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IDF Intercepts Ballistic Missile Launched by Houthis

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen. The missile, believed to have been fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group, was destroyed by Israeli air defenses before entering Israeli territory. Fragments of the missile reportedly landed near Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, without causing injuries or major damage. (Read More)​

Putin Apologizes for Azerbaijani Plane Crash Without Admitting Blame

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an apology to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev following the crash of an Azerbaijani Airlines plane in Kazakhstan on December 25,, which killed 38 people. While Putin expressed condolences and described the incident as a “tragic event,” he did not acknowledge that Russian actions caused the crash. (Read More)​

Iran's Energy Crisis Has Halted Half of its Industrial Capacity, Says Report

Iran is facing a severe energy crisis that has shut down half of its industrial parks and caused nationwide power outages. In an interview with Revolutionary Guards-affiliated Tasnim on Saturday, Ali-Asghar Ahaniha, a representative of employers in Iran’s Supreme Labor Council said several power plants in Iran are offline and some industries have shut down due to energy shortages. (Read More)​
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Indiana National Guard Soldier Dies in Non-Combat Incident in Iraq

The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced the death of Captain Eric Richard Hart, 34, of the Indiana Army National Guard, who died in Iraq on December 28 from a non-combat-related incident. Hart, a native of Indianapolis, was serving as a quartermaster officer with the Headquarters Battalion of the 38th Infantry Division in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The DOD has not disclosed further details regarding the nature of the incident. (Read More)​

Ukraine Appoints First Military Ombudsman

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday appointed Olha Reshetylova as Ukraine’s first military ombudsman. The position was created to provide soldiers and their families with a formal mechanism to report rights violations and to improve accountability within the armed forces. Reshetylova’s appointment comes after growing calls for military accountability following allegations of abuse within Ukraine’s 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade. (Read More)​

China’s Mysterious New Sixth-Generation Stealth Aircraft Likely Bombers, Not Fighters | Telegraph

China has revealed two tailless stealth aircraft demonstrators developed by Chengdu and Shenyang Aircraft Corporations. The designs, optimized for stealth and ground-attack missions, suggest a focus on replacing outdated bombers like the Xi’an JH-7. These developments align with China’s military modernization efforts and its strategy to extend power projection in the Pacific. (Read More)​

South Korea Seeks Arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol Over Martial Law

An arrest warrant has been requested for President Yoon Suk Yeol, with accusations of insurrection and abuse of power following his brief declaration of martial law on December 3. This is the first time an arrest warrant has been sought for a sitting president in the country’s history. (Read More)​

Taliban Bans Women from NGO Employment, Windows Overlooking Women’s Spaces

The Taliban has banned Afghan women from working for both national and foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), threatening to revoke licenses of any NGOs that do not comply. This new directive, issued by the Ministry of Economy on December 30, follows earlier restrictions on women’s employment and public participation. (Read More)​

US Military Coordination Unit Eyed In Central Tokyo | The Japan Times

Japan and the U.S. plan to set up a military coordination unit at Tokyo’s Akasaka Press Center to improve joint operational planning with Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. The unit, part of broader efforts to address regional security challenges like tensions in the Taiwan Strait, will work alongside Japan’s upcoming unified SDF command and an upgraded U.S. command at Yokota Air Base. Discussions are ongoing to finalize the plan. (Read More)​