Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe.

Ukrainian Special Forces Discover Notebook Detailing North Korean Drone Countermeasures

The Ukrainian military has revealed a handwritten notebook allegedly recovered from the body of a North Korean soldier, offering insights into tactics used by North Korean troops to counter Ukrainian drones. The note, detailed in a Telegram post by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, describes a three-person strategy involving “human bait” to lure drones into a vulnerable position for destruction. (Read More)​

China Launches New Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship

China launched its first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, Sichuan, on December 27 at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. The Sichuan has a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons, making it one of the largest amphibious assault ships in the world. It measures approximately 260 meters long with a 50-meter-wide flight deck. (Read More)​

Ukrainian HIMARS and Drone Strike Decimates Russian Mobile Command Post, Killing Senior Officers

Ukrainian forces conducted a successful strike on a Russian command post in occupied Zaporizhzhia, killing three senior officers. The operation, carried out on December 27, was confirmed by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). It used HIMARS rocket systems followed by kamikaze drones. (Read More)​

U.S. THAAD System Used in Israel to Intercept Houthi Missile

For the first time, the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployed in Israel was used to intercept a Houthi ballistic missile launched from Yemen. The missile reportedly targeted Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday night, according to U.S. and Israeli sources. Officials are still determining whether the interception was successful. (Read More)​

NATO Increases Baltic Sea Presence After Suspected Cable Sabotage

On December 25, the Estlink 2 power cable suffered damage, causing a partial outage. Finnish authorities suspect the Cook Islands-flagged vessel Eagle S, part of Russia’s "shadow fleet," was responsible. Investigators believe the ship dragged its anchor along the seabed, severing the cable. Finnish police boarded the ship on Thursday, detained its crew, and launched an investigation into possible deliberate sabotage. (Read More)​

Syria’s New Government Signals Willingness for Peace with Israel

Syria’s newly installed leadership has expressed openness to peaceful relations with Israel, a major departure from decades of hostility. In an interview with NPR, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan, speaking on behalf of de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, stated that Syria’s new government does not see Israel as an enemy and seeks coexistence. (Read More)​

China Sanctions Seven U.S. Companies Over Taiwan Military Aid

China imposed sanctions on seven U.S. defense-related companies on Friday, citing their involvement in recent military sales and assistance to Taiwan. The sanctions were announced in response to the United States’ increased support for Taiwan, including the approval of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, which Beijing claims undermines its sovereignty and violates the one-China principle. (Read More)​

Italian Journalist Detained in Iran During Reporting Assignment

Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old Italian journalist, was arrested in Tehran on December 19 while reporting on events in Iran. Sala, a correspondent for Il Foglio and Chora Media, is being held in solitary confinement at Evin Prison, a facility notorious for detaining political prisoners and individuals accused of security-related offenses. (Read More)​​​

Man Sentenced to Death for Deadly Car Attack in Zhuhai, China | AP

A Chinese court has sentenced 62-year-old Fan Weiqiu to death for driving his car into a crowd in Zhuhai, killing 35 people and injuring 43 others. The attack, which occurred on November 11 at an outdoor sports center, was reportedly motivated by Fan’s anger over a divorce settlement. (Read More)​