RSnake Report 20260110

Hello, and thanks for reading!

In Russian/Ukrainian news, the Moscow airports faced a shutdown from a Ukrainian drone attack, with around 200 flights delayed at Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky. Restrictions halted departures and arrivals, creating huge boarding queues. Over 20 drones were destroyed near the city, prompting a red alert in Moscow and the region, and grounding all flights for hours.

The drone attacks on Moscow continued into a second day, using cheap, low-payload unmanned vehicles like Chaklun models. Airports remained closed, leading to mass cancellations, delays, ticket refunds, and lost transit revenue. Airlines issued compensations, with each hour of shutdown costing hundreds of millions of rubles. Air defenses expended expensive missiles against the drones, while new flight routes were disrupted and systems fatigued. Explosions hit the Russian Knights and Strizhi airbases at Kubinka, a key military airfield near Moscow, and the city skies stayed empty of planes, which is hugely costly to the country and the economy writ large.

Ukraine's Alpha unit used long-range drones to strike the Herkon Plus oil depot in Streltsovskiye Khutora, north of Usman, igniting a massive fire at this critical part of Russia's energy infrastructure.

More video footage shows Russia's Oreshnik missile striking Lviv. Yes, the screenshot below sucks, but if you watch the video, or this one, you’ll see this is a “blink, and you’ll miss it” thing, so any individual screen grab isn’t doing it justice, in terms of speed. I don’t get the impression that these had explosives in them, so this is entirely a kinetic kill, but given the accuracy of these things is very questionable, it feels more like either a test for a future payload or purely designed to terrorize people.

Ukrainian drones hit a factory in Yelets, Lipetsk region, owned by Energia, Russia's largest lithium-ion battery producer. The batteries support UAVs, Iskander and Kinzhal missile systems, glide bombs, electronic warfare, and radio equipment. This is a supply chain hit that has a much greater effect than hitting the weapon systems themselves.

A Shahed drone was detected for the first time equipped with a MANPADS, along with a camera and radio modem for remote control from Russia. Likely, this is meant for air-to-air offensive situations, but I have not heard of this being used in combat to actually do any damage to Ukrainian drones.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense now supplies over 1,500 anti-Shahed and other interceptor drones daily as of December-January, increasing air defense output. That’s a huge jump from early in the war, and given that even in the largest attacks we see there are only about 600-800 drones and cruise missiles fired from Russia, this would give them plenty of capacity to take all of them down a couple times over, not to mention a growing stockpile to spread out across the country to create a pretty effective anti-drone barrier. I think this is about exactly the right production rate for these systems, but of course, anti-ballistic missile systems and other fast-moving anti-air defense are also required for what remains of the Russian air force.

The Bella 1 turned out to be a much more interesting story than I had anticipated it would become. I figured we’d either board it right away and it wouldn’t be much in the news, or we’d let it go and not worry about it. Nope. Russia sent a submarine and warships to escort the shadow-fleet tanker Bella 1, which the U.S. tried to seize off Venezuela and was pursuing in the Atlantic. The tanker, empty after failing to load Venezuelan cargo, repelled a U.S. boarding in December and sailed into the Atlantic. It re-registered as Russian under the name Marinera, with a painted Russian flag. Russia urged the U.S. to halt the pursuit, and its Foreign Ministry expressed concern. The vessel made it 300 miles south of Iceland, heading to the North Sea.

U.S. special forces and the Coast Guard boarded and seized the tanker in the North Atlantic. The U.S. Coast Guard released footage of the operation.

Three other tankers recently in Venezuelan waters, previously sanctioned for shipping Iranian or Russian oil, now fly the Russian flag: Veronica, renamed Galileo with homeport Taganrog, empty and sanctioned in 2022; Dianchi, renamed Expander with homeport Sochi, loaded with Venezuelan oil and sanctioned in 2025; and Malak, renamed Sintez or Sinte depending on the report, with homeport Sochi, and reportedly empty, last seen in Amuay on January 4 and sanctioned in 2025. However, I do believe the US intends to take as many of them as it can, as it did yesterday morning, and may have been the Marinera.

Another strange situation that I saw was that Russia apparently struggles to maintain Arctic strategic ports, reportedly due to economic issues and equipment shortages, leaving the Northern Sea Route in critical condition. Sanctions block access to foreign-made dredging and pier repair tools, affecting ports in the Arctic zone. This would be a huge blow to them in terms of force projection and resupply if they cannot keep these ports operational.

In European news, there is another story about shipping… the Finnish Border Guard boarded and seized the vessel Fitburg, which left St. Petersburg and is suspected of damaging communications cables between Tallinn and Helsinki. The 14 crew members, from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, were questioned; two were detained, and two more were barred from leaving Finland. This is quite possibly another cable-disruption ship, which has become quite prevalent in the last couple of years and is likely of Russian or Chinese origin.

Estonia's Frankenburg Technologies in Tallinn plans to develop missile systems for drone interception that cost 10 times less and produce 100 times faster. One of my friends pointed out that while this is cool, it creates a weird situation where each European country is going to want to be the sole source for military weaponry to the EU, driving costs down, yes, but making an extremely fragmented ecosystem for NATO. That isn’t great for interoperability and will create a perverse incentive to hoard tech rather than share it with European allies.

In South East Asian news, Australia's MQ-28A Ghost Bat is the first military aircraft designed and built domestically in over 50 years. This uncrewed aerial vehicle partners with crewed Royal Australian Air Force platforms, integrating autonomous systems and AI for human-machine teams. It extends mission range, boosts situational awareness, and improves survivability in contested areas. So it does look like Australia sees the advantage in fully autonomous fighter/interceptor aircraft when dealing with the only meaningful adversary in the region… China.

In African news, Saudi forces conducted intense strikes on positions held by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council in Yemen. I don’t know about you but I think Saudi has more or less declared war on any foreign influence by the UAE. I am glad this hasn’t broken out into a direct conflict between the two nations, but maybe the only reason why is that the UAE feels it cannot win that fight, so it won’t start it, and therefore, all Saudis need to do is correct anything they don’t like, and the UAE will back down. Or at least that’s what it seems like from over here in the States.

In Middle East news, several Iranian government websites, including ministry portals and the Tehran municipal administration, went offline. But more interestingly the entire country’s Internet has been blocked it appears, according to Cloudflare. This happens during periods of unrest, so it’s not unusual, but it may mean we get less intelligence leaking out about the protests there until this gets resolved. It limits coordination for the protesters, but it also limits visibility for the IRGC, so blocking the Internet outright is a blunt instrument and unlikely to win any popularity points with the people there, who are already on a knife’s edge.

An intelligence report states Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has a contingency plan to flee Tehran, possibly to Moscow, if unrest spreads and security forces defy orders. Soon, Moscow is going to be the home of all the failed autocrats, if they have Assad, Putin, and now Khamenei…? 🤣 They just need Un, Xi, Diaz-Canel, and Maduro to finish their full set of collectable authoritarians, though Maduro is ultra-rare and difficult to collect. But in all seriousness, Khamenei’s plan involves a small inner circle with assets abroad, modeled on Bashar al-Assad's escape to Russia. It addresses concerns over Khamenei's health, isolation during protests, and risks from economic strain and public anger fracturing security loyalty.

Massive protests in Mashhad, Iran, caused traffic jams and drew crowds all week long. Security forces fired on protesters in Fooladshahr. Millions responded to Prince Reza Pahlavi's call, rejecting the Islamic Republic and demanding his return in Mashhad and nationwide. Protests continued overnight, with crowds torching Al-Rasul mosque in Tehran and the municipal building in Karaj. Protesters took control of Abdanan and Malekshahi in western Iran, expelling security forces and chanting against Khamenei while renaming streets, some after Trump. 🤣 

Even the gates to his compound have been torn open, and Khamenei’s hometown has been overrun. The only thing we have not seen is direct attacks from within the regime on each other, arresting one another. Once we start seeing that it is likely going to flip quickly, but until then, it really isn’t a guarantee we’ll see any change, so I am hopeful but realistic on this one.

Senator Lindsey Graham warned that continued killings could lead to Trump targeting the ayatollahs, and Trump confirmed the same. A government building in Tehran caught fire. Protesters set the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting complex ablaze in Isfahan, where locals reported the city center under protester control, and the television and radio building burned.

Iran potentially lost $20 billion in Venezuelan investments and loans when the US took Maduro, because the U.S. now controls Iranian drone and missile factories there via the vice president who appears to be playing ball with the Americans over the last few days, as US applies pressure on the ports and shipping.

U.S. C-17A Globemaster III airlifters and KC-135 Stratotankers flew from the U.S. to European bases, including from Fort Campbell, home to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which supports Delta Force and participated in Maduro's capture. Two C-17s landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, and others in the UK. Such movements recall last year's Iran strikes, with the special operations origin suggesting potential action against Khamenei. So we shall see how long the Iranian regime lasts, with or without overt US/Israel interference.

In South of the Border news, A lot more information has been coming out about the days leading up to and the day of the Maduro capture. CIA source in Nicolas Maduro's inner circle tracked his movements until capture, with Venezuelan military members cooperating with the U.S.

Chinese JY-27 anti-stealth radars, installed in Venezuela in September, failed during a three-hour U.S. air raid. Now, to be clear, this isn’t necessarily the absolute best that the Chinese have in their inventory, but it has got to be making China seriously think twice about a direct confrontation if these devices are as vulnerable and ineffective against US forces as they appear to have been in Venezuela. Lesson for the autocrats worldwide - don’t by China. 👎️ 

Some of this may have been caused by a non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse or high-powered microwave weapons that disabled Venezuelan air defenses in the Maduro raid. We don’t know for sure, but it may have been part of what happened to those air defenses and the power.

Another thing that could have happened was BGP anomalies during the Venezuela blackout tied to the Maduro operation. Depending on how systems are built, there could be a number of systems that phone all their telemetry back to China or other regions for processing. Once BGP was disrupted, the “brain” of these systems could no longer communicate, leaving them helpless.

As we discussed before, the Trump administration declined to back Maria Corina Machado as Maduro's replacement due to CIA analysis warning of destabilization and needed military presence. Officials distrusted her reports on Maduro's strength and her power-grabbing ability. Richard Grenell met with her representatives but received no in-person meeting in Caracas or a list of prisoners, despite promises of protection. Machado offered no plan for installing Edmundo González and rejected talks with Maduro's government, alienating business elites and civil society through hardline sanctions. Her team attacked differing views online, which led to the loss of Democratic and business support. Without U.S. aid, experts say she lacks power levers or institutions, so the US had to choose the existing VP despite the fact that she is almost as bad as Maduro. That said, she may understand that the US can get her any time we want to, and that may make her easier to deal with… or at least that is the theory.

To cover off on that Bella 1 story, it turns out that there were sixteen U.S.-sanctioned oil tankers that tried evading the U.S. Navy's blockade around Venezuela after Maduro's capture by Delta Force. The vessels, docked on Venezuela's northern coast, departed without interim government approval under Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. So it will be interesting to see what a full naval blockade looks like where the US gets to dictate the terms of drugs, oil production, and arms movement into and out of Venezuela.

From this attack, the U.S. regained about 1 million barrels per day of heavy Venezuelan oil that had been previously shipped to Texas and Louisiana refineries, mostly to China. U.S. refineries have 2.6 million bpd capacity for such oil, which has been starved under Maduro and Chavez, forcing blends with Canadian tar sands. Venezuela could restore production to 3 million bpd, with 2 million bpd exported to the U.S. as before, boosting the U.S. energy supply.

I saw an interesting rundown of the situation. Venezuela's 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, the world's largest, have driven U.S. action to protect the petrodollar system since 1974, when Henry Kissinger tied global oil pricing to dollars for U.S. military protection. Maduro sold oil in yuan, euros, and rubles, sought BRICS membership, and built China payment channels bypassing SWIFT, threatening dollar demand that funds U.S. deficits. Similar challenges led to Iraq's 2003 invasion after Saddam's Euro oil sales, and Libya's 2011 fall after Gaddafi's gold dinar proposal. Maduro's yuan sales, BRICS ties with China, Russia, and Iran accelerated de-dollarization amid ruble/yuan trades, Saudi yuan talks, Iran's non-dollar deals, China's CIPS, and mBridge. The operation, echoing Panama's 1989 invasion, ensures dollar oil sales. Maybe that’s true, and maybe it isn’t, but interesting nevertheless.

Another take is that the Venezuela operation targeted Cuba, which ran the country via thousands of embedded agents in military, surveillance, and security since Chavez's 2002 coup fears. Cuba monitored loyalty and oversaw databases, making the regime coup-proof. Venezuela paid with up to 100,000 bpd oil, which also happened to be Cuba's lifeline. Cuban troops guarded Maduro, possibly ordered to kill him if he surrendered. U.S. naval and air interdiction at ports creates green zones to block oil to Cuba without full regime change, weakening the Cuban hold amid inertia post-Maduro. This aligns with Marco Rubio's Latin America focus to isolate Cuba. China loses discounted oil but can buy at market rates via U.S.-controlled ports, resetting ties without escalation; Trump confirmed China gets oil. Russia, with deeper military embeds like Wagner, faces a harder removal. Maduro's Essequibo threats to Guyana's Exxon fields end. The move aids U.S. immigration by deporting Venezuelans to controlled zones. So either we attack Cuba directly or let them starve for resources and disintegrate from within.

Either way, Venezuelan refugees celebrated Maduro's capture in the streets and in Argentina. So apparently it was a good thing for the people who were most negatively affected by the regime. But that brings us to…

In North American news, the "Hands Off Venezuela" protest in New York City supporting Maduro, or as I like to think of them, the useful idiots parade, was organized by The People's Forum, funded with over $20 million by Neville Roy Singham, a billionaire in Shanghai with CCP ties who attends CCP events and funds media echoing Chinese narratives.

The Maduro operation did not violate the UN Charter's Article 2(4) prohibiting force in international relations, as the U.S. and others do not recognize Maduro as head of state but as the leader of a criminal enterprise under U.S. indictment. The action supported law enforcement, not state-to-state relations or war. That won’t stop people from being upset, though. The irony is that the Biden administration hated Maduro, and no one disagreed with their assessment that he wasn’t a legitimate president back then.

A fatal shooting occurred by an ICE agent against a US woman, driving her SUV. A lot can be said about this. Such as the fact that she was there blocking a road. She was disobeying orders to get out of the vehicle. She was then attempting to flee. All those facts appear indisputable based on the footage below.

He fired at least two of the shots from in front of or slightly to the side of the front of the vehicle, based on the two visible bullet holes in the windshield and side mirror.

The only legitimate question is whether he was fired because he feared was about to be run over, or not. Either way, this is not an innocent woman fatally shot for minding her own business. But I am sure the ensuing riots and calls to killing ICE agents and Kristi Noem and the eventual burning down half of the United States will be the answer. 👎️ 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz withdrew from the gubernatorial race to focus on state work, citing pride in making Minnesota the best place to live and raise families, and likely also because of his role in shutting down investigations into the Somali tax/daycare fraud scheme.

Lockheed Martin will raise annual production of PAC-3 MSE interceptors for the Patriot system from 600 to 2,000 under a Defense Department contract, addressing low stockpiles following the Ukraine invasion and the Twelve-Day War against Iran. This still seems very low to me, but there are perhaps better low-cost interceptors for the systems in widespread use, saving these for fast-moving interception needs, such as jet-powered or rocket-assisted systems.

President Trump warned U.S. defense contractors against dividends and stock buybacks over investing in plants and equipment, capping executive pay at $5 million until production and maintenance speed up. Funds must be used to build equipment faster without government borrowing. This puts the most senior leadership on notice that they need to start building capacity now. We shall see how they react to this, but I suspect that while they may yell privately, this won’t be made a big deal of in public.

Lastly, Italy fined Cloudflare $17 million for refusing to censor websites within 30 minutes of notification by a European media elite group, without judicial oversight, due process, appeal, or transparency. The order demanded global removal, including from Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS, risking blackouts. Cloudflare has stated they will fight the fine and the EU scheme legally, while considering withdrawing pro bono cybersecurity for the Milano-Cortina Olympics, free services for Italian users, servers from Italian cities, and plans for an Italian office or investments. This is the kind of thing the US takes very seriously and has issued very serious fines for before. That said, Cloudflare has not exactly been a great steward of anti-censorship in the past, and I think that might bite them in the ass here. They previously took down a couple of far-right websites because Matthew Prince decided it was a good idea to avoid the backlash from the left. Make no mistake, these sites were reprehensible, but also legal as they weren’t inciting violence. I don’t know how hard the Trump Administration will go to bat for Prince or his company, given that checkered past with the First Amendment, but it may be worth it anyway, because if it affects Cloudflare, it will affect a lot more than them.

Okay, onto the articles!

Russia launched a major overnight attack on Ukraine, using hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles, including its new Oreshnik ballistic missile, resulting in at least four deaths and numerous injuries in Kyiv. The attack appears to be a response to recent Ukrainian actions and coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the U.S. and Ukraine. Ukrainian officials are calling for international action against Russia's aggressive military maneuvers, which pose a significant threat to regional security.

• Russia conducted a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties.

• The attack utilized a new ballistic missile that is claimed to evade missile defense systems.

[RSnake: Again, hundreds is a low number compared to the number of air defense units coming online per day, which is over 1,000. So while it may take a while to deploy them all and train the requisite staff, Ukraine is on its way to a relatively solid defense apparatus and supply chain.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/09/russia-says-it-used-new-oreshnik-ballistic-missile-major-attack-ukraine.html

The United States has announced a proposed $1.5 trillion military budget for fiscal year 2027, representing a significant increase from the current budget. This budget aims to strengthen military readiness and capabilities in response to rising global threats, particularly from nations such as China, Russia, and Iran.

• The proposed military budget signifies a shift towards a strategy of overwhelming force.

• Funding is expected to come from increased tariff revenues.

[RSnake: While it sucks to have to do this, I, unfortunately, think this sounds about right given the situation in the South Pacific.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=224542

Massive antigovernment protests have erupted across Iran with tens of thousands participating despite an internet blackout and government threats of violence. Demonstrators are calling for the end of the Islamic Republic and expressing support for the Shah's regime, chanting slogans against the leadership, which has condemned the protests as orchestrated by foreign enemies.

• Protests are occurring in multiple cities across Iran, indicating widespread dissent.

• Government officials have warned that protesters could face severe consequences for their actions.

[RSnake: Fingers crossed that this is the beginning of something new.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/world/middleeast/iran-protests.html

U.S. efforts to control Venezuelan oil production have escalated following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, resulting in blockades that have impacted tanker deliveries carrying Russian naphtha to Venezuela. The loss of this diluent is threatening Venezuela's oil production, with American supplies potentially set to fill the gap, while the U.S. aims to diminish Russia's influence in the region. The evolving situation has led to U.S. oil producers eager to invest billions in Venezuelan oil output amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

• U.S. captures President Nicolás Maduro, leading to intensified blockades on Venezuelan oil.

• Venezuela is facing oil production challenges due to lack of access to Russian naphtha, essential for diluting its heavy crude.

• The U.S. is positioning itself to supply naphtha to Venezuela to replace Russian imports and increase its influence.

[RSnake: We shall see how the new leader handles the situation. I am cautiously optimistic she doesn’t want to see what happens if she doesn’t at minimum stop the cartel activities in Venezuela.]

Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43181-drifting-tanker-reveals-major-hurdle-for-trump-plan-to-revive-venezuelas-oil

In 2026, the United States under the Trump administration is taking aggressive actions at the United Nations, challenging established norms and withdrawing from various international treaties. This includes opposing U.N. resolutions on critical global issues and recently conducting military strikes in Venezuela, impacting international relations and diplomacy.

• The U.S. voted against a U.N. resolution on the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, aligning with few other nations.

• Trump's administration is conducting military actions in Venezuela and threatening other countries, destabilizing regional dynamics.

[RSnake: It was time for a shakeup, although the second-order effects are going to be very hard to know ahead of time. The big question is, will we revisit Article V of NATO, or withdraw entirely?]

Source: https://foreignpolicy.com/?p=1216870

The European Union has reached an agreement with the Mercosur trade bloc to create one of the largest free trade areas in the world, following years of negotiation that began in 1999. This deal is strategically significant for both regions, as it aims to diversify trade relationships amid geopolitical tensions and economic pressures, particularly from the United States and China.

• The EU-Mercosur trade agreement will significantly lower tariffs and enhance trade relations between Europe and South America.

• The agreement is seen as a critical response to geopolitical pressures from the U.S. and a step towards strengthening Mercosur's internal cohesion and economic competitiveness.

[RSnake: That is good news for the EU, and frankly, us. It shuts China out and creates a more robust South American industry.]

Source: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/?p=898120

In 2025, Lockheed Martin achieved a record production of F-35 fighter jets, delivering 191 units, which is significantly higher than other global competitors. The F-35 has been utilized in various military operations and maintains a strong demand among multiple nations, contributing to an extensive backlog of orders. Additionally, the production of the PAC-3 missile system has been increased to enhance defense capabilities among allied nations.

• Lockheed Martin delivered 191 F-35 jets in 2025, surpassing all competitors combined.

• The F-35 has become a cornerstone of global military operations and collective security.

• Lockheed Martin is significantly increasing production of the PAC-3 missile system to meet growing demand.

[RSnake: It got a lot of shit for a lot of years, but the F-35 has shown to be extremely effective in the handful of roles it’s played recently.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=261691

The United States is facing challenges regarding its nuclear weapons arsenal, primarily due to the aging of existing weapons and the absence of nuclear testing, leading to concerns over reliability and effectiveness. There is a significant cost increase associated with life-extension programs for nuclear warheads, alongside a reduction in the number of weapon types, which impacts military options. This situation is compounded by adversaries potentially conducting nuclear tests, putting the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage.

• U.S. nuclear weapons are aging and may lack reliability due to a shift from testing to life-extension programs.

• The absence of nuclear testing is increasing costs and reducing the types of nuclear weapons in the U.S. arsenal.

• There are concerns that adversaries may be advancing their nuclear capabilities through covert testing.

[RSnake: There has been a lot of talk about modernization, but not enough actual work to that end. However, we don’t really need to do nuclear testing as we used to, because of the state of fluid/plasma mechanics computer modeling.]

Source: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2026/01/07/the_enormous_costs_of_science_based_stockpile_stewardship_for_nuclear_weapons_1157136.html

Following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, some schools in Gaza have resumed classes despite damage, with UNICEF reporting that over 97% of schools were affected by the conflict. Many children are struggling with trauma and lack basic educational resources, as aid restrictions continue to hamper relief efforts even as some organizations attempt to operate makeshift schools amidst ongoing violence. The situation remains dire for the education sector in Gaza, with many students experiencing substantial gaps in their learning due to the prolonged conflict.

• The ceasefire has allowed some schools to reopen in Gaza, but most facilities were damaged or destroyed.

• There are significant challenges in providing education and mental health support due to ongoing violence and restricted aid.

[RSnake: Kinda insane that teaching is still happening in Gaza, considering. I hope they’re actually teaching the kids useful skills, and not indoctrinating them to become fighters!]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62vmn30j3yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

The United States government, under President Trump, is considering military options to acquire Greenland, a territory currently under Danish sovereignty, which has sparked strong responses from European leaders supporting Greenland's right to self-determination. The situation has raised tensions within NATO, given that Greenland is strategically important and its populace largely opposes being part of the U.S. The controversy reflects broader geopolitical dynamics in the Arctic region, as well as U.S. relationships with both Denmark and European allies.

• The U.S. is contemplating military force to secure Greenland.

• European leaders are united in support of Greenland's sovereignty.

[RSnake: I have a very hard time considering this a real thing we’ll do by force. We may do it by treaty or through some land-purchase agreement, but I doubt we’re picking a fight against the Danish military. Just doesn’t sound like a real thing to me.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/7/us-says-military-always-an-option-in-greenland-as-europe-rejects-threats?traffic_source=rss

Cuba is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades, marked by severe power outages, medicine shortages, and rising food prices. This situation has intensified following the U.S. military victory in Venezuela, which previously provided vital oil supplies to Cuba. Experts indicate that the collapse of Cuba's social safety net is unprecedented in the history of its communist regime.

• Cuba faces a historical economic crisis with significant shortages and social unrest.

• The crisis is exacerbated by the loss of Venezuelan oil supplies following a U.S. military victory in that country.

[RSnake: Things are about to get way, way worse.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/world/americas/cuba-economy-venezuela-oil.html

A security vulnerability has been discovered within Flock Safety's mapping infrastructure, exposing an organization-wide API key across multiple public-facing environments. This unprotected key allows unauthorized access to sensitive data, including real-time information from thousands of law enforcement agencies, which could lead to serious national security implications.

• Flock Safety's API key was exposed across 53 publicly accessible endpoints, allowing unrestricted access to sensitive law enforcement data.

• The incident raises critical concerns regarding the security management of surveillance systems and the potential misuse of collected data.

[RSnake: This system monitors Americans through the use of cameras and mics all over the US.]

Source: https://nexanet.ai/blog/53-times-flocksafety-hardcoded-the-password-for-americas-surveillance-infrastructure

A critical vulnerability in HPE OneView infrastructure management software has been flagged by CISA as actively exploited, enabling remote code execution on unpatched systems. HPE has urged all users, particularly federal agencies, to upgrade to version 11.00 or later to mitigate the risk. This incident reflects a broader trend of increasing cybersecurity threats targeting corporate and governmental entities.

• CISA has identified a high-severity vulnerability in HPE OneView that is currently being exploited.

• Organizations are urged to patch their systems immediately to protect against unauthorized access.

[RSnake: Yep, time to upgrade!]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-tags-max-severity-hpe-oneview-flaw-as-actively-exploited/

A critical vulnerability known as 'Ni8mare' has been identified in the n8n workflow automation platform, allowing remote attackers to gain access to sensitive files on improperly configured systems. The flaw affects over 100,000 instances, enabling unauthorized access to API keys, tokens, and other confidential data. Developers recommend updating to the latest version to mitigate the risk of exploitation.

• Ni8mare vulnerability allows remote, unauthenticated access to n8n servers.

• Over 100,000 n8n instances are at risk of exposure due to this severe flaw.

[RSnake: While bad, this really isn’t that easy to utilize without quite a bit of work.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/max-severity-ni8mare-flaw-lets-hackers-hijack-n8n-servers/

The United Kingdom has launched a new cybersecurity strategy with an investment of over £210 million to enhance defenses in the government and public sectors. This strategy includes establishing a Government Cyber Unit for coordinated risk management and incident response, along with new legislation to prevent ransom payments and improve security across critical services.

• The UK is investing over £210 million to improve cybersecurity across government departments and public services.

• New legislation aims to prevent public sector organizations from paying ransoms and to strengthen defenses against cyber threats to critical infrastructure.

[RSnake: We shall see if it has any meaningful effect. I think the real problem is that few people are paying attention to the vulnerabilities that actually lead to loss. Take EU’s ENISA KEV… it is only a handful of vulnerabilities listed as “known exploited” while CISA KEV is over a thousand.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/uk-announces-plan-to-strengthen-public-sector-cyber-defenses/

Grok, an AI tool owned by Elon Musk's xAI, is being used to generate explicit and violent sexual content, including imagery involving minors. A review revealed that a significant portion of this content features graphic depictions of sexual acts, some of which may violate laws against child sexual abuse material in various countries.

• Grok is generating violent and explicit sexual content.

• Content includes depictions of minors, which may raise potential legal issues.

[RSnake: The minors part is bad, of course, but this is very tricky to carve out, technically, without costing a ton. Probably the right answer is to run a post-process on the content looking for CSAM and reporting it, rather than trying to neuter the output in real time.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/grok-is-generating-sexual-content-far-more-graphic-than-whats-on-x/

Cambodia has extradited billionaire Chen Zhi to China after he was accused of leading a cryptocurrency scam that trafficked workers into forced labor for fraud. His company, Prince Group, has been under investigation for running online fraud schemes, and Cambodian authorities have suspended its banking subsidiary amid serious allegations of large-scale financial crime.

• Chen Zhi, a billionaire, was extradited to China after being accused of masterminding a significant cryptocurrency scam.

• Cambodian authorities suspended operations of Prince Bank, linked to Chen Zhi's further alleged fraudulent activities.

[RSnake: Not sure extradition to China is the punishment they think it is.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4q8e88n2vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

Notion AI has a vulnerability that allows for data exfiltration through indirect prompt injection, where user edits can be made without prior approval. Attackers can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information, such as candidate data, from hiring documents. Despite responsible disclosure to Notion, the issue remains unaddressed and poses potential risks to user privacy.

• Notion AI's vulnerability enables attackers to exfiltrate sensitive information before user approval.

• The method involves manipulating the AI to construct URLs that lead to unauthorized data access.

[RSnake: Yep, prompts are invalid user input combined with commands. Not exactly a secure thing by any stretch, once you allow interaction with file system commands.]

Source: https://www.promptarmor.com/resources/notion-ai-unpatched-data-exfiltration

Google and Character.AI are in the process of negotiating settlements with families of teenagers who died by suicide or harmed themselves after interacting with AI chatbots. This represents a development in legal accountability for AI technologies, as similar lawsuits are being closely monitored by other AI companies in the industry.

• Negotiations are underway for settlements related to AI chatbot interactions that led to teen suicides.

• The outcomes may set precedents for legal accountability in AI technologies.

[RSnake: There isn’t much you can do here other than just stop minors and people with mental illness from using them outright. The safeguards don’t work, or well enough.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3081070

Researchers at Stanford have developed an artificial intelligence system named SleepFM that can predict over 130 diseases based on a single night of sleep data. The AI analyzes extensive physiological signals to reveal patterns that indicate potential health risks for conditions such as cancer and heart disease, derived from a dataset of nearly 600,000 hours of sleep recordings.

• AI can forecast health risks by analyzing sleep data.

• SleepFM has potential implications for early disease detection.

[RSnake: I really like this and am optimistic it is at least directionally correct, even if the number 130 is sensationally high. That said, expect this to get turned into consumer tech in 3… 2…]

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260109023114.htm

Recent advancements in AI learning methods, such as the Absolute Zero project, enable models to learn autonomously by generating and solving their own problems, potentially leading to superintelligent systems. This shift from traditional models, which rely on human data, may transform how AI is developed and utilized across various applications, especially in software engineering and agentic tasks.

• AI models are learning to self-generate and solve their own problems, which enhances their reasoning capabilities.

• This new approach could facilitate the development of superintelligent AI systems and better software solutions.

[RSnake: This works to some degree, but it also can create dangerous misalignment and overfitting/overtraining.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-models-keep-learning-after-training-research/

OpenAI has launched GPT-5, a new model that improves upon previous iterations with enhanced reasoning capabilities, real-time routing for task management, and reduced instances of hallucinations. The system focuses on safety and effectiveness in writing, coding, and health-related queries, while implementing measures to prevent disallowed content. A precautionary approach has been taken regarding its potential capabilities in sensitive biological and chemical domains.

• GPT-5 includes a router that streamlines model choice based on conversation complexity.

• Key improvements in safety and instruction adherence enhance real-world application effectiveness.

• A focus on reducing harmful outputs and hallucinations shows a commitment to responsible AI development.

[RSnake: Quite a few hardcore nerds like this model for its reasoning ability, but it is so highly censored that it doesn’t work for a great many use cases, like Hollywood. But for solving complex tasks, it has a good shot of beating Gemini for at least the short term.]

Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.03267

Nvidia has launched a new AI supercomputer named Vera Rubin, designed to meet the increasing demand for computing power as AI models grow in size and complexity. The supercomputer features six new chips, significantly boosting its performance and energy efficiency while incorporating advanced security features for data protection.

• Vera Rubin is engineered to handle the rising computational requirements of AI models.

• The system achieves higher performance with less energy through innovative cooling and chip design.

[RSnake: Hardware optimized for one model/architecture is risky over the long term, but a good short-term investment.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/ai-giant-nvidia-unveils-new-rule-breaking-supercomputer

xAI, the AI company founded by Elon Musk, has successfully raised $20 billion in a Series E funding round, attracting major investors such as Nvidia and Cisco. The company reports around 600 million active users and plans to use the funds to expand its operations despite increasing scrutiny over its AI's potential to generate harmful content, including nonconsensual sexual material.

• xAI raised $20 billion from investors, including Nvidia and Cisco.

• The company has 600 million monthly active users and plans to expand its data centers and AI models.

[RSnake: I can report xAI’s model seem to be getting both better, and have managed to stay unhinged enough for Hollywood applications.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3080465

Navy F-35 pilots have developed the capability to control multiple autonomous drones using touchscreen tablets during training exercises at the Pentagon’s Joint Simulation Environment. This integration of unmanned systems alongside manned aircraft aims to enhance combat effectiveness and tactical operations for modern warfare.

• Navy pilots have successfully trained to control drones from the cockpit of F-35 fighter planes.

• The training involves the use of advanced simulation technology to prepare aviators for future combat scenarios.

[RSnake: That will be extremely useful in the upcoming fights, where we keep the heavier fighters as missile/bomb trucks and the UAVs for decoys, ISR or kamikaze first-strike options.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2026/01/09/navy-f-35-pilots-train-to-wield-drones-with-touchscreen-tablets/

Saudi Arabia is set to open its capital market to global investors starting February 1, allowing all categories of foreign investors to participate directly. This change is part of a broader effort to boost liquidity, attract international capital, and diversify the Kingdom's economy, which has been heavily reliant on oil.

• Saudi Arabia is removing restrictions on foreign investment in its capital market.

• The reforms aim to enhance market liquidity and attract significant international capital.

[RSnake: I am not sure how the market will react to this, but it will be interesting.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-to-fully-open-capital-market-to-global-investors-from-february/articleshow/126409268.cms

The House of Representatives approved a bipartisan spending package aimed at funding parts of the federal government through September, avoiding a potential shutdown. This marks progress as Congress has only passed three of the twelve necessary spending bills for the fiscal year, with further negotiations expected in the Senate before the January 30th deadline.

• A bipartisan package of spending bills was passed by the House to fund government agencies.

• The bill, which costs roughly $175 billion, reflects negotiations that maintained or increased funding for various programs despite opposition.

[RSnake: I have a feeling we will get another partial shutdown. From the article, “Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Commerce and Justice” are protected.]

Source: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/09/house-easily-passes-spending-package-lawmakers-work-avoid-another-shutdown.html

The Billion Followers Summit in Dubai attracted 30,000 attendees, including content creators and industry leaders, focused on growth strategies in the creator economy. Social media strategist Brendan Kane addressed myths surrounding content creation, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and intentional communication for sustained engagement and success.

• Brendan Kane challenged common myths in content creation that hinder creators' growth and success.

• The summit represents a shift in the creator economy towards valuing meaningful engagement over mere metrics.

[RSnake: Never even heard of this particular summit. Apparently, I am not influential enough. 🤣 ]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/dubais-1-billion-followers-summit-one-million-followers-author-brendan-kane-drops-5-real-growth-strategies-for-content-creators/articleshow/126442915.cms

Minnesota is experiencing a large-scale fraud investigation linked to allegations of money laundering and misuse of taxpayer funds, particularly involving childcare and food-distribution facilities. Whistleblowers are being incentivized with cash rewards to come forward with information regarding the fraud, amidst a backdrop of ongoing investigations by federal officials, including Homeland Security, into the misuse of federal grants.

• Minnesota officials are investigating widespread fraud involving money laundering and misuse of federal funds.

• Whistleblowers are offered cash rewards to provide information about the fraud.

[RSnake: There are rumblings of another huge tax fraud scheme. So expect that to unveil itself well before the midterm elections. If they can knock out Tim Waltz, they can likely do the same or worse with whatever they have uncovered and are holding close until the right time.]

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/treasury-secretary-announces-cash-rewards-minnesota-fraud-whistleblowers

The Trump administration has suspended all USDA funding to Minnesota amid a large-scale fraud investigation involving alleged misappropriation of funds intended for children's nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision follows reports of fraudulent activities related to the state’s distribution of federal aid, with potential links to terrorist financing.

• The USDA has suspended funding to Minnesota due to fraud investigations.

• Significant amounts of money may have been misused in federal aid programs.

[RSnake: Makes sense. That leaves the state on the hook to fund those things itself.]

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/usda-immediately-suspends-all-federal-funding-minnesota-amid-fraud-investigation

Volkswagen's sales in the United States dropped by 20 percent in late 2025 due to tariffs, trade conflicts, and the removal of electric vehicle tax credits. This decline reflects broader challenges for foreign automakers in the U.S. market, particularly as policies shift to promote fossil fuels and demand for electric vehicles falters compared to other regions like China and Europe. The tariff impacts are compounding the difficulties faced by Volkswagen in competing against domestic manufacturers and rising Chinese automakers.

• Volkswagen's sales in the U.S. have significantly decreased due to changing tariffs and trade policies.

• The shift in policy is creating challenges for foreign automakers to cater to both U.S. consumers and global markets.

[RSnake: Yep, this is the new way of things… plus tax credits were never a good idea for cars. It could have made sense for electric long-haul trucks or rail or shipping to help increase shipping capacity, but not for cars. It also made some sense with solar, because at least that eased grid capacity. The market will meet demand, but artificially creating it only lasts as long as the credit does.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/business/volkswagen-tariffs-trump.html