How did Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa travel to Saudi Arabia despite an international travel ban? Here's how:

On 31 January 2025, the UN Security Council's sanctions committee granted him a special travel exemption, allowing him to visit Saudi Arabia from 2 to 4 February 2025 for official diplomatic talks.

The exemption still refers to him as "Abu Mohammad Al-Jawlani" - because the UN hasn't updated his biography with his real name!

It's not the first time. Syria's intelligence chief, Anas Khattab, received a similar pass to travel to Turkey on 15 January 2025 for talks reportedly related to stabilisation and humanitarian efforts.

These exemptions aren't unheard of - they happen when they're deemed necessary for diplomacy, humanitarian needs or regional stability. But they do raise some eyebrows.

Source: Benjamin Feve

Bull's Eye🎯

Turkish ROKETSAN’s TAYFUN ballistic missile successfully struck its target in a long-range test.

During the launch, air and sea traffic was restricted within a 700 km radius.

TAYFUN met all designated range and precision criteria in the latest test.

Mexico will deploy 10,000 national guard soldiers on the US border immediately to stop drug trafficking, President Sheinbaum announced.

US tariffs on Mexico are paused for a month, President Sheinbaum announced.

Mexican President Sheinbaum:

I am sure that we can achieve results in one month.

Mexican President Sheinbaum:

Mexico will work together with the US going forward on security and trade.

Rwanda and DRC leaders will join an emergency summit on Saturday in Tanzania.

Trump says that his administration will attempt to achieve a deal with Mexico.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

I am absolutely convinced that trade tensions between the US and Canada will not affect NATO's collective defense.

UK PM Starmer:

We are not choosing between the EU and the US.

Rutte:

European defense without the US will not work.

Senior Canadian official speaking to NYT:

Canada is not optimistic it can get the same kind of one month delay from US tariffs that was granted to Mexico.

Iran is developing nuclear missiles with a range of 3,000 km based on designs transferred to Tehran by North Korea.

Missiles with that range would allow Iran to launch nuclear strikes into Europe from its territory.

Source: The Telegraph

Macron and Scholz are ready to respond to Trump's tariffs with similar steps if the US president does impose them.

European leaders are warning that both sides would be hurt by a trade war.

Source: Financial Times

Israeli Prime Minister's Office:

In light of the numerous requests for meetings from officials in the United States with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's visit will be extended until Saturday.

Donald Trump is considering plans to impose a 10% tariff on the EU.

Source: The Telegraph

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Syria TV:

There are people with high skills to run institutions. What I try to avoid is the quota system, to award political positions to sects or races. Skills should be the criteria.

US Secretary of State Rubio:

We don't want to have a hostile or negative relationship with Panama.

Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, is expected to meet with Zelensky in Ukraine in mid-February.

After the visit, Kellogg will travel to Europe for negotiations.

Source: NV