Merz: Western Peacekeepers Can Repel Russian Violations

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Western peacekeepers could repel Russian forces if Moscow violates a future ceasefire in Ukraine.

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Somalia and Türkiye Sign Blue Economy Deal

Somalia and Türkiye agreed on a new partnership to develop marine production. The deal targets fisheries investment, jobs, and maritime protection.

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Poland Foils Christmas Market Plot

Polish authorities say they detained a 19-year-old student accused of planning a terrorist attack on a Christmas market.

Investigators described the suspect as a first-year law student at the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), raised in a devout Catholic family in central Poland.

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U.S. Expands Travel Restrictions Across Sahel and Nigeria

Washington widened travel curbs on AES states and Nigeria over security concerns. The move tightens U.S. entry rules for several African nations.

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Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers in Venezuela

President Trump announced a U.S. blockade of sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela, tightening enforcement of existing sanctions on Caracas’s oil exports.

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China Leads Nearly 90% of Key Technologies

ASPI’s 2025 Critical Technology Tracker shows China leading in 66 of 74 key technologies, with the U.S. leading in eight.

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NEW: The US is preparing new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy trade — including its “shadow fleet” of oil tankers — if Putin refuses a peace agreement with Ukraine.

Measures could be announced as soon as this week, though the final decision rests with Trump.

Source: Bloomberg

Sudan: Army drones struck gathering points of UAE-backed RSF militias in the Lagawa and Janqaro areas of South Kordofan.

United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Africa

- USAFRICOM prioritizes access and partners over large deployments.

- Its footprint relies on limited bases, rotations, and regional commands.

- Strategy shifts toward coastal zones amid Russian and Chinese competition.

Putin:

The Russian Army has “liberated” more than 300 settlements in 2025.

Putin:

“Oreshnik” will be placed on combat duty by the end of the year.

Somalia: NISA says a planned operation in the Tardo area of the Hiiraan region killed up to nine Al-Shabaab militants.

Putin:

Claims that Russia poses a threat to Europe are “lies, nonsense, utter nonsense.”

Putin:

The goals of the “SMO” will be unconditionally achieved.

We would prefer to eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy, but if dialogue with us is refused, Russia will achieve the “liberation” of its “historical lands” by military means.

Putin:

The Russian Army firmly maintains the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact.

Russian forces are successfully wearing down, among others, elite units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including formations trained in the West.

The Russian Army is capable of increasing the pace of its offensive, including in strategically important directions.

Putin:

The task of creating and expanding a security buffer zone in Ukraine will be carried out consistently.

Russian Defense Minister Belousov:

Kupiansk is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.

Russian Defense Minister Belousov:

More than 70% of thermal power plants and over 37% of hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine have been put out of operation.

Russian Defense Minister Belousov:

Preparations have begun for NATO forces for an armed confrontation with Russia by 2030.

Russian Defense Minister Belousov:

The policies of European countries and NATO are creating real preconditions for the continuation of military actions in 2026.

The key task for next year is to maintain and increase the current pace of the offensive.

Azerbaijan Ratifies Mutual Defense Pact With Türkiye

Azerbaijan’s parliament ratified a bilateral memorandum with Türkiye committing both states to mutual military assistance in the event of armed aggression.

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