Week In Review (WIRE) News 1.26.2026

Edited by Mary Wahn, Grey Cohen, John Gooden, Emma Grace Jarvis, Ethan Joyce, Bianca Orfila-Molinet, and Meera Srinivasan

Asia and the Pacific

Written by Jesse Vu

Japanese and Filipino Foreign Ministers Sign New Security Pacts

On a recent tour of Asia and the Middle East, which included stops in Israel and the Palestinian territory, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with his Filipino counterpart, Theresa Larazo, to sign two important security pacts. This event occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Eastern Sea, as Japan attempted to enhance its strategic and diplomatic engagement in the region. These security pacts include clauses that would permit tax-free supply of ammunition, fuel, food, and other resources necessary for when the two countries engage in joint training forces. At the same time, the two foreign ministers also announced the “Official Security Assistance” deal that would provide funding of up to $6 million toward building facilities that can be used to shelter boats donated by Japan.

Ever since the 2016 ruling of the International Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague, which rejected China’s territorial claim of the South China Sea, Japan has “supported the Philippines and other countries in the region as they claim these bodies of water as their own territory.” In fact, Japan unequivocally and vocally supports the current status quo and, along with the U.S, has backed the Philippines naval security with a trilateral diplomatic framework that reinforces the existing alliances in the region. As a result, these security pacts are seen as a tool of deterrence toward China’s illegal claims of territory and their efforts to alter the current status quo, essentially signaling that Japan and allies are prepared to defend freedom of navigation and international law in the region. 

Notably, this security pact matured at a tense time in the region as Japan’s Prime Minister previously stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would trigger a military response from Japan. Given the proximity of Taiwan to Japan, a distance of less than 60 miles, tensions between the two countries have reached an uncomfortable height over the past few months and gained much attention from the international community.

Central America and the Caribbean

Written by Gabriella Ramirez

Responses to Gang Violence Vary in the Caribbean and Central America

The U.S. Embassy in Haiti is making an effort to maintain a level of security and stability while violence and poverty are intensifying. In a statement posted on X, the Embassy warned it would consider action against Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council if it compromised the island’s national security. Simultaneously, the U.N. declared that Haiti has entered a critical phase in its process of restoring democracy as gangs increasingly seize control of more territory. Meanwhile, a U.N.-backed mission has been given the power to arrest suspected gang members as Haiti’s government employs drone strikes to target suspected gang members, killing civilians in the process. 

The United States is also attempting to quell gang activity in Costa Rica by imposing sanctions on five individuals and five entities for allegedly helping to transport cocaine from Colombia to the U.S. and Europe. Among those sanctioned is Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba, one of the most prolific international drug dealers in the Caribbean, his brother, wife, mother-in-law, and many family-operated businesses. These sanctions deny them access to any property or financial assets held in the U.S. and prevent U.S. companies and citizens from doing business with them. 

In Guatemala, days after suspected gang members killed 10 police officers, new powers were granted to police and soldiers under a state of emergency. The 30-day state of emergency is focused on a head-on confrontation with the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha criminal structures. It restricts some rights of movement and assembly, while allowing police to detain people on suspicion of gang activity without a judge’s arrest order. In the first 48 hours, around 293 people were detained. President Arévalo’s decision to utilize this tool may be inspired by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has faced criticism for violating due process and human rights. 

Gang violence in the region has continued to escalate as trafficking routes develop and criminal organizations take advantage of weak democratic systems. Specifically, gang violence in Haiti has caused a plethora of crises, including the killing of 16,000 and the displacement of 1.5 million. The United States is currently playing a major role in promoting democratic transition and ending violence on the island. Meanwhile, U.S. intervention in Costa Rica is attributed to the belief that drug trafficking in Central America is responsible for American addictions and deaths, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In Guatemala, gang violence serves to greatly undermine officials and cause infighting in the administration, leading the nation to mimic Bukele’s iron-fisted approach in an alarming swing that the rest of Latin America is also following. 

Europe

Written by Ethan Joyce

NATO Agrees to Enhance Arctic Security Following Discourse with U.S. President Trump

On January 17th, President Donald Trump vowed to follow through on a threat to tariff European nations that were in opposition to the United States’ acquisition of Greenland. European allies of Denmark, sensitive to concerns over state sovereignty, emphasized that force was not a mechanism by which the United States could come to own Danish territory. 

A few days later, during a debate in the European Parliament, the European Union’s Foreign Affairs and Security Policy representative, Kaja Kallas, reiterated this position, emphasizing that the European Union would not acquiesce to the transfer of Greenland. Kallas underscored the incongruity of the situation: the notion of ownership over Greenland being advanced by the European Union’s “closest allies” is a framing incompatible with the European Union’s normative politics. Similarly, Kallas questioned why such an action by the U.S. President was immediately necessary, highlighting that neither Russia nor China had recently threatened the territorial integrity of Greenland.

As of January 21st, it was reported that NATO Chief Mark Rutte and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen agreed to enhance Arctic security, as Trump reversed his initial position on the tariffs. The details of the agreement between the United States and its NATO allies remain publicly undisclosed, prompting speculation about whether the United States secured partial ownership of Greenland or rights to its mineral resources. Regardless, insisting on the largest land grab in United States history and then reversing that stance without a detailed explanation has made one thing abundantly clear: that the United States is more willing to use coercive measures than before in security discourse with allies.

Moving forward, the sell-off of U.S. bonds will be important to monitor, especially as Swedish and Danish pension funds continue to dump them. European nations hold about 10 trillion dollars in U.S. equities and bonds, which are the foundation of the modern global monetary system. Upsetting this order could be catastrophic for financial markets. Beneficial trade relations with European nations, and even North American allies like Canada, appear increasingly tenuous, too.

Middle East and North Africa

Written by Ansley Hovater

From Civil War to Ceasefire: The Recent Progression of the Conflict in Syria

On Sunday, January 18, Syria’s government reached a four-day ceasefire deal with the Kurdish-led militia alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The deal came after Syrian President al-Sharaa announced a halt to the military’s lightning offensive that reclaimed control of swaths of northern Syria and pushed the SDF into the Kurdish villages.

The SDF, led by the Kurdish minority group in northeastern Syria, aimed to create a decentralized democratic government in Syria and eliminate the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Under Bashar al-Assad, Syria failed to recognize the Kurdish language and culture. However, the Syrian government now attempts to unite Syria under one powerful, central government, promising the Kurds Syrian citizenship, protection, and participation in politics. Al-Sharaa gave the SDF four days to come up with a plan for their integration into the Syrian military.

On Monday, violence erupted in the northeastern region, leading to the withdrawal of the SDF from many northeastern regions and a growing panic concerning the ISIS prisoners held in Kurdish camps. While initial reports suggest that only 120 prisoners escaped, that evening, the SDF announced that over 1,200 ISIS supporters fled from al-Hol, a camp that the SDF claimed the Syrian government impelled them to withdraw from.

The conflict caused international turmoil to arise–the European Union now questions whether the Syrian government acted humanely. Previously, the SDF was one of the United States’ primary allies in battling ISIS, and the United States now begins to help move ISIS supporters to more fortified locations and extends the ceasefire 15 additional days. The SDF, however, faces opposition in Turkiye and other neighboring countries due to the alleged support of outside terrorist groups, and regional actors begin to question the legitimacy of the Kurdish organization.

North America

Written by Justin Cohen

U.S. President Donald Trump Rescinds Canada Board of Peace Invitation Amid Davos Tensions

On Thursday night, United States President Donald Trump withdrew Canada’s Board of Peace invitation through a Truth Social post from his personal account. In the post, President Trump wrote, “the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated last week that Canada intended to join the Board, although there was contention over whether the country would pay the $1 billion fee required to secure a permanent seat.

While President Trump did not provide a specific rationale for the change, the rescission appears to be connected to Prime Minister Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during which he advocated unity among ‘middle powers’ to counter the economic influence of more powerful states. Prime Minister Carney did not directly name the United States in the address, but President Trump responded to the speech, saying “Canada lives because of the United States” and that Prime Minister Carney should “[r]emember that…the next time you make your statements.”

The Board of Peace is a new effort championed by President Trump that, while initially designed to help steer the peace process in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, now appears aimed at a longer-term, more global role. The draft charter for the Board characterizes the group as an “international organization" promoting peace and stability “in areas affected or threatened by conflict.” Traditional American allies, such as the United Kingdom and France, have been reluctant to join the organization, with many citing concerns about the possible inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

South America

Written by Trinity De Lima 

Mercosur and the European Union Sign a Monumental Free Trade Agreement

South American trading bloc Mercosur and the European Union marked another milestone in finalizing a monumental free trade agreement, after a majority of EU member states voted to back the accord. The accord has faced many hurdles since talks began more than 25 years ago, including a long history of unsuccessful negotiations in Paraguay's capital, Asuncion. The agreement includes the gradual elimination of over 90% of tariffs on a variety of goods, such as cars from Germany and meats from Argentina. Mercosur offers a removal of duties on agriculture. As a result, both blocs have increased quotas for agricultural products such as cheeses and meats to larger quantities, ranging from 30,000 to 99,000 metric tons.

Negotiations stalled for years, due in part to environmental preservation conditions that the EU wanted met beforehand, such as a commitment to prevent further deforestation after 2030. European farmers protested the deal, claiming that cheap meat imports from South America would not meet the EU's food safety standards and demanding safeguards.

A majority of EU members (representing 65% of the EU population) supported the accord alongside strengthening import controls on animal and plant products through increased audits and checks. The next EU budget also establishes a euro crisis fund of 6.3 billion euros to ease the concerns of EU farmers over cheap imports, and the EU Commission has decided to cut import duties for specific fertilizers. Following a European Parliament vote to refer the trade agreement to the EU Court of Justice and, in effect, delay ratification, the agreement now requires a judicial verdict before finalization. If implemented, the trade deal would be monumental, especially in the context of rising protectionism from countries such as the United States, India, and Brazil. Mercosur would also enable trade diversification as the United States and China continue to exercise influence in the region. 

Sub-Saharan Africa

Written by Alex Whirley

Potential Secret Prisoner Release Spurs Controversy in Nigeria

On January 9th, 2026, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that the Katsina State government initiated secret steps to secure the release of 70 suspected terrorists currently facing criminal trials in Nigeria. In a “SECRET” classified letter, the Katsina State Ministry of Justice requested that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee facilitate the release of the detained suspects. The proposed release of the prisoners is aimed at sustaining ongoing peace agreements with armed groups operating in the state. The broader peace deal, which covers at least 15 local government areas, has already resulted in the release of about 1,000 civilians abducted during bandit attacks.

Surface-level analysis reveals that this development appears to be little more than a simple disagreement over how to bring peace to Katsina, as the state continues to wrestle with the consequences of extremist violence. Some have claimed that banditry in northern Nigeria is a function of systemic marginalization, poverty, and historical grievances and therefore not susceptible to a military solution. However, there is little evidence that previous attempts to negotiate with the northern bandits yielded successful long-term outcomes. The security crisis does not seem to be improving either; between early 2023 and mid-2025, bandit groups have killed over 10,200 civilians, and by some estimates, approximately 30,000 bandits operate in northwestern Nigeria.

There is no doubt about poverty in the northern region. And, according to Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 65 percent of the country’s poor and less-educated reside in this region. In addition to these bandits, there are Islamic terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ethnic separatist movements like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that are heightening instability in the region through similar tactics of “banditry.” The risks of spillover harming neighboring states remain high. Regional actors like Niger and Chad have called for greater action by the Nigerian government to combat this issue, but the future of government-bandit relations remains unclear.