Protesters denouncing U.S. strikes on the Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah militant group attempted to break into (CNN) the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas and stun grenades. Iraq’s government said the U.S. air strikes forced it to review (WSJ) its security partnership with the United States.

The events stoked fears of a proxy war in Iraq between Iran and the United States. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq and other staff were evacuated (Reuters) from the embassy, and Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi called for protesters to depart (Reuters) or suffer consequences. U.S. President Donald J. Trump tweeted that those who attacked the embassy would be held fully responsible.

Police acknowledged using facial recognition software (Reuters) to screen participants in a Delhi political rally for the first time. Privacy advocates have claimed that such mass surveillance is unconstitutional, and warned of its possible abuses during a time of nationwide protest in the country.
 
Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a scheme to improve health care access (Al Jazeera) for the country’s transgender citizens, who will now be able to use a program that provides free medical treatment to underprivileged Pakistanis.

An Associated Press investigation found that millions of dollars sent from the European Union to Libya and meant to improve conditions in migrant detention centers and fight human trafficking have been diverted to militias, traffickers, and coast guard members who exploit migrants.

Liberia’s Council of Patriots rescheduled a protest (DW) against President George Weah’s handling of an economic crisis after warnings from the international community that the demonstration could escalate into violence. It is now set for January 6.
 
Sudan: A court sentenced (NYT) twenty-nine intelligence officers to death for the February killing and torture of an anti-government protester. The killing became a focus of demonstrators’ outrage during this year’s protests against deposed President Omar al-Bashir’s government.

The two countries finalized the deals necessary to continue shipping Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine for the next five years (Bloomberg) ahead of a January 1 deadline. Gas flows to Europe have been disrupted twice in the last thirteen years due to disputes between Kyiv and Moscow.
 
In Foreign Affairs, Serhii Plokhy and M.E. Sarotte discuss why Ukraine is a linchpin of any durable post-Cold War order in Eurasia.
 
Spain: The new coalition government of the Socialist and the far-left Podemos parties announced (FT) increases in the minimum wage and corporate taxes as part of their program. Separately, Spain’s attorney general proposed the temporary release of a jailed Catalan independence leader, which could increase parliamentary support for the coalition.

Authorities announced the release (NYT) of ninety-one prisoners, including many who participated in last year’s widespread uprising against the government, after international pressure to do so. The government suggested the detainees be moved to house arrest.
 
Bolivia: The country’s caretaker government expelled (FT) the Mexican ambassador and two Spanish diplomats after their defense of figures linked to former Bolivian President Evo Morales. Spain responded by expelling three Bolivian diplomats.

Beginning tomorrow, a California law will require tech companies to disclose what personal data they are collecting from users and to allow users to opt out (Slate) of the sale of that data. Many companies will enact the changes for users nationwide.
 
In Foreign Affairs, Eric Rosenbach and Katherine Mansted discuss the private sector’s role in U.S. data security strategy.