Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, military escalation, protest movements, trade negotiations, and sanctions enforcement reshaped global affairs across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

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US launches major strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria after Palmyra attack

The United States has carried out a large-scale military operation against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria, following a deadly ambush on US forces in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Operation Hawkeye Strike hit more than 70 IS sites across central Syria using fighter jets, helicopters and artillery, with support from the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Over 100 precision munitions were employed.

President Donald Trump said the strikes delivered “very serious retaliation”, while CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper vowed continued action against threats to US personnel. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported multiple IS casualties. IS has not commented, and targets could not be independently verified.

Bangladesh protests intensify after killing of prominent pro-democracy figure Sharif Osman Hadi

Protests continued across Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32-year-old prominent figure in last year’s pro-democracy movement, who died in a Singapore hospital after being shot in Dhaka.

Thousands rallied in Dhaka and other cities, demanding justice and alleging the suspects fled to India, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains in exile following her death sentence in absentia over last year’s crackdown.

Anger spilled into vandalism of media offices, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, condemned by interim leader Muhammad Yunus and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Police launched a manhunt as Bangladesh marks an official day of mourning.

Australia launches major gun buyback after Bondi Beach terroirs attack

Australia’s federal government will launch a national gun buyback scheme following the Bondi attack, with Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, saying it will be the largest weapons collection since Port Arthur. Costs will be shared with states, with surrendered firearms destroyed under Australian Federal Police oversight. Albanese said intelligence advice showed no indication failures could have prevented the attack and called for bipartisan support as licensing rules tighten through national cabinet.

Separately, Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, announced tougher state gun laws, including a four-firearm cap for most recreational shooters and tighter controls on rapid-fire weapons. The reforms accompany a state buyback and aim to close regulatory gaps. Opposition figures, including Sussan Ley, Leader of the Opposition, urged caution, while critics warned against penalising lawful gun owners.

UK to rejoin Erasmus+ in 2027; UK–South Korea secure tariff-free trade

The UK will rejoin Erasmus+ from the 2027–28 academic year, restoring tuition-free study exchanges for up to one year after a six-year absence post-Brexit. Ministers say the UK will pay £570m from 2027, a claimed 30% discount. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for EU Relations, said the deal supports skills and academic mobility, while Priti Patel, Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary, criticised the move as poor value. The agreement currently covers one academic year, with future participation subject to talks.

Separately, the UK and South Korea finalised a new trade agreement ahead of a January 2026 deadline. Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, called it a win for business, with Chris Bryant, Trade Minister, citing protections for £2bn in exports. Yeo Han-koo, South Korean Trade Minister, said the economies are complementary.

EU–Mercosur trade deal delayed as Lula urges progress

Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticised the European Union for delaying the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, saying he hopes it will be signed in January 2026. Speaking at a Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguaçu, Lula said repeated postponements undermine confidence after earlier signals of near completion. Ursula von der Leyen said talks were extended by “a few weeks” to address member-state concerns, with opposition led by Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni.

Thousands of European farmers protested in Brussels during the week amid an EU summit, opposing the deal over fears of unfair competition and tighter regulations. Police used water cannon and tear gas after clashes near the European Parliament. Friedrich Merz and Pedro Sánchez support approval. If concluded, the pact would cover 780 million people and nearly 25% of global GDP.

US escalates oil sanctions enforcement against Venezuela; tankers seized

The United States has intensified pressure on Venezuela, expanding naval operations and enforcement of oil sanctions, following comments by Donald Trump on a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers. Defence analyst Michael Clarke said the measures target sanctions evasion via “dark fleet” tankers and aim to restrict revenues of Nicolás Maduro.

US authorities have seized at least one oil tanker this month, including the Panamanian-flagged Centuries, in operations led by the US Coast Guard. On Saturday (Dec. 20), according to reports citing the US Department of Homeland Security, the US seized a second oil-carrying ship off the country's coast.

Kristi Noem said the actions target illicit oil funding criminal networks. Venezuela has requested a United Nations Security Council meeting, accusing Washington of aggression, while denying US claims linking oil exports to organised crime.

EU backs €90bn Ukraine loan; claims commission launched

EU leaders agreed a €90bn loan for Ukraine, backed by the EU budget, after failing to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets. António Costa, President of the European Council, said the funding will cover Ukraine’s needs over two years. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, welcomed the support but urged assets remain immobilised. Bart De Wever, Prime Minister of Belgium, said the loan preserved EU unity, while Emmanuel Macron, President of France, suggested limited re-engagement with Moscow.

Separately, 35 countries signed a treaty in The Hague establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, coordinated by the Council of Europe, to assess war damage. Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, backed accountability, with reconstruction costs estimated at US$524bn.

Meanwhile Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, addressed domestic policy, foreign relations, and the war in Ukraine during his annual Results of the Year broadcast on 19 December 2025. He rejected responsibility for civilian casualties and said the conflict followed Ukraine’s 2014 change of government and the collapse of the Minsk agreements. Putin accused Western governments of misleading Russia over NATO expansion, denied plans to attack Europe, and said Moscow could consider halting fighting if its long-term security interests were addressed through renewed dialogue.

Central Asia–Japan launch Tokyo framework; Israel approves Leviathan gas export deal to Egypt

Central Asian leaders met Japan PM Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo for the first leaders’-level C5+Japan summit, adopting the Tokyo Declaration to deepen political, economic, and sectoral cooperation. Priorities include transport infrastructure, decarbonisation, and people-to-people exchanges, alongside backing for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. Japan launched the CA+JAD Tokyo Initiative, targeting ¥3tn (€17.9bn) in projects over five years, and a Japan–Central Asia AI Cooperation Partnership.

Separately, Benjamin Netanyahu approved an export licence enabling up to US$35bn in natural gas sales to Egypt from the Leviathan gas field. Eli Cohen said revised terms improve domestic pricing, while exports to Egypt are expected to nearly triple.

India signs Oman trade pact; Modi deepens strategic ties with Ethiopia

India has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Oman, reinforcing its free trade strategy amid global trade uncertainty. The deal was signed in Muscat in the presence of Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. It grants zero-duty access on 98% of Omani tariff lines, with India liberalising 77.8%. Rajesh Agarwal, Trade Secretary of India, said progress on talks with the EU and others remains positive despite US tariff pressure.

Separately, Modi called for a deeper strategic partnership with Ethiopia during his first official visit. Alongside Abiy Ahmed, he announced cooperation on education, counterterrorism and UN peacekeeping, plus support for debt restructuring under the G20 framework. Ethiopia, a BRICS member, awarded Modi its highest civilian honour.

UK–US tech deal paused; Washington approves major Taiwan arms sale

The United States has paused implementation of a proposed US$40bn UK–US Tech Prosperity Deal, citing concerns over UK digital regulation and food standards, according to British officials. The agreement, reached during Donald Trump, President of the United States,’s state visit in September, covers artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy. A spokesperson for Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said talks were ongoing, while Peter Kyle, Trade Secretary, raised implementation concerns during recent US meetings. Both sides agreed to resume negotiations in January 2026.

Separately, Washington approved an US$11.1bn arms sale to Taiwan, its largest to date. The package includes HIMARS, drones, and Javelin missiles, as Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan, accelerates defence spending. China warned the move breaches the one-China principle, with Xi Jinping, President of China, viewing Taiwan as a core red line.

Singapore–China deepen economic ties; US–Paraguay formalise defence cooperation

Singapore and China signed 27 cooperation agreements at the annual Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Chongqing, co-chaired by Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, and Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of China. The deals span financial connectivity, green and digital development, education, aviation, logistics, and trade facilitation, marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025. Both sides reaffirmed support for the China–Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, with Singapore investment in Chongqing reaching US$12.7bn and DBS appointed as Singapore’s second RMB clearing bank.

Separately, Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Paraguayan Foreign Minister, establishing a legal framework for US defence personnel. The agreement supports joint training, humanitarian assistance, and regional security cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.

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