Clash Report

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

It appears that a new conspiracy is underway, and the enemy is seeking to push economic conditions to a point where, in their view, public dissatisfaction increases and the system and government face internal problems. They will take this wish to their graves as well—just as during the 12-day war, when, through the use of domestically produced missiles, the resistance of the armed forces, and the efforts of all the people and the government, we were able to get through that crisis.

Nigeria: Authorities deployed more than 1,000 police officers across Borno state on Thursday to protect places of worship after recent attacks and abductions.

Unknown Chinese containership carrying containerized rotating AESA radar, VLS cells, CIWS, and rocket/decoy launchers.

Syria Arrests Top ISIS Figure Syrian security forces announced the arrest of Taha al-Zoubi, ISIS’s alleged “wali” for Damascus, in Maadamiya near the capital. READ MORE

Israel to Close Army Radio Netanyahu government says an IDF-run news station undermines military neutrality. Galei Tzahal, founded in 1950, is set to close by March 1, 2026. READ MORE

Kim Jong-un Inspects Nuclear-Powered Missile Submarine North Korea says Kim inspected an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine. KCNA also referenced “new secret underwater weapon” R&D and missile-defense test. READ MORE

In a June 2001 meeting with President George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin raised the idea that Russia could eventually join North Atlantic Treaty Organization, according to a memorandum of conversation. Putin said Russia “feels left out” by NATO enlargement and noted that the Soviet Union had applied to join the alliance in 1954. He argued that the reasons for rejection no longer applied and suggested that “perhaps Russia could be an ally,” adding that Russia was “European and multi-ethnic, like the United States.”

Speaking during a private 2001 meeting with President George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin described the collapse of the Soviet Union as a voluntary process that left Russia weakened and exposed.

“What really happened?” Putin asked, saying that Soviet “good will changed the world” and that Russia “gave up thousands of square kilometers of territory, voluntarily — unheard of.” He pointed to Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus as lands relinquished by party leaders.

Vladimir Putin delivers a stark warning to George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice in a now declassified transcripts of a 2008 meeting: bringing Ukraine into NATO would guarantee long-term confrontation with Russia. Putin is explicit:

“Accession to NATO of a country like Ukraine will create… a field of conflict… long-term confrontation.”

He questions Ukraine’s statehood and cohesion:

“Ukraine is a very complex state… an artificial country created back in Soviet times.”

On internal division and public opinion:

“NATO is perceived by a large part of the Ukrainian population as a hostile organization.” “Seventy percent of the population is against NATO.”

On security risks for Russia:

“This creates the threat of military bases and new military systems being deployed in the proximity of Russia.”

And on legitimacy:

“We should wait until a majority of the population is in favor, then let them accede — not vice versa.”

Declassified transcripts show Vladimir Putin in blunt talks with George W. Bush and Condoleezza Rice about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Russia’s role. Putin says Russia will limit help:

“I will restrict missile technology to Iran.” He argues Tehran shouldn’t enrich uranium if fuel is supplied: “Here’s the fuel, therefore you don’t need to enrich. If you do it shows you don’t want civil nuclear power, you want more.”

On Iran’s intentions:

“There is no doubt they want a nuclear weapon.”

Bush praises Russia’s leverage:

“He took the lead on Iran and I followed. It was the right thing to do.”

On arms sales and pressure tactics, the tone turns crude:

“They’re nutty.” “They’re quite nuts.”

But Putin adds a revealing caveat after visiting Iran:

“They may be crazy in their ideology but they’re intellectuals… They are not primitive people.”

Trump: We need more high IQ people in the country.

Trump: 4.3 GDP yesterday, that was two points more than they thought, people were shocked. The tariffs did it.

Trump on Santa: He tends to be on the cherubic side. You know what cherubic means? A little on the heavy side.

Trump: We track Santa all over the world. We want to make sure that Santa is being good. We want to make sure that he's not infiltrated, that we're not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.

Trump-backed conservative Nasry Asfura has been declared the winner of Honduras’ presidential election after a weeks-long vote count that raised concerns about the country’s fragile electoral system. Asfura won 40.27% of the vote, narrowly defeating Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla, who received 39.39% and has alleged fraud.

The White House has ordered U.S. forces to focus on enforcing a “quarantine” on Venezuelan oil for at least the next two months. The move prioritizes economic pressure through sanctions over military action, aiming to push President Maduro into concessions. Officials believe Venezuela could face severe economic trouble by late January if no deal is reached. Source: Reuters

Colombian President Petro: Growth without equality is not progress. Progress is human development — living well, as Aristotle said — created not only by economic growth but by social equity.

Colombian President Petro: The United States, Argentina, and Chile are going to launch programs against Colombian society. We already have 5,000 immigrants from the United States brought here without chains.

Colombian President Petro: I invite Colombian citizens living in Argentina, Chile, and the United States to return to Colombia. They live better here. Political changes there target Colombian identity as an enemy, because they based their votes on destroying migrant families. Let’s not stay there — life is better in Colombia today.

NEW: US authorities have found more than one million additional documents potentially linked to Jeffrey Epstein, officials say. The Department of Justice said lawyers are reviewing the material and making legally required redactions to protect victims before releasing it, a process that could take several weeks.