Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and we’re keeping you up to date with the latest developments in defense and global affairs. Here are today’s top headlines.
Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Form Unified Army to Tackle Jihadists
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, three Sahel nations ruled by military juntas, are teaming up to combat the persistent jihadist violence plaguing their region.
Officials announced Tuesday plans for a 5,000-strong unified force, which will include personnel, air and ground capabilities, intelligence resources, and a central coordination system.
The force is expected to be operational within weeks.
The three countries, spanning a massive area of 2.8 million square kilometers, have struggled with attacks from jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS for over a decade.
After recent coups, these nations distanced themselves from France, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and turned to alternative partners like Russia.
Defense Minister Salifou Mody of Niger emphasized the need to work together, saying, “We face the same threats, and we must join forces.”
Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 21, 2025, and we’re keeping you up to date with the latest developments in defense and global affairs. Here are today’s top headlines.
Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Form Unified Army to Tackle Jihadists
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, three Sahel nations ruled by military juntas, are teaming up to combat the persistent jihadist violence plaguing their region.
Officials announced Tuesday plans for a 5,000-strong unified force, which will include personnel, air and ground capabilities, intelligence resources, and a central coordination system.
The force is expected to be operational within weeks.
The three countries, spanning a massive area of 2.8 million square kilometers, have struggled with attacks from jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS for over a decade.
After recent coups, these nations distanced themselves from France, formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and turned to alternative partners like Russia.
Defense Minister Salifou Mody of Niger emphasized the need to work together, saying, “We face the same threats, and we must join forces.”
The new initiative builds on existing joint operations, particularly in the border areas where attacks are most frequent.
EU Funds Lebanese Military to Support Israel-Hezbollah Truce
The European Union announced Tuesday a 60 million euro ($62 million) aid package to support Lebanon’s armed forces as the country works to maintain a fragile truce with Israel.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the importance of Lebanon’s military in ensuring both regional and domestic stability.
The aid comes as part of a broader international effort, with the US recently pledging $117 million in security assistance and France planning an aid conference to help Lebanon recover from the recent war.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is set to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, with Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers taking their place.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah is required to dismantle its military infrastructure and retreat north of the Litani River.
Lebanon’s military, already under strain from a 2019 economic crisis, now faces additional challenges as it supports reconstruction efforts after the two-month conflict.
Belarus Prepares for Another Lukashenko Victory Amid Criticism
Belarus is gearing up for another presidential election this coming Sunday, but there’s little suspense about the outcome—Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994, is set to extend his 31-year reign.
The exiled opposition has dismissed the election as a sham, urging citizens to reject all candidates on the ballot.
Meanwhile, Lukashenko is positioning himself as too busy with state affairs to bother campaigning.
Despite a firm grip on power, Lukashenko faces significant challenges balancing relations with Russia and the West. His alliance with Vladimir Putin has come at a cost, with Belarus facing sanctions for its role in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Yet recent prisoner releases and limited contact with jailed opposition figures signal a potential effort to repair ties with the West, especially if the war ends.
The opposition, however, remains skeptical, calling these moves a ploy to appease the international community.
With 1,250 political prisoners and independent media banned, the struggle for democratic reform in Belarus continues to be an uphill battle.
Trump Revokes Transgender Military Protections, Signals Future Ban
On his first day back in office, US President Donald Trump rescinded an order that allowed transgender individuals to serve openly in the military and issued a sweeping executive order targeting “gender ideology” across all federal agencies.
While these actions don’t immediately ban transgender military service, legal experts say they pave the way for a future executive order that could reinstate his previous transgender military ban.
Advocates and lawyers are preparing for legal battles, highlighting the successful track record of transgender troops serving openly since 2016.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the move, calling it an expression of bias rather than a response to any issues within the military.
The Pentagon has yet to comment on how it plans to interpret the new orders, and the White House has remained silent on its next steps.
Estimates suggest that 1,300 to 15,000 transgender individuals are currently serving, and many are bracing for further policy changes.
Trump Pardons Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Stirs Controversy
In a highly controversial move, Trump has issued pardons and commutations for over 1,500 people involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, including Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, and several other far-right militia members.
While Rhodes and other military veterans convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges had their sentences commuted, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio received a full pardon.
Critics, including lawmakers and law enforcement, have condemned the move, arguing it undermines accountability for the violent attack that left 140 officers injured and caused millions in damages.
Advocates worry the pardons could allow these groups to regroup and reignite extremist activity.
Legal experts and former members also point out that this decision could escalate internal tensions, particularly for those who cooperated with law enforcement.
Trump defended his decision, calling it a step toward “national reconciliation,” but opponents say it sends a dangerous message about accountability for attacking democratic institutions.
Ceasefire Brings Pause, but Hamas Remains Firm in Gaza
After a grueling 15 months of war, Hamas has quickly reasserted control in Gaza following Sunday’s ceasefire with Israel.
Its gunmen are now guarding aid convoys, and municipal workers are clearing rubble and restoring basic services in a region devastated by the conflict.
Despite Israeli efforts to dismantle the group, Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza’s governance and security.
While the ceasefire marks a temporary halt to the fighting, the future of Gaza is uncertain.
Israel insists Hamas must not remain in power, but no clear alternative has emerged.
The Palestinian Authority claims legitimacy to govern, but it has little presence or popular support in Gaza.
Reconstruction will take years and cost billions, with discussions underway about possible international oversight for rebuilding efforts.
The ceasefire agreement includes Israeli troop withdrawals, hostage releases, and eventual negotiations for permanent peace. However, tensions remain high, and some Israelis are skeptical of the deal, with calls to resume the war until Hamas is eliminated.
In Gaza, opinions are divided, with some residents expressing pride in Hamas’ survival while others criticize the group for bringing destruction to their lives.
Sources: Military.com, New Agencies, Reuters
