US, UK strike Houthi sites in Yemen amid surge in Red Sea attacks by the rebels – POLITICO

Earlier this week, the spokesperson for the Houthis said the militants shot down a U.S. drone and damaged a Belize-flagged, British cargo ship in their latest assaults against commercial vessels. “The ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt,” Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sare’e said on social media. “As a result of the extensive damage …

Read more

New Houthi attack risks ‘environmental disaster,’ US says – POLITICO

While the crew of 24 has been safely evacuated, the cargo of fertilizer “could spill into the Red Sea and worsen this environmental disaster,” it said. The attack has heightened concerns for the Red Sea’s unique coral reefs, which scientists have found to be so far resilient to climate change but at risk from other threats. …

Read more

Japanese firm ends pact with Israeli mil. company after ICJ ruling

A defense firm in Japan halted its strategic cooperation agreement with an Israeli military tech company following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling last month, urging the country to prevent genocide in Gaza. “We have currently suspended any new activities related to the memorandum of understanding and plan to terminate the memorandum by the …

Read more

‘Whatever America decides,’ Europe must back Ukraine – POLITICO

Macron’s comments come as European nations grapple with the looming consequences of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, with the NATO-skeptic ex-president on track to win the Republican nomination. In the U.S., further military aid for Ukraine is also stalled in Congress, with Republican lawmakers reluctant to continue funding Kyiv. Ukraine has been …

Read more

Will Putin attack NATO? No chance, says Lithuanian general – POLITICO

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis seems more alert to the possibility of a Russian attack. “Yes, we’re convinced that a real war is a likely possibility,” he said in Brussels on Wednesday before a meeting with EU counterparts.  “When we have to discuss military advice with those who are not really qualified to give military advice, there is …

Read more

Trump’s ghost stalks Davos – POLITICO

DAVOS, Switzerland — World leaders gathered together in the Swiss Alps this week are nervous that Donald Trump will be even more anti-global if he returns as United States president. And they have good reason to be wary. If polls prove correct, the front-runner for the Republican nomination is set to be crowned winner of the …

Read more

EU makes muddled response to crisis in the Red Sea – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. While the U.S. and U.K. carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday — in a bid to deter attacks on ships in the Red Sea — it remains to be seen whether there will be a meaningful EU involvement in the growing conflict. So …

Read more

Netanyahu’s coalition bickers over Gaza – POLITICO

Jamie Dettmer is opinion editor at POLITICO Europe. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s brittle governing coalition isn’t anywhere near resolving its internal splits over how the Gaza Strip should be governed once Hamas has been crushed, and the situation is testing the patience of the country’s Western allies — including an increasingly exasperated United States. …

Read more