Policy news — August 12, 2026

5 publications

1. WorldPolicyMiddle EastDefense

   Aug 12, 2026, 23:37 UTC

   Colombia Joins U.S.-Led Coalition to Fight Drug Trafficking, Authorizes Joint Military Operations

   Colombia has joined the U.S.-led Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition and authorized joint military operations with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The new Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has requested U.S. collaboration in these operations. This move signals a shift in Colombia's approach to combating drug-related crime and marks a strengthening of U.S.-Colombia relations.

   19 sourcesSee all sources
2. WorldPolicyLegislationMiddle East

   Aug 12, 2026, 20:29 UTC

   U.S. Factory Fails to Produce Ammunition for Ukraine

   Despite receiving $533 million, an American factory operated by General Dynamics has not produced any usable 155mm shells for Ukraine. The factory in Mesquite, Texas, equipped with expensive Turkish machinery, experienced constant equipment failures, including robotic manipulators losing control and presses ruining munitions. By August 2025, the factory had missed eight deadlines and produced no ammunition, costing American taxpayers $533 million. Despite this failure, General Dynamics received new Pentagon contracts.

   7 sourcesSee all sources
3. PoliticsPolicyRegulatorsPeace

   Aug 12, 2026, 15:45 UTC

   Court Allows Trump Administration to Resume Fast-Track Deportations

   A federal appeals court has lifted a block on the Trump administration's use of a speedy deportation process for migrants who were paroled into the U.S. under President Biden's predecessor. This decision could potentially lead to the deportation of hundreds of thousands of migrants who were admitted under Biden.

   8 sourcesSee all sources
4. PoliticsPolicyTrialReliefMiddle East

   Aug 12, 2026, 09:17 UTC

   War Escalation in Ukraine a Year After Trump-Putin Summit

   A year after the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, peace efforts have stalled and the war in Ukraine is escalating. Both Moscow and Kyiv are intensifying attacks, leading to a record high number of civilian casualties.

   5 sourcesSee all sources
5. WorldPolicyMiddle EastBudget

   Aug 12, 2026, 00:08 UTC

   Unidentified Drones Spotted Over Diego Garcia Base

   Unidentified drones have been reported over Diego Garcia, a remote U.S.-U.K. military base in the Indian Ocean. The U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed awareness but provided no details. U.S. Pacific Command also declined to discuss the incident. The sightings raise concerns about the vulnerability of the strategically important base, which hosts bombers and naval operations. Iran has previously targeted the base with ballistic missiles.

   7 sourcesSee all sources