North Korean soldiers stopped fighting in Russia’s Kursk region in mid-January after suffering significant casualties, according to South Korean intelligence.

Reports suggest around 1,000 North Korean troops may have been killed by mid-January.

Their presence has not been detected for two weeks, raising speculation of a temporary withdrawal.

German Chancellor Candidate Friedrich Merz:

Ukraine is paying the highest price for its unilateral disarmament after 1994.

Germany must be able to defend itself to avoid ever needing to.

This principle is set in stone. Long-term security investments are essential.

Saudi Arabia increased its defense spending to $78 billion for 2025, up from $75.8 billion in 2024, accounting for 21% of government spending and 7.1% of GDP.

As the 5th largest defense spender globally and the largest in the Arab world, Saudi Arabia is prioritizing defense procurement and technology transfer under its Vision 2030 plan.

Currently, 19.35% of military industries are localized, with a goal of reaching 50% by 2030.

Türkiye declares plans to coordinate with Syria, Iraq, and Jordan to combat the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

The basic problem is that the YPG has been guarding Daesh inmates and keeping them in prison … they’re not doing anything else. So Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan need to come together to fight Daesh.

We are capable of doing that, and God willing, this is the step we will be taking as four countries in the near future.

Preliminary talks for this regional anti-ISIS coalition have already begun.

We hope that President Trump will make the right decision and right this wrong … it is an open wound that needs to be closed as soon as possible.

Israeli official speaking to Washington Post:

Trump is interested in rebuilding Gaza through a regional deal with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu will not go against Trump.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

The international community must take a united stance and prevent Netanyahu from restarting the genocide for political gains.

Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg:

We will do everything we can do to avoid tariffs on Norwegian trade.

American source speaking to Axios:

A lot of time has passed and their relations have improved, but Trump still does not like or trust Netanyahu.

Trump has more sympathy for the Palestinians than one might think.

Turkish FM Fidan:

We will host some of the released Palestinian prisoners, we received 15 Palestinian prisoners released as part of the Gaza deal.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara's plane took off from Damascus heading to the Turkish capital, Ankara.

Turkish President Erdogan personally sent one of Türkiye’s presidential aircraft.

Trump administration will take steps to defund the federal Education Department.

It was earlier reported that Trump's advisers were considering executive actions to dismantle the Education Department.

He would require 60 Senate votes, including support from at least seven Democrats to dismantle the department.

Source: Reuters

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

Türkiye has the greatest influence on the new Syrian government, they aim to be leader of Sunni Islam in the region.

Myanmar rebels experimenting with drones.

Hamas has announced the beginning of the second phase of negotiations.

United Kingdom is planning to increase purchases of gas from the United States to avoid the introduction of Trump's tariffs.

Source: Politico

New reality: Ukrainian FPV interceptor drone launched from a mothership drone downs Russian ISR drone.