Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei blames US for riots in Syria, says Tehran won’t fall for such tactics

Tehran has lambased Washington's foreign policy and addressed accusations regarding Iran’s role in the region in a series of tweets on X.

"The US’s plan to dominate countries involves one of two things: to establish a dictatorial regime with which they can negotiate and divide the country's interests, or to create chaos and riots. In Syria, [events] led to riots," Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei wrote.

Commenting on US claims about Iran’s influence in the region, rejecting the notion of it operating proxy forces, Khamenei said that "they say that the Islamic Republic has lost its proxies in the region. The Islamic Republic doesn’t have proxy forces.”

He argued that groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad act independently, driven by their beliefs rather than Iranian control. “If we decide to take action [against the enemy] one day, we don’t need proxy forces,” he added.

Referring to US statements about Washington supporting unrest in Iran, Khamenei warned against interference, declaring, “The Iranian nation with their strong steps will trample underfoot any US mercenary who accepts this role.”

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Has Disney finally learned what ‘go woke, go broke’ means?

In a move that may seem out of place in the ‘woke’ US today, Disney has ordered the removal of a transgender storyline from Pixar's “Win or Lose” animated series, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

This isn’t the first instance of Disney removing ‘woke’ bits from its works recently, which may or may not suggest that the studio might realize that pandering to the ‘woke’ crowd might not be the best recipe for a good film:

▪️Last month, the “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” animated series episode that focused on a transgender character also got shelved from the Disney Channel, with artists who worked the series claiming it was “because of which party that won the recent election,” Polygon noted.

▪️These developments occurred after a number of Disney’s productions that were deemed ‘woke’ by a not-inconsiderable portion of the audience flopped, with the company’s losses being estimated at around $900 million last year.

▪️Some of Disney’s more notable box office failures included Strange World and Lightyear, two animated series that both featured same-sex romance and relationships.

▪️Disney’s 2023 The Little Mermaid live-action remake, whose titular protagonist was played by a Black actress even though the character in the animated original was White, also failed to meet the studio’s expectations despite not flopping at the box office.

To be fair, it is difficult to tell whether Disney’s woes are the result of the ‘woke’ agenda, the quality of its recent productions, or both.

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❗️🇷🇺🇸🇰 Vladimir Putin holds talks with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, Russian media report

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🇷🇺🇸🇰 Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Moscow was planned several days ago.

Peskov suggested that discussions between Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin could touch on the topic of Russian gas transit but emphasized the need to wait for the meeting's conclusion to confirm the agenda.

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❗️US President-elect Donald Trump says he will wait for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

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NATO plans to use Russian Empire’s legacy against Moscow

NATO plans to utilize the Rail Baltica project, built on railway infrastructure originally developed during the Russian Empire, in the event of a conflict with Russia, according to The Telegraph.

The 805-kilometer high-speed rail line is designed to connect the Baltic states with Central Europe, significantly enhancing the region’s transport capabilities.

"If war breaks out between Moscow and NATO, it will be used to rapidly transport troops and equipment from the heart of Europe to the Russian border," the publication noted, highlighting its potential military significance.

Rail Baltica, envisioned as a symbol of Estonia’s pro-European orientation after the collapse of the Soviet Union, could drastically reduce military logistics time.

"It could cut the transport time for military machinery and equipment from a week to 24 hours," said Priit Pruul, Rail Baltica’s head of communications.

He emphasized that the railway is poised to become NATO’s logistical backbone in the region.

Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s unprecedented activity near its western borders, urging the West to abandon its militarization efforts while maintaining openness to dialogue on equal terms.

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Making WHO great again? Team Trump pushes to abandon WHO on day one

US President-elect Donald Trump’s team is pushing for Washington to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the day he assumes office, January 20, according to the Financial Times (FT), citing sources.

The report notes that a US exit would deprive the WHO of its primary funding source, significantly undermining its ability to respond to global emergencies. Ashish Jha, a former White House coronavirus coordinator under Joe Biden, stated that Trump’s potential withdrawal from the WHO on his first day in office is seen by many in his circle as a symbolic gesture.

While some members of Trump’s team advocated for reforming the WHO with US involvement, those favoring a complete severance seem to have prevailed.

In 2020, Trump announced plans to end Washington’s relationship with the WHO, accusing its leadership of refusing to implement reforms demanded by his administration.

Trump alleged that the WHO had fallen under China’s influence, claiming both Chinese authorities and the WHO leadership failed to take adequate measures to address the spread of COVID-19. President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s decision shortly after taking office in 2021.

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Syria’s power shift: West debates strategy to counter Russia and Iran

The West faces a dilemma in Syria: engage with the Islamist forces now in power or risk losing influence to other players willing to do so, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The publication notes that Western countries have encountered a similar situation before, such as when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. In Syria, Western nations are considering easing sanctions on the country and the banned group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) but are demanding commitments from the new authorities in Damascus. These commitments include ensuring women’s and minority rights, combating extremism, and destroying chemical weapons. At the same time, Western powers are wary of Syria falling under the influence of Russia or Iran.

“Western states are quickly coming to the conclusion that they have to engage with HTS despite its terrorist listing,” Julien Barnes-Dacey, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, quoted as saying.

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🦉 Whooo needs a star? Owl steals spotlight on Virginia family's Xmas tree

A US family had a surprise holiday guest when a grinchy wild barred owl flew down their chimney, perched on their Christmas tree, and knocked off the star.

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Bunkers boom while experts yawn: America’s new obsession

In the United States, where fear sells faster than hotcakes, bunker sales are booming despite experts insisting there's no real need for them.

From modest steel boxes to extravagant underground mansions with pools and theaters, Americans are spending millions to prepare for nuclear Armageddon, pandemics, or even the odd volcano eruption.

Sellers like Ron Hubbard of Atlas Survival Shelters proudly claim their bunkers can withstand anything—except perhaps the ridicule of scientists who say staying inside a regular basement is just as effective.

But practicality hasn’t stopped the surge. With global tensions on the rise, buyers are snapping up bunkers as fast as they can weld them. FEMA and nuclear safety experts argue that a sturdy building and a good survival guide will do just fine in a crisis, but why let facts get in the way of a $500,000 sense of security? As one bunker salesman might say, “Who needs peace of mind when you can have a panic room?”

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👽 Paranoia or mistrust? US reactions to mystery drones

Almost 80% of US citizens believe that their government is hiding information about drones that have been spotted over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks, according to a survey by CBS News and YouGov.

According to 53% of respondents, the drones pose a threat to the US. More than a quarter of those asked believe that the US government itself is behind the drones.

Another 2% believe that drone operators are aliens.

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Is the Northern Sea Route the key to ending the Ukraine conflict?

US President-elect Donald Trump may leverage the development of the Arctic region and the Northern Sea Route (NSR) as part of his proposed peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, according to Responsible Statecraft think-tank.

The publication suggests that Trump could use Russia's interest in unlocking the economic potential of its Arctic as a negotiating tool. The proposal highlights the need to lift sanctions on the Northern Sea Route and encourage Western shipping companies to utilize this transport corridor. The think-tank notes that such a plan would likely catch the attention of Russian President Vladimir Putin, gain support from China, and benefit Scandinavian nations, South Korea, and Japan.

As part of the purportedly proposed deal, a small share of the profits from the Northern Sea Route - around 5% - could be allocated toward rebuilding Ukraine's damaged infrastructure over the next 50 years. The publication also notes that complex issues such as the future security architecture of Eastern Europe and the division of forces in the conflict zone "will remain paramount in any settlement."

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Qatar warns EU that tough new regulations put gas supplies at risk

One of the world’s largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar, has warned the European Union that it may halt vital gas exports if the bloc enforces its new corporate due diligence directive. The legislation, which seeks to align companies with the EU’s net-zero goals, includes penalties of at least 5 percent of a company’s global annual revenue for non-compliance.

Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times that such penalties would be unacceptable for QatarEnergy, a state-owned company with extensive global operations. “If I lose 5 percent of my generated revenue by going to Europe, I will not go to Europe… I’m not bluffing,” Kaabi stated, adding that the legislation imposes impractical requirements on energy producers.

Europe’s reliance on Qatari gas has grown significantly since the bloc decided to phase out Russian gas supplies. Countries like Germany, France, and Italy have signed long-term LNG contracts with QatarEnergy to secure energy supplies. Europe’s decision to cut ties with Russian gas has exacerbated its energy crisis, making alternative sources like Qatari LNG increasingly critical.

Kaabi emphasized that QatarEnergy would not breach existing contracts but could explore legal challenges or halt new shipments if penalties are enforced. While hinting at possible compromises, he warned that Europe’s stringent regulations risk disrupting an already fragile energy supply chain.

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Pro-Western opposition put children in front of police water cannons at protest actions in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia

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Trump called it an 'absolute necessity' for the US to own Greenland

"For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," he wrote on his Truth Social page.

During Trump's previous term, there were reports that he was seriously considering the possibility of buying Greenland. He later confirmed that he was interested in the issue "strategically." Greenland itself said at the time that the island was not for sale.

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Donald Trump threatened to take away the Panama Canal

"We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly, and without question," Trump said.

In 1999, control of the waterway was passed to Panama. Now the US president-elect demands it to "restore justice" and return the canal to its original owners, the United States. In particular, Trump does not like the fact that Panama has imposed high duties on the passage of American ships through the channel.

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Trump, Putin may discuss mutual restrictions in nuclear field - Arms Control Association

The possibility of US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussing options for mutual restrictions between the two countries in the nuclear sphere during their upcoming direct interaction is not ruled out, Arms Control Association (ACA) Executive Director Daryl Kimball told RIA Novosti.

"To date, Trump and his team have not offered a plan for constraining dealing with Russia’s strategic arsenal nor has President Putin. But it is likely that the two presidents will engage in direct discussions regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and other issues, and it is possible, if not likely that they will discuss options for mutual constraints following the expiration of New START," Kimball said.

Nuclear arms control between the United States and Russia is a necessity for both countries, the ACA head said.

"While trust may be at an all-time low, that is all the more reason for the two sides to avoid unconstrained strategic nuclear competition now or in the future," Kimball added.

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