Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and we’re back with your daily briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines today.
Tuskegee Airmen Legacy Stays in US Air Force Training, Says Hegseth
The US Air Force will continue teaching about the heroic Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) in basic training, even as President Trump enforces a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies.
The Tuskegee Airmen, a pioneering group of Black pilots who flew hundreds of dangerous missions during World War II, remain a critical part of the curriculum, despite a review of DEI materials in the military.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ensured that lessons on these historical figures will stay, calling their removal unacceptable.
A brief delay in teaching the Tuskegee Airmen’s story during the review caused frustration, with Alabama Senator Katie Britt speaking out against any attempt to drop the lessons.
The Air Force clarified that historical videos included in training would continue, focusing on the bravery and accomplishments of these trailblazing service members.
Trump Orders Pentagon to Draft Transgender Ban, Revive Space Defense
US President Donald Trump signed several controversial executive orders on Monday, kicking off a major policy shift for the Pentagon.
Among the most significant moves is directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to draft a plan for banning transgender troops, citing concerns about military readiness and discipline.
This follows Trump’s previous failed attempt to enforce a transgender ban during his first term, which was overturned by President Joe Biden.
Advocacy groups are already gearing up for a legal fight to block this policy.
In another directive, Trump announced the development of a space-based missile defense system, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” program from the 1980s.
The system aims to counter threats from China and Russia, as both countries have been advancing space weaponry to target US satellites.
Trump also signed an order to reinstate troops expelled or who voluntarily left the military over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Service members who meet entry standards can rejoin at their former ranks and receive back pay, although only a small number have re-enlisted since such notices were first sent in 2023.
These sweeping changes mark a significant overhaul of Pentagon policies, sparking debates on military inclusivity, readiness, and spending.2
Denmark Boosts Arctic Security as Greenland Draws Global Interest
Denmark is stepping up its game in the Arctic with a 14.6 billion kroner ($2 billion) investment to strengthen security in the region, which has gained global attention due to its strategic importance and melting ice opening new shipping routes.
The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, calling the autonomous Danish territory vital for America’s international security.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen highlighted growing security concerns in the Arctic and North Atlantic, underscoring the region’s geopolitical significance.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is visiting Berlin, Paris, and Brussels to strengthen European unity on Greenland’s role amid the war in Europe and shifting global dynamics.
Frederiksen emphasized Denmark’s reliance on strong alliances and the collective strength of Europe to tackle today’s challenges.
Russia Retakes Border Village as North Korean Troops Join Fight
Russia has reclaimed Nikolayevo-Darino, a tiny border village in the Kursk region, from Ukrainian forces after months of back-and-forth fighting.
The village, home to fewer than 150 people, was captured by Ukraine during its surprise cross-border offensive in August 2024.
Since then, Moscow has steadily regained lost ground, halting Kyiv’s advance and bolstering its forces with reinforcements, including thousands of troops from North Korea.
The conflict has displaced thousands of civilians from the Kursk region while others remain trapped in contested areas.
Ukraine claims it’s providing safe passage for Russians in its control, even as it reports thousands of its own citizens being detained in Moscow-occupied territories.
Despite recent setbacks, Ukraine reportedly still controls 800 square kilometers (300 square miles) of the Russian border region, down from its initial gains last year.
Jihadist Suicide Bombing Kills 27 Nigerian Soldiers in Militant Stronghold
A tragic jihadist suicide attack in northeastern Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 27 soldiers, including their commander, during an offensive against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.
The attack occurred late Friday as troops advanced on a stronghold straddling Borno and Yobe states.
Under the cover of darkness, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy, leaving several critically injured.
ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram since 2016, has solidified control over areas like the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa Forest. Known for its ruthless tactics, including roadside bombs and vehicle-borne explosives, the group has wreaked havoc in the region.
The 15-year insurgency has resulted in 40,000 deaths and displaced two million people, with violence spilling into neighboring countries and prompting the creation of a regional force to combat the militants.
Rwanda Disarms 120 Congolese Fighters as Violence Flares in Goma
On Monday, more than 120 Congolese fighters were disarmed in Rwanda as tensions escalated in eastern Congo, where the M23 armed group has entered Goma, a key regional city.
Clashes between M23 and Rwandan forces in Goma have left at least 17 people dead in the DRC and five civilians killed in Rwanda, further intensifying the already dire humanitarian crisis.
Over 400,000 people have been displaced this year alone, with fears mounting that the violence could ignite a broader regional conflict.
Rwandan army officials said the fighters, including Congolese soldiers and allied militias, were disarmed near Gisenyi, a town bordering Goma.
The DRC and Rwanda, whose relations have been fraught for decades, are now under international pressure, with Kenyan President William Ruto calling for a crisis summit involving DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
The M23 group, which briefly occupied Goma in 2012 before being defeated, has reignited conflict in the region despite multiple ceasefires, the most recent of which was signed in July.
Iran Deploys AI Missiles in Gulf Drills Amid Rising Tensions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have upped their game, using artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped missiles in military drills in the Gulf, according to state media Monday.
The Ghaem and Almas missiles, launched from advanced drones, hit their targets during the exercises, which simulated the defense of critical locations like Iran’s oil facilities and its nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
The drills also showcased Iran’s growing cruise missile capabilities, now reportedly exceeding ranges of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and enhanced by artificial intelligence.
This move follows Iran’s focus on mastering AI technology, a directive from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, and comes days after US President Donald Trump took office.
Known for his “maximum pressure” stance, Trump has expressed hopes to avoid conflict and negotiate a deal with Tehran.
Sources: News Agencies
