Morning Briefing: Jan. 28, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including US President Donald Trump reiterating that the United States is deploying a substantial naval force to the Middle East, Saudi Arabia saying that it will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Iran, the Turkish and US presidents discussing Syria and the Gaza Board of Peace during a phone call, and Russian President Vladimir Putin preparing to host his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says US has 'big armada' deployed to Middle East

US President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States has deployed a substantial naval force to the Middle East amid heightened tensions with Iran.

"We have a big armada going over there right now, and hopefully we won't have to use it, but it's very powerful, bigger than what we have in Venezuela that we sent over that worked out so well," Trump said in a radio interview released Tuesday.

The US deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the Middle East on Monday "to promote regional security and stability." According to media reports, the US also moved additional Patriot and THAAD air defense systems to the Middle East.

"We have a big armada going over there, and we'll see. Hopefully, we won't have to use it," Trump said.

• Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military actions against Iran

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the Kingdom will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against Iran.

The remarks came during a phone call between the crown prince, who also serves as prime minister, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Bin Salman affirmed “the Kingdom’s position on respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” stressing that Saudi Arabia “will not allow the use of its airspace or territory in any military actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any attacks by any party, regardless of their destination.”

He also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for “any efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.”

• Turkish, US presidents discuss Syria, Gaza Board of Peace

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump discussed the latest developments in Syria and the Gaza Board of Peace.

In a phone call, the two leaders also discussed bilateral trade relations, particularly in the defense industry, and regional and global developments.

Türkiye will continue to take steps to improve cooperation with the US and advance relations in all areas in the mutual interest of both countries, Erdogan said.

He also emphasized that Türkiye attaches great importance to the full implementation of the ceasefire and integration agreement in neighboring Syria and that Ankara is closely monitoring the process in coordination with the US and Syrian authorities.

He also expressed his hope that the Gaza Board of Peace will achieve fruitful results.

• Putin to host Syrian President al-Sharaa for talks on 'transitional period'

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow on Jan. 28 to discuss the "transitional period" and regional developments, the Kremlin announced.

"The plan is to discuss the state and prospects for developing bilateral ties in various areas, as well as the current situation in the Middle East," the Kremlin said in a statement regarding the meeting's agenda.

The upcoming talks will take place during al-Sharaa's working visit to Russia, as the two leaders aim to address the trajectory of their bilateral relations and the ongoing restructuring of the Syrian state.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The UN expressed concern over reports that the United States is deploying a carrier strike group to the Middle East and expanding its military presence in the region.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye stands with Nigeria in its fight against terrorism, expressing Ankara’s readiness to deepen cooperation in military training and intelligence.
• US President Donald Trump said Cuba “will be failing pretty soon” as it loses critical financial and energy support previously provided by Venezuela.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will pay a four-day official visit to China this week, Beijing announced, in the first such trip since 2018.
• US President Donald Trump said he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio solved "a tremendous problem" in cooperation with Syria.
• North Korea fired two ballistic missiles toward the East Sea, marking its second such launch this year, the Japanese and South Korean governments confirmed.
• US President Donald Trump warned that Iraq could face consequences if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is returned to power.
• Relations between Ecuador and Colombia deteriorated into a full-scale trade war following a dispute over border security that has expanded into a significant disruption of regional energy and trade.
• At least five civilians were killed while attempting to return to their homes in villages near the Tishrin and Qara Qozak dams in northern Syria after landmines planted by the YPG/SDF terror group exploded, according to a statement by the Aleppo Media Directorate.
• The UN Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) in Yemen for the last time.
• At least four people were killed and two others injured as a Russian drone strike hit a passenger train in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
• Austria is considering a ban on social media use for children under 14 following similar moves in Australia and France, State Secretary for Digital Affairs Alexander Proll told public broadcaster ORF.
• The death toll from Saturday’s landslide in Indonesia rose to 48 as search and rescue operations continued for dozens missing in West Java, according to Kompas TV
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke separately with the leaders of Austria, the UK and Norway on recent trilateral diplomatic meetings in the United Arab Emirates and set a target of 2027 for Kyiv's accession to the EU.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• India, EU sign document on conclusion of free trade pact negotiations

India and the EU signed a document on the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA), the Press Trust of India reported.

The signing was done after summit-level talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa in New Delhi.

The two sides also signed a security and defense partnership agreement as well as a pact on a “comprehensive” framework for mobility.

• US consumer confidence unexpectedly falls in December to lowest level since 2014

The Conference Board's US Consumer Confidence Index fell 9.7 points to 84.5 in December, marking its lowest level since 2014, according to survey data.

The figure for November was revised upwards to 94.2, while markets expected the figure to come in at 90.6 for December.

The Present Situation Index, which reflects consumers' assessments of current job and labor market conditions, fell 9.9 points to 113.7 in December.