Evening Brief: US Forces Kill Seven ISIS Fighters in Syria, Israel Suspends Dozens of Aid Groups in Gaza, Russia Deploys Oreshnik Missiles to Belarus

  Texas Man Charged With Aiding ISIS in Undercover Bomb Plot Federal prosecutors charged a 21-year-old Texas man with international terrorism for allegedly providing bomb materials and money to people he believed were affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group. The Justice Department said John Michael Garza Jr. of Midlothian, Texas, supplied explosives and instructions to undercover law enforcement agents during a December 22 sting operation. Investigators said Garza began communicating with an undercover officer in October after his social media activity showed support for ISIS ideology. Authorities allege he sent cryptocurrency donations and offered guidance on bomb-making before his arrest. John Michael Garza, Jr., an alleged ISIS sympathizer, has been federally charged in the Northern District of Texas with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/g8IATXycv9 — FBI Dallas (@FBIDallas) December 30, 2025   US Air Force Overturns Board Decision, Forcing General to Retire After COVID-Era Dispute The US Air Force will force Brigadier General Christopher Sage to retire at the end of the year after a senior official overturned a review board’s decision to clear his record and restore him to promotion consideration. Sage, an Air Force officer with nearly three decades of service, faced disciplinary action for command decisions made while deployed to the Middle East during the COVID-19 pandemic, including easing base restrictions. In November, an Air Force records board concluded Sage had faced retaliation for his views and recommended removing the adverse action, but Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Richard Anderson reversed that finding days later, citing insufficient evidence. EXCLUSIVE: Brigadier General in the US Air Force set to be FORCE RETIRED for opposing Biden’s COVID mandates. Chris Sage served 7 combat deployments over 31 years. He was also set to be promoted but Biden’s autopen BLOCKED it. He’s now being forced to retire after he questioned… pic.twitter.com/8RaVBcQDkS — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 29, 2025 The decision leaves Sage unable to compete for promotion to the rank of major general, despite support from members of Congress and senior military colleagues.   National Guard Deploys to New Orleans for New Year’s Security After Deadly Attack The Louisiana National Guard will begin a deployment in New Orleans on Tuesday under authorization from US President Donald Trump to bolster security for New Year’s celebrations. About 350 Guard members will patrol the French Quarter alongside more than 800 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers, focusing on crowd safety, traffic control, and visibility rather than immigration enforcement. The move comes almost a year after a vehicle-ramming attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people and prompted the discovery of undetonated bombs in the area. BREAKING: At least 10 killed & 30 wounded after a man drove a pick-up truck into people celebrating New Year’s Eve on Bourbon Street, French Quarter in New Orleans. According to witness statements, the attacker also opened fire on survivors. Nobody arrested yet pic.twitter.com/sgQJXM7dyJ — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 1, 2025 Officials said the Guard will remain through Carnival season, including Mardi Gras, as part of layered security measures. City and state leaders said the deployment aims to deter violence and reassure residents and visitors during large public events.   US Sanctions Iran–Venezuela Network Over Drone and Missile Technology Transfers The United States on Tuesday imposed new sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan individuals and companies accused of facilitating the transfer and production of military technology, including combat drones used by Venezuela’s armed forces. The Treasury Department said the measures target 10 entities and people involved in assembling Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicles in Venezuela and procuring chemical components for Iran’s ballistic missile program. US officials identified Venezuela’s state-linked aerospace firm EANSA as a central player, alleging it worked with Iran’s Qods Aviation Industries to build and maintain Mohajer-series drones at Venezuelan military bases. https://t.co/iP62jTBedQ — Treasury Department (@USTreasury) December 30, 2025 The sanctions freeze US-based assets and bar transactions with the designated parties, as Washington seeks to curb Iran’s expanding military partnerships and pressure Venezuela’s government over security and proliferation concerns.   Iran Warns of Harsh Response After Trump Threatens New Strikes Over Nuclear Program Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tuesday that Iran would respond forcefully to any attack, following warnings from US President Donald Trump about potential military action over Tehran’s nuclear activities. Pezeshkian’s statement came a day after Trump said the United States could strike Iran again if it attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, comments made during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. ⚠️ Iran warns of a ‘severe and regret-inducing’ response to any aggression after US President Donald Trump threatens action over its nuclear program 💥 Trump says he would support an Israeli strike if Iran resumes its nuclear or missile activities https://t.co/yaPW7cL6HR pic.twitter.com/miSs2zyxpB — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 30, 2025 The exchange follows a brief but deadly air war in June that killed nearly 1,100 people in Iran and 28 in Israel. Iran denies resuming uranium enrichment and says it remains open to negotiations, while US and international assessments continue to monitor Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.   Israel Suspends Dozens of Aid Groups in Gaza Over New Registration Rules Israel on Tuesday suspended more than 30 humanitarian organizations from operating in the Gaza Strip, including Doctors Without Borders and CARE, citing failure to comply with new registration requirements. The Israeli government said the rules aim to prevent Hamas and other militant groups from infiltrating aid operations, requiring organizations to disclose staff identities, funding details, and political positions. Aid groups rejected the allegations and warned the suspensions would severely disrupt humanitarian assistance for Gaza’s civilian population less than three months into a fragile ceasefire. Israel said the affected organizations account for a small share of total aid and that approved groups will continue operations, while the suspended organizations said the measures jeopardize neutrality, staff safety, and life-saving services. 🔴 BREAKING: Israel says it will suspend 37 humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza starting Jan. 1, claiming they failed to comply with new Israeli vetting rules, according to the Associated Press. The affected groups include some of the world’s best-known aid… https://t.co/v3h4m8XWNx — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) December 30, 2025 The decision deepens tensions between Israel and international aid groups as humanitarian needs in Gaza remain acute amid ongoing conflict.   European Leaders Back US Peace Push as Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Drone Claims European and Canadian leaders held virtual talks Tuesday to discuss US-led efforts to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as tensions flared over Moscow’s claim of a Ukrainian drone attack on a residence linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting, which included NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and followed US President Donald Trump’s talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida, focused on advancing a possible peace settlement while acknowledging major uncertainties remain. Ukraine and its allies rejected Russia’s allegations as unproven and politically motivated, warning they could derail negotiations. We held further consultations today with our European and Canadian partners in the Berlin Format. We are moving the peace process forward. Transparency and honesty are now required from everyone – including Russia. — Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) December 30, 2025 Ukrainian officials said preparations are underway for further meetings with about 30 supporting countries in early January.   Russia Deploys Nuclear-Capable Oreshnik Missiles to Belarus as Peace Talks Near Pivot Russia has placed its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system into active service in Belarus, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday, marking a significant escalation as US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine reach a critical stage. Russian troops held a ceremony in Belarus to mark the deployment, which Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised would occur before year’s end. The mobile intermediate-range ballistic missiles, which can carry nuclear or conventional warheads, place much of Europe within range and come as Moscow seeks to project strength during negotiations with Ukraine and the West. Russia has deployed its experimental Oreshnik missile system to Belarus, putting Europe squarely within its sights. First used in a strike on Dnipro in November 2024, the medium-range ballistic system can reach up to 5,500 km. U.S. analysts earlier pinpointed its likely base at… pic.twitter.com/T0UVfcl4Og — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) December 30, 2025 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said up to 10 Oreshnik systems could be stationed in the country, which has already hosted Russian tactical nuclear weapons.   Estonia Says Russian Provocations Have Eased as NATO Deterrence Takes Hold Estonia’s intelligence chief said Russian military provocations in Eastern Europe have declined and that Moscow shows no sign of planning an attack on NATO in the coming year. Kaupo Rosin, director general of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, said in an interview Monday that increased NATO military activity and surveillance in the Baltic region have altered Russia’s behavior and reduced the risk of escalation. He said Russian aircraft and drones now adhere more carefully to flight paths after past incursions into NATO airspace triggered strong responses. There is currently no indication that Russia intends to attack any of the Baltic states or NATO. We must ensure this remains the case. An insightful interview with the Director General of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Kaupo Rosin. 👇https://t.co/prw31Pj0uV — Estonian MFA 🇪🇪 | 🌻 #StandWithUkraine (@MFAestonia) December 29, 2025 The assessment comes as NATO remains on high alert following drone incidents and suspected sabotage of undersea cables in recent years. Rosin said Russia currently appears focused on avoiding direct confrontation with the alliance despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.   China Fires Live Rounds Near Taiwan in Second Day of Major Military Drills China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday conducted a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan, including live-fire exercises that Taiwanese officials said landed closer to the island than in previous drills. The operations, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” involved warships, aircraft, missiles, and ground forces operating north and south of Taiwan to demonstrate Beijing’s ability to deter external support for the self-ruled island. China fired rockets into waters off northern and southern Taiwan and deployed new amphibious assault ships alongside bomber aircraft and destroyers on the second day of its most extensive war games, a rehearsal for a blockade of the island https://t.co/cmSjxzaTAU pic.twitter.com/BsyiKuZNKJ — Reuters (@Reuters) December 30, 2025 Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported extensive Chinese military activity, including aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait, and said nearly 1,000 flights were disrupted as China declared temporary danger zones. Beijing said the drills warned against Taiwanese independence and foreign interference, while Taipei condemned the exercises and pledged restraint.   Sources: News Agencies