ISSUE #416📅Wednesday, 26 August 2026⏱5 min read📑5 stories · 1 deep dive
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The Briefing
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Here’s what’s happening in geopolitics today. Today’s edition moves from Canada’s tariff counterpunch and tentative plans for a Hormuz shipping corridor to a Swiss referendum that could place neutrality on an even tighter leash.
Taiwan is weighing a multibillion-dollar military drone programme, while Tanzania begins the search for a new vice president following Emmanuel Nchimbi’s unexpected resignation.
And in today’s conflict tracker, CIA director Ratcliffe made an unexpected visit to Moscow as we also receive updates on how newly reformed Ukrainian assault units are operating on the frontline
— The Basedment Editorial Team· 26 Aug 2026
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The Last 24 Hours in Geopolitics
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Canada hits US with counter-tariffs on more than 700 products
Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on more than 700 US products worth C$27.6 billion (US$20 billion), beginning on 8 September. The measures target goods including steel, aluminium, dairy products, appliances, agricultural equipment, paper and electronics, matching Washington’s latest tariffs “dollar for dollar, rate for rate.” Ottawa also announced a C$7.5 billion support package for affected workers and businesses after negotiations failed to prevent the United States from imposing new 50% duties on Canadian imports.
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Iran, Oman discuss temporary navigation corridor in Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, Badr Albusaidi, have discussed establishing a temporary joint navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz alongside a coordinated mine-clearing operation. Under the proposed arrangement, ships entering the Gulf would travel through Iranian waters, while outbound vessels would pass through Iranian and Omani waters, although Tehran said the plan would not constitute an immediate full reopening of the strait. Technical negotiations will continue over the next 30 to 60 days on a permanent corridor, traffic management and the future administration of the strategically important waterway.
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Swiss to vote on tightening neutrality, ending cooperation with NATO
Swiss voters will decide on 27 September whether to enshrine a stricter form of “perpetual and armed” neutrality in the constitution, prohibiting cooperation with military alliances such as NATO unless Switzerland faces an attack or an imminent threat. The initiative would also prevent Bern from imposing sanctions against countries involved in wars unless they were approved by the United Nations, limiting measures such as those adopted against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The proposal is supported by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party but opposed by the government and most other parties, with recent polls indicating that a majority of voters plan to reject it.
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Taiwan President pushes $6.6B military drone bill ahead of crucial vote
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has urged parliament to approve a six-year NT$210 billion (US$6.6 billion) special budget to purchase approximately 210,000 military drones and strengthen the island’s asymmetric defence capabilities. The government says lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East demonstrate the growing importance of unmanned systems, while the programme would also support a domestic supply chain independent of China. Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament is expected to vote on competing proposals on Thursday, with opposition parties favouring annual funding capped at NT$40 billion rather than the government’s dedicated special budget.
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Tanzania’s Vice President resigns in less than a year
Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi has resigned less than a year after taking office, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan accepting his departure effective 4 September. The government provided no official reason, although Nchimbi said he believed the president wanted a change and announced that he would also retire from politics and public service; his departure follows criticism within the ruling party over his support for constitutional reform. Under Tanzania’s constitution, Hassan must appoint a successor within 14 days of the vacancy, subject to confirmation by parliament.
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Daily Deep Dive
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Analysis · russia-ukraine war
CIA Director Visits Moscow, Update On Ukrainian Assault Units
CIA director Ratcliffe made an unexpected visit to Moscow as we also receive updates on how newly reformed Ukrainian assault units are operating on the frontline.
Basedment Analysis
Conflict Tracker
Third Gulf War
CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a rare, unannounced visit to Moscow aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, marking the first known trip by a CIA chief to Russia since William Burns visited in 2021. Ratcliffe reportedly met Russian intelligence officials, although Washington has not disclosed the agenda and the Kremlin said no meeting with Vladimir Putin was scheduled.
This was definitely unexpected and there are a few possibilities that I can think of. The most likely explanation is that Ratcliffe was carrying a direct warning, at least according to sources with the media such as the WSJ. US intelligence has reportedly detected early Russian preparations for another military mobilisation, alongside planning for actions intended to test NATO’s resolve. With peace negotiations over Ukraine stalled and long-range strikes escalating, Washington may have used the intelligence channel to communicate privately, reduce miscalculation and establish what the United States knows.
Iran was probably also discussed. Russia remains Tehran’s most important major-power partner, while Washington is attempting to isolate Iran and find an off-ramp from the conflict. Prisoner negotiations are another possibility, but remain unconfirmed.
The use of a C-17 does not necessarily indicate equipment or prisoners were transported. For a sensitive mission into Russia, it provides secure, self-contained military transport capable of carrying the director’s protection detail, communications equipment and support personnel without relying heavily on Russian services.
According to “Alex,” a senior lieutenant in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, elements of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” have performed effectively since being placed under the operational command of the 1st National Guard Corps “Azov.” The arrangement is operational rather than a formal merger. Skala remains a Ukrainian Army formation, but its deployed elements now receive battlefield tasks and coordination from Azov’s corps-level command. The transfer began in August as Skala’s previously dispersed detachments were consolidated for operations around the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia sectors.
Skala was previously considered one of former Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi’s favoured assault formations. Alongside the 225th Regiment, it reportedly enjoyed greater autonomy, preferential resourcing and direct access to senior command. However, its reputation was damaged by allegations of abuse, unexplained deaths and the wasteful employment of mobilised personnel. It’ recent performance under Azov may therefore reflect better command and more realistic tasking. Rather than launching costly large-scale offensives, Skala’s elements are reportedly being used to locate and eliminate small Russian groups that have infiltrated Ukrainian defensive depth without establishing firm control. This allows experienced assault troops to operate within clearly defined limits, reducing unnecessary losses while helping stabilise vulnerable sectors. It may also offer a model for how Ukraine’s controversial assault regiments could be reformed.
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Tweet of the Day
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Tweet of the Day
Aelfred The Great
@aelfred_D · Twitter / X
We’re taking a bunch of sailors. Who have been at sea for 250 days. To Thailand. Good luck.
TODAY IN HISTORY (Aug 26, 1429): Joan of Arc’s arrival in the outskirts of Paris
In preparation for an attack on Paris, part of Charles VII’s campaign to drive the English from French soil, Joan of Arc and her soldiers reached the city’s outskirts on this day in 1429, but the assault ultimately failed.
