Israeli forces detained 150 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem during the first week of the new year, according to a statement by the Palestine Center for Prisoner Studies. The detainees include five women, eight children, journalists, and several women previously released under prisoner exchange agreements.

The statement said the arrests were part of an ongoing policy of repression, with Israeli forces conducting raids across towns, villages, and refugee camps. Hundreds of homes were searched, and extensive damage to Palestinian property was reported. The center described these actions as collective punishment and systematic abuse against civilians.

According to the same statement, Israel issued 136 administrative detention orders without charges at the start of the year. Israeli forces also raided Birzeit University, dispersing a solidarity gathering for prisoners, seizing media equipment, and detaining the university’s vice president.

Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has expressed the country’s policy-level interest in joining an international stabilization force in Gaza. The announcement came through a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Saturday, January 10, following Rahman’s meetings in Washington, D.C. with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapoor. Hooker responded that the United States is willing to work with Bangladesh on this important issue.

The discussions took place against the backdrop of a United Nations Security Council resolution passed in November supporting a U.S.-backed 20-point plan proposed by President Donald Trump to end the Israel-Gaza war. One clause of that plan called for the creation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee and secure a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. During the meetings, Rahman also briefed U.S. officials on Bangladesh’s upcoming general election preparations and thanked them for their support of the interim government.

Both sides discussed trade, the Rohingya crisis, and regional issues. Rahman emphasized expanding bilateral trade, easing U.S. visa bond requirements for Bangladeshi business travelers, and sought U.S. development finance access for semiconductor initiatives in Bangladesh.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar undertook a 670-kilometer road journey to New York during his visit to the United States in September last year. According to a newly released report by the U.S. Department of State, American security officials arranged the road trip because commercial air travel was suspended due to a federal government shutdown. The report, prepared by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), was made public on January 8, 2026.

The DSS organized the journey from the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge on the Canada–U.S. border to Manhattan, a trip lasting about seven hours. A total of 27 agents from the DSS’s Dignitary Protection Division and its New York and Buffalo field offices participated. Some agents drove separately to strengthen local security. The convoy passed through rural and remote areas of New York State under harsh winter conditions, with drivers rotated to ensure safety.

U.S. officials said the operation ensured that Jaishankar’s scheduled United Nations meeting proceeded as planned despite the shutdown. The DSS, under the State Department, is responsible for protecting U.S. diplomats and visiting foreign dignitaries.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States needs ownership of Greenland to prevent Russia and China from taking control of the territory. Speaking to reporters in Washington, he argued that countries must have ownership rather than lease agreements, adding that the U.S. would act to protect Greenland “the easy way or the hard way.” The White House recently confirmed that it is considering purchasing the semi-autonomous Danish territory, though it has not ruled out other means of integration.

Denmark and Greenland have both reiterated that the island is not for sale, warning that any military action could end the NATO alliance. European Union members and Canada have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing that only those two parties can decide their relationship. They also called for upholding the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Greenland’s leaders, including opposition parties, urged the U.S. to stop disregarding their autonomy, asserting that Greenland’s future should be determined by its own people. The U.S. Secretary of State is expected to discuss the issue with Denmark next week.

Turkey is in advanced discussions to join the strategic defense agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to a Geo News report. The talks have reportedly progressed significantly, and a formal agreement could follow. The existing pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stipulates that an attack on one will be considered an attack on both nations.

The report suggests that Turkey’s potential inclusion could pave the way for a new security alliance, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The discussions come at a time when questions have been raised about the reliability of the United States as a security partner.

Pakistan and Turkey already share a long-standing military relationship, collaborating on several defense projects. Ankara has supplied corvette warships to Pakistan’s navy and is working with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on drone technology and a fifth-generation fighter jet program. The original Pakistan-Saudi agreement, known as the SMDA, was signed on September 17 of the previous year during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a New York Times interview published Thursday, discussed his administration’s actions following the January 3 attack on Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and Washington’s control over the country’s oil industry. Trump said the United States could remain in Venezuela for more than a year and claimed he was personally directing the country’s administration. When asked about international law violations, he dismissed the need for such laws, saying he relied on his own morality and judgment.

The interview also touched on Trump’s campaign to take control of Greenland, a Danish territory, which he acknowledged could strain NATO alliances. On Taiwan, he argued that the situation differed from Venezuela, describing Venezuela as a genuine threat to the United States. Regarding nuclear arms control, Trump said he would allow the current U.S.-Russia treaty to expire in February, suggesting a better deal could follow.

The New York Times described the two-hour interview as candid and spontaneous, noting Trump’s calm demeanor throughout.

U.S. President Donald Trump, after beginning his second term, has again declared plans to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory under Denmark. The announcement came on January 4, a day after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro on drug terrorism charges. Trump justified the Greenland move as a matter of national security, saying the island is needed for U.S. interests. His stance has raised deep concern across Europe.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said the administration’s position has been clear from the start—that Greenland should be part of the United States. Analysts told Al Jazeera that Trump’s actions could effectively end NATO’s operations and embolden Russia in Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that if the U.S. attacks another NATO country, the alliance would collapse. Experts from the Atlantic Council and the University of Chicago echoed that such a move would destroy NATO’s collective defense principle under Article 5.

Despite these tensions, European leaders meeting U.S. officials in Paris to discuss Ukraine’s security guarantees did not address Venezuela or Greenland.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran is in 'great danger' and suggested he may order military action. His remarks came after Iran shut down internet access across the country to contain growing anti-government protests and unrest. Trump said on Friday that Iranians were taking control of cities that no one thought possible weeks earlier, and cautioned Tehran against using lethal force, warning that the U.S. would respond if the Iranian government opened fire on protesters.

Trump also expressed hope that Iranian demonstrators would remain safe, describing the situation as extremely dangerous. His comments followed earlier warnings that the United States could support the protesters if violence escalated. The statement reflects Washington’s growing concern over Tehran’s handling of the internal crisis.

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for unity in the face of what he described as 'terrorist acts' and accused foreign enemies, particularly the United States, of fueling the unrest. He warned that chaos would not be tolerated, framing the protests as part of a foreign conspiracy.

The article reports that the United States launched a military invasion of Venezuela on January 2, removing President Nicolás Maduro and taking control of the country’s vast oil reserves. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will now fully oversee all Venezuelan oil sales. President Donald Trump justified the action by claiming Venezuela had stolen American-built oil infrastructure and declared that U.S. companies would re-enter Venezuela to modernize its oil industry.

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, estimated at 303 billion barrels, accounting for 17–20 percent of global supply. The country’s nationalization of oil in 1976 and the socialist policies of former President Hugo Chávez led to decades of tension with Washington. U.S. sanctions and Venezuela’s declining production weakened its economy and military, leaving it vulnerable to external aggression.

The author argues that the invasion marks the breakdown of the international rules-based order and a return to power-based dominance. The piece warns that weaker nations, including Bangladesh, must strengthen military and diplomatic capacity to protect sovereignty in an increasingly aggressive global environment.

Pakistan’s military has indicated that a deal to sell its domestically produced JF-17 fighter jets to Bangladesh could be finalized soon. The development followed a meeting between the air chiefs of both countries, where Bangladesh reportedly sought Pakistan’s assistance in upgrading its aging defense radar systems and equipment. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Bangladeshi Air Force chief praised Pakistan’s combat achievements, and discussions also covered the expedited delivery of Super Mushshak training aircraft.

The JF-17 Thunder, jointly developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is a lightweight, multi-role fighter jet designed for all-weather operations. It has already been purchased by Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan. Analysts cited in the report said the aircraft’s affordability—estimated at 25 to 30 million dollars per unit—and its proven combat performance have increased its appeal among countries with limited defense budgets.

While Pakistan has not yet confirmed any formal contracts with Bangladesh, Libya, or Saudi Arabia, observers noted that Dhaka’s interest marks a shift in its approach toward Islamabad since 2024, potentially signaling a broader strategic partnership between the two nations.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group in Yemen, has announced its dissolution following meetings in Saudi Arabia. Representatives of the STC were in Riyadh for discussions aimed at resolving unrest in southern Yemen, according to Al Jazeera. The group declared that all its main and subsidiary bodies would be disbanded and its offices inside and outside the country closed.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled to the United Arab Emirates instead of attending scheduled peace talks in Riyadh. The coalition stated that al-Zubaidi traveled by boat from Yemen’s Aden port to Berbera in Somaliland late Wednesday night. The STC praised Saudi Arabia for organizing the talks, saying the initiative could help ease tensions with the UAE.

Recent weeks have seen escalating violence between STC forces and Saudi-backed troops around Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Tensions intensified after a Saudi-led airstrike targeted a UAE arms shipment at Mukalla port in southern Yemen.

Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned the recent visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. In a joint statement with 21 other countries, Saudi Arabia described the visit as “illegal,” calling it a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and contrary to international norms and the UN Charter.

The statement reaffirmed full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. It also emphasized adherence to international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and respect for diplomatic conventions to maintain regional and international stability. The joint declaration urged Israel to fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty and withdraw its recognition of Somaliland immediately.

Israel had formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state on December 26, 2025. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but Israel remains the only country to have officially recognized it, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from Somalia and other members of the international community.

Syria’s Defense Ministry has announced a ceasefire in several districts of Aleppo following deadly clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters. The truce took effect early Friday after days of violence that forced thousands of civilians to flee. At least 21 people were killed in what observers described as the worst fighting since Islamist authorities took power over a year ago. The clashes, which began Tuesday, pitted the Syrian army against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with both sides blaming each other for the escalation.

The ministry said the ceasefire covers Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zeid districts from 3 a.m., aiming to prevent further military tension in residential areas. Kurdish fighters were ordered to withdraw by 9 a.m. local time to allow displaced civilians to return home safely. According to state television, around 16,000 people had already left the affected neighborhoods. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi warned that attacks on Kurdish areas undermine reconciliation efforts, noting that talks on integrating Kurdish structures into the new government remain stalled.

Analysts said Aleppo is a vulnerable area for the SDF, and any wider conflict could draw in Turkey and Israel, posing a serious threat to Syria’s stability.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing the American administration of destroying the global order. Speaking at an event in Berlin on Wednesday night, Steinmeier urged the international community to prevent the world from turning into a “den of robbers,” where lawless powers seize whatever they want. He warned that global democracy is under unprecedented attack.

Referring to recent U.S. actions such as efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Steinmeier described them as a “historic rupture.” He compared the current behavior of the United States to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling both major threats to the world order. He emphasized that the practice of powerful nations treating other regions as their private property must end immediately.

Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s strong remarks have drawn significant attention within Germany, highlighting growing concern over U.S. foreign conduct and its implications for international stability.

Russia carried out airstrikes on Kyiv and its outskirts on Friday, killing at least three people and injuring thirteen, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Residential buildings were damaged, and a doctor was killed in a second drone strike on one of the buildings. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the doctor is included in the official casualty list.

Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk urged residents to remain in shelters until air raid sirens stop. Ukraine’s Air Force warned that the presence of Russian bombers in the sky means the entire country remains under missile threat. In the western city of Lviv, a ballistic missile struck infrastructure sites just before midnight. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the military is determining whether a nuclear-capable missile was used, though radiation levels remain within normal limits.

The attack followed a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Thursday, which had cautioned of possible severe airstrikes in the coming days.