Americas: US expands counter-drone operations along Mexican border
Sectors: all
Key Risks: gang violence; targeted attacks
In Mexico, on 7 September, the US military reported that it had downed 11 cartel-linked drones using laser systems along the US-Mexico border since deploying the technology on 27 August. More than 300 drones have been intercepted using kinetic and non-kinetic systems since the start of 2026, including over 100 in August. The operations reflect growing concern over cartel use of drones for surveillance and to facilitate drug and human trafficking, alongside increased US efforts to combat cartels and irregular migration. However, the deployment of US military capabilities near the border could increase tensions with Mexico City, particularly if operations extend into Mexican territory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned that any unilateral US action on Mexican soil would constitute a serious breach of sovereignty. Further counter-drone deployments and operations are expected, alongside continued US-Mexico coordination and intelligence-sharing on cartel activity.
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Asia Pacific: China injects US$53bln into financial institution
Sectors: finance, insurance
Key Risks: economic risks
In China, on 6 September the finance ministry announced capital injections totalling US$54bln into three state banks and five state insurers, taking newly issued shares in each. Agricultural Bank of China will receive US$22bln and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China US$14bln, the two largest allocations, while China Life takes US$5bln of the insurers’ share. The injection rebuilds capital buffers eroded by years of low interest rates, a prolonged property downturn and official pressure on banks to keep lending. Officials described the aim as strengthening the sector’s ability to serve the economy, which will include providing credit to borrowers the banks would otherwise avoid. The injection also reflects a broader pattern of the state absorbing losses rather than allowing them to be recognised by banks. Further state support is likely, extending to weaker regional lenders as property losses continue to surface.
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Eurasia: US envoys urge trilateral negotiations following talks with Russia, Ukraine
Sectors: all
Key Risks: war-on-land
In Ukraine, on 6 September US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner stated that their negotiations in Moscow had made progress and that they hoped to return to a trilateral negotiating format soon. This followed the envoys’ meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 5 September. In Kyiv, the two met President Volodymyr Zelensky and national security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany under a temporary pause in aerial strikes on Moscow and Kyiv agreed for the duration of the visit. Witkoff called the talks in Kyiv “substantive”, while Zelensky stated that the representatives had agreed to meet in the near future. No major breakthrough was announced, suggesting that fundamental differences persist despite the renewed diplomatic push, making a peace deal unlikely in the short term, with Zelensky stating that he expected the war to continue into the winter.
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Europe: Sweden to hold general elections on 13 September
Sectors: all
Key Risks: political stability
In Sweden, on 13 September voters will head to the polls to elect the country’s next parliament. The opposition bloc, led by the Social Democratic Party of former prime minister Magdalena Andersson, appears to be leading, although the most recent polls suggest that the gap is closing, with the three-party government and its support party, the Sweden Democrats, reaching 47.9 per cent in a 7 September poll. The election campaign has been marred by accusations that a member of the Sweden Democrats promoted Russian narratives and cultivated ties with a Russian state-backed group in Sweden. The campaign has centred on the economy, climate, welfare and crime. If Andersson wins, she is expected to form a green-red coalition including the Left and Green parties, although negotiations are likely to be protracted.
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MENA: Government forces and the Huthis intensify their fighting in Yemen
Sectors: all
Key risks: civil war; separatism; targeted attacks; war on land; war at sea
In Yemen, on 7 September suspected International Recognised Government (IRG) airstrikes hit multiple Huthi positions in Jabal Dabbas, Al Hudaydah province, and in Maqbanah district, west of Tai’zz province. This came as 300 people, including combatants and civilians, were killed since the Huthis launched an offensive in Tai’zz and Al Hudaydah provinces on 3 September. The rationale for the Huthis is to cut off the IRG-held port city of Mokha and seize territory along the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in an effort to solidify their control over the strategic chokepoint. Government officials stated 84 troops were killed between midday 5 September and early 6 September, while the Huthi reported 57 militants killed. The offensive has substantially undermined the already fragile 2022 ceasefire, raising the likelihood of renewed large-scale fighting and displacement as Huthi forces seek to advance toward Bab al-Mandab.
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Sub-Saharan Africa: Al-Shabaab intensifies its insurgency in northeastern Kenya
Sectors: all
Key risks: insurgency; targeted attacks; terrorism; regional escalation
In Kenya, on 6 September al-Shabaab reportedly launched coordinated attacks on security force positions and bases across Wajir, Garissa and Mandera counties in the country’s north-east. Al-Shabaab claimed the assaults inflicted casualties and injuries on Kenyan forces, although no independent sources have confirmed a toll. The attacks came amid intensifying militant activity in the country’s northeast, particularly in areas close to the Somali border since the start of 2026, likely as a response to operational pressure from security forces in central and southern Somalia. The targeting of military positions close to the border suggests efforts by al-Shabaab to extend its influence to Somali communities in the northern counties as they face sustained military pressure in their key strongholds in southern Somalia.
Click here to access Kenya’s Global Intake country profile.