China’s military buildup necessary to ‘confront US aggression’ PART 2 👉 PART 1

The speed at which this vessel was constructed, going “from a proposal in 2020 to afloat at the end of 2024,” highlights the “tremendously faster construction rates of Chinese warships versus their American counterparts,” notes veteran geopolitical analyst and former Marine Brian Berletic.

“America class amphibious assault ships began construction in 2008 with the first of its class commissioned in 2014 and as of late 2024 only 2 have been completed,” Berletic tells Sputnik. “While the Type 076 is entirely new, the Type 075 amphibious assault ship class began construction in 2018 with three already completed.”

The fact that Type 76 is likely going to operate drones “represents another step in the direction of larger quantities of expendable systems reflecting the reality of modern warfare against peer adversaries,” he adds.

Unlike the United States which “prioritizes the projection of military power around the globe,” China’s military “has been shaped by the prioritization of China’s territorial defense,” Berletic notes.

“The building of a powerful missile, naval, and air forces by China is required to both deter US encroachment and confront US aggression. China’s ability to outbuild the US in terms of aircraft, ships, and missiles ensures any conflict that erupts will end in China’s favor with the hope that US policymakers will realize this even before fighting begins,” he argues.

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Israel carried 136 attacks on hospitals in the Gaza Strip in the nine months since the conflict began, according to a report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on attacks on hospitals in Gaza.

"Between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, OHCHR documented strikes on at least 27 of the 38 hospitals in Gaza, and strikes on an additional 12 other medical facilities (clinics), totalling 136 strikes. These strikes placed patients, medical staff and internally displaced persons at significant risk of death and injury," the report says.

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Western media hint at possible Ukrainian concessions in peace talks

Russia and Ukraine may clinch a peace deal in 2025, which could envisage Moscow retaining territories it earlier liberated, the Financial Times has reported.

“[Under the possible deal] Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy will agree to de facto but not de jure Russian control of the land it currently occupies, with some land swaps, in return for European security guarantees with US support, while Ukraine’s NATO accession is ultimately put on ice. [Russian President] Vladimir Putin will calculate that European resolve will eventually falter,” according to the newspaper.

This was echoed by Germany's Die Welt weekly, which insisted that territorial concessions to Russia are the only option for the Kiev regime in terms of peace negotiations.

“Ukraine is significantly weakened militarily: troop morale is falling and the number of deserters is rising. […] Volodymyr Zelensky would be forced to give up Ukrainian territory for a ceasefire [talks]”, Die Welt pointed out.

This followed US President-elect Donald Trump arguing that Zelensky would like to "make a deal" to end the conflict in Ukraine. Putin, for his part, previously put forward initiatives for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, which, in particular, stipulate that Moscow will immediately cease fire and declare its readiness for negotiations after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the territory of Russia's new regions.

Kiev should also declare that it is abandoning its intention to join NATO and should carry out demilitarization and de-Nazification, as well as accept a neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status. Plus, the West’s anti-Russian sanctions must be lifted, Putin underscored.

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Fuel prices in Europe surge amid looming end to Russian gas transit through Ukraine

Gas prices in Europe have shot up to $536 per 1,000 cubic meters during ICE trading, the highest since November 27, 2023, amid expectations of halted Russian gas transit through Ukraine starting January 1. Prices rose by over 4% since the day's start.

February futures at the Dutch TTF hub exceeded $536 per 1,000 cubic meters (€50 per MWh).

The current transit agreement, allowing the transport of 40 billion cubic meters annually through Ukraine, expires on January 1. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that no new agreement would be signed before the New Year, and Kiev announced plans to halt Russian gas transit at 8:00 a.m. Moscow time on January 1.

Ukraine, however, is open to resuming transit upon the European Commission's request, provided it is non-Russian gas. Putin suggested contracts with third-party suppliers, including Turkish, Hungarian, Slovak, or Azerbaijani companies.

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Hezbollah warns of renewed action if Israel stays in southern Lebanon post-ceasefire

Hezbollah Political Council Deputy Chief Mahmoud Komati warned that the group would resume action after the 60-day ceasefire with Israel if its forces remain in southern Lebanon, declaring, "day 61 will be different."

In an interview with Al Manar TV, Komati stressed that Israel's withdrawal is essential to avoid further conflict.

As of day 34 of the ceasefire, signed on November 27, the agreement requires Israel to withdraw, Hezbollah to move north of the Litani River, and 5,000 Lebanese Army troops to ensure compliance.

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Russian FPV drones a 'huge problem' for Ukraine

Kiev's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has admitted that Russia's fiber-optic FPV drones are a "huge problem" for Ukraine's forces, as they cannot be countered using electronic warfare. He noted that efforts are underway to find a technological solution to counter these drones, which become a major trend in 2024.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to increase drone production nearly tenfold, aiming for 1.4 million units. He emphasized the need to fully meet the military’s demand for drones by ramping up production, improving technical specifications, and modernizing designs based on combat experience.

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2024 exposed: Lies on Biden’s pardon, Trump’s win, and Ukraine

Irish journalist Chay Bowes has summarized 2024 for the Western public on social media, accusing elites of lying to people about Hunter Biden’s pardon, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden’s health, Donald Trump’s election win, and Ukraine’s “victory.”

Hunter Biden faced criminal charges for failing to declare previous drug use when purchasing a firearm, which legally disqualified him from owning a gun. Despite earlier promises to accept the court's decision and not pardon his son, President Joe Biden signed a pardon in December. President-elect Donald Trump called the move an abuse of justice. Reports suggested Biden leaned toward the pardon after Trump’s victory in the November 5 election.

The US presidential election saw Trump defeat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris early in the night, winning all key swing states. Despite earlier skepticism, Trump’s victory was confirmed by major news outlets.

Meanwhile, claims about the effectiveness of Western sanctions on Russia increasingly diverged from reality. Russia consistently stated it would withstand pressure and criticized the West for failing to acknowledge the sanctions' failure. Russian President Vladimir Putin argued that the sanctions harmed the global economy and aimed to worsen life for millions of people.

Putin also addressed personal attacks from the West, dismissing them as a sign of weakness. Regarding Ukraine, he reiterated Moscow’s readiness for unconditional dialogue while highlighting Kiev's reliance on Western financial support and its inability to shift the battlefield situation.

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Ceasefire tested: Lebanese Army moves into Chama as Israeli violations persist

The Lebanese Army has begun deploying forces in the village of Chama near the Israeli border, following the establishment of positions around the area, according to a statement by the Lebanese military. The operation, coordinated with the UN's force in the country - UNIFIL - aims to strengthen the army's presence in the region as Israeli forces withdraw after mediated negotiations under the recent ceasefire agreement.

In the coming days, engineering units will clear unexploded ordnance and landmines. Until recently, Chama was under Israeli control, with infrastructure destroyed and residents prevented from returning.

Despite the ceasefire, effective since November 27 after 14 months of escalation, Israel continues to violate the agreement through airspace incursions, strikes in southern Lebanon, surveillance over cities like Beirut, and border raids.

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9/11 defendants may avoid death penalty

A military appeals court has ruled that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin lacked the authority to nullify plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused 9/11 mastermind, and two co-defendants.

The reinstated agreements that were reached in July allow the men to plead guilty to war crimes in exchange for life sentences, sparing them the death penalty.

Austin may still appeal the decision, but if it stands, the guilty pleas could proceed next week at Guantanamo Bay, ending over a decade of pretrial delays.

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Celebrating New Year?

As the world prepares to welcome 2025, Haneen Salem, a photojournalist from Northern Gaza, shares a haunting glimpse of life in the enclave. In his video, rain falls amid the chaos of war, leaving him to wonder: is it a blessing or a curse?

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Putin’s 2025 New Year address: Russia overcame challenges because we stayed together

“Now, on the threshold of the New Year, we look to the future. We are confident that everything will be well, and we will move forward,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his traditional New Year address to his fellow compatriots in the final minutes of 2024.

In his speech, Putin mentioned that:

▪️Though this past year “has been filled with many significant and historically important events,” Russians have been able to “set ambitious goals and achieved them” by staying united.

▪️“The destiny of Russia and the well-being of its citizens have been, are, and always will be our highest priorities.”

▪️“Their sincere love of their motherland fills Russians’ lives with profound meaning, and the desire to contribute to the defense of its sovereignty, security, interests, and free development has become a matter of honor for them.”

▪️In order to mark the coming 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, as well as to honor Russian soldiers and commanders who fight today to ensure “lasting peace and security for our people,” 2025 has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia.

▪️“I wish prosperity and happiness to every home, every family, and to our beloved country - Russia. When we are united, everything is possible. Happy New Year, dear friends! Happy 2025!”

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From the ISS to Earth: Russian cosmonauts share heartfelt New Year's greetings from space

Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have extended their New Year greetings to their fellow citizens, wishing them health, success, peace, prosperity, and happiness, while encouraging them to spread kindness and bring smiles to those in need.

“Dear friends! We, Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, wholeheartedly wish you a Happy New Year 2025 from the International Space Station!” Ovchinin said in a video message shared by Roscosmos.

“This is undoubtedly the warmest, most heartfelt, and family-oriented holiday of the year for every resident of our great country. On this day, we wish you happiness, health, and success!” he added.

Vagner encouraged Russians to spend the holidays with family and friends, reminding them not to overlook the presence of loved ones in the hustle of daily life. He urged everyone to spread kindness and share smiles with those around them.

“From hundreds of kilometers above our shared home, Earth, we cosmonauts feel the absence of communication with our families and loved ones more than anyone. Yet, even in space, we feel the love and support of our families, even though it will be several more months before we reunite with them. We wish you peace, prosperity, and well-being. Happy New Year!” added Gorbunov.

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🇨🇮 French forces to leave base in Côte d'Ivoire - President Ouattara

💬 “The Port-Bouët military base, formerly occupied by the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (BIMA), will be handed over to the Ivorian armed forces and renamed the ‘General of the Army Corps Ouattara Thomas d'Aquin Camp’ starting in January 2025,” President of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Alassane Ouattara said during his traditional New Year’s Eve address to the nation.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the upcoming withdrawal of French military forces from the base in Côte d'Ivoire indicates the lack of demand for the French military in the country.

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🇸🇳 Senegal to kick out foreign forces starting 2025 – President

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has confirmed that the country intends to eliminate all foreign military presence starting 2025.

Earlier, Faye announced the end of the French military presence but did not specify a timeline.

💬 “I have instructed the Minister of Armed Forces to propose a new doctrine of defense and security cooperation, which will entail the cessation of any foreign military presence in Senegal starting in 2025,” the president said in an address to the nation, as quoted by the APS national news agency.

Last January, French media reported that France plans to significantly reduce its military contingents in Gabon, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire. According to the plans cited by the media, the number of French military personnel in the capitals of Gabon, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire could be reduced to about a hundred in each of the three cities, where they would primarily perform support functions.

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