President Donald J. Trump told the New York Post that a previously undisclosed weapon, which he referred to as “The Discombobulator,” played a critical role in last month’s raid on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. In an exclusive Oval Office interview, Trump said the weapon caused enemy equipment to malfunction, but added that he was not permitted to discuss further details.

According to the Hebrew-language daily Israel Hayom, there is a significant divide within the Trump administration and among U.S. allies in the Middle East over a potential strike against Iran. Those reportedly in favor of military action include: • Vice President JD Vance • Secretary of State Marco Rubio • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth • The United Kingdom • Israel • The United Arab Emirates Those said to oppose such strikes include: • Special Envoy Jared Kushner • Special Envoy Steve Witkoff • Turkey • Saudi Arabia • Qatar

Under the U.S. Department of Defense’s 2026 National Defense Strategy, Russia is described as a persistent but manageable threat to NATO’s eastern flank for the foreseeable future. The strategy states that the Pentagon will ensure U.S. forces remain prepared to defend the U.S. homeland from Russian threats, while continuing to play a vital—though recalibrated—role within NATO. The document argues that Russia is not capable of pursuing European hegemony, noting that European NATO members vastly exceed Moscow in economic strength, population, and potential military power. While the United States will remain engaged in Europe, the strategy emphasizes prioritizing homeland defense and deterring China. It highlights that NATO allies, particularly under President Trump’s leadership, have committed to increasing defense spending to a new benchmark of 5% of GDP, including 3.5% for core military capabilities. As a result, European allies are expected to assume primary responsibility for conventional defense in Europe, including leading support for Ukraine, with the United States providing more limited but critical support.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned remarks made this week by President Donald J. Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, calling them “appalling.” Trump said that NATO forces had stayed “a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan, adding, “We’ve never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them,” despite the United States being the only NATO member to invoke Article 5 following the September 11 attacks. Responding in an interview on Thursday, Starmer paid tribute to the 457 members of the British armed forces who were killed in Afghanistan, as well as those who were wounded. “I will never forget their courage, their bravery, and the sacrifice they made for their country,” he said. Starmer described Trump’s comments as “insulting and frankly appalling,” adding that he was not surprised they had caused deep hurt to the families of those killed or injured, and to the wider public. “If I had misspoken in that way or used those words,” Starmer said, “I would certainly apologize.”

Security camera footage from Tehran appears to show members of the Basij Force, a paramilitary volunteer militia affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with other plainclothes operatives, assaulting a woman during the recent crackdown on anti-regime protests in the Iranian capital.

Another Russian shadow fleet tanker has run into trouble. The sanctioned Progress, carrying about 730,000 barrels of Urals crude, is drifting “not under command” off the coast of Algeria following an apparent mechanical failure, according to Bloomberg.

When asked whether he would name one of his dogs Lula, Argentine President Javier Milei responded that he would never give his dogs a left-wing name, adding that he loves them too much to insult them. He said his relationship with them is an adult one and not an ideological or symbolic battle.

French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the de facto leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), warned about the stakes of global power competition, saying that China has already won the manufacturing battle and that industrial strength translates directly into real power. He cautioned against allowing the conflict to escalate, stressing that no one would survive a nuclear war.

Speaking about NATO, President Trump questioned whether the alliance would come to the United States’ aid if needed, calling that the “ultimate test.” He said the U.S. has never had to rely on NATO, acknowledged that allies did contribute troops in Afghanistan, but added that they were largely kept away from front-line combat.

The ECB president said that Europe has faced significant criticism in recent days, but argued that it has served as a wake-up call, helping reinforce the need for greater focus and cohesion.

Pfizer’s CEO said advances in artificial intelligence and technology will enable the development of medicines previously unimaginable, adding that the key question is who will deliver that innovation. He noted that while the United States currently leads, China could surpass it within one or two years.

Speaking about Gaza, President Trump framed the issue in real estate terms, saying that “everything begins with location.” He described Gaza as a “beautiful piece of property by the sea” with significant potential, arguing that redevelopment could dramatically improve living conditions and turn it into “something incredible” where people would live far better than they do now.

Belgian PM Bart De Wever on Russian frozen assets: "Every penny of that money will be used for the repayment and the reconstruction of Ukraine. I would be very sad to see one euro return to Moscow. But we have to respect international law."

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said that Europe is not at war with Russia and warned that confiscating frozen Russian assets would amount to an act of war.

The Telegraph reports that under a proposed deal discussed in Davos, the United States would designate parts of Greenland as “sovereign base areas,” placing U.S. military installations under American control and allowing them to operate as U.S. territory without requiring approval from Denmark.

Newly released infrared footage dated January 14, filmed by videographer and explorer Anders Otteson of the YouTube channel Uncanny Expeditions, appears to show an unidentified triangular-shaped aircraft flying over Area 51 and the Nevada Test and Training Range.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to host a signing ceremony for his proposed Board of Peace on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, according to ABC News.

In a post in Persian, the U.S. State Department said, “The United States destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability, and Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’ was one of the most successful operations ever conducted.”

Israel’s defense establishment has raised its alert level in recent days amid concerns that President Donald J. Trump may have decided to carry out strikes against Iran, possibly within days. Security officials told Haaretz that the possibility of an imminent attack is being taken seriously, prompting preparations across both the home front and military forces for a range of scenarios. Senior military officials said they view Trump’s decision-making as unpredictable, noting that even if he chooses to authorize an attack, he could still reverse course at the last moment. They added that coordination with U.S. counterparts remains close and that Israeli officials do not rule out a scenario in which the Israeli Air Force would strike targets in Iran in response to missile fire directed at Israel.

When asked whether Denmark had weighed in on what it wants, President Trump replied that he assumes it has, adding that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte represents them and has likely been in contact with all parties involved.