Foreign Policy and International Agreements
Portugal joins Artemis Accords
The U.S. State Department announced that Portugal signed the Artemis Accords on January 12 during a ceremony held alongside the U.S.-Portugal Standing Bilateral Commission. Portugal is described as the 60th country to sign. The State Department and NASA are identified as the lead U.S. agencies for outreach and implementation of the Accords, which set nonbinding principles for civil space exploration and use.
Qatar signs Pax Silica Declaration
The State Department reported that Qatar signed the Pax Silica Declaration, joining a U.S.-led initiative on advanced technology supply chains. The United States and Qatar plan to explore partnerships on projects across connectivity, computing and semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, logistics, mineral refining and processing, and energy.
U.S.–Germany talks on Venezuela, Ukraine, and Iran
A readout of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the two governments would work to prevent Venezuela from serving as an operating hub for adversaries, coordinate efforts toward peace between Russia and Ukraine, and continue joint efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
U.S.–Honduras engagement
In a separate readout, Rubio’s meeting with Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura focused on regional security and migration. Asfura reportedly committed to deepening the bilateral partnership and advancing shared priorities, including stability in Venezuela, combating transnational crime, strengthening security cooperation, attracting investment, and reducing irregular migration. Rubio emphasized maintaining the U.S.–Honduras extradition treaty and expanding information sharing.
U.S.–Mexico coordination on narcotrafficking
A State Department summary of Rubio’s call with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente said the two officials discussed strengthening U.S.–Mexico cooperation to dismantle violent narcoterrorist networks in Mexico and to curb trafficking of fentanyl and weapons across the border.
North Korea Sanctions and Cyber Activity
Multilateral sanctions monitoring on DPRK
The State Department highlighted the work of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), launched in 2024 after Russia vetoed renewal of the UN Security Council’s 1718 Panel of Experts mandate. The MSMT brings together 11 states — Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States — and has produced a 140-page report drawing on contributions from 11 UN member states and nine private companies.
Findings on DPRK cyber operations
A companion fact sheet on “Violations and Evasions of UN Sanctions through Cyber and IT Worker Activities” said the MSMT report concludes that North Korea routinely violates UN Security Council resolutions via malicious cyber activity and overseas IT work that generate revenue for its WMD and ballistic missile programs. Citing the MSMT’s data, the U.S. stated that DPRK cyber actors stole at least $2.8 billion from January 2024 through September 2025 from cryptocurrency firms and customers globally, and a further $400 million in the three months since the MSMT report’s release, bringing total estimated crypto theft in 2025 to more than $2 billion. The report also states that most known DPRK IT workers (1,000–1,500) are based in China and that there are plans to send up to 40,000 laborers, including IT workers, to Russia.
Defense, Security, and Law Enforcement
Pentagon messaging on the defense industrial base
The U.S. Department of War published an article quoting Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a tour highlighting defense industrial workers. Hegseth said the Pentagon is committed to investing in a defense industrial base that is “loyal to supporting America’s service members and civilians who support the Constitution.” The tour was framed as part of a broader effort to emphasize the role of industrial workers alongside combat forces.
DHS counter-drone office and funding
The Department of Homeland Security announced the creation of a new Program Executive Office focused on advancing drone and counter-drone technologies. DHS said the office will finalize a $115 million investment in counter-drone systems this week and has requested proposals for a new $1.5 billion contract vehicle for such technologies. In December, DHS broadened authorities for DHS components and state, local, tribal, territorial, and correctional agencies to address drone threats. FEMA was reported to have awarded $250 million in grants for counter-drone capabilities to 11 FIFA World Cup host states and the National Capital Region.
DHS S&T year-in-review
DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate released a “Year in Review” summary describing technical innovations deployed in 2025 in support of the department’s mission. The document highlights applied research and technology transition to frontline components; detailed project-level results were not fully enumerated in the summary.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day message
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued an internal message for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, stating that DHS employs more than 80,000 officers and agents and describing the department as the largest federal law enforcement agency.
ICE enforcement actions and ‘Worst of the Worst’ data site
Multiple DHS press releases described recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations:
- One national release said ICE arrested individuals described as “criminal illegal alien murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and gang members” over the prior weekend, and cited internal data claiming assaults, vehicle attacks, and death threats against ICE law enforcement had risen by 1,300%, 3,200%, and 8,000% respectively. Specific examples included the arrests of Nelson Ayala-Gomez, described as convicted of murder in Harris County, Texas, and Alfredo Murillo-Fernandez, described as convicted on four counts of indecent liberties with a child in Union County, North Carolina.
- A Minnesota-focused release said ICE removed multiple criminal noncitizens from the state during an “Operation Metro Surge,” listing individuals’ prior arrests and immigration histories, including Mohamud Farah Mohamed and Danny Yasmani Suares Munoz, and describing prior fraud, drug, domestic violence, and assault charges as well as past removal orders.
- Another DHS announcement said the department added 5,000 additional records of people it labels “criminal illegal aliens” to its “Worst of the Worst” online database and indicated that the site would continue to be updated at regular intervals.
Coast Guard rescue
A DHS “ICYMI” notice recounted that the U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 68-year-old surfer who had been stranded for more than 24 hours. The release provided operational details on the search-and-rescue effort and the survivor’s condition.
Domestic Policy, Economy, and Regulation
White House economic messaging
A White House article framed current conditions as “big wins for American families,” asserting that national average gasoline prices have fallen to their lowest level in five years and that the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is at its lowest point in nearly three years. The article said President Trump directed the purchase of $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and that the administration has taken action to bar large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. These claims reflect the administration’s description of its policies and their effects.
Mortgage rates context
Separate financial-industry reporting on January 12 indicated that average 30-year mortgage rates were in the mid-6% range (around 6.2% nationally), higher than pre-2022 levels but lower than peaks seen in 2023–2024.[1][2]
Labor law enforcement in Mexico
The U.S. Department of Labor announced $23.4 million in new grants to support enforcement of labor laws in Mexico, with $15.4 million awarded to Partners of the Americas and $8 million to Creative Associates International. The projects are intended to bolster Mexican labor authorities’ enforcement capacity, empower workers to report violations, and support use of the USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism, which can trigger targeted trade measures in cases of labor-rights violations at specific facilities.
FTC inquiry into sports agents and student athletes
The Federal Trade Commission publicized that it is seeking information from 20 universities on how sports agents interact with student athletes and whether they comply with the federal Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (SPARTA). SPARTA requires agents to make specific disclosures to student athletes and to provide notice to schools, with the aim of protecting athletes from deceptive or abusive practices.
Financial Regulation and Cybersecurity
G7 roadmap on post-quantum cryptography
The U.S. Treasury Department announced that the G7 Cyber Expert Group (CEG), chaired jointly by the U.S. Treasury and the Bank of England, released a roadmap for coordinating the transition of the financial sector to post-quantum cryptography. The CEG includes representatives of financial authorities from all G7 countries and the European Union. The roadmap focuses on common approaches to identifying quantum-vulnerable systems, planning migration to quantum-resistant algorithms, and coordinating cross-border implementation.
Veterans Affairs and Health Care
VA facilities recognized for addressing physician burnout
The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that the American Medical Association recognized seven VA health care facilities for their work reducing physician burnout. The recognition was tied to initiatives such as workflow redesign, improved staffing support, and programs to address clinician well-being. The VA presented the recognition as evidence of progress on provider retention and care quality.
Judiciary and Governance Developments
Supreme Court declines to revisit Boy Scouts settlement
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal challenging the Boy Scouts of America’s approximately $2.4–$2.46 billion bankruptcy settlement of sex-abuse claims. The decision leaves in place a plan that compensates survivors through a settlement trust while shielding certain organizations, including churches and local scouting sponsors, from additional civil lawsuits over historical abuse in their programs.[3][4]
Supreme Court schedule and new term activity
SCOTUSblog’s January 12 update noted that the court’s January argument sitting began, with seven arguments scheduled over 10 days on issues including transgender participation in women’s sports, gun rights, and President Trump’s attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The court recently issued a 5–4 ruling in Bowe v. United States concerning federal prisoners’ access to post-conviction relief and indicated it may announce additional opinions on January 14.[5]
International Security and U.S. Military Operations
U.S. airstrikes in Syria
Coverage summarized by Just Security and others noted that the United States conducted major airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on Saturday, January 10. According to U.S. Central Command, about 20 U.S. Air Force attack aircraft — including F-15E, A-10, and AC-130J platforms — along with MQ-9 drones and Jordanian F-16s, fired more than 90 munitions at at least 35 targets linked to ISIS.[6][7] The strikes followed earlier, larger U.S. retaliatory attacks in Syria in response to the killing of two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter in 2025.
Continuing war in Ukraine
International reporting on January 12 emphasized that the Russia–Ukraine war had reached day 1,418, surpassing the length of the Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany during World War II on the Eastern Front. Analysts quoted by outlets such as RFE/RL and Al Jazeera described the conflict as unlikely to end in 2026 given the lack of substantive concessions from Moscow and continued Russian offensive operations, particularly heavy drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.[8][9][10]
Protests and Public Response to ICE Shooting
Aftermath of Minneapolis ICE shooting
Although the shooting occurred earlier in the week, U.S. and international coverage referenced ongoing protests and vigils in the United States and abroad on January 12 over the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during an enforcement operation.[11][12][13] Federal officials have said the agent fired after Good allegedly attempted to run over officers with her car. Local officials, including the Minneapolis mayor and Minnesota governor, have publicly questioned DHS’s account and called for independent investigations. A vigil was also held outside the U.S. Embassy in London.
Cannabis Policy and Federal Reserve Governance
DOJ probe of Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Multiple outlets reported that the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell relating to his testimony to Congress on the scope and costs of renovations at the Fed’s Washington headquarters.[14][15] Powell has acknowledged the investigation and described it as an effort that could undermine the Fed’s independence. The probe adds uncertainty to monetary policy oversight as markets continue to watch the pace and timing of potential interest-rate cuts.
Cannabis rescheduling debate
Marijuana policy outlets reported on comments from a Republican member of Congress that the Justice Department will not delay a planned move to reschedule cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act. The reporting described ongoing disputes over timing, scope, and legal authority for rescheduling, but did not indicate that a final DOJ rule had yet been issued.[16]