US to end role as “global policeman”; UAE reopens embassy in Syria after 7 years

Speaking to US troops stationed in Iraq, Trump defended his "America First" policy and plans to withdraw from multinational alliances, including long-running wars in the Middle East. "Other countries can no longer expect the United States to fight their battles unless they are willing to pay for it. The United States cannot continue to be the world's policeman," President Donald Trump told troops during a surprise visit to Iraq on December 26, according toAFP.

The US president said that the US military is present in countries "most people don't know the names of", calling this "ridiculous" and asserting that these countries will now "have to pay" to ensure security costs.

Russia to deploy US weapons that "cannot defend"

Image of Avangard missile launch - Photo taken from clip of Russian Ministry of Defense

Speaking after observing the successful test of the Avangard missile on December 26, Russian President Putin confirmed the plan to officially deploy the Avangard missile system. "This test, which was just completed, has ended completely successfully. From next year, 2019, the Russian armed forces will be equipped with the Avangard intercontinental strategic ballistic missile system... This is a major event in the life of the armed forces and the whole country. Russia has possessed a new type of strategic weapon," Mr. Putin said.

Avangard, also known as "Objekt 4202," is a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle that combines a missile warhead and an unmanned glide vehicle. This gives missile systems like Avangard a significant improvement in their ability to operate and maintain at top speed, the National Interest explains.

"Yellow Vests" plan New Year's Eve protests in France

"Yellow Vest" protesters gathered in Paris, France on December 16, 2018. Photo: THX/TTXVN

Although the number of protesters has dwindled, some "Yellow Vest" protesters have called online for a New Year's Eve demonstration on the Champs-Elysees. On Facebook, about 7,400 people have signed up to participate in the protest. However, Paris officials have announced that the festivities will continue as planned, including fireworks and a sound and light show on the Champs-Elysees.

Paris officials said on December 27 that New Year's Eve celebrations on the Champs-Elysees in Paris will go ahead as planned, despite plans for "Yellow Vest" protests in the famous area. According to tradition, tens of thousands of tourists and locals will welcome the New Year on the wide avenue.

United Arab Emirates reopens embassy in Syria after 7 years

Workers repair the exterior of the UAE embassy building in Damascus earlier this week. Photo:almasdarnews.

An official from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) information ministry on December 27 invited journalists to cover the reopening of the embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus.AFPThe UAE severed diplomatic ties with Syria in February 2012 as nationwide protests demanding regime change escalated into a brutal war.

The UAE does not yet have an ambassador to Syria, but two diplomats attended the ceremony today. Al-Watan, a daily newspaper close to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also reported the decision.

German army considers recruiting personnel from EU member countries

German soldiers. Source: rt.com

On December 27, Chief of Staff of the German Army, General Eberhard Zorn, said he was considering a proposal to recruit personnel in European Union (EU) member countries, focusing on recruiting information technology experts and medical doctors.

General Eberhard Zorn said that although the proposal is controversial, it is worth considering. According to him, as the German armed forces and other recruiting agencies are facing a shortage of skilled professionals on the labor market, the German military needs to consider and consider all possibilities.

DR Congo: Soldiers fired into the air to disperse protesters

Protesters march in Beni in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Source: AFP/Getty

Soldiers and police in the city of Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo, fired into the air to disperse crowds of protesters who blocked roads and burned tires to protest the decision to postpone the presidential election here, scheduled for December 30.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral commission (CENI) announced on December 27 that it had postponed voting in Beni, surrounding areas and the nearby city of Butembo due to the Ebola outbreak. Local politicians have accused the postponement of the vote as an attempt to sway the election in favor of presidential candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

The White House is about to issue an executive order banning US companies from buying Huawei equipment.

Illustration photo. Source: Bloomberg

Reuters cited three sources familiar with the matter as saying that US President Donald Trump is considering issuing an executive order in early 2019, declaring a national emergency to ban US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by two Chinese telecommunications technology companies, Huawei and ZTE.

If confirmed, this would be the latest move by the Trump administration to push Huawei and ZTE out of the US market. The US government has repeatedly accused the two companies of conducting shady business at the behest of the Chinese government and that their equipment could be used for espionage purposes.