Syrian Arab tribal leaders say they are ready to mobilize against the SDF, accusing it of attacking civilians in Aleppo and pledging loyalty to the Syrian state:

We declare our readiness and willingness to stand with our state to deter the aggression and defeat the terrorist SDF militias.

We are prepared to offer our lives and souls… until the Syrian state extends its control over all of Syria.

To the SDF: The answer is what you will see, not what you hear.

Netanyahu:

We know that Iran has been conducting exercises recently. We are following this and we are making the necessary preparations.

But I want to convey here clearly to Iran: any action against Israel will be met with a very sharp response.

Senator Lindsey Graham:

Anything that weakens Israel weakens America.

They are producing ballistic missiles in Iran in a very high number.

They were degraded before, but I think the next attack, if there is an attack, would be focused on their ballistic missile capability.

Senator Lindsey Graham in Israel:

We need to replenish your supply of air defense capability.

We cannot allow Iran to get back into ballistic missile production business that can overwhelm Iron Dome.

Trump will announce a new class of large Navy warships he calls “battleships,” part of his proposed “Golden Fleet.”

The ships would be bigger, upgraded versions of current Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, designed to carry future weapons like hypersonic missiles.

Source: WSJ

Zelensky:

The dates of holidays in Ukraine will be changed. There are bad coincidences; some dates came from the Soviet Union. True Christmas has been returned to the 25th, and the same should be done with other dates.

Bill Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena condemned the Trump administration, calling for the full release of the Epstein files and accusing it of selectively releasing information to suggest wrongdoing by others.

NEW: Syrian Army says it has stopped targeting SDF fire positions after neutralizing some threats, limited clashes away from civilians, and only responded defensively without attempting to change control lines.

Negotiations continue for a ceasefire.

Russia has begun evacuating the families of its diplomats from Venezuela, according to a European intelligence official.

The move, which includes women and children, started Friday as Moscow assesses the situation in increasingly “grim” terms.

Source: AP

Macron made a surprise Christmas visit to French troops at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, joining workouts and a holiday meal.

Vince Zampella, co-creator of Call of Duty, died in a single-vehicle crash near Los Angeles.

His Ferrari went off Angeles Crest Highway and caught fire.

Zampella was a major force behind Call of Duty, Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry says reports by the Associated Press about a supposed evacuation of its embassy from Venezuela are "false".

Trump is about to announce new "Trump Class" Navy ships.

"USS DEFIANT"

Trump:

New Golden Fleet. We’re calling it The Golden Fleet. And we’re building for the United States Navy.

As you know, we’re desperately in need of ships. Our ships are, some of them have gotten old and tired and obsolete.

Trump:

As Commander-in-Chief, it’s my great honor to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand new very large, largest we’ve ever built, battleships.

Trump:

We haven’t built a battleship since 1994. These cutting edge vessels will be some of the most lethal surface warfare ships.

Each one of these will be the largest battleship in the history of our country, the largest battleship in the history of the world ever built.

Trump:

We’re talking about 10, but we’re going to start with two, and we’re going to quickly morph into 10. And ultimately, we think it’s going to be anywhere from 20 to 25 of these ships.