The United States announced on Tuesday that it has allocated $20 billion in funding for Ukraine, utilizing proceeds earned from frozen Russian assets. The funds are part of a larger $50 billion support package coordinated by the Group of Seven (G7) nations. This financial boost comes just 40 days before President Joe Biden is set to leave office, raising questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine under President-elect Donald Trump.
A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reveals that China may be operating multiple espionage facilities in Cuba to spy on the United States. The report, based on satellite imagery and open-source analysis, identifies four key locations—Bejucal, El Salao, Wajay, and Calabazar—as sites supporting China’s signals intelligence (SIGINT) efforts.
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña officially opened his country’s embassy in Jerusalem on Wednesday, demonstrating strong support for Israel during a time of conflict and international scrutiny. Peña, joined by a delegation, was welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, marking Paraguay’s inclusion in a select group of nations recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Joe Biden delivered remarks on his administration’s economic record Tuesday at the Brookings Institution, making the questionable assertion that President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a “strong economy.” Biden expressed hope that the incoming administration would “preserve and build” on his policies.
Israel has announced plans to create a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria following significant military operations and the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The Pentagon has temporarily grounded its fleet of V-22 Osprey aircraft following concerns over weakened metal components that may have contributed to a recent near-crash. This marks the latest challenge for the embattled tiltrotor aircraft, which has faced increasing safety issues in recent years.
Hamas, the Sunni jihadist group ruling Gaza, applauded the overthrow of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization. In a statement Monday, Hamas hailed the "aspirations for freedom and justice" of the Syrian people and urged national unity. HTS’s November campaign rapidly toppled Assad’s forces, leading to his flight to Moscow over the weekend.
Israel is conducting its most extensive air campaign in decades, targeting remnants of the Syrian military following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime. According to Army Radio, these attacks represent the largest military actions against Syria since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes are aimed at completely dismantling Syria's military infrastructure to prevent it from threatening Israel or being seized by rebel forces.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., expressed skepticism about U.S. military strikes in Syria during an interview on CNN’s The Source. Responding to the Biden administration's 75 strikes against ISIS targets, Omar argued that U.S. military involvement is counterproductive to Syria’s progress in rebuilding and establishing democratic institutions.
Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., has been chosen by the House GOP Steering Committee to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress. Mast, a vocal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, was selected over contenders including Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Ann Wagner, R-Mo., according to Axios.
