Wars

A United Nations fact-finding mission has released a report stating that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces carried out a 'coordinated campaign of destruction against non-Arab communities' with hallmarks pointing to genocide. It marks the first time the UN has used the word genocide in connection with the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Iranian students have staged the first significant anti-government protests since authorities killed over 7,000 demonstrators in a crackdown last month. The student protesters honored those killed in the mass protests that began in December, signaling that the resistance movement has not been extinguished despite brutal government suppression. At least 19 Iranian Christians have been confirmed dead amid the unrest, with reports of believers being targeted and scapegoated during the political upheaval.

Kenya's intelligence service warns that over 1,000 citizens may have been recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, many lured under false pretenses with promises of lucrative employment. Survivors describe being 'given a gun and sent to die,' revealing a disturbing pattern of exploitation targeting young men in developing nations desperate for opportunity.

More than 30 years after its creation, the Palestinian Authority faces increasing warnings of imminent collapse as Israel tightens its hold over the West Bank. The erosion of PA governance has accelerated amid ongoing military operations and political pressures from all sides.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 10 people in Lebanon on Saturday in among the deadliest attacks since the ceasefire that ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah. The escalation raises fresh concerns about the fragility of the truce and the broader regional security situation.

The FBI and Las Vegas police are investigating a suspected act of terrorism after an armed man drove a vehicle into a Nevada power substation and was found dead inside the car alongside a cache of weapons and extremist literature. The incident triggered an emergency response and has raised concerns about infrastructure security. Authorities are examining the suspect's background and potential ideological motivations.

The Pentagon is deploying the USS Gerald Ford to the Middle East, creating a rare dual-carrier presence as President Trump reportedly weighs a limited strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Trump gave Iran a '10 to 15 day' window to agree to a deal, while Iran conducted joint military drills with Russia. Satellite images reveal new tunnel entrances near Iranian nuclear sites.

The World Council of Churches has publicly condemned the ongoing military strikes on civilians in Myanmar, following the bombing of a predominantly Mennonite village in western Myanmar earlier this month. The ruling junta frequently targets ethnoreligious minority communities in a conflict that has raged for decades.

The United Kingdom has refused to allow the Pentagon to use British military air bases, including Diego Garcia, for a potential strike on Iran, citing concerns over international law. The decision comes as Trump warns Iran has 10 days to reach a 'meaningful' nuclear deal or face 'bad things,' and US forces continue surging into the Middle East.

A United Nations fact-finding mission has declared that atrocities committed during the capture of el-Fasher by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces bear the 'hallmarks of genocide.' The report, which follows months of investigation, documents widespread killings and displacement in what has become one of the world's most devastating but least-covered humanitarian crises.

President Trump convened the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace at the White House, pledging $10 billion in US support for Gaza reconstruction while international donors committed an additional $7 billion. FIFA president Gianni Infantino donned a red 'USA' hat during the ceremony. Though Trump declared it 'looks like' Hamas will disarm, the group shows signs of regrouping, and critics question how grandiose plans will translate into reality on the devastated ground.

Despite suffering devastating losses in its war with Israel, Hamas is quietly reasserting control across the Gaza Strip. Gazans report the group is extending its grip over security, tax revenue, and government services, raising concerns about the long-term prospects for post-conflict governance in the territory.

Leaked files reveal that Trump administration officials are planning to construct a 5,000-person US military base in the Gaza Strip. The revelation marks a dramatic escalation of American involvement in the territory and raises questions about the long-term US role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Trump's newly established Board of Peace held its first meeting in Washington, drawing international scrutiny over its guest list. Critics note the inclusion of leaders from authoritarian regimes while major European allies declined invitations to attend. The Vatican also rejected its invitation, preferring the United Nations as the international peacekeeping body.

Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to life in prison for his brief but destabilizing imposition of martial law in December 2024. The court ruled that Yoon's actions fundamentally damaged South Korea's democracy. The sentence caps the country's worst political crisis in decades, which saw mass protests, an impeachment, and a dramatic insurrection trial.

Ukraine announced that its officials will not attend the Winter Paralympics next month over organizers' decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their own flags, escalating the intersection of sport and geopolitics amid the ongoing war.

Scout AI is adapting technology from the commercial AI industry to power lethal autonomous weapons, recently demonstrating its explosive capabilities. The company represents a growing trend of defense startups applying large language model techniques to military applications.

Republican Representatives Don Bacon and Brian Fitzpatrick plan a possible discharge petition to force a House vote on Russia sanctions for the Ukraine war, citing an urgent need for action and giving GOP leadership 'one last chance' to act.

Russia is escalating covert attacks across Europe through rail sabotage, drone incursions, and cyberstrikes, testing NATO's resolve. Polish officials warn that 'disposable agents' are sowing fear and weakening support for Ukraine as the Kremlin pursues a shadow war beyond the battlefield.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical juncture as nuclear negotiations prove fruitless and President Trump reportedly discusses potential strike timelines. The US military continues building up forces across the Middle East while the White House maintains diplomacy remains the preferred option. Iran's supreme leader has declared nuclear capability an 'undeniable right.'

President Trump has ordered a complete withdrawal of all approximately 1,000 American troops from Syria within two months, ending a decade-long military mission originally focused on combating ISIS. The decision marks a dramatic reshaping of U.S. military engagement in the Middle East, coming amid broader changes to America's posture in the region.

The United States presented new seismic data from a Kazakhstan monitoring station to substantiate allegations that China tested a nuclear device in 2020, violating an international agreement against such tests and escalating tensions over Beijing's nuclear transparency.

The BBC reports harrowing accounts from women of Syria's Alawite minority who describe being kidnapped and assaulted in attacks that appear to target the sect of former President Assad, raising urgent concerns about sectarian violence in post-civil-war Syria.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his support of Russia's invasion, accusing Belarus of direct complicity in the killing of Ukrainians as Geneva peace talks stall without breakthrough.

The United States is expanding advanced missile deployments in northern Philippines, positioning Tomahawk-capable systems within striking range of Chinese military assets in a significant strategic escalation in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Roughly 100 U.S. troops arrived in Nigeria on Monday to train and equip Nigerian forces in their fight against the country's escalating terrorist threat. About 200 total troops are expected in the coming weeks. The deployment comes as Nigeria faces ongoing violence from groups including Boko Haram and ISWAP that have devastated Christian communities across the country's northern and middle belt regions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the removal of Colonel Dave Butler from his role as chief of Army public affairs. Butler, who previously served under Gen. Mark Milley, was in line for a general's promotion. The move is part of ongoing efforts to reshape senior military leadership.

The US military destroyed three suspected drug trafficking boats on Presidents' Day, killing 11 people described as 'narco-terrorists.' Two strikes targeted vessels in the Eastern Pacific and one in the Caribbean, bringing total deaths in such operations to over 130 since September.

The State Department has alleged that China conducted a nuclear test in 2020, reigniting the debate over America's testing moratorium and international arms control. The allegations raise questions about the effectiveness of the current framework for monitoring nuclear weapons development.

A third round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks is underway in Geneva, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meeting delegates from both sides. Expectations for a breakthrough remain low as military strikes continue on both fronts. President Trump has pressured Ukraine to 'come to the table fast,' while two previous rounds of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi yielded no visible progress.

About 100 U.S. military personnel have arrived in Nigeria as Washington scales up a noncombat operation to help the West African nation counter Islamist insurgents and militant groups. The deployment, part of a reportedly 200-person mission, includes ammunition and equipment in response to a Nigerian government request. President Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest, while Nigeria denies religious discrimination, saying its security forces target all armed groups regardless of religious motivation.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps launched military exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva for a second round of nuclear talks with the United States. The US has tracked the buildup of warships and fighter jets near Iran, with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier conducting 24/7 flight operations in the region. President Trump warned that Iran 'doesn't want the consequences' of failing to make a deal, while Iran signaled that energy, mining, and aircraft deals could be on the table. The high-stakes diplomatic showdown unfolds against a backdrop of maximum military pressure from both sides.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has issued a stark warning that China's military expansion poses a threat to global stability and the world's semiconductor supply chains. Taiwan produces approximately 90% of the world's advanced computer chips, making it a critical hub for global technology manufacturing. The foreign minister emphasized that Taiwan will not escalate tensions but will also not yield to Chinese intimidation, highlighting the geopolitical and economic stakes of cross-strait relations.

European intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed by epibatidine, a highly toxic substance found in poison dart frogs native to South America. The toxin can be found naturally in the wild or manufactured in laboratories. The Kremlin has rejected these accusations of poisoning. Navalny's mother has expressed hope for justice as Russia dismisses the European assessment of the dart frog toxin.

Israel will begin a contentious land regulation process in a large portion of the occupied West Bank, which could result in Israel gaining control over extensive areas for future development. The land registration initiative is expected to be highly controversial as it may facilitate Israeli settlement expansion in disputed territories. Critics argue the process undermines prospects for a future Palestinian state and violates international law regarding occupied territories. The move comes amid ongoing debates over Israeli policy in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Iran must abandon its enriched uranium stockpiles and cease further production ahead of scheduled talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva. The comments come as Iran's top diplomat prepares to attend indirect nuclear negotiations with U.S. representatives on Tuesday. Netanyahu's demands underscore Israel's deep concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and the potential for a revived nuclear agreement. The statement adds pressure to the diplomatic process as both sides prepare for critical discussions.

U.S. military forces boarded another oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean, according to Department of Defense reports. The tanker was attempting to evade the Trump administration's quarantine measures related to Venezuela sanctions enforcement. This marks the second such boarding operation as the U.S. intensifies efforts to intercept sanctioned oil shipments. Multiple international news outlets confirmed the operation reflects escalating enforcement of energy sanctions.

President Trump stated that regime change in Iran would be the best outcome, even as diplomatic channels remain open between Washington and Tehran. Trump discussed Iran in a wide-ranging call with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the U.S. pressures China and other nations to break from Tehran. Iran has indicated that potential energy, mining, and aircraft deals are on the table in indirect talks with the U.S. scheduled in Geneva. The discussions come amid broader tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence.

President Trump privately told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would support Israeli military strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program, according to sources familiar with the conversation. The assurance comes as diplomatic negotiations over Iran's nuclear program proceed in Geneva. The dual-track approach of diplomacy and military readiness reflects the complexity of the administration's Iran strategy.

Ukraine's former energy minister was detained while attempting to leave the country amid legal proceedings stemming from a corruption scandal. The arrest underscores Kyiv's ongoing struggle to combat internal corruption even as it fights an external war. The case is being closely watched as a test of Ukraine's commitment to reform and accountability.

The United Nations reports that at least 6,000 people were killed over three days during a Rapid Support Forces attack on the city of el-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region. The wave of intense violence represents one of the deadliest episodes in the ongoing Sudanese civil war. The massacre has drawn international condemnation as humanitarian organizations struggle to reach survivors in the besieged city.

President Trump's Board of Peace has pledged $5 billion for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza, aiming to reshape the region's future. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue to exact a heavy toll, with at least eleven people killed in strikes on a tent encampment in northern Gaza according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The parallel tracks of diplomacy and ongoing military operations highlight the complex reality on the ground.

The United States and Iran have entered nuclear negotiations in Geneva, with Iran insisting the US must demonstrate genuine willingness to reach an agreement, particularly regarding sanctions relief. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined five red lines for any deal, including the dismantling of nuclear equipment and the abandonment of enriched uranium. President Trump has simultaneously pressed China's Xi Jinping to distance Beijing from Tehran, while Iran signaled openness to broader compromises including energy, mining, and aircraft deals.

US Navy forces boarded the sanctioned oil tanker Veronica III after pursuing it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. The dramatic operation demonstrates the lengths the Navy is willing to go to enforce sanctions against vessels suspected of evading international trade restrictions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio used the Munich Security Conference to articulate a sweeping break with the post-WWII global order, declaring a "new Western century" while pressing European allies to shoulder more of their own defense burden. Rubio told the audience that the US and Europe "belong together" but that the era of American-led managed decline is over. The speech drew sharp reactions — Hillary Clinton clashed directly with Czech leaders who defended the Trump administration's approach, highlighting the deep transatlantic divisions the new posture has created.

Iran's deputy foreign minister told the BBC that Tehran is ready to discuss compromises on its nuclear program, saying the ball is "in America's court" as a second round of talks is set for Geneva next week. The diplomatic overture comes as hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Munich, Los Angeles, Toronto, and other cities worldwide in a coordinated global day of action calling for regime change in Iran. An exiled crown prince told The Hill that US intervention would be "humanitarian." The dual tracks — negotiation and mass protest — reflect a pivotal moment for the Islamic Republic.