Global Security Situation Brief
28/01/2026
Minnesota
According to an email sent to Congress reviewed by The New York Times yesterday, a preliminary review by the internal oversight office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) found that Alex Pretti was shot by two federal officers after resisting arrest, but the review did not indicate that Pretti was armed during the conflict. This preliminary review report by CBP is the first official written assessment of Saturday's shooting incident, detailing a timeline of events based on body camera footage and agency documents.
Border Affairs Director Tom Homan met with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (Democrat) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey separately yesterday. Walz's office stated in a declaration that he and Homan met in Saint Paul, where both parties agreed to continue efforts toward Minnesota's goals: rapidly reducing the federal troops stationed in the state, conducting a fair investigation into the Minneapolis shooting incident involving federal agents, and ending retaliatory actions against Minnesota. Homan expressed on social media: Although we do not agree on all issues, these meetings were a productive start. (The New York Times)
Yesterday, a man sprayed an unknown substance at Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis. Omar had just called for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. According to an Associated Press reporter, after the man sprayed with a syringe, a strong vinegar smell filled the air. Minneapolis police stated that the man was immediately arrested after the incident. After the man was removed from the venue, Omar continued speaking for about 25 minutes and stated that she would not be intimidated. (Associated Press)
According to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent attempted to forcibly enter the Ecuadorian Consulate in Minneapolis yesterday. The ministry stated on social media that consulate staff prevented the agent from entering and activated an emergency protocol. (Axios)
Yesterday, Democratic leaders in Congress and at least two Republicans called for Noem to step down, demanding major reforms following Pretty's death. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Katherine Clark (D-MA), and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) stated in a joint declaration: "Christie Noem should be dismissed immediately, otherwise we will initiate impeachment proceedings in the House." Senators Tom Tillis (R-NC) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also expressed that Noem should be removed from her position. President Trump stated yesterday that he would not dismiss Noem. "I think she's doing a fantastic job," he told reporters. (Reuters)
According to an official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino was prohibited from accessing his X account by superiors at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday evening. Another official stated that Bovino will eventually regain access to his social media account once he returns to his original role overseeing the U.S.-Mexico border. (The New York Times)
A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to appear in court on Friday and has threatened to hold him in contempt, citing Lyons' repeated disregard of the judge's orders. "The court's patience has been exhausted," the order stated. (POLITICO)
American relations
A Reuters investigation into six immigration enforcement incidents in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Texas—including two fatal shootings this month—reveals that officials often rush to defend immigration enforcement personnel before key facts emerge. These initial accounts have been challenged by video footage or other evidence, sometimes even dismissed in court. U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated: "We have seen a highly coordinated violent operation targeting law enforcement officers." She added that the Department of Homeland Security aims to provide the American people with prompt and accurate information.
Since July, there have been 16 incidents where Department of Homeland Security officials have either made arrests during law enforcement operations or fired shots at individuals protesting their actions. Similarly, in each case, the Trump administration publicly asserted that their actions were justified before the investigations concluded. The Washington Post inquired with the Department of Homeland Security regarding whether any disciplinary action had been taken against the officers involved in these incidents, but the department did not respond.
Recently, some TikTok users accused the app of preventing them from posting videos about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or limiting the reach of such videos. TikTok denied the censorship allegations on Monday, attributing the issue to a power outage at one of the sites of its U.S. data center partners, which triggered a major infrastructure failure. (Axios)
Yesterday, Meta platforms blocked Facebook, Instagram, and Threads users from sharing a database that claimed to contain the names and photos of thousands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, citing privacy concerns. By Tuesday afternoon, any user attempting to post the ICE list on Facebook received a warning that the action violated the platform's community guidelines. Instagram and Threads users were notified that their posts failed to upload. Dominick Skiner, the creator of the ICE list, told WIRED that links to the website had been shared on Meta's platforms over the past 6 months without any issues. (POLITICO)
Trump warned yesterday that the United States would no longer assist Iran if Nouri Kamal al-Maliki returns as Iraq's prime minister. Maliki was nominated for the prime minister position by the main Shiite parties in the Iraqi parliament on Saturday. (The New York Times)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed yesterday that when the U.S. delegation travels to Italy next month for the Winter Olympics, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will accompany them to review and mitigate risks posed by transnational criminal organizations. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated yesterday after meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Italy that ICE agents will not take on any responsibilities for maintaining external public order. (The New York Times)
According to five European diplomats who spoke to POLITICO, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Fico told EU leaders last week that his meeting with Trump left him shocked by the president's mental state. Two diplomats said Fico used the word "dangerous" to describe Trump's behavior during their face-to-face meeting earlier this month. Two other diplomats stated that Fico expressed concern about Trump's psychological condition. Fico said on social media today: I must categorically deny the lies on the POLITICO website regarding my evaluation of the meeting with Trump.
Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Rodney Scott, and Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Joseph Edlow have agreed to attend hearings before the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees on February 10 and 12, respectively. (POLITICO)
Israel-Hamas war
According to Reuters, sources revealed that Hamas is seeking to incorporate its 10,000 police officers into the U.S.-backed new Palestinian government in Gaza. On Sunday, the Hamas-controlled Gaza government sent a letter to over 40,000 of its civil servants and security personnel, urging them to cooperate with the National Committee for Administrative Governance (NCAG) in Gaza and assuring them that Hamas is working to include them in the new government. A Hamas official stated that Hamas and the head of the National Committee for Administrative Governance in Gaza, Ali Shaath, have not yet held a meeting to discuss governance issues.
Israeli military advisor and retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi stated yesterday that Israel has cleared a piece of land in southern Gaza for the construction of a Palestinian camp. The camp's entrance may be equipped with surveillance and facial recognition technology. Avivi said the camp will be used to accommodate Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza for Egypt, as well as those who wish to remain in Gaza. All entries and exits will be monitored by Israeli personnel. (Reuters)
Developments in the Russia-Ukraine situation
A study released yesterday by the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies shows that nearly 1.2 million Russian soldiers and nearly 600,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured, killed, or missing in the war. (The New York Times)
Iran
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stated today that, following phone calls with Iranian officials, the two countries will not allow their airspace to be used for any attacks against Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also held a phone conversation with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who acknowledged receiving the call but did not disclose further details. (Associated Press)
U.S. Caribbean and Pacific Operations
According to the testimony released by the State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, stating that the United States is not at war with Venezuela, Venezuela's transitional leader is actively cooperating, and the Trump administration does not rule out the use of force if necessary. Rubio will say: If other methods prove ineffective, we are prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation from Venezuela. (Associated Press)
According to four sources, U.S. intelligence reports are skeptical about whether Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, will cooperate with the Trump administration in severing ties with allies such as China, Russia, and Iran. Rodriguez stated in a speech on Sunday that she has had enough of U.S. interference. However, according to two of the sources, U.S. officials have also held positive calls with her recently. Another source indicated that U.S. officials are establishing connections with senior Venezuelan military and security officials in case they change their strategy. (Reuters)
Other Global Development Trends
According to local residents and officials yesterday, more than 70,000 residents from remote areas in northwestern Pakistan bordering Afghanistan have fled their homes due to concerns that the Pakistani government will launch a military operation against the Pakistani Taliban. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif denied the claim, stating that there is currently no ongoing or planned military operation, attributing the population movement to weather conditions. (Associated Press)
Trump Administration Lawsuit
In October 2025, a U.S. missile strike targeted a small boat near the coast of Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of two Trinidadian men. The families of the two deceased have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the U.S. government. The plaintiffs argue that the strike violated international and federal laws prohibiting extrajudicial killings and are seeking compensation for the losses suffered by the deceased. (POLITICO)
On Monday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the deportation of a 5-year-old boy and his father, who were arrested last week in a suburb of Minneapolis. The boy, detained by federal agents while wearing a Spider-Man backpack and a wide-brimmed winter hat, quickly became a symbol of Minnesota's immigration policy. The judge's order was brief and did not delve into the details of the case. (The New York Times)