CENTCOM:

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16, that resulted in the death of a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter on Dec. 13, 2025.

Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria.

Finnish President Stubb:

European countries stand united. We emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. We support Denmark and Greenland.

Dialogue with the United States continues. Tariffs would undermine the transatlantic relationship and risk a dangerous downward spiral.

NOW: Syrian Army says it has taken control of Mansoura Dam (formerly Baath Dam) and the towns of Rutlah and Al-Hammam in the Raqqa countryside, moving to within 5 km of western Raqqa.

BIG: Syrian Army announce full control of Tabqa Military Airbase, saying it fully expelled SDF/PKK militants.

Israel is set to receive three new F-35I “Adir” stealth jets at Nevatim Airbase tomorrow, raising the Israeli Air Force fleet to 48 aircraft as part of its long-term plan to expand to 75 Adirs.

BREAKING: EU lawmakers are moving to halt the EU–US trade deal after Donald Trump threatened tariffs linked to Greenland.

Source: Bloomberg

German far-right AfD Leader Alice Weidel:

We’ve heard years of loud outrage about Putin violating international law — now those same critics are strangely quiet when Trump does what they criticized Putin for: violating sovereignty in Venezuela and with Greenland.

German far-right AfD Leader Alice Weidel:

Trump has violated a fundamental campaign promise, namely not to interfere in other countries, and he will have to explain that to his own voters.

German far-right AfD leader Alice Weidel draws a comparison:

Putin violated international law in 2022, and since then there has been constant outrage — even talk of him being a murderer — without any acknowledgment that Russia also sees its security interests threatened by NATO’s eastward expansion.

Trump is implementing the Monroe Doctrine — essentially the same logic, just from the other side. The doctrine means tolerating no hostile power in America’s backyard, including South America.

Local tribal fighters in Deir ez-Zor ambushed a convoy of SDF/PKK terror group.

NEW: The U.S. nearly struck Iran as protests surged and a crackdown intensified, but Donald Trump pulled back after allies urged restraint and Iran made a last-minute concession.

A text message from Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi to envoy Steve Witkoff said executions of about 800 protesters were canceled, easing tensions.

Strikes are paused, but remain an option.

Source: WaPo

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right party National Rally:

As for the claims made over the Danish territory of Greenland, they constitute a direct challenge to the sovereignty of a European state.

But once again, commercial and strategic interests prevail for the United States of America, and we must take note of that.

Jordan Bardella, leader of France’s far-right party National Rally:

The external overthrow of a government by force only aggravates global imbalances and fuels geopolitical instability.

By the President Trump’s own admission, this intervention in Venezuela opens the way to the economic interests of American oil companies.

Trump is thus reviving the Monroe Doctrine, whatever the cost.

EU’s Kaja Kallas:

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.

If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.

Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity.

We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

NOW: Syrian Army seized Raqqa’s southern entrance (Al-Maqs), officially entering Raqqa.

NEW: The Trump administration is asking countries to pay at least $1 billion for a permanent seat on Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace.”

Trump would chair the board, control membership, approve decisions, and oversee funds.

Countries contributing $1 billion in the first year would be exempt from term limits.

Source: Bloomberg

BREAKING: Syrian Army says it has taken control of the strategic city of Tabqa after expelling SDF/PKK militants.

JD Vance backed U.S. strikes on Iran, arguing Trump had to enforce his red line—a surprising shift for a politician known for opposing Middle East wars.

Source: WaPo

Syria’s government presented a 12-point plan to the SDF, including handing over borders and crossings, transferring oil and gas resources, and accepting limited government posts, along with other conditions.

Damascus also presented SDF with a new plan requiring its fighters to integrate individually into the Syrian army and hand over Arab-majority areas east of the Euphrates.

Source: Ibrahim Hamidi

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán:

There were two world wars, and we were drawn into both despite wanting to stay out.

The lesson of history is clear: István Tisza failed, Miklós Horthy failed. The real question is whether we can succeed.

I believe we can, by shaping our foreign policy so that Hungary stays out of war.

Israel urged Trump not to strike Iran, warning it was not fully prepared to absorb Iranian retaliation without strong U.S. military backing.

Israeli defenses were already strained after heavy interceptor use during a recent conflict with Iran, and the absence of a nearby U.S. aircraft carrier heightened vulnerability.

Netanyahu personally called Trump to press for restraint. U.S. officials said Israel relies heavily on American naval and missile-defense support, which was not yet in place, helping tip Trump’s decision to hold off on strikes.

Source: WaPo