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11 Jan 2025 — 4 min read

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On January 9, 2025, Lebanon elected General Joseph Aoun as president, ending over two years without a leader. The presidency had been vacant since October 31, 2022, because Lebanon’s political system requires different religious and political groups to agree on key appointments, which often leads to long delays. General Aoun, a Maronite Christian as required by Lebanon’s sectarian system, previously led the Lebanese Armed Forces and is seen as a neutral and unifying figure. Many hope his leadership will help stabilize the country, which has been struggling with severe economic and political crises.
Lebanon’s political system divides power among its religious communities: the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shia Muslim. This system represents the country’s religious diversity but often causes political deadlock. Hezbollah, a Shia political party and armed group, plays a major role in the government while also operating its own military forces outside of government control. General Aoun has expressed a desire to strengthen state institutions and ensure that only the government controls weapons, raising questions about how his presidency might affect Hezbollah’s influence and Lebanon’s overall stability. His ability to navigate these challenges will be critical for the country’s future.

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Yesterday, January 10, 2025, during Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a third term as president, Venezuela closed its borders with Brazil and Colombia and suspended air travel to these countries. The government claimed these measures were necessary to prevent unrest and foreign interference during the ceremony.
The closures disrupted trade and travel, particularly for border communities that rely on these connections for their livelihoods. While critics argue that the border closure was an authoritarian move to suppress dissent and isolate the nation, supporters claim it was a necessary measure to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty and prevent foreign interference during a politically sensitive time.

Maduro’s re-election in July 2024 was widely contested, with accusations of fraud and a lack of transparency. The government-controlled electoral council declared him the winner, but the opposition claimed their candidate, Edmundo González Urrutia, had actually received the majority. Many countries, including the United States and some in the European Union, have refused to recognize Maduro’s presidency. His government, rooted in Chavista ideology, continues to face criticism for its authoritarian approach and its role in Venezuela’s ongoing economic and political crises.

Environment & Weather:

Security:

On January 8, 2025, PowerSchool, a company serving over 60 million K-12 students and teachers, revealed a cyberattack involving customer data. Hackers used stolen credentials to access sensitive information, including Social Security numbers and medical data, through PowerSchool’s support system. While the company claims only some schools were affected, details about how many remain unclear. PowerSchool paid a ransom and stated the stolen data has been deleted, but security experts warn the breach may involve years of information.
This breach has led to lawsuits accusing PowerSchool of failing to protect private data. State education departments, like South Carolina’s, have confirmed being informed about the breach, but PowerSchool has not provided public updates or guidance for those affected. The situation highlights the importance of stronger security in systems that handle sensitive student and teacher information.

Space:

Yesterday, January 10, 2025, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch occurred at 2:11 PM EST, with a backup window extending shortly thereafter. Thirteen of the satellites included Direct-to-Cell capabilities, aimed at providing enhanced global connectivity through satellite-to-cellular service.

After deploying the satellites, the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster successfully landed on a droneship in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks another milestone in SpaceX’s development of reusable rocket technology. The mission continues the expansion of the Starlink constellation, which is designed to provide high-speed internet access worldwide, particularly to remote and underserved regions.