The Weekly Report: September 6-13 2026
United States
On Friday, federal prosecutors announced that a tentative plea agreement had been reached with former CIA officer David Rush, who was found to have 40 million dollars worth of gold bars in his Virginia home. FBI agents arrested him on May 19 after finding the gold bars during a search of his home. David Rush created a fake classified program that allowed him to collect the gold bars. It remains unknown the severity of the punishment rush will face as part of the plea agreement.
Asia
President Masoud Pezeshkian was welcomed to the BRICS business forum in India on Friday in a show of defiance against the West. BRICS is an organization of major emerging economies whose goal is to reduce reliance on Western nations. It is made up of countries including Russia, China, India, and others. Russia and Iran are hoping to use the summit to show the rest of the world that they still retain support of other nations. Iran specifically is using it to show the US that they have allies who are supporting them in their war.
Europe
A Russian drone made an incursion into Moldovan airspace, which caused President Zelenskyy's plane to be temporarily grounded. The drone crashed into the ground roughly 100 miles from Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. The cause of the drone crashing into the ground is unknown. It is also unknown what the target of the Russian drone was. Initial reports claimed the drone was targeting President Zelenskyy's plane, but these reports have not been confirmed.
Americas
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, in a video address to the nation, said Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on the US were unavoidable. Specifically, he said” But our tariffs are necessary to protect our workers, protect our companies and our communities. We can’t let American goods into Canada tariff-free while they charge our companies to export them.” Canada’s latest round of tariffs came into effect on Tuesday, and the tariff rate varied depending on the product. The range was from 15 to 50 percent.
Africa
On Wednesday, the Spanish government declassified a document showing it had warned Moroccan authorities of the threat of a mass crossing of migrants into the Spanish ish enclave of Ceuta in Northern Africa. A majority of the migrants who entered the Spanish enclave returned to Morocco within 72 hours; however, around 5000 remain. According to polls, a majority if spains citizens blame Morocco for the illegal incursions and say it was their responsibility to stop it.
Middle East
On Friday, Houthi militants reiterated threats against shipping in the Red Sea, adding to the uncertainty in the region. This announcement comes at a bad time when tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains at historical lows. The risk of ships traveling through the Red Sea has led shipping companies to reconsider the routes they take. 23 ships were struck in the waterway near Oman between July and August. This uncertainty seems set to remain for the foreseeable future as a diplomatic solution doesn't appear to be close.
