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Description: Three junta – led countries, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have announced their joint military cooperation platform to tackle jihadist attacks from the Islamic State and Al – Qaeda in the region. The announcement was made by the Niger Defense Minister, who claimed the three countries came to an agreement to expand military cooperation, increase equipment and logistical means and enhance intelligence cooperation. The three countries are previous French colonies who expelled the French military personnel and turned to allies like Russia in the last three years. Impact: The cooperation between the three countries indicates a unified front in approac
Description: Ukrainian and Russian forces have exchanged aerial attacks on the verge of Trump’s inauguration as both countries suffered losses. Ukraine stated that they downed up to 93 of the 141 fired drones on their territory while Russian forces claimed they neutralized 55 Ukrainian drones in attacks in the Voronezh region. Sources have stated that both sides converge on a possible peace deal as Trump takes office, but no concrete proposals were brought up. Vladimir Putin, immediately after Trump’s inauguration had talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping over future joint geostrategic priorities. Impact: Although speculation has arisen concerning the init
Description: US President Donald Trump and his Defense Secretary – nominee has labeled North Korea as nuclear – armed state. Concerns have been raised by South Korean officials as official recognition of North Korea’s nuclear status could severely impact and disrupt the regional geopolitical stance and could potentially incentivize an arms race and development of such weapons by Japan and South Korea. Sources stated that Trump’s designation of North Korea’s nuclear status is his personal way of perceiving facts on the ground. The labeling has been ill – received by South Korean officials as it could potentially backtrack disarmament efforts made in the past and instigate fur
Description: Pro – Russian President Robert Fico has survived a vote of no confidence brought by opposition parties due to its anti – Ukrainian rhetoric and open support of Russia. He passed the no – confidence vote due to his party having the majority in the Slovakian parliament, however, his pro – Russian statements were severely criticized by opposition party leader Michal Simecka. Fico’s pledges included the seizure of support for Ukrainian refuges, and openly criticizing Ukraine for not renewing the gas supply agreement with Russia. Impact: Slovakia is facing substantial political endangerment and a threat to its stability if President Robert Fico manag
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.