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Description: As a barrage of executive orders swarmed the White House, US President Donald Trump announced a national emergency on the Mexico border, prompting US Armed forces to deploy and assist the DHS (Department of Homeland Security). Among the other executive orders, he also designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations and pledged to end the birthright citizenship law in the US. Operational measures have already been undertaken as all migrating towards the US were stopped at border crossings and enhanced patrol activities of the border police and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents were noticed. Impact: Trump’s controversial executiv
Description: Calin Georgescu, the pro – Russian presidential candidate in Romania, whose appeal to overturn the results from the Dec polls was rejected by the European Court of Human Rights, still led the polls. Georgescu, known as a staunch NATO critic unsupportive of the Ukrainian cause, appealed the decision of the Romanian government to overturn the results from the Dec polls due to suspicions of Russian interference in the election process. The latest polls indicated that he still enjoyed a favorable support from the Romanian people despite his stances towards NATO and Ukraine and eventual allegations of Russia – backed political campaign. Impact: With
Description: In an apparent counter terrorism operation, Israeli forces have conducted aerial strikes and committed troops to a ground offensive in the Jenin province in the occupied West Bank. The attack has been followed by raids from Israeli settlers who also rioted and set vehicles on fire in the province. Mixed reports from Palestinian Authority’s security forces representatives and officials from the Israeli government indicate that civilians were also killed or injured in the attacks. Impact: The attacks came only a day after the announcement of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel which could provoke counteroffensive from Palestinian
Description: Somalian security forces and Islamic State (IS) fighters clashed in the Puntland region as 15 IS fighters and 7 members of the Puntland security forces were reported to have been killed. Officials from the United Nations and the US State Department have reported increased mobilization in IS military ranks as up to 600 militants are estimated to be operating in Somalia at this point. The UN Counterterrorism officials have warned of increased attacks of IS affiliates in Mozambique and DR Congo as well. Impact: The African continent is experiencing significant resurgence in violent activities perpetrated by separatist or terrorist groups which are
Description: The M23 rebel group was announced to have overtaken the town of Minova, tactically important town in the eastern parts of DR Congo and rich with natural resources. DR Congo’s army has also acknowledged that M23 has made significant breakthroughs in other natural resources rich towns such as Lumbishi, Numbi, Shanje, Bweremana and the North Kivu province. The conflict rages for over 10 years as Rwanda have been criticized to have been M23’s main backer in the region. The UN has reported that more than 237,000 citizens have been displaced since the conflict inflamed again in 2022. Impact: State – backed M23 rebels represent one of the main threats
Description: Colombian President Gustavo Petro has announced his intention to declare a national state of emergency over the escalating armed conflict in the northeastern parts of the country in the Catatumbo region, between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). The conflict between the armed groups escalated after failed peace talks were delayed last week between the Colombian government and the ELN. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs raised concerns over a prolonged humanitarian crisis as it reported that over 18,300 people were already displaced, with most of them fleeing to neighboring Venezuela.
Description: Germany’s point person on the war in Ukraine Major General Christian Freuding had stated that Russia is rearming itself much faster than it has been initially prognosed with Europe as their main potential target. Germany’s EUR 2.5 billion aid package for Ukraine is still disputable as Chancellor Olaf Scholz waits for government tax easement. Russia’s economy is totally reoriented towards fueling their war machine as they have received substantial military support from Iran, North Korea and China. The Russian ground offensive comes at a time where possible peace negotiations are being discussed with Donald Trump assuming the office of the President in the US. Rus
Description: The US Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed from San Diego on a joint naval exercise with the Philippine marine forces in the South China Sea. Both countries have committed serious naval resources in a close cooperation exercise aimed to strengthen allied presence in the tense South China Sea region. The exercise comes at a time when China reinforces their regional maritime presence through their coast guard forces which operated within Philippines maritime zone. Before joining the Philippine navy, US Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group conducted trilateral maritime exercises with allied navy forces from Japan, Australia and South Korea, bolstering regional pr
Description: The German far – right political party AfD saw a significant increase in popularity after an alleged Russian disinformation campaign was identified to have taken place through several fake German news outlets. Germany’s domestic intelligence agency BfV has established a taskforce which aimed to tackle Russian media disinformation campaigns. The X social network was mostly leveraged especially since Alice Weidel, AfD’s political leader was endorsed by X’ owner Elon Musk. The bulk of the disinformation came from marketing outlets based in Russia and has significantly depleted the political popularity of current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Social Democrat
Description: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has emphasized that Poland’s EU Presidency would be exclusively focused on security both Polish and European. He highlighted the ongoing problems Poland faces in their border with Belarus and the constant threat of migrant overflow which could pose a potential risk for Poland’s security. He also brought up issues such as the everlasting threat of Russian hybrid attacks which are in large part facilitated by their close ally Belarus. Ultimately, he highlighted that Polish security equals EU’s security since Poland represents a large part of EU’s external border. Impact: Poland being at the forefront of EU’s exter