BLACKWATER USA | DAILY BRIEF - Blackwater Worldwide

Posted by BW Actual on Jul 17th 2025

Syria

The Syrian military and Druze leaders agreed to a ceasefire on Tuesday after Israel intervened to back the Druze. However, their truce quickly broke down - despite U.S. efforts to resuscitate it - and Israel escalated its intervention with airstrikes on the Syrian Defense Ministry and other government targets in Damascus yesterday.
The NYT summarized Israel's two primary motives for intervening in Syria nicely: "First, to prevent Iran-backed militias or hostile Islamist militants from entrenching themselves near the Israeli border. Second, to assuage the concerns of Israel’s own Druse minority, which has a close relationship with the Israeli government."
Israel's actions forced Syria's new government into a new ceasefire that will see the military fully withdraw from Sweida. This truce seems slightly less fragile than Tuesday's, although some Druze leaders are still withholding their support for it.
Syria's interim president, Ahmed al Sharaa, fiercely resents Israel's intrusion in Syria. He desperately wants to unify Syria under his leadership - without foreign intervention.

Gaza

At least 21 Gazans died in a crowd crush at an aid distribution center in Khan Younis.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the four Israeli- and U.S.-backed aid distribution sites in Gaza, blamed Hamas affiliates for fomenting the chaos, and said it identified several armed men in the crowd - including one whose gun was confiscated.
It was the first time GHF has reported armed agitators at its sites.

Iran

War on the Rocks published an insightful summary of lessons it observed during Israel's 12-day war with Iran here: https://warontherocks.com/2025/07/lessons-observed-from-the-war-between-israel-and-iran/

Trade

Pres. Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia that will reduce tariffs on Indonesian imports to the U.S. from the 32% level Trump threatened last week to 19%. Indonesia agreed not to tariff American imports and said it would buy U.S. agricultural products and airplanes.
June U.S. inflation data suggested that firms have started passing tariff hikes on to consumers. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 2.9% from June 2024 to June 2025.