Diplomacy

Israel and Syria set up a US-supervised communication mechanism for military de-escalation

Israel and Syria agreed to create a US-supervised “dedicated communication cell” to share intelligence and coordinate military de-escalation, with the mechanism also intended to support diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities.

US raises military option for acquiring Greenland as European and Canadian leaders back Greenland’s self-determination

The White House said the US military is “always an option” for acquiring Greenland, while European and Canadian leaders publicly backed Greenland’s right to decide its own future and rejected threats against Denmark.

India and the European Union intensify talks to conclude a free trade agreement

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Brussels on January 8-9, 2026 to hold high-level talks aimed at resolving pending issues and expediting the conclusion of India-EU free trade agreement negotiations.

India and Iran plan year-long events for 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

India and Iran are planning year-long events to mark 75 years of diplomatic relations, starting with an expected visit to India later this month by Iranian Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi.

Russia warns Western troops deployed in Ukraine would be treated as combat targets

Russia said any Western troops deployed in Ukraine under a proposed multinational force would be considered legitimate combat targets by the Russian Armed Forces.

US suspends assistance to Somalia over alleged seizure of WFP food aid

The US suspended all assistance to Somalia’s government, alleging Somali officials destroyed a WFP warehouse and illegally seized 76 tonnes of donor-funded food aid intended for vulnerable Somalis.

Trump plans US withdrawal from 66 UN and international organisations

US President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw the United States from 66 UN and international organisations and to cut all funding to the affected entities.

U.S. withdrawal from UN climate treaty and global climate science assessment body

President Donald Trump directed the United States to withdraw from the UNFCCC and the IPCC as part of a broader pullback from the United Nations system, according to the White House.

US claims control over Venezuela’s interim government as Maduro is held in New York on drug charges

The Trump administration said it will dictate decisions to Venezuela’s interim authorities as Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were abducted in a US military offensive and taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Greenland and Denmark reject US discussions of a potential Greenland purchase

The White House confirmed President Donald Trump and his national security team are actively discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland, while Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale.

UK parliamentary vote planned for any troop deployment to Ukraine under a France-Ukraine declaration

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said any deployment of UK forces to Ukraine under a declaration signed with France and Ukraine would be put to a vote in parliament.

South Korea seeks Chinese mediation and a freeze in North Korea’s nuclear programme

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to mediate with North Korea and proposed a freeze in Pyongyang’s nuclear programme in exchange for compensation.

Stay ahead with OwlBrief

Daily briefs that distill the world’s important events — clear, verified, and designed for understanding.

Newsletter

Get OwlBrief in your inbox

A fast, high-signal digest of the day’s most important events — plus the context that makes them make sense.

Quick to read. Useful all day.