Starting this week, the Review is launching a series where it collects and publishes brief overviews of significant world news events. For more information about any of these topics and to visit the sources used, readers can click the hyperlinks in the online edition of this piece published on oberlinreview.org.

Russia Claims Territories Across East Ukraine, President Zelenskyy Calls for International Intervention

According to an article published by Al Jazeera, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russian forces have begun their “big revenge.” Following months of relative stalemate, Russia recently claimed a series of victories across the Ukrainian East. “Every day they either bring in more of their regular troops, or we see an increase in the number of Wagnerites,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian reporters.

M23 Troops Claim Kitshanga in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

After a failed November agreement for M23 forces to withdraw from seized areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, rebels took control of Kitshanga after the Jan. 15 deadline to withdraw. According to an article from Al Jazeera, Lawrence Kanyuka, political spokesperson for the group, accused government troops of killing civilians and claimed that the Tutsi-led group was “prevent[ing] a genocide.” Civilians were seen fleeing from the area after M23 took control.

Israeli Forces Attempted Drone Strike Upon Isfahan, Iran

According to an article published by BBC News, American intelligence agents claim that Israel was responsible for a minor drone strike on a “workshop” in Isfahan, Iran. Israel has admitted to drone strikes against Iranian targets in the past, claiming they were an attempt to stop the flow of weapons to militants in Lebanon. This latest attack comes as Iran faces criticism for producing weapons used by Russia in drone strikes against Ukraine. Israel claims that the attack was not related to Iran’s relationship with Russia. Iran claims that the attack was an attempt to “destabilize” Iran as the regime faces ongoing civilian resistance.

2022 Became Deadliest Year on Record for U.S. Police Violence

According to an article published by The Guardian, U.S. law enforcement officers killed at least 1,176 individuals in 2022. This is the highest number of annual police killings since journalists and racial justice advocates first began tracking this statistic in 2013. This year’s statistic marks a 24-person increase from 2020, which had previously been the deadliest year on record for police violence. According to the “2022 Police Violence Report” published by Mapping Police Violence, Inc., officers faced criminal charges in only nine of the 1,176 killings last year.