— Apparently, technically speaking, it was a special clause known as an "emergency determination", for which the President does not need Congress' approval.

Not exactly an executive order, but very similar in the sense that it was done without consultation of the American people's elected representatives.

⚡️🇸🇾 A U.S Airstrike on Al-Hajjana area in Al-Bukamal, Syria, have occurred, this is allegedly a video of the incident.

Sources write that a hospital and an adjacent building were bombed, and that there are dead and wounded, awaiting confirmation.

@themediterraneanman

Some alleged footage of the U.S. / Israeli airstrikes on IRGC-related targets in Al-Bukamal.

Take with pile of salt. Most of such footage ends up being from older events.

— 🇦🇷 NEW: Argentinian President Xavier Milei says he will cancel Argentina's upcoming accession to BRICS

The country was set to officially join the economic organization on the 1st of January 2024, but Milei has informed BRICS that Argentina will not be joining anymore.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Just some controversial stances that I'm interested in hearing you guys' opinions about. Helps me know my audience.

— 🇮🇱/🇺🇸/🇮🇷 Naftali Bennet, former Israeli PM, on Twitter 2 days ago:

'Iran is a terror octopus. Its arms —Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis —are sowing chaos and terror across the world.

It’s time for the US and its allies to target its head, Tehran, and bring down its regime.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Gallant and Gantz refused to hold a joint press conference with Netanyahu.

Netanyahu will hold a press conference alone tonight.

🚩 @ResistanceTrench

🇸🇾 🇺🇸 🇮🇷 "The Rocket Attack by Iranian-Backed Forces within the last hour against the U.S. Operation Bases near the City of Deir ez-Zor in Eastern Syria appears to have been much more Significant than initially believed, with at least 11 Rockets having Impacted the Base within the Conoco Gas Fields and at least 15 Striking the Al-Omar Oil Fields causing Damage to both Bases; the Severity of the Damage and possible Injuries is Unknown at this time."

📎 OSINTdefender

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇷 NEW: Reports of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed positions and targets in Deir Ez-Zor countryside, Syria

@Middle_East_Spectator

⚡️🇱🇧 According to Hebrew Media Outlets - Channel 12 to be specific - Israel will have to decide on what to do about Hezbollah and the South of Lebanon in the next 2 weeks, either military force or a political solution will be enforced.

@themediterraneanman

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇱/🇾🇪 U.S. Central Command:

'Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. Sanaa time, the container ship 'Maersk Hangzhou' reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea.

The Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned container ship requested assistance, and the USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Laboon (DDG 58) responded to the ship. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries.

While responding, the USS Gravely shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships'.

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇺🇸/🇮🇱/🇾🇪 U.S. Central Command:

— Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea

'On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats.

The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel.

A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms.

The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇺🇸/🇾🇪 U.S. Central Command: Helicopter from the USS Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group opened fire on four Houthi speedboats, sinking three of them, while attempting to Hijack the 'Maersk Hangzhou'

@Middle_East_Spectator

— 🇮🇱/🇩🇰/🇾🇪 NEW: Shipping company 'Maersk' announces it suspends shipping in the Red Sea after renewed Houthi attacks

The shipping company had just resumed its shipping after the formation of the US-led 'Prosperity Guardian' coalition, but is now tracking back.

The company said they will be avoiding the Red Sea lanes for at least 48 hours following tonight's attack.

@Middle_East_Spectator