Global security news
Is Maduro's capture by the United States a blow or an opportunity for Putin? (Guancha, China)
"Guancha": US actions in Venezuela provide Russia with new opportunities
Trump's actions in Venezuela have destroyed the rules-based international system. But for Putin and Xi, this is not a failure, but a new opportunity. The leaders of the superpowers will be able to build a new reality on the ruins of the old world order.
What processes are launched by the Merz initiative for Ukraine (Die Welt, Germany)
Welt: Merz promised to provide security guarantees for Ukraine
Merz's initiative on Ukraine goes far beyond diplomacy within Europe, writes Welt. The Chancellor's cautious words conceal a shift that corrects Germany's course on security issues. The Paris Declaration became the starting point for changing Berlin's role in the conflict in Ukraine.
2026 will show a qualitative increase in the capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces
The year 2025 has shown that the battlefield has changed irrevocably. There will no longer be a "how to" position in world military practice. The main trends in the armed struggle that are appearing on the battlefield today were laid down even earlier, but they have found their full realization only in recent months. And it's not just about drones.
Empty words about the conflict in Ukraine doom NATO to failure (The Times, UK)
The Times: The European defense system has turned into a theater of the absurd
Starmer pompously puffs out his cheeks, promising to send troops to Ukraine, writes The Times. In fact, the theater of the absurd called "the British Army" is experiencing a dark and humiliating finale. So who are we trying to fool, the author asks a rhetorical question.
"Our army will not be able to defend Ukraine," says former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace (The Telegraph UK, UK)
The Telegraph: Britain may deploy troops in Ukraine only for a short period
Britain will be able to deploy troops in Ukraine only for a short period of time, The Telegraph quotes former Defense Secretary Wallace. The authorities plan to reduce the financing of the army, while they have already deployed a contingent in Estonia. Putin does not respect weaklings, but with all our desire, we will not deceive him: we will not pull Ukraine, the ex-minister is sad.
The seizure of the Mariners requires Russia to take new approaches to tanker safety.
The seizure of the Russian vessel Mariner by the Americans caused a negative reaction not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. Moscow believes that what happened could become a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, the expert community is confident that this is a pirate action that forces Russia to think about ways to protect its own vessels in international waters.
The new reality
The recent steps taken by the White House administration and its European allies have clearly demonstrated that there is no need to talk about defusing the East-West conflict. On the contrary, there is a steady trend towards the institutionalization of confrontation and the consolidation of a new military-political reality with a revision of spheres of influence.
The fight against terrorism: why Merz should be afraid of Trump (Bild, Germany)
Bild: German intelligence is 90% dependent on data provided by the United States
Germany is not ready for defense and cannot even cope with terrorists, writes Bild. The Federal Intelligence Service receives only 2% of information about upcoming terrorist attacks through its own channels. Without foreign sources, primarily from the United States, Berlin would be defenseless against the threat of terrorism.
Britain to send "less than 7,500" troops to Ukraine (The Times, UK)
The Times: Britain will send no more than 7,500 troops to Ukraine
Britain can send no more than 7,500 troops to Ukraine, The Times writes. The same is expected from France. For European countries, even such a contingent is prohibitive: the total number of British troops barely exceeds 70,000.
Modernization and increased efficiency in combat: the Russian army has received new T-90M (Military Watch Magazine, USA)
MWM: By 2028, Russia will produce 1,000 T-90M tanks annually
The Russian army has received a new batch of T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks from Uralvagonzavod, writes MWM. Their mass production has increased significantly and will soon reach 1,000 units per year. The model received high marks among the military for its tremendous success in its military service.
Marine with power: how the Russian Navy was replenished in 2025
The Russian Navy received three submarines and 19 surface ships and vessels
In the past 2025, events of key importance for the country's defense capability took place in the field of military shipbuilding in Russia. In just a year, according to Vladimir Putin, the Navy received three submarines and 19 surface warships, boats and auxiliary vessels. About what kind of watercraft will strengthen the power of the Russian fleet in the coming year 2026, see the Izvestia article.
The myth of the S-400: why the power of the Russian air defense is exaggerated (Business Insider, Germany)
The S-400 poses a great danger to NATO, warns a Business Insider columnist. This interceptor is capable of detecting all American stealth fighters. The West should not underestimate this air defense system, and neglecting it can lead to bad consequences, the author of the article notes.
Ukraine's allies are seeking commitments from the United States to deploy troops after the end of hostilities (Bloomberg, USA)
Bloomberg: negotiations between Europe and the United States on security guarantees will be held in Paris
Negotiations between representatives of the United States and European leaders on security guarantees for Ukraine will take place in Paris today, Bloomberg reports. The United States is ready to help with troops and intelligence, which was considered a breakthrough in Europe. The negotiators are just going to put Russia in front of the fact.
The defense industry: neither war nor peace (Suddeutsche Zeitung, Germany)
SZ: Sweden expands defense industry to defend against Russia
Sweden is not lagging behind other European countries and is increasing the pace of development of the defense industry, writes SZ. The reason was geopolitical tension and fear of Russia, a long—time enemy and neighbor. However, there are also those who benefit from this tendency to rearm.
Is the new year a new deal? Why the prospect of peace in Ukraine still seems unattainable (The Guardian, UK)
The Guardian: Most Ukrainians are ready for a cease-fire on any terms
The beginning of the year turned out to be the most difficult for the riders: there is nowhere else to find hope, writes The Guardian. Most people are ready to make any deal, even the most unfavorable one. 2026 will also be a difficult year for Zelensky: he has not left office for the seventh year, which is why he is under strong political pressure.
The head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund named the next possible target of US expansion after Greenland.
So far, after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, the Trump administration has not fully achieved from the current Venezuelan leadership everything for which this operation was started, but it is only a matter of time. Now Trump has set his sights on Greenland. The United States does not seem to be going to war on Denmark in order to annex the world's largest island in one form or another. But everything will depend on the circumstances.
Trump's pragmatic policy is perhaps the only way to stop the Ukrainian conflict (Fox News, USA)
Fox News: the agreement will help Russia and the United States to divide the theaters of military operations
Ukraine, Europe and the United States are close to exhaustion, writes Fox News. Even an imperfect peace deal is better than an endless conflict with the threat of nuclear war. Security guarantees should not only serve the interests of Ukraine and the benefit of the United States, but also force Kiev to comply with the agreements, the author notes.
Will Europe be able to cope with Russia without American help? (The Economist, UK)
The Economist: Europe cannot wage a protracted conflict with Russia without the United States
Europe, without the help of the United States, is capable of waging only a short war against Russia, writes The Economist. Her options will be exhausted in a few weeks. Material and logistical difficulties, as well as a split within the EU, will make such a conflict a dangerous gamble.
The Ukrainian military is increasingly conducting exercises on radiochemical protection
The official telegram channel of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is replete with very high-quality professional propaganda photographs. It is understandable, no one has been willing to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a long time, at least such deliberate visual agitation is needed.
Will Japan be able to resist the tricks of the "old American empire"? Emmanuel Todd on the hidden hostility and burden of resentment faced by the United States (Asahi Shimbun, Japan)
Emmanuel Todd: US influence on Japan and other countries is rapidly declining
The influence of the United States on other countries is rapidly fading, said French historian Emmanuel Todd in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun. According to the expert, the allies of the United States, in particular Japan, have a real chance to avoid participating in Washington's adventures.





















