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.

Trump:

We have to find out about Hezbollah's participation in January 6 US Capitol attack.

Elon Musk's response to Trudeau:

Girl, you’re not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn’t matter what you say.

France to Trump: EU won’t let you invade Greenland

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says the EU would not tolerate any attacks on its sovereign borders, responding to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s remarks about using military force to take Greenland.

“It is unthinkable for the European Union to allow any country to attack its sovereign borders.”

While dismissing the likelihood of a U.S. invasion of Greenland, Barrot added, “Have we entered an era of survival of the fittest? My answer is yes.”

Source: Politico

Fox News Host Jesse Watters:

If I were a citizen of another country and a neighbor of the United States, I would consider it a privilege to be taken over by the United States of America.

That’s what everyone in the world wants—American citizenship.

I find this offensive.

Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko responds to Macron:

Without the African soldiers who fought for France in World War II, France might be part of Germany today.

NEW: Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran since December 19, has been released and is returning to Italy.

Her arrest, shortly after entering on a journalist visa, sparked concerns about a potential hostage situation.

Ukrainian soldier operates unmanned ground vehicle with Valve’s Steam Deck.

New angle of Mad Max/Hama.