World
Departures from this desk, newest publication first.
- 025World
Syrian government offensive in northeastern Syria followed by a declared ceasefire framework
Fighting in northeastern Syria escalated in mid-January as Syrian government forces advanced against Kurdish-led forces, followed by a publicly announced ceasefire framework and plans for changes to control of key areas and facilities.
- 026World
U.S. envoys press Israel to move into Gaza ceasefire’s next phase as talks focus on Rafah
Senior U.S. envoys met Israel’s prime minister to push for progress into the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire, amid debate over hostages, reopening Rafah, monitoring, and troop withdrawals.
- 027World
World Economic Forum 2026 ends in Davos amid heightened U.S.-allies tensions
Leaders and executives gathered in Davos from January 19–23, 2026, for the World Economic Forum as geopolitical strains and questions about global cooperation dominated the agenda.
- 028World
Russia hits Kyiv and Kharkiv as peace talks continue, leaving casualties and widespread power losses
A large drone-and-missile strike struck Ukraine’s biggest cities while U.S.-led peace talks continued abroad, with Ukrainian officials saying the attack was meant to derail diplomacy as energy infrastructure and civilian sites were damaged.
- 029World
Iran internet blackout deepens as authorities seek to curb protest communications
Iran’s near-total internet shutdown has persisted into late January, with monitors reporting broad disruptions that limit information flows from inside the country as unrest continues and the government intensifies efforts to restrict online access.
- 030World
Russia hits Kyiv and Kharkiv as U.S.-led peace talks continue in Abu Dhabi
Ukraine says Russia launched another large drone-and-missile assault on Kyiv and Kharkiv while negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States continued talks in the UAE. The strikes worsened winter outages and renewed debate over whether Moscow is negotiating in good faith.
- 031World
Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. hold Abu Dhabi peace talks at a pivotal moment in the war
Envoys from Ukraine and Russia met in Abu Dhabi with U.S. participation in what AP described as the first known instance of Trump administration officials sitting down with both countries in the same talks. The discussions come as territorial issues and security guarantees remain major sticking points.
- 032World
Davos 2026 closes amid heightened tensions, with leaders pushing competing visions for growth, security, and rules-based order
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 annual meeting in Davos ended after a week of speeches and negotiations held against a backdrop of strained relations between the United States and some of its traditional partners. The forum’s agenda emphasized cooperation in a more contested world, investment in people, and scaling innovation responsibly—while participants debated how to do that amid geopolitical friction.
- 033World
U.S. operation in Venezuela captures Nicolás Maduro, raising questions about legality and regional fallout
A dramatic U.S. operation in Venezuela reportedly captured President Nicolás Maduro and transported him to the United States, triggering competing claims over legitimacy, casualties, and the future of Venezuelan governance.
- 034World
Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. begin trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi as war drags on
Ukraine, Russia and the United States have opened a rare round of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, in what is being described as the first such meeting since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The discussions are expected to focus on contentious territorial demands and the broader shape of any potential path toward de-escalation.
- 035World
Davos 2026 closes after four days of economic debate amid intensifying geopolitical strains
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 annual meeting wrapped up in Davos after days of speeches and closed-door sessions focused on growth, innovation, and security. The forum unfolded against a backdrop of heightened U.S.-allied tensions and competing visions for global cooperation.
- 036World
Russia holds to hard-line demands as new round of Ukraine peace diplomacy approaches
As the war nears its fourth year, diplomatic efforts around the Davos meetings and planned talks in the UAE face a central obstacle: Moscow continues to insist that any settlement must meet Russia’s terms, even as Ukraine and allies push for security guarantees and territorial integrity.