7 January 2026
US-Russia
The US hasinitiated the capture of the oil tanker that has attempted to flee the US Coast Guard and is being escorted by a Russian submarine and other naval assets. The vessel, formerly known as the Bella-1, changed its flag and name and is sailing somewhere south of Iceland and heading towards the North Sea. Latest reports are that the US has captured the oil tanker.
Yemen
The leader of Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), Aidarous al-Zubaidi, has been removed from government for “committing high treason.” Al-Zubaidi has reportedly fled to an unknown location and disappeared, after he was meant to board a plane earlier today for talks in Riyadh.
US-Venezuela
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim government would be “turning over” 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil worth billions of dollars to the United States. Trump said the US plans to sell the oil at market prices.
Ukraine
Britain and France agreed to send troops to Ukraine after a peace deal. The agreement was signed by UK Prime Minister Starmer and French President Macron, and by President Zelensky in Paris. There has been much discussion about whether the British Armed Forces can carry out such a mission while maintaining operational readiness at home.
Burkina Faso
A plot to kill the leader of Burkina Faso has been foiled. The military junta believes that the plan was organized by Lt. Col. Paul Henri Damiba, the military officer ousted by Traoré in September 2022. IT has been alleged that Damiba mobilized both soldiers and civilian supporters, with foreign funding – most significantly 70m CFA francs ($125,000; £92,000) delivered from the Ivory Coast.
Mali
Tensions between Algeria and Mali continue into the new year. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s recent speech highlighted that Algeria has supported Mali, but there has been no reciprocal action from Bamako. In 2024, Mali withdrew from the 2015 Algiers Accord, a peace agreement once seen as the cornerstone of regional stability.
Iran
Bolder protests are being reported throughout Iran as the government’s attempts to defuse tensions have fallen flat. A huge protest in Abdanan, in the central province of Ilam, has been documented, with thousands taking to the streets.
The Iranian President has directed officials to intensify efforts to secure the country’s water rights from Afghanistan. Iran has not been receiving its share of water under the previous water-sharing treaties, which the Afghan Taliban do not recognize. There have already been border skirmishes in previous years.
Social media wires
Russian media saying that American soldiers are attempting to board the Bella 1
Scenes from Iran
Featured Photo: “Oil tanker deck” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.