From his prison cell in Brooklyn, detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed that he is "doing well," according to his son, National Assembly member Nicolás Maduro Guerra. Guerra explained in a video on Saturday night that lawyers informed him his father remains strong, quoting him: "We are not sad (referring also to his wife Cilia Flores); we are well, we are fighters." Release of Political Prisoners: Meanwhile, Venezuela continued releasing political prisoners y

Days after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation, President Donald Trump hinted that he is setting his sights on other countries, leaving the world wondering who is next. On Sunday, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, and Iran. After previously criticizing interventionist policies, Trump now asserts he is applying the "Donroe Doctrine"—a play on the 1823 "Monroe Doctrine," whi

The Ministry of Defense of the Syrian Transitional Government reported that three of its soldiers were wounded and two military vehicles were disabled on Monday night following a drone attack. The government attributed the strike to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), targeting a military police checkpoint near army deployment points in the vicinity of Deir Hafer, east of Aleppo. The Ministry vowed to respond to the attack "in an appropriate manner." The SDF Response: In con

President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday, during a cabinet meeting, that France "does not support or approve" of the "method" used by the United States to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and transport him to U.S. territory, according to government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. Bregeon told reporters that while Macron considers Maduro a "dictator" and views his departure as "good news for Venezuelans," he strictly opposes the tactical approach taken by Washington

Source: The New York Times A new report reveals that President Donald Trump’s administration has settled on Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s new leader, favoring her over the Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado. Key Details of the Political Shift: Rejection of Exile:  Maduro rejected a U.S. offer for a "gilded exile" in Turkey late last December, mocking U.S. threats by dancing on state television. Choosing Rodríguez:  U.

The Chief Justice of Iran, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, confirmed on Monday that the judicial system will show "no leniency" toward those he labeled "rioters." However, he acknowledged the legitimate right to protest for economic rights as the country entered its eighth day of demonstrations. Judicial Orders: According to the "Mizan" news agency, Ejei stated: "I have issued orders to the Attorney General and prosecutors nationwide to act firmly and according to the law again

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been placed in a major federal prison in New York City after arriving at Stewart Air National Guard Base on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Under heavy security and escorted by FBI and DEA agents, Maduro was transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a facility notorious for its harsh conditions and described by some as "hell on earth." He is currently held in a high-security special cell. Legal Proceedings an

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio intensified the pressure on Caracas Sunday, stating that the Trump administration is "not ruling out the use of ground troops" in Venezuela. Speaking to CBS, Rubio emphasized that the widespread military presence in the Caribbean will persist alongside a rigorous oil embargo. He argued that Venezuela's oil revenues have been systematically looted, necessitating a complete overhaul of the sector to serve both American interests and the Venez

A groundbreaking report by The Atlantic suggests that the U.S. military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro was facilitated by significant assistance from within the Venezuelan Armed Forces. According to Pentagon advisors, the mission's success relied on "deliberate restraint" or active cooperation from key military figures in Caracas. This internal "betrayal" allowed U.S. forces to bypass Maduro's security detail and transport him to New York to face drug trafficking charges

A sophisticated cyber-intimidation campaign has targeted thousands of Israelis, sending chilling SMS messages containing private data such as national ID numbers. The messages, written in English, warned: "This is your last chance to save yourself and your family. We know you." Israel’s National Cyber Directorate identified the campaign as an Iranian psychological warfare tactic aimed at spreading mass panic and social pressure. Simultaneously, the pro-Iranian hacking group "

The ongoing Iranian uprising entered its second week, spreading to over 40 cities and reaching the capital, Tehran, where sporadic night rallies broke out in districts such as Ekbatan and Tehran Pars. While state media downplays the capital’s unrest as "limited," the situation in western Iran has turned lethal. In Malekshahi, a Kurdish-majority county, violent clashes resulted in the death of a veteran Revolutionary Guard member (IRGC) and at least five protesters, as securit

The Horn of Africa has reached a strategic breaking point following revelations of Israel's intent to establish military bases in the breakaway region of "Somaliland." This move has forged an unlikely alignment between Cairo and Beijing. Egypt views the Israeli presence as a direct threat to Suez Canal maritime security and a leverage point in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute. Meanwhile, China identifies this expansion as a sabotage of its "Belt and Road Ini

Russia’s General Staff announced Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the expansion of the "buffer zone" in Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv regions starting in 2026. This move aims to push Ukrainian forces further from the Russian border. Simultaneously, Major General Alexander Romaninkov detailed a "terrorist attack" involving 91 long-range drones that targeted Putin’s residence in Novgorod between December 28-29. Moscow claims the drones were launched from Sumy an

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern statement on Tuesday, expressing deep "regret" over Emirati pressure on Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to conduct military operations near the Saudi border in Hadramout and Al-Mahrah. Riyadh declared these movements a "red line" and a direct threat to its national security. This escalation follows a Coalition report identifying unauthorized arms shipments from Fujairah to Al-Mukalla, which led the Coalition to c

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te struck a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, pledging that his administration would act responsibly and avoid provoking Beijing or escalating tensions. His statement came as China entered the second day of military drills simulating a blockade of the island. "We will act with responsibility, without escalating tensions or inciting conflicts," Lai posted, aiming to project stability amidst the ongoing military pressure. However, Beijing maintained it

Egypt has launched a swift diplomatic offensive following Israel's recognition of "Somaliland." During a ministerial session of the African Union Peace and Security Council, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for an emergency meeting to address this development. Abdelatty condemned the Israeli move as a "flagrant violation" of international law and the AU Constitutive Act, emphasizing that Egypt stands firmly against any unilateral actions that jeopardize Somalia

According to a New York Times  analysis, 2026 is set to be the ultimate year of reckoning for Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister, known for his "procrastinate-and-survive" strategy, is now facing a perfect storm of internal and external pressures. Domestically, he is caught between the Haredi conscription crisis, which threatens his coalition, and a judiciary pushing forward with his corruption trial. Externally, tensions with the Trump administration are mounting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday a strategic framework for ending the war with Russia, centered on a 20-point peace plan. Zelensky emphasized that for any agreement to be viable, it must be co-signed by four key parties: Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Europe. Furthermore, he stated that the proposal would be subject to a national referendum in Ukraine, a process that would require a ceasefire of at least 60 days to be implemented effectively

The Houthi movement in Yemen issued a stern warning late Sunday, declaring that any Israeli presence in the breakaway region of "Somaliland" will be treated as a "legitimate military target." Following Israel’s historic decision to become the first nation to recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi slammed the move as an "aggressive conspiracy" aimed at destabilizing Somalia, Yemen, and the broader Red Sea region. The group vowed to take "all po

In what has been described as the most significant military advancement of 2025, Russian forces have successfully seized control of three key cities following months of grueling attrition. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the full capture of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in the Donetsk region, effectively eliminating Ukrainian resistance pockets in Rodynske. These strategic victories mark a critical turning point, significantly altering the defensive lines in Eastern Ukrain