China's Defense Ministry announced investigations into two high-ranking generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, both members of the powerful Central Military Commission, for 'serious violations of discipline and law'. The move, announced on January 24, 2026, is seen as a major purge consolidating President Xi Jinping's control over the military.
The Pentagon is exploring a significant shift in the mission of US Forces Korea (USFK), moving beyond its traditional focus on North Korea to include broader deterrence against China across the Indo-Pacific. This recalibration, outlined in the new National Defense Strategy, emphasizes burden-sharing with allies and a focus on the 'first island chain' for regional stability.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong desire for enhanced defence cooperation with Europe, particularly highlighting the EU's SAFE initiative. This push for closer ties comes ahead of crucial trade talks and is driven by evolving geopolitical challenges, including concerns over US reliability and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Previous negotiations for UK involvement in the €150 billion SAFE fund stalled in late 2025 over entry costs, but renewed appetite for a deal is evident.
A modern Russian Navy corvette, the 'Gremyashchiy' (hull number 337), transited eastward through the Tsugaru Strait on February 1, 2026. Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the passage, stating the vessel was monitored by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as part of routine surveillance of Russian naval activity near the Japanese archipelago.
An unfinished section of the Yuegang Bridge in Yancheng City, Jiangsu province, eastern China, collapsed on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two workers and leaving three others unaccounted for. Rescue operations are underway at the site of the critical infrastructure project.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II met in Cairo on February 1, 2026, to discuss the urgent situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. Both leaders reiterated their rejection of Palestinian displacement and affirmed the two-state solution as crucial for regional peace.
A high-level Saudi official denied US media reports suggesting Riyadh urged Washington to attack Iran, reiterating the Kingdom's support for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic means. The official also confirmed Saudi Arabia would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for military action against Iran.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on February 1, 2026, reaffirming Moscow's unwavering support for Beijing's 'one-China' principle regarding Taiwan. Shoigu stated Russia views Taiwan as an inseparable part of China and opposes any form of independence for the island.
Italian authorities have detained the German-flagged refugee rescue ship Sea-Watch 5 for 15 days and imposed a €7,500 fine. The action follows the crew's refusal to communicate with the Libyan coastguard after rescuing 18 people, a decision Sea-Watch defends as upholding international law.
An Iranian official has denied media reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would conduct a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz on February 1 and 2. The denial follows earlier reports from state-run media and a warning from the US military regarding safe navigation in the critical waterway.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on February 1, 2026, reaffirming Moscow's 'consistent and unwavering support' for China's position on Taiwan. Shoigu emphasized adherence to the 'one-China principle' and expressed concern over destabilization in the Taiwan Strait. The meeting underscored the deepening strategic coordination between the two nations.
The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo has reissued a travel advisory for Chinese citizens, urging them to avoid non-essential travel to Japan. This follows a robbery in Tokyo's Ueno district on January 29, 2026, where Chinese nationals were among the victims of a tear gas attack and theft of approximately 420 million yen in cash. The embassy has called on Japanese authorities to ensure the safety of Chinese residents.
South Africa has declared Israel's chargé d'affaires, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, ordering him to leave within 72 hours over alleged diplomatic norm violations and insulting social media posts against President Ramaphosa. Israel swiftly responded by expelling South Africa's senior diplomatic representative, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, escalating already strained relations.
South Africa has expelled Israel's chargé d'affaires, Ariel Seidman, citing violations of diplomatic norms and 'insulting attacks' on President Cyril Ramaphosa. In a reciprocal move, Israel declared South Africa's senior diplomat, Shaun Edward Byneveldt, persona non grata, escalating an already strained relationship marked by South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the ICJ.
Japan and South Korea have agreed to resume bilateral naval search and rescue drills, known as SAREX, after a nine-year pause. The decision, made during a meeting between defense ministers Ahn Gyu-back and Shinjiro Koizumi in Yokosuka, aims to boost military exchange and trust, signaling improved bilateral relations.
Sun Shaocheng, the former Party secretary of China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region and a former veterans minister, is currently under investigation for suspected severe violations of Party disciplines and national laws. The probe was announced by China's top anti-corruption bodies, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the dispute with the United States over Greenland is a 'strategic wake-up call for all of Europe' during recent talks with Danish and Greenlandic leaders in Paris. The declaration emphasizes European sovereignty and Arctic security amidst renewed U.S. interest in the territory.
Turkey's Ministry of National Defense announced its Navtex warnings in the Aegean Sea, targeting Greek activities, are indefinite. Ankara asserts these notices are technical objections to 'illegal' Greek actions and require coordination for all research activities on the continental shelf, escalating long-standing maritime disputes.
Turkey's Ministry of National Defense has announced that its Navtex warnings in the Aegean Sea, issued as technical objections to Greece's activities, are indefinite. Ankara demands coordination for all research activities in its claimed continental shelf and highlights concerns over military activities near demilitarized islands.
Diplomats from China and the Philippines convened in Cebu on January 29, 2026, for bilateral maritime talks. The meeting, held amidst broader ASEAN discussions, addressed maritime issues and mutual concerns, with both nations agreeing to sustain communication through diplomatic channels.
