Weekly Significant Activity Report – November 8, 2025

1 comment

1. SS: This post analyzes some significant geopolitical developments from November 1 and November 8 involving Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

   Major events for this week included:

   1. Russia has announced plans to prepare for the resumption of nuclear weapons testing.
   2. Despite official Kremlin denials, multiple signs suggest Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov may be losing favor with President Vladimir Putin.
   3. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law two new bills aimed at increasing Russia’s capacity to conscript soldiers and to use military reservists in the war effort.
   4. The Russian military launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, disabling all Ukrainian state-owned thermal power plants.
   5. Chinese President Xi Jinping officially commissioned China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the *Fujian*.
   6. A new CNN investigation found that China has significantly expanded its missile production over several years, with the pace accelerating after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
   7. Severe drought in Iran has nearly depleted Tehran’s primary water source and threatens other Iranian cities.
   8. US officials announced that Mexico thwarted an Iranian plot to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to the country earlier this summer.
   9. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reports that Kim Jong-un is prepared to resume diplomacy with the US while maintaining the capability to restart nuclear tests.

Comments are closed.