The Syrian Army, backed by tanks and armored vehicles, has launched a major operation tonight against Kurdish-controlled neighborhoods in Aleppo, reportedly clearing much of the area of paramilitary forces supported by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Iranian authorities have turned off the internet nationwide as protests escalate against the regime tonight, including in the capital, Tehran.

Reports indicate that the Israeli Air Force carried out a strike earlier against a vehicle near Zaita in southern Lebanon’s Sidon District. The Israel Defense Force said the operation targeted a Hezbollah operative in response to what it described as Hezbollah’s “continued violations of the ceasefire understandings.”

American oil companies are seeking “serious guarantees” from Washington before committing to any new investments in Venezuela, according to people familiar with the discussions, who spoke to the Financial Times. Senior officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright, met with leading energy executives in Miami on Wednesday to discuss their potential role in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro. Wright also held separate meetings with executives from Chevron and ConocoPhillips, conveying President Trump’s message that major U.S. oil companies are expected to invest billions of dollars into rebuilding Venezuela’s struggling energy sector. Executives from top U.S. oil firms — including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips — are also expected to meet with President Trump at the White House on Friday. During the meeting, they plan to press for strong legal and financial assurances before committing capital to future operations in Venezuela. “No one wants to go in there when a random fucking tweet can change the entire foreign policy of the country,” one executive told the Financial Times.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will withdraw from 66 treaties and international organizations that he says “no longer serve American interests.” The decision covers a wide range of international bodies and agreements, including climate, energy, development, governance, and security-related institutions, as well as numerous United Nations agencies and programs. The withdrawals include dozens of international organizations and treaties—such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Renewable Energy Agency, and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance—along with a significant number of UN entities, including UN Women, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Population Fund, UN Conference on Trade and Development, and the UN University, among others. According to the White House, the move reflects a broader effort to reassess U.S. participation in multilateral institutions and redirect resources toward priorities deemed more closely aligned with U.S. national interests.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently spoke with Fox News host Jesse Watters about the military operation in Venezuela. When Watters asked how removing a Venezuelan dictator benefits ordinary Americans, Vance argued that the move would give the United States greater control over Venezuela’s vast natural resources. He said this would strengthen U.S. leverage over adversaries, ensure access to reliable and affordable energy for Americans, and showcase U.S. military strength. According to Vance, demonstrating such power helps deter future challenges and maintain peace by making clear that the United States is prepared to act when necessary.

Venezuela’s state-owned oil and gas firm, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), announced that it is in talks with the United States over crude oil sales, noting that any deal would follow the same framework used with other international partners, including Chevron.

🇺🇸 United States / 🇷🇺 Russia / 🇧🇷 Brazil: President Trump has reportedly given the “green light” to a bill that would authorize the executive branch to impose sanctions of up to 500% on countries that purchase Russian oil, according to a statement released by Senator Lindsey Graham (R). “This bill would give President Trump enormous leverage over countries like China, India, and Brazil, encouraging them to stop buying cheap Russian oil that finances Putin’s massacre against Ukraine,” Graham said. In November 2024, Brazil imported approximately 834,000 cubic meters of diesel, with Russia as the main supplier. By November 2025, purchases of Russian diesel had fallen to around 219,000 cubic meters, indicating a 74% drop.

🚨France 🇫🇷: Reports indicate that Paris residents are joining farmers in protests outside the National Assembly, according to Le Figaro.

Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said an employee lost a government-issued smartphone containing sensitive nuclear security contact information while traveling in China last November. The unrecovered device reportedly held names and details of personnel involved in nuclear oversight, data that is normally kept confidential.