- The Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White resigns. [Link]
- A Mexican mayor was murdered just after being sworn into office. [Link]
- US citizen Paul Whelan has been arrested in Russia and accused of spying. Whelan is a former Marine. Mike Pompeo has called for Russia to explain the arrest. [Link]
- In Kim Jong-un’s New Year’s speech he says he is ready for a second meeting with Trump. Kim also calls for the US to ease sanctions. [Link]
- An IS affiliate group in the Philippines is accused of carrying out a suicide bombing that killed two. [Link]
- Taliban attacks in northern Afghanistan killed 27 Afghan security forces. [Link]
- Reports say Trump slows the planned withdraw of US troops from Syria. US troops will withdraw over about four months. [Link] However, Trump denies that he set a timetable for the troop withdrawal. [Link] CNN reports an unnamed Pentagon official saying the withdraw plan is to leave in 120 days for logistics and a safe exit. [Link]Â
- Trump says Iran ‘can do what they want in Syria.’ [Link] Â
- Fighting between Syrian rebels kills 19. [Link]
- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that 20,000 people were killed in Syria in 2018. 6,500 civilians were among the dead. [Link]
- Iraqi officials are upset about Trump’s visit to Iraq. Trump did not land at an Iraqi airport or meet with Iraqi officials. [Link]
- Margret Griffis reports at least 7,201 people – including 1,905 civilians – were killed in Iraq in 2018. [Link]
