GeoBrief - September 5, 2025
This week: SCO Summit, China's military parade and Space Command's relocation.
This week two main events captured global attention: the SCO Summit in Tianjin, and the Chinese grand military parade in Beijing, marking 80 years since the end of WW II in Asia.
The main Events of the week
SCO Summit
China hosted the largest SCO Summit in the organization’s history with the participation of more than 20 world leaders, including the Presidents of Russia and India, and the presence of UN/Secretary-General A. Guterres. It was the perfect stage for China to declare its ambition and readiness to lead the new world multipolar order.
Chinese Show of Force
Some days after the end of SCO Summit, President Xi Jinping oversaw the country’s largest-ever military parade, commemorating WWII’s end in Asia. Accompanied by the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un, Xi sent a clear message to the West and especially the United States. Western leaders, including the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and India, were notably absent.
The parade unveiled state-of-the-art military equipment like hypersonic ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ICBMs, advanced stealth aircrafts, and cutting-edge drone defenses (laser). China has revealed its nuclear triad while Xi’s speech mixed pride and warning: China will not be bullied, with undertones of Taiwan reunification.
Trump’s Address
In a delayed national speech, President Trump announced the relocation of U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama, framed as part political, part strategic.
Also he confirmed a strike against a Venezuelan gang vessel, sparking Caracas’s outrage, causing the death of 11 people.
Finally, President Trump pledged to deploy the National Guard to crime-plagued cities, like Chicago and Baltimore, and he dismissed rumors about his health. He also suggested renaming the Pentagon back to the “Department of War.” and he faced pushback from courts and Congress while doubling down on tariffs and hinting at Supreme Court appeals.
Under the Radar
China–Russia Energy Deal via Mongolia
China and Russia have agreed a new 30-year gas pipeline agreement running through Mongolia, the Power of Siberia 2 project which is expected to deliver approximately 50 billion cubic meters annually. This energy agreement signal the close relationship between Moscow and Beijing.
Financial Times
The Coalition of the Willing Meets on Ukraine Security Guarantees
The Coalition of the Willing gathered to discuss security support for Ukraine. This meeting follows the reports from the EU regarding Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria. The Guardian
📅 Coming Sunday, Sept 7
BRICS at a Crossroads: Big Expansion, Bigger Questions
The full analysis regarding the BRICS Summit.