Latest news for 28 January 2026

SAUDI ARABIA

Not on my skies.

The Saudi crown prince (MBS) has told Iran’s President Pezeshkian the US won’t be permitted to use Saudi airspace or territory for any hits on Iran. (AA)

Comment: That’s probably not as comforting for Iran as it sounds: the US has no shortage of bases in the region (Qatar, Kuwait, UAE) and didn’t need Saudi airspace when it hit Iran’s nuclear sites last year.

UNITED KINGDOM

Trip to China.

Prime Minister Starmer will shortly land in China for the first such trip by a British PM since 2018. (BBC)

Comment: Like Canada’s Carney and France’s Macron before him, he’s joined by a big delegation of business and cultural leaders hoping to revive ties with the world’s second-biggest economy amid tensions with the biggest (the US), before Trump himself travels to China this April.

RUSSIA

No comment.

Nobody is yet commenting on allegations that $34B US-based tech company Ubiquiti has been providing Russia with long-range wireless equipment facilitating Russian drone strikes on civilian targets across Ukraine. Ubiquiti’s billionaire founder (Pera) is also owner of the Memphis Grizzlies. (Hunterbrook)

NORWAY

Bang, bang.

Norway’s parliament has approved a $2.5B plan to buy long range artillery, reportedly granting the contract to South Korea’s Hanwha rather than America’s Lockheed. It’s aimed at deterring further Russian aggression. (Reuters)

Comment: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been a reminder how much artillery still matters in modern warfare. As for Norway’s decision to go with a Korean supplier, it’s easy to see this as a rebuke of the US, but it’s more likely a rebuke of US manufacturing timelines and potentially even range.

TIMOR LESTE

Out of town guests.

Australia’s prime minister has landed in Dili for a two-day visit to address the young nation’s parliament and receive its highest honour. (Canberra Times)

Comment: It’s a tough balance for Albanese: in seeking to push back on China, he’ll want to emphasise Australia’s role in East Timorese independence, and not Australia’s earlier recognition of Indonesia’s occupation, but all without antagonising Indonesia. He’s also navigating a long-running gas dispute — and we wouldn’t be surprised if the Australian oil & gas operator (Woodside) ends up getting some kind of sweetheart deal to help process gas in Timor (per local wishes, and per recent Aussie practice to curb China’s appeal elsewhere in the Pacific).

UNITED STATES

Not what it looks like.

There’s been local alarm amid reports ICE immigration enforcement might assist with security at Italy’s upcoming Winter Olympics, prompting DC to clarify only ICE’s investigative arm will be there to help State's diplomatic security arm. (AP)

Comment: Even if a misunderstanding, it’s an example how much ICE’s reputation has soured abroad. Meanwhile, Ecuador has filed a complaint after ICE agents reportedly tried to enter Ecuador’s consulate in Minneapolis.

RWANDA

Pay up.

Rwanda has launched arbitration proceedings against the UK, claiming London failed to honour financial commitments under the now-scrapped migrant deportation deal, which cost the UK ~$900M for four voluntary departures. (BBC)