Welcome back! It’s December 30, and as we gear up for the new year, we’re bringing you your essential Monday briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.
North Korea Unveils Tough Anti-US Strategy
North Korea is ramping up its anti-US strategy, with leader Kim Jong Un unveiling over the weekend what state media calls the “toughest” counteraction plan yet.
The announcement came after a five-day year-end party meeting where Kim set the country’s direction for 2025.
The report criticized the US, South Korea, and Japan for forming what it called a “nuclear military bloc,” labeling South Korea as an anti-communist outpost of the US.
Kim’s speech hinted at an aggressive stance against the US, though specific plans weren’t detailed.
The meeting also reviewed responses to this year’s flooding and pledged to strengthen ties with “friendly” nations.
North Korea will launch its “toughest” ever strategy to counter the United States, state media said Sunday, reporting on a key year-end party meeting overseen by leader Kim Jong Un.https://t.co/r99IHzL2AL
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 29, 2024
Welcome back! It’s December 30, and as we gear up for the new year, we’re bringing you your essential Monday briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.
North Korea Unveils Tough Anti-US Strategy
North Korea is ramping up its anti-US strategy, with leader Kim Jong Un unveiling over the weekend what state media calls the “toughest” counteraction plan yet.
The announcement came after a five-day year-end party meeting where Kim set the country’s direction for 2025.
The report criticized the US, South Korea, and Japan for forming what it called a “nuclear military bloc,” labeling South Korea as an anti-communist outpost of the US.
Kim’s speech hinted at an aggressive stance against the US, though specific plans weren’t detailed.
The meeting also reviewed responses to this year’s flooding and pledged to strengthen ties with “friendly” nations.
North Korea will launch its “toughest” ever strategy to counter the United States, state media said Sunday, reporting on a key year-end party meeting overseen by leader Kim Jong Un.https://t.co/r99IHzL2AL
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) December 29, 2024
This comes amid reports of North Korean troops being killed or wounded in Ukraine, part of a growing military partnership with Russia.
A new defense pact between Pyongyang and Moscow, signed in June, recently came into force. Both leaders have hailed their cooperation, with Vladimir Putin calling the agreement a “breakthrough.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies warn that North Korea’s involvement in the war marks a dangerous escalation.
Qatar Hosts Hamas Talks, Seeks Ceasefire Deal
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, met with a Hamas delegation in Doha over the weekend to push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to Qatar’s foreign ministry, the discussions focused on finding a “clear and comprehensive” resolution to end the ongoing conflict. This public involvement by Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Qatar’s foreign minister, is rare and highlights the urgency of the situation.
Recent efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel had been stalled for months, but the prime minister expressed optimism earlier this month, citing renewed “momentum” following Donald Trump’s election victory.
The Gulf state has hosted indirect negotiations recently, with both sides reporting progress before hitting new roadblocks.
Iranian Police Commander Dies in Rare Hormozgan Attack
An Iranian police commander was killed in a “terrorist attack” on Saturday in Bandar-e Lengeh, a coastal city in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, according to local reports.
The attacker, who was also killed, has not been linked to any group yet.
#BREAKING
Suicide attack in southern Iran; local intelligence police chief killedIranian media report that around 7:00 PM tonight (Dec 28) in Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan Province, a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle in front of the Intelligence Police building…1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/XI0IfkCdy9
— Aamaj News English (@aamajnews_EN) December 28, 2024
Attacks like this are rare in Hormozgan, located about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) south of Tehran.
This comes after a deadly October incident in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan province, where 10 police officers were killed in another “terrorist attack” claimed by the Pakistan-based Sunni jihadist group Jaish al-Adl.
New Syria Leaders Target Assad Loyalists in Crackdown
Syria’s new authorities have arrested nearly 300 people, including informants, pro-Assad fighters, and former soldiers, as part of a major crackdown on loyalists to ousted president Bashar al-Assad.
The arrests, spanning Damascus, Homs, Latakia, and other regions, come just weeks after Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad’s regime, ending over 50 years of his family’s rule.
The arrests, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) in a Sunday report, target lower-ranking officers, pro-Iranian fighters, and former regime operatives accused of torture and killings.
#Syria: Nearly 300 Arrested in Crackdown on Assad Loyalistshttps://t.co/ipTxUDqC2U
— Asharq Al-Awsat English (@aawsat_eng) December 30, 2024
One notable figure detained is General Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, who reportedly oversaw mass executions during Assad’s rule.
The campaign has reportedly garnered local support but has also drawn criticism for alleged abuses, with some detainees reportedly executed on the spot.
Meanwhile, Anas Khattab, Syria’s new intelligence chief, has vowed to reform the country’s security apparatus, condemning the former regime’s corruption and oppression.
Finnish Police Link Baltic Cable Sabotage to Drag Trail
Finnish police discovered Sunday a drag trail stretching for dozens of kilometers on the Baltic Sea floor during their investigation into the sabotage of the Estlink 2 power cable.
The submarine cable, which connects Finland and Estonia, was disconnected on Christmas Day, just weeks after similar incidents involving telecom cables in Swedish waters.
Authorities are focusing their investigation on the Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S oil tanker, suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet transporting embargoed oil.
Finnish police said on Sunday they had found tracks that drag on for dozens of kilometres along the bottom of the Baltic Sea where a tanker carrying Russian oil is suspected of breaking a power line and four telecoms cables with its anchor. https://t.co/47h7jasJj4 pic.twitter.com/AlRuSjR5zh
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 29, 2024
The ship, which sailed from a Russian port, is currently docked near Helsinki, where Finnish investigators are questioning the crew.
The disruption is being linked to broader concerns about sabotage amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In response, NATO has pledged to increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea. Underwater operations to further investigate the damage are on hold due to bad weather.
Former US President Jimmy Carter Dies at 100
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away Sunday at 100 years old at his home in Plains, Georgia.
Despite serving just one term from 1977 to 1981, Carter left a lasting impact, especially through his humanitarian work.
After leaving the White House, he founded The Carter Center, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for efforts to fight disease and monitor elections globally.
Carter was also known for his work with Habitat for Humanity and his dedication to social justice and human rights.
Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi
— The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) December 29, 2024
Leaders worldwide have paid tribute, with US President Joe Biden calling Carter “an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian.”
International leaders, including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Chinese officials, praised Carter’s efforts in fostering peace and democracy.
Carter’s legacy includes the Camp David Accords, which established peace between Egypt and Israel, and his lifelong advocacy for Palestinian rights and global democracy.
Carter’s passing comes just over a year after his wife of 76 years, Rosalynn Carter, passed away.
His life will be honored with a state funeral on January 9.
WHO Demands Israel Halt Hospital Strikes in Gaza
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for an immediate end to attacks on hospitals in Gaza on Monday, emphasizing the need for civilians to access health care and humanitarians to provide aid.
His plea comes after Israeli strikes on Gaza City’s Al Wafa hospital, which reportedly killed seven people, and a raid on Kamal Adwan hospital, where over 240 Palestinians, including medical staff, were detained.
Israel claims the hospitals were being used by Hamas for military operations, stating those detained were suspected militants.
Tedros also demanded the release of Kamal Adwan’s director, Hussam Abu Safiya, and condemned attacks on other medical facilities, including Al-Ahli hospital.
Hospitals in #Gaza have once again become battlegrounds and the health system is under severe threat.
Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern #Gaza is out of service — following the raid, forced patient and staff evacuation and the detention of its director, Dr Hussam Abu Safiya two…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 30, 2024
Meanwhile, the WHO continues to deliver medical supplies and aid to hospitals in Gaza, though patient transfers remain fraught, with reports of some individuals being detained during the process.
Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 45,000 Palestinians killed and more than 108,000 injured.
Biden Ramps Up Ukraine Aid Before Trump Takes Office
In a significant move during his final weeks in office, President Joe Biden announced Monday the $2.5 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine, aiming to bolster its defense against Russia before President-elect Donald Trump takes over.
The aid includes $1.25 billion drawn from US stockpiles and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package, which procures equipment from defense industries or partners and often takes months to deliver.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The US announced nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine.
Today’s announcement includes an additional $1.25 billion drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a $1.22 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package.We are grateful to our… pic.twitter.com/uZKmhVgD1E
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 30, 2024
This comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its third anniversary, with reports of heavy casualties among North Korean troops fighting for Russia, including 1,000 killed or wounded in the past week alone.
Biden emphasized that the assistance will provide Ukraine with both immediate battlefield capabilities and longer-term air defense, artillery, and weapons systems.
The US has committed $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war began, but questions loom over the future of this support under Trump, who has expressed skepticism about US involvement and suggested European allies should contribute more.
Biden highlighted ongoing deliveries of artillery, rockets, and armored vehicles to strengthen Ukraine’s position as winter approaches.
Ukraine Downs 21 Russian Drones in Overnight Attack
Ukraine shot down 21 of 43 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack targeting six regions, according to Kyiv’s air force.
While some drones caused damage to homes in the Kharkiv and Odesa regions, military analysts noted Ukraine’s growing use of electronic warfare to disrupt Russian operations.
“I will prepare and some day my chance will come.”
Abraham LincolnThe combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to December 30, 2024. pic.twitter.com/EWgEGlhr2g
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 30, 2024
The attack came as Russia promised retaliation after reports that the European Union blocked access to several Russian state media channels on Telegram in multiple European countries, including France, Poland, and Italy.
Sources: News Agencies, RAzerbaijan’s, The White House
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