What's coming Up Next Week In The World 2026.07.19 to 2026.07.25

RH 7.20.26 | Russia: Ukraine's Command Crisis, Kyiv Under Fire, Moscow Feels the Heat

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Ukraine's biggest challenge right now may not be coming from Moscow. It may be happening inside Kyiv. In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, Ryan and Glenn break down the growing political and military pressure facing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the removal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and the backlash surrounding Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. The fight inside Ukraine is becoming a larger debate over the future of warfare itself. Should Ukraine continue adapting around drones, artificial intelligence, and battlefield data, or remain tied to more traditional military structures? We also look at the growing manpower crisis inside Ukraine as the war enters its fifth year. Thousands of Ukrainians are frustrated by mobilization efforts, recruitment violence, and the reality that a grinding war requires a constant flow of new soldiers. The episode explores how Ukraine is trying to balance battlefield necessity with public trust and national unity. On the battlefield, Russia continues applying pressure with one of its largest ballistic missile attacks of the war against Kyiv. We break down what the strikes reveal about Russia's strategy, Ukraine's air-defense challenges, and why Patriot interceptor shortages have become one of the most important issues shaping the next phase of the conflict. But the story is bigger than missiles. Ukraine is increasingly taking the fight deeper into Russia by targeting logistics networks, energy infrastructure, and industrial facilities. From strikes on Russian fuel assets to attacks on Wildberries logistics hubs, Kyiv is trying to impose economic costs and disrupt the machinery supporting Moscow's war effort. The episode also examines the growing fight over the Black Sea, where attacks on ships, ports, and energy infrastructure are creating consequences far beyond Ukraine's borders. Grain exports, Kazakhstan's oil routes, and global shipping security are all being affected by the expanding maritime campaign. Beyond Ukraine, we look at Europe's struggle to close its long-range missile gap and what the war is revealing about NATO's defense industrial base. European countries are moving quickly to develop new strike capabilities, but many of those systems are still years away from deployment. Finally, we examine Russia's expanding relationship with North Korea and the Kremlin's continued crackdown on domestic opposition. As Moscow leans further into partnerships with isolated states abroad, it is also tightening control over critics, scientists, and political challengers at home. This episode delivers the strategic picture behind the headlines: Ukraine's internal debate, Russia's escalating pressure campaign, the future of drone warfare, NATO's defense challenges, and the geopolitical consequences of a war that continues reshaping global security. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

What's coming Up Next Week In The World 2026.07.19 to 2026.07.25

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] What's coming next in the world? This week on The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief, Ryan and Glenn break down the major scheduled events, meetings, and geopolitical pressure points shaping the days ahead. The global calendar is packed, and we're tracking the moves that matter across China, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Europe, and the Middle East. This episode is your strategic roadmap for the week ahead, helping you understand not just what is happening, but why these events are worth watching. China takes center stage with the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where Beijing will showcase its ambitions for artificial intelligence, technology independence, and global AI leadership. The AI competition between the United States and China is becoming one of the defining strategic contests of the decade, and this week provides another window into how Beijing wants the world to view its technological rise. We also look at China's economic signals, including the latest loan prime rate decision and what it reveals about Beijing's approach to supporting growth while dealing with consumer weakness, property challenges, and financial pressure. The world's second-largest economy is trying to find the right balance between stimulus and stability, and the choices made in Beijing will have global consequences. On the security side, NATO's counter-drone campaign in Latvia highlights one of the biggest lessons from the war in Ukraine: inexpensive unmanned systems have transformed modern warfare. From the battlefield in Ukraine to NATO's eastern flank, drones are changing how militaries think about defense, air protection, and future conflict. The episode also covers the United Nations Security Council's focus on the Middle East, including Gaza, Syria, and broader regional security concerns. Diplomatic meetings at the UN rarely produce instant breakthroughs, but they provide an important look at how major powers are positioning themselves on some of the world's most difficult conflicts. In Europe, we break down the European Central Bank's upcoming policy decision and why energy prices, shipping disruptions, and geopolitical instability are influencing the economic conversation. Then we turn to Russia, where the Bank of Russia's interest rate decision will provide another look at how Moscow is managing inflation, defense spending, and the economic costs of a prolonged war. Finally, we highlight the week's watchlist items, including China-North Korea relations, potential movement on U.S.-China AI discussions, Israel-Lebanon negotiations, and Ukraine's new government as it prepares for the next phase of the war. No hype. No predictions. Just the events that are scheduled, the leaders involved, and the strategic context you need to stay ahead of the news cycle. The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief gives you the geopolitical intelligence briefing that cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually matters. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.18.26 | Saturday Spy Stories Deep Dive

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] A weekly deep dive into the latest spy stories and intelligence updates from across the globe. We spotlight the hidden dynamics driving security crises, geopolitical maneuvering, and covert operations—all with a sharp, unvarnished perspective. From cyber threats to clandestine influence campaigns, this episode pulls together the week's most critical developments, cutting through the noise and spin. Join us as we uncover the storylines shaping tomorrow's conflicts, power plays, and intelligence battles. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.17.26 | Iran and the Middle East: Hormuz Showdown, Houthi Threats, Iran's Pressure Play

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] The Iran crisis is entering a dangerous new phase, and on this episode of The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief, Ryan breaks down the latest developments shaping the Middle East, global energy markets, and the growing confrontation between the US and Tehran. The biggest issue right now is not just the exchange of strikes. It is the battle over leverage. The Strait of Hormuz has become the center of a much larger strategic contest over who controls one of the world's most important economic chokepoints. The June ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran is unraveling as both sides interpret the agreement differently, creating a situation where diplomacy, military pressure, and economic warfare are all colliding at once. This episode explores how Iran is using its asymmetric strategy to pressure the US and its partners. Tehran does not need to match American military power directly. Instead, it is relying on tools it has developed for decades: proxy networks, maritime threats, drones, cyber capabilities, and economic disruption. The goal is to create costs that extend far beyond Iran's borders. Ryan breaks down Iran's reported effort to prepare the Houthis in Yemen for possible action around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, another critical global shipping route. If both Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb face disruption, the consequences could ripple through energy markets, shipping networks, and economies around the world. The episode also examines the growing competition for influence in Iraq, where Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is trying to balance closer ties with Washington while confronting Iran-backed militias that have spent years building political and military power. Iraq could become one of the most important arenas in the broader US-Iran competition. Ryan also looks at the continuing fight over Iran's regional network, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian efforts to move advanced weapons and drone technology through the region. The discussion highlights how inexpensive but sophisticated systems are changing modern conflict and allowing smaller actors to challenge some of the world's most advanced militaries. Beyond the battlefield, this episode dives into the economic and political pressures shaping the conflict. Inside Iran, citizens are dealing with inflation, uncertainty, and growing frustration as the war creates additional strain on an already challenged economy. Meanwhile, China is quietly influencing the energy picture by managing its oil reserves and trying to protect its own economic interests. The episode also covers Israel's political crossroads as elections approach, with major debates emerging over the future of its security strategy, prolonged military operations, and how to balance strength with long-term stability. From Hormuz to Baghdad, Beirut to Beijing, this episode connects the dots behind the headlines and explains why the latest developments matter for global security. If you want to understand the intelligence, geopolitical, and strategic implications of the Iran crisis, this is the briefing you need. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.

RH 7.17.26 | China AI Ambitions, Election Fallout, Taiwan Pressure & Global Influence Push

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] China is moving fast to shape the future of global power, and in this episode of The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief, Ryan breaks down the latest developments from Beijing that show how competition with the US is expanding far beyond traditional military rivalry. The biggest story today is China's push to become the global leader in artificial intelligence. President Xi Jinping used the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai to pitch a China-led vision for AI governance, technology access, and international cooperation. Beijing is building a coalition of countries around Chinese AI systems, training programs, and standards, creating a new front in the competition over who gets to define the rules of the next major technological revolution. But the US-China relationship is facing new pressure after President Trump's accusations that China interfered in the 2020 US election. This episode examines what the released intelligence documents actually say, what China's activities may have involved, and why election security is becoming another major battlefield in the broader strategic competition between Washington and Beijing. Ryan also breaks down the latest developments involving Taiwan, including Beijing's continued efforts to isolate Taipei diplomatically and Taiwan's push to expand its drone and unmanned systems capabilities. From the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait, China is continuing to combine military pressure, diplomatic influence, and information operations to shape the regional environment. The episode also explores China's growing use of economic leverage and political messaging. Beijing's reaction to Britain's nationalization of British Steel highlights the growing tension over whether strategic industries should be treated as normal businesses or national security assets. Meanwhile, new US visa restrictions targeting foreign students, journalists, and Chinese media personnel are adding another layer of friction between the two countries. We also take a look at China's increasingly aggressive information campaigns, including a controversial AI-generated video targeting the Philippines over the South China Sea dispute. It is another example of how Beijing is blending traditional propaganda techniques with new technology to influence public perception and shape narratives around regional conflicts. From artificial intelligence and cyber competition to Taiwan, economic security, diplomacy, and influence operations, this episode breaks down the major moves coming out of China and explains why they matter for the future of global security. The Restricted Handling Daily Intel Brief delivers the geopolitical context behind the headlines, helping you understand not just what happened, but why it matters and what comes next. 👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ [https://www.restrictedhandling.com/] Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.