#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 17, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 17, 2026.

In U.S. news today, the nation faces a critical challenge as restocking missile interceptors is projected to take years, a situation closely observed by global powers like China and Russia. The government is also actively searching for migrant children who arrived without guardians and were later released to sponsors. On the political front, the Democratic Party has shaken up its 2028 presidential primary calendar, pushing South Carolina to the forefront in a bid to ensure candidates are “battle-tested.” Culturally, a new comic delves into the implications of artificial intelligence in schools, as over half of teens are now using AI for their coursework. And in the world of sports, women’s professional baseball is swinging for the fences, launching a new league amidst a surge of interest and investment in women’s athletics.

Looking at our video offerings, you can catch up on “U-Church: New Student Choir” from August 16th, reflect on “God Never Wastes Your Battles #ip #ipcog,” and gain insight from “Dealing with Familiar Spirits.”

From the FaithNews feed, recent headlines include the “General Council Fights Human Trafficking,” the “Council of Eighteen Chosen by General Council,” “Ramirez, Charles Nominated for World Missions Posts,” and details on the “International Educators Lunch Set for General Assembly.”

Turning to prophecy news, Qatari state media is making headlines with a columnist for Al-Sharq predicting the election of a Muslim President in the White House “not far” off. Meanwhile, Israel has seized a vast arsenal from an Iran terror axis, featuring a surprising array of foreign-origin weapons. Reports also indicate the U.S. is preparing for unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran, described as “like the world has never seen before,” amid stalled negotiations for the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, the U.S. is deploying a fresh carrier to relieve the over-extended USS Lincoln, addressing reports of sailor burnout, and has launched a new multinational attack drone force to adapt to evolving warfare.

And finally, in Jewish history for August 17th, we look back to 636 CE when the Battle of Yarmuk continued for a third day, a conflict that ultimately saw Arabs take control of Syria and Palestine away from the Byzantine Empire. Fast forward to 986, the army of Emperor Samuil of Bulgaria, a region known for providing a haven for Jews, defeated the Byzantines, a victory that brought good news for the Jewish community. In 1236, Pope Gregory IX issued charges against Emperor Frederick II, which included a reference to “the matter of Jewish communities of which certain churches were deprived,” hinting at a dispute over who held authority and the right to tax Jewish populations. And in 1559, Pope Paul VI issued the papal Dudum postquam.