EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
Syria, Kurds and U.S. Race to Show Progress on SDF Integration Deal 
U.S. House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill as ACA Subsidies Near Expiration 
Kennedy Center Reportedly Renamed Trump-Kennedy Center After Board Vote 
Putin Signals Possible Peace or Continued War in Ukraine at Major Year-End Address 
U.S. Initiates $11.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising China Tensions 
Republicans Raise National Security Concerns Over Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools 
Honduras Election Recount Delayed Amid Protests and Political Tensions 
U.S. and China Push for Ceasefire as Thailand–Cambodia Border Clashes Escalate 
Argentina Unions Rally Against Milei’s Labor Reform as Congress Debates Key Bill 
U.S.-Russia Talks in Miami Raise Hopes for Potential Ukraine War Deal 
Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency 
UN Warns Gaza Humanitarian Aid at Risk as Israel Registration Rules Threaten NGO Operations 
Venezuela Seeks UN Security Council Meeting Over U.S. Oil Tanker Blockade 
Trump Attends Dover Ceremony Honoring U.S. Personnel Killed in Syria 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Trump Announces $1,776 Cash Bonus for U.S. Military Personnel Ahead of Christmas 
The leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans countries convened in Albania for its summit. The meeting aims to assure the leaders of the Western Balkan nations of having a future in the bloc as fears remain about Russia and China’s growing influence.
The leaders of the EU and the six Western Balkans countries comprising Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia met in the Albanian capital of Tirana for the summit this week.
The leaders of the Western Balkan nations have expressed some frustration regarding the negotiations that have either not started or have stalled years after they were promised a place in the EU. The summit aims for the bloc to assure the region that they will eventually become members.
Some EU member countries have expressed reluctance to expand the regional grouping. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted the region to bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU.
“I am absolutely convinced that the future of our children will be safer and more prosperous with the Western Balkans within the EU and we are working very hard to make progress,” said EU Council Chief Charles Michel at the start of Tuesday’s meeting.
In a step towards eventual membership, the telecommunications providers in the EU and the six leaders of the Western Balkans signed an agreement during the meeting on a cut in data roaming charges starting in October 2023. While some of the region’s leaders welcomed the step, others have expressed that they want more.
Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu said that the nation would submit its formal application for EU membership by the end of the year. Sadriu said that she hopes an EU summit that will take place next week will approve visa liberalization for Kosovo.
On the same day, a senior EU diplomat said that the bloc has drafted a new proposal to normalize ties between Kosovo and Serbia that included a clear timeline of actions. The diplomat revealed that the draft proposal was given to both sides and that they expect Serbia and Kosovo to reach an agreement in less than a year.
