Serbia showcases its newly acquired FK-3 air defense system, the export version of China’s HQ-22 medium-range system.

Why Trump wants Greenland?

1. The island controls strategic maritime routes between the North Atlantic and Arctic, as well as key air corridors.

2. Rich in minerals, oil, and gas coveted not only by the U.S. but also by Russia and China.

3. Greenland is key for U.S. missile defense, with the Pituffik Space Base monitoring airspace and threats from Russia and China.

Biden administration is reallocating over $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

$95 million from Egypt and $7.5 million from Israel will be directed to the Lebanese Armed Forces and government.

Syrian airbase and its aircraft surviving Israel’s December airstrikes.

The footage shows the Shayrat Airbase in Homs, with several intact MiG-23 and Su-22 jets visible.

NEW: RSF prepares for Sudan split

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will have a meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala on 8-9 January for the formation of a government in the areas under RSF control.

The main agenda of the meeting will be to form a government in the RSF-controlled areas and to nominate ministerial candidates.

There is widespread debate that announcing a government in the RSF-controlled areas could lead to partitioning the country.

Some RSF leaders believe that the change of currency and the introduction of Sudanese matriculation exams in areas under army control are signs of partition.

Not BF3: Syrian fighter hits Assad regime officer’s truck with an RPG during the liberation of Aleppo.

Ukraine introduced another major leap in drone warfare by using uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) to launch FPV drones at Russian military targets onshore.

These strikes targeted three short-range air defense systems in Russian-occupied Kherson, including two Pantsir-S1 units and one Osa system, reportedly causing significant damage.

The USVs transported FPV drones close to Russian positions before launching them.

This approach offers dual benefits: conducting cost-effective strikes while preserving the more valuable drone boats for future missions.

Source: TWZ

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev:

Armenia’s continued militarization will only lead to heightened tensions. We want peace, not conflict.

Armenia is a fascist state shaped by leaders with fascist ideologies over the past 30 years. It's a regional threat.

The danger of fascism still exists. Fascism must be eradicated—either by Armenia’s leadership or by us. There is no other choice.

NEW: Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has issued a threat to the Pakistani military, vowing to target security forces and expand attacks to include military-run businesses.

The group specifically named several companies, including the National Logistics Cell, Fauji Fertiliser, and military housing authorities.

TTP has warned civilians to withdraw investments from these companies within three months and advised employees to find alternative work. The Pakistani military has not yet responded.

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev:

Zangezur Corridor must and will be opened.

The Soros era has come to an end in the U.S. Armenia’s leadership should recognize this shift.

The dictatorship of their close ally in the Middle East, Assad, is already history, and this trend will continue. Armenia must take the right steps.

Azerbaijan is not a threat to them; we seek peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus. They must not act as a geographical barrier between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The sooner they understand this, the better.

NEW: US presses for release of Americans held in Afghanistan

A new offer to secure the release of two Americans held in Afghanistan has been made by US officials to the Taliban. In exchange, the US is reportedly offering the release of Muhammad Rahim, an Afghan detainee at Guantánamo Bay since 2008. The Taliban have acknowledged the detention of George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic, and Ryan Corbett, a long-term resident of Afghanistan. There has been no word yet from the US on the negotiations.

The Taliban have not confirmed whether they are holding a third American, Mahmood Habibi. The US government is also seeking his return. Habibi, a naturalized American, was captured after the US strike in Afghanistan in 2022 that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri. He was arrested along with 30 others who worked for the Asia Consultancy Group and were suspected of involvement in the strike. US officials have not released details of his role or condition.

Source: NYT

Interesting: Donald Trump reposted a video claiming Netanyahu orchestrated the wars in Iraq and Syria.

“Netanyahu is still trying to get us to fight Iran to this day. He is a deep dark son of a bitch because he's gotten us into endless wars.”

NEW: The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is coming under strain, with both sides accusing the other of violating it. Israel continues air strikes against Hezbollah targets. In a complaint to the UN Security Council, Lebanon accused Israel of some 800 land and air attacks since the ceasefire took effect on 27 November.

The US is working to ensure the ceasefire holds ahead of the 26 January deadline for Israeli withdrawal. Israel fears that the Lebanese military won't be able to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding near the border, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning of increased action if the agreement isn't enforced.

Source: WSJ

NEW: Hostage deal must end Gaza war, Hamas says.

Hamas says any deal for the release of hostages must include a complete end to Israel's assault on Gaza.

Hamas criticised US President-elect Donald Trump for saying "there's hell to pay" if the hostages aren't released before Trump takes office on 20 January.

Qatari and Egyptian-brokered talks are underway, but both sides accuse the other of blocking a deal by insisting on conditions that derailed previous negotiations.

Hamas has said it will only release the hostages if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw all its troops, while Israel has insisted that Hamas must first be dismantled.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan, who held a press conference in Algiers, said Israel was to blame for undermining all efforts to reach an agreement.

Source: Reuters

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Matthew Bryza evaluated Donald Trump’s stance on PKK/YPG terror grup & the possibility of the PKK disarming:

The PKK/YPG issue persists in Syria, and it must be acknowledged that the YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.

Trump is likely to end U.S. support for the YPG, leaving them no option but to surrender their weapons and integrate into the Syrian army.

In Turkey, a new process has begun following MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s call. I believe PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan will eventually issue a call to disarm.

Source: gdh

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot:

The European Union will not let other nations attack its sovereign borders. We are a strong continent.

Before and after: Damascus International Airport.

Escalation of Baloch armed group activities in Pakistan

Baloch armed groups conducted 765 attacks, causing over 883 deaths.

Fatalities rose by 80%, while attacks surged 53% compared to 2023 in 2024.

• BLA: 224 attacks
• BLF: 201 attacks
• BRAS: 34 attacks
• Unidentified: 296 attacks

NEW: A draft law has been submitted to the Ukrainian Parliament to prohibit oil and gas transit through the territory of Ukraine during martial law.