If you thought the first two weeks of 2026 were just going to be “New Year, New Me,” the world had other plans. We are witnessing a level of global instability that we haven’t seen in decades. The rules of international engagement have officially been shredded. From South America to Eastern Europe, here is the world news update—and why Islamabad is sweating.
1. The Aftermath of “Operation Caracas”
By now, you know the headline: On January 3rd, US Special Forces raided Caracas and extracted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
- The Global Reaction: While the West is celebrating the “end of a dictatorship,” the Global South is terrified. The message is clear: Sovereignty is optional.
- The Pakistan Angle: Our Foreign Office issued a statement of “profound concern” at the UN Security Council this week. Why? Because Pakistan hates precedents where superpowers can simply “go in and take someone.”
- The Fear: If they can do it for “Narco-Terrorism” in Venezuela, what stops a similar justification for “Nuclear Security” elsewhere? This raid has made every nuclear state in the developing world paranoid.
2. Russia’s “Oreshnik” Winter Offensive
While eyes were on Venezuela, Vladimir Putin quietly launched the deadliest winter offensive of the war. This week (Jan 12-15), Russia deployed the “Oreshnik” Hypersonic Missile against energy infrastructure in Lviv and Kyiv.
- The Situation: Ukraine is currently 40% without power in freezing temperatures. The “stalemate” is over; Russia is pushing hard to break the lines before spring.
- The Pakistan Angle: Pakistan formally called for an “Immediate Ceasefire” at the UN on Tuesday. We are walking a tightrope—we need Russian oil and wheat, but we cannot afford to alienate the West (our export market). The FO is currently trying to stay neutral, but as the war expands, “neutrality” is becoming expensive.
3. The Iran Crisis: Tariffs & Border Alerts
This is the story that directly hits our wallet. With the new US administration threatening 25% Tariffs on any country trading with Iran, Pakistan is in the crosshairs.
- The Tension: We just signed new barter trade agreements with Tehran for rice and LPG. Now, Washington is effectively saying: “Choose: Iran or Us.”
- The Border Alert: Internally, Iran is facing massive protests. Yesterday, Pakistan put the border districts in Balochistan on High Alert, fearing a spillover of refugees or militants if the Iranian regime cracks down harder.
- The FO Stance: In yesterday’s briefing, the Spokesperson offered to “facilitate communication” between Tehran and Washington. It’s a polite way of saying: “Please don’t make us pick a side.”
The Verdict
The world in January 2026 is becoming a place where “Might is Right.” For a country like Pakistan—which relies on IMF loans (US influence), energy imports (Russian/Iranian influence), and export markets (Western influence)—this is a diplomatic nightmare.
We aren’t just watching the world burn; we are trying not to catch fire ourselves. And not to mention the debacles in Somaliland, Yemen, and a whole host of things we didn’t cover. Just exhausted thinking about all of it.
Do you think Pakistan should stop trading with Iran to avoid US sanctions? Let me know in the comments.