AFBytes Quarter Rundown — Thursday, August 13, 7:00 AM ET

Folks. Here's what's been making headlines today. According to JPost, Iran maintains influence over armed groups in Iraq through long-established networks. Baghdad faces resistance when trying to reduce the power of these Iran-backed militias. This affects regional stability and U.S. policy options in the Middle East. Continued militia influence can complicate trade routes and energy security that touch American interests. That's the situation in Iraq. France24 reports that Russian forces struck Ukraine's Izmail port on the Danube overnight, igniting fires and damaging infrastructure. This attack can raise global food prices and affect U.S. agricultural markets. Continued conflict affects U.S. leverage in global food trade and energy markets. That's the latest from Ukraine. TechJuice.pk reports that U.S. startups and international manufacturers are scaling sodium-ion battery production for 2026. The goal is to create alternatives to dominant Chinese lithium supply chains. This could accelerate job creation in tech and data center construction across the U.S. Expanded AI capital access supports U.S. technological leadership and supply resilience. That's the story on battery production. According to FoxNews, Congressional findings show Harvard researchers co-authored papers with Chinese military-linked universities. The university is accused of inadequate safeguards on sensitive research. This affects research security practices and U.S. technological edge. Stronger controls on foreign research partnerships aim to preserve U.S. technological leadership and self-reliance. That's the story on Harvard-China research links. BusinessInsider reports that Tesla is proposing a $10.1 billion solar factory in Texas with a target start date in early 2029. The project aims to increase U.S. solar panel output. This could lower installation costs for homeowners and businesses seeking to reduce electricity bills. Expanded domestic solar panel production supports U.S. goals for energy independence and supply chain security. That's the story on Tesla's solar plans. That's the day from where we sit — thanks for spending part of it with us. Stay with us at AFBytes for what's next.