues to formalize and institutionalize its claimed control over transit through the Strait of Hormuz in contravention of the UN Charter on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

NEW: Iran’s latest counterproposal does not appear to meet US demands. (1/6) Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate05...

The new working week begins with Day 1545 of Ukraine's fight for survival... or is it Day 5 of Putin's fight for survival? Updated throughout the day, this is THE daily Ukraine thread and I've still never missed a single day. Please think about sending me a "KoFi"☕️ Thank you🙏

Azat Miftakhov — a Russian political prisoner held in the same Arctic town where Navalny was killed — says he's been beaten & electroshocked by guards. Prosecutors investigated and found no violations, but the medical exam wasn't conducted until 2 weeks after the torture. meduza.io/en/news/2026...

”..person familiar with the matter expressed doubts that 🇨🇳&🇷🇺 would reach an agreement on the price for the gas in the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline because Beijing was demanding a price similar to the heavily subsidised levels in the Russian domestic market.” giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Ukraine war briefing: Chinese ship hit on way in to Odesa port, says Zelenskyy www.theguardian.com/... 1/10

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 18, 2026 news.usni.org/2026/05/18/u...

🔥🛳️ Frequent strikes on Kaspiysk 07.05 - Ship "Karakurt". 15.05 - Ship "Buyan". 15.05 - Minesweeper. 17.05 - Ship "Svetlyak". 18.05 - Boat "Grachonok".

#MidEast - "'It is already more than 50-50': #Israel braces for possible renewed war with #Iran, officials say" www.ynetnews.com/article/skva...

CTP-ISW previously assessed that Iranian officials sought terms that would result in the loss of US leverage before meaningful negotiations could begin, which would likely make it more difficult for the United States to secure major nuclear concessions from Iran. 5/5

4/ These terms include the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets, compensation for war-related damages, and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

MORE | The war would only end if negotiations were successful, and there would be no guarantees that the United States or Israel would not attack Iran in the future. 1/5 Read more: www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ira...

"U.S. #LNG Is Becoming the Backbone of Global #Gas Supply" oilprice.com/Energy/Natur...

"US extends pause on Russian #oil #sanctions into June" - #Russia www.politico.eu/article/us-p...

Roskosmos,a Russian space agency,started placing ads on its rockets because it doesn't have enough💰 Since the beginning of 2026,Roscosmos has placed 6 advertising stickers on its space launch rockets Rockets launched from Baikonur carried advertisements for PSB Bank,the “Coffeemania”restaurant chain

The US has eased sanctions on Russian oil once again — just two days after renewing them — amid fears of global supply disruptions, Reuters reported. The move came after several countries asked Washington for more time to continue buying Russian crude.

🇺🇦 Ukrainian paratroopers using FPV drones are taking down twenty Russian soldiers in the Navopavlivka direction in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Footage of combat operations of the 46th separate Podilska airmobile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

" #Trump Allows Russian #Oil Waiver to Expire" - #Russia oilprice.com/Energy/Energ...

"How #China became the new master of #Russia 's economy" www.dw.com/en/how-china...

Iran is considering introducing fees for the use of undersea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which carry part of the world’s digital traffic between Europe&Asia Iranian media also warned of possible disruptions to the cables if major tech companies,including Google, Microsoft,

President Vladimir Putin is headed to Beijing this week for talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. High on the agenda will be the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which Moscow hopes could gain renewed momentum amid the Iran war.