Iran Flirts With Chemical and Bio Warheads as Netanyahu Meets Trump. 

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is quietly probing one of the most dangerous escalation paths yet: the possible integration of chemical and biological payloads into its long-range ballistic missile program, according to a report by Iran International citing military sources.

The report claims the IRGC has intensified internal inquiries in recent months, driven by rising regional tensions and Tehran’s fear of another direct clash with Israel and the United States. Missile launchers have reportedly been shifted toward eastern Iran, a move analysts read as part of broader strategic dispersal.

Israeli and Western sources caution that Iran is not yet producing chemical or biological warheads. Still, even exploratory steps are raising alarms. These early-stage inquiries suggest Tehran is testing options beyond nuclear escalation—especially after suffering setbacks to its nuclear program earlier this year.

The timing is telling. The revelations surfaced just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets U.S. President Donald Trump, where Israel is pushing Washington to refocus on Iran’s ballistic missile threat, not just its nuclear ambitions. Chemical and biological weapons—cheaper, easier to obtain, and politically explosive—could be Tehran’s way of forcing that conversation.

History adds weight to the concern. Syria, far weaker than Iran, once stockpiled and used chemical weapons during its civil war. Iraq threatened chemical Scud attacks on Israel during the 1991 Gulf War. For years, Israel distributed gas masks to its population in anticipation of such scenarios.

Yet deterrence still matters. None of Israel’s enemies have used chemical or biological weapons against it—largely due to fear of devastating retaliation. Israeli sources believe Iran understands that crossing this line could trigger a response far more destructive than any tactical gain.

Strategically, the calculus is murky. Analysts note Iran could cause more damage by firing hundreds of conventional ballistic missiles than by attempting to deploy chemical or biological payloads, which are unreliable and difficult to control.

Still, the signal is clear: Iran is searching for new pressure points. Even without concrete deployment, the mere exploration of chemical and biological options marks a dangerous shift—one aimed less at battlefield advantage and more at reshaping deterrence, diplomacy, and Washington’s attention.

The message heading into Netanyahu’s talks with Trump is unmistakable: Iran’s threat spectrum is widening, and missiles—not just nukes—are back at the center of the strategic equation.

Taiwan has openly welcomed Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state, standing apart from the United States, the European Union, and much of Europe, which continue to back Somalia’s territorial claims.

In a statement issued Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Taiwan, Israel, and Somaliland as “like-minded democratic partners” united by shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Taipei said Israel’s move would pave the way for deeper three-way cooperation across multiple sectors.

Taiwan’s support reflects its steadily growing relationship with Somaliland, which has operated as a de facto independent state since 1991 despite Somalia’s objections. In 2020, Taiwan opened a representative office in Hargeisa, with Somaliland reciprocating by establishing an office in Taipei—a move that drew sharp criticism from Beijing but marked a diplomatic milestone for both sides.

Since then, Taiwan and Somaliland have expanded cooperation in medicine, education, agriculture, telecommunications, security, and energy development. Most recently, the two signed an agreement in July to strengthen coast guard cooperation, jointly safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors.

Israel’s recognition last week made it the first UN member state to formally recognize Somaliland’s sovereignty, triggering protests from Somalia, Egypt, and Turkey, all of which warned that recognizing Somaliland threatens international stability.

US President Donald Trump said he does not intend to immediately follow Israel’s lead, while the European Union reiterated its support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Taiwan’s endorsement, however, sends a different signal: that democratic alignment and strategic cooperation can outweigh diplomatic pressure. As the list of supporters grows, Somaliland’s once-isolated bid for recognition is rapidly turning into a geopolitical test case—one that Taiwan, Israel, and Hargeisa are now advancing together.

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have quietly signed a trilateral military cooperation work plan for 2026, deepening a strategic alliance aimed at boosting regional security and deterring Turkish military activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed last week in Nicosia, though revealed publicly only on Sunday by the Israeli military. The Israeli delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Amit Adler, head of the IDF’s International Cooperation Division, alongside senior Greek and Cypriot counterparts.

Under the plan, the three countries will expand joint military exercises, training programs, strategic dialogue, and specialized working groups across land, air, and maritime domains. Israeli officials said the agreement strengthens stability and security in a region marked by rising tensions.

At the center of discussions is a proposed rapid-response force of around 2,500 troops—approximately 1,000 soldiers each from Israel and Greece, and 500 from Cyprus. The force would not be permanent but could be deployed swiftly during crises on land, at sea, or in the air, according to Greek media reports.

Security sources say the initiative is explicitly designed to deter Turkey’s growing military footprint and assertive posture in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Israel Air Force, Navy, and interservice coordination units are heavily involved in planning the framework.

The agreement follows a high-level summit last week in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, underscoring the political weight behind the expanding trilateral alliance.

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are formalizing a security bloc prepared to act—fast—if regional tensions escalate.

UN Security Council in Emergency Session After Israel Recognizes Somaliland.

The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting in New York on Monday following Israel’s formal recognition of Somaliland, a move that has triggered sharp diplomatic backlash from Somalia.

The session was requested by Mogadishu, which has long opposed any international recognition of Somaliland and has repeatedly lobbied global institutions to block such moves. Israel’s decision on Friday made it the first UN member state to officially recognize Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state since it reclaimed independence in 1991.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recognition was made “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords” and at the initiative of US President Donald Trump, framing it as part of a broader realignment linking Middle Eastern and Red Sea security interests.

While Trump later told the New York Post that the United States would not immediately follow Israel’s recognition, Netanyahu reportedly informed Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) that he is scheduled to meet Trump this week—raising expectations in Hargeisa that Washington’s position may soon evolve.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, dismissed Somalia’s push as an attempt to undermine a sovereign decision. “Israel will act responsibly and with discretion, while not shying away from political discussions that seek to challenge sovereign decisions,” Danon said, adding that Israel will continue working with partners that support regional stability.

For Somaliland, the UNSC session is both a challenge and a signal. Hargeisa views Israel’s recognition as the opening of the diplomatic floodgates, hoping it will encourage other nations to follow and finally break its decades-long isolation.

As the Security Council prepares to debate the issue, the message from Hargeisa is that the question is no longer whether Somaliland exists, but how long the international system can continue to deny a political reality now openly acknowledged by a UN member state.

Italian authorities have arrested nine people accused of secretly financing Hamas through charity organizations operating inside Italy, in a major counterterrorism operation led by anti-mafia and anti-terror units.

Prosecutors in Genoa said the suspects allegedly diverted nearly €7 million over the past two years to Hamas-linked entities, money raised under the cover of humanitarian aid. Assets worth more than €8 million were seized during the raids.

The investigation began after authorities flagged suspicious financial transactions and quickly expanded across borders, with cooperation from the Netherlands and other EU states under the coordination of Eurojust, the EU’s judicial agency. Prosecutors said the suspects are accused of “belonging to and having financed” Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the European Union.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the operation, calling it “complex and highly significant,” and said it exposed how “so-called charity organizations” were being used to funnel money to extremist groups.

The arrests come amid heightened political tensions in Italy, where Meloni’s strong support for Israel during the Gaza war has sparked repeated mass protests. The Israeli government did not immediately comment on the operation.

The case underscores growing European concern that militant groups are exploiting humanitarian fundraising networks to finance terrorism, even as the war in Gaza continues to polarize public opinion across the continent.

UK Tightens Migration Policy, Imposes Visa Curbs on DRC and Secures Return Deals with Angola and Namibia.

The United Kingdom has sharply escalated its migration crackdown, imposing visa restrictions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while announcing new migrant return agreements with Angola and Namibia, in what officials describe as the opening phase of a far tougher border regime.

In a statement late Saturday, the UK Home Office accused the DRC of failing to cooperate with Britain’s demands to take back undocumented migrants and foreign nationals convicted of crimes. As a result, London has stripped Congolese officials of fast-track visa services and preferential treatment for senior decision-makers—a move the government warned could expand into a complete visa suspension if compliance does not improve.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was blunt. “If one of their citizens has no right to be here, they must take them back,” she said, thanking Angola and Namibia for agreeing to increase returns. “Now is the time for the DRC to do the right thing—take your citizens back or lose the privilege of entering our country.”

The measures mark the first concrete enforcement actions under sweeping asylum reforms unveiled last month by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government. The new framework fundamentally reshapes Britain’s refugee system: asylum status will become temporary, reviewed every 30 months, and refugees will be required to return home once their countries are deemed safe. The waiting period for permanent residency will rise from five to 20 years, and the government plans to curb the use of the European Convention on Human Rights to block deportations.

Officials argue the changes are necessary to stem irregular migration, particularly small-boat crossings from France. More than 39,000 people have arrived this year alone—already exceeding all of 2024—though still below the record levels of 2022. Mahmood described the asylum system as “out of control and unfair,” calling the reforms an “uncomfortable truth” the government must confront.

The Foreign Office says the crackdown is already delivering results. Since July last year, more than 50,000 people with no legal right to remain have been removed—a 23 percent increase on the previous period—with diplomats instructed to prioritize return agreements.

But the policy has ignited fierce backlash. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn branded the approach “draconian,” accusing the government of appeasing “racist right-wing forces” while undermining international human rights commitments. Refugee advocates warn the measures will not deter crossings and risk leaving vulnerable people in prolonged legal limbo.

With asylum applications at a record high—around 111,000 in the year to June 2025—the UK is betting that pressure on origin countries, coupled with tougher domestic rules, will restore control. The visa curbs on the DRC send a clear message: cooperation is no longer optional. Whether the strategy reduces migration—or deepens political and humanitarian tensions—will define Britain’s next chapter on asylum and borders.

Fear and confusion gripped the village of Jabo in northwestern Nigeria after debris from a US missile strike landed just meters from the community’s only health clinic, shocking residents who say their area has no history of ISIS activity.

Late Thursday night, villagers heard a loud blast and saw flames streak across the sky before an object crashed into a nearby field and exploded. “We ran in fear. We couldn’t sleep,” said resident Suleiman Kagara. “We’ve never seen anything like this.”

Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS militants in the region, calling it a “Christmas present” for terrorists. But in Jabo, the explanation has only deepened confusion. Locals insist the village is peaceful, with Muslims and Christians living side by side and no known presence of ISIS or allied groups.

A local lawmaker, Bashar Isah Jabo, confirmed the projectile struck about 500 meters from the health center and said there were no casualties—but widespread panic. Nigeria’s government later acknowledged that while US-Nigerian forces targeted ISIS hideouts in a different district, debris from the operation fell in Jabo.

Officials stress the strike was not religiously motivated, despite Trump’s repeated claims of mass killings of Christians in Nigeria. Analysts warn that airstrikes may weaken militants but will not solve Nigeria’s deeper crisis, driven by governance failures and local conflicts.

For Jabo’s residents, the geopolitics mean little. What matters is the unanswered question echoing through the village: how did a war they say they weren’t part of end up at their doorstep?

The geopolitical architecture of the Horn of Africa has entered a decisive phase, one that moves beyond theory and into the terminal mechanics of statehood. As December 2025 closes, Somaliland’s long-standing diplomatic limbo is giving way to a momentum increasingly shaped in Washington rather than Addis Ababa or Mogadishu.

What once appeared as an unresolved post–Cold War anomaly is now hardening into a strategic fact, leaving Somalia’s nominal sovereignty over the north ever more symbolic.

President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro)’s administration has emerged from three years of sustained pressure—political, economic, and proxy-driven—with its authority intact and its strategic position strengthened.

Western intelligence assessments suggest that efforts by Turkey and aligned regional actors to destabilize Somaliland through clan-based levers have reached diminishing returns. Hargeisa’s institutional resilience, combined with a US political climate favoring transactional realism over multilateral caution, has brought the prospect of formal recognition closer than at any point since 1991.

In Washington, the Republic of Somaliland Independence Act (H.R. 3992) has become the legislative spine of this shift. For the Trump administration, Berbera is no longer viewed as a peripheral port but as a strategic counterweight to China’s entrenched presence in Djibouti. The emerging framework—often described by officials as “formal but partial” recognition—would exchange diplomatic acknowledgment for a permanent US military footprint.

It marks a clean departure from the African Union’s long-held doctrine of territorial stasis. Support from figures such as Senator Ted Cruz reflects a growing consensus that Somaliland’s record of internal stability and security cooperation outweighs the geopolitical fiction of a unified Somalia.

Regional resistance remains, led primarily by Turkey, whose investments in Mogadishu now face erosion from a widening Hargeisa–Israel–UAE alignment. Ankara’s broader confrontation with Israel has spilled into Red Sea logistics, where Somaliland has become a critical node. With more than 20 states reportedly signaling readiness to recognize Hargeisa, Turkish efforts to block the process via proxies appear increasingly ineffective.

On the ground, the separation is already operational. Somaliland’s November 2025 declaration of full airspace control and its refusal to recognize Mogadishu-issued visas amount to a final administrative severance. This is no longer a question of secession; it is the closing audit of an independent system asserting exclusive authority.

President Irro’s appearance at the 2025 World Governments Summit in Dubai functioned as a de facto induction into global political space. While the Ethiopia memorandum of understanding has faced delays, it remains the strategic anchor of Somaliland’s maritime vision, reinforced by DP World’s expansion of Berbera Port and growing British investment. Even speculative reports about Gaza-related diplomacy, widely dismissed, underscore the level of high-stakes engagement now centered in Hargeisa.

If recognition proceeds as expected, Somaliland’s transition from a de facto entity to a sovereign state would represent the most consequential alteration of African borders in the 21st century—less a rupture than the formal acknowledgment of a reality long established.

Ted Cruz Emerges as Somaliland’s Strongest Ally in the U.S. Senate

Cruz urges Trump to recognize Somaliland as independent state

Trump’s Africa Doctrine, China’s Shadow, and Why Somaliland Sits in the Crosshairs

Dubai’s DP World Calls for Somaliland Recognition, Praises Irro’s Leadership

Recognizing Somaliland and Reclaiming America’s Footprint in Africa

How Somalia and Al-Shabaab Are Playing the U.S. for Fools

U.S. Senate Hearings Highlight Somaliland as Key to Maritime Security Strategy