Somalia Leads UN Security Council, Iran Regime Collapsing, Trump's America 250 Celebration Begins

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Hey, what is up, Patriots? And happy freaking new year. I hope you had an amazing time ringing in 2026. The fiance and I had a quiet night. She's been unfortunately under the weather for the past few days, so she passed out early and I ended up spending most of the day working on my two-part Trump year one report card episode for O'Connor's right stand. I went back and listened to it today and man, I sounded exhausted, but hey.

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If you want the full breakdown on how Trump performed in his first year back, it's up now. Just over an hour across both parts. Well, this is O'Connor's Quick Strike and I'm John O'Connor. Three stories the mainstream media won't cover or will completely twist beyond recognition delivered in roughly 15 minutes or so. No fluff, no BS, no filler. Just the unvarnished truth peppered with my own take on what's really going on. Today is Friday, January 2nd, the first Quick Strike of 2026.

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First, we are covering the absolute absurdity that is Somalia taking over the UN Security Council. The same Somalia that ranked the number one failed state in the world is now in charge of global security. Then, we are talking about Iran, because the regime is collapsing as we speak. Protests are in their fifth day, people are dead, and the mullahs are panicking. And we are closing on something hopeful.

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Trump just launched Freedom 250, the biggest birthday celebration in American history for our nation's 250th anniversary. Let's get into it. Three. All right, patriots, kinda need you to sit down for this one. Yesterday, Somalia officially assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council. Let me say that again, Somalia. The same Somalia...

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that is ranked the number one worst country in the world on the failed state index. The same Somalia where Al-Qaeda militias control large parts of the country. The same Somalia where 95 % of girls aged 4 to 11 face genital mutilation. This Somalia is now in charge of global security discussions at the United Nations. I mean, you truly can't make this stuff up. Here's how this works.

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The UN Security Council has five permanent members, the US, UK, France, China, and Russia, plus 10 rotating members with two year terms. The presidency rotates monthly in alphabetical order. Somalia got elected to a non-permanent seat in June, 2024. Now it's their month. And just because the role is largely procedural doesn't mean it's meaningless. As president,

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Somalia sets meeting agendas, presides over sessions, and guides debates on international peace and security. Just think about that. A country that cannot maintain its own security is now leading discussions about global security. According to UN Watch executive director Hillel Nuer, Somalia ranked worst on 12 indicators. Here these indicators are terrorism, corruption,

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inability to collect taxes, mass displacement, economic collapse, and chronic insecurity. The government in Mogadishu relies on foreign peacekeepers just to secure their own capital. And between 5,000 and 7,500 people die from violence every year there. But sure, let's put them in charge of global security. It's absurd, like having a cattle rancher run a vegan convention.

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Somalia received 179 out of 193 votes to get this seat. Almost everyone voted for this. Why? Well, because the UN is a joke. The same organization that puts China and Iran on its human rights council. The same organization that condemns Israel more than actual terrorist states. This is why Trump wants us out of this globalist circus. We are paying billions.

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22 % of the UN's regular budget, 27 % of peacekeeping to fund an organization that works against American interests. Americans are now just discovering how the UN actually works and they are absolutely furious. Social media has been blowing up since this announcement. People are sharing the news with comments like, a country that can't maintain its own security leads the Security Council. And this is what happens when you put feelings over facts.

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And you know what? They are right. Here's what I want you to think about. How much longer should America continue funding the United Nations? We contribute more than any other country. We are talking about 22 % of the UN's regular budget and about 27 % of the peacekeeping budget. That's billions with a capital B. For what? So Somalia can lecture us about security? So China can lecture us about human rights?

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so the world can use our money to fund their anti-American agendas. President Trump tried to pull us out of the WHO during the first term. He tried to cut UN funding, and the establishment went crazy. They said we needed to maintain our leadership role in these international organizations. But what kind of leadership are we providing when we are just bankrolling a corrupt system that works against American interests? I want to hear from you on this.

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Do you think we should stay in the UN? Should we cut funding? Should we pull out completely? Let me know what you think. Because right now, we are watching a failed state take the reins of the world's most important security body, and the whole thing would be hilarious if it wasn't so dangerous. Two. All right, let's shift gears from the absurd to the serious. Because while the UN is busy making Somalia the president of global security,

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There's an actual security crisis happening right now that could change the entire Middle East. Iran is exploding. And I don't mean that figuratively. I mean that the Iranian regime is facing the biggest threat to its survival since the 1979 revolution, and it's happening right now as we speak. Yesterday marked the fifth consecutive day of massive protests across Iran. And these aren't just your typical demonstrations.

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We are talking about protests or storming government buildings. We are talking about security forces opening live fire on crowds. We are talking about at least six people dead and hundreds arrested. This is the largest outbreak of unrest in Iran since the Masha Amini protests back in 2022, when a 22-year-old woman died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly.

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Those protests had lasted for months and nearly toppled the regime. But these protests? These? Well, they might actually finish the job. It started December 28th when merchants in Tehran's Grand Bazaar struck over the catastrophic economy. The Iranian rile collapsed to $1.45 million to the dollar, more than tripled from $430,000 in 2022. So,

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Inflation is at 42%. Food inflation is at 72%. Families can't afford to eat. So the protests started in the bazaars. Merchants closing their shops, marching in the streets, chanting anti-government slogans. And then it spread. University students in Tehran joined in. And then the protests spread to all major cities across the country. And here's where it gets really intense.

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In the city of Lurgan in Western Iran, protesters didn't just march. They stormed the governor's office. They set fire to the Foundation of Martyrs building. That's a regime institution. They attacked the judiciary building. These are direct attacks on the symbols of the regime's power. This isn't just about economics anymore. This is about overthrowing the government. Security forces responded with tear gas and live ammunition.

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At least three people were killed in Lurgan alone. Another three were killed in Asna and also in Western Iran. The chants echoing through the streets, death to Khamenei, that's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, death to the dictator, poverty, corruption, high prices, we are going for regime change. This isn't about reform, this is about revolution. The regime's panicking.

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They ordered a shutdown of 21 of 31 provinces Wednesday. Official reason? Cold weather. Yeah, right. They are terrified of people gathering. The economy is so bad nobody wants to be in charge and people are resigning left and right. Most telling, Khamenei appointed IRGC Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi wanted internationally for terrorism to suppress protests.

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When your standard police forces can't contain the unrest, you bring in the guy wanted for terrorism to crush dissent. That's desperation. And here's the thing that should give you hope. The president of Iran, who I'm not even going to attempt that last name, who's supposed to be one of the reformers in the regime, omitted on Thursday, if we don't solve the problem of people's livelihood, we cannot govern. We cannot govern.

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That's an admission of political bankruptcy. The regime knows it's losing control. Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Abadi said it perfectly in an interview yesterday. So, why is this happening now? Two reasons.

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President Trump in Israel crushed Iran militarily last year with strikes on their nuclear facilities and military leadership. And the economic sanctions are working. Iran spent billions funding terrorism, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, while their own people starved. And now, Syria collapsed, Assad is gone, Hezbollah decimated, Hamas surrendering. Iran has nothing left. No allies. No money.

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No military power, just angry mullahs that are watching their empire crumble. And the Iranian people? Well, they are done. So here's my question for you, patriots. How much longer do you think this regime can survive? Days? Weeks? Months? Because if Iran falls, if the Iranian people successfully overthrow this terrorist regime, the entire Middle East changes overnight. No more funding for Hezbollah.

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No more support for the Houthis. No more threats against Israel. This is exactly what President Trump's maximum pressure strategy was designed to do. Economically strangle the regime. Support the Iranian people. Let them take care of their own liberation. And it's working. Pay attention to this story, patriots. This could be the biggest geopolitical shift in the Middle East in decades. And it's happening because Trump had the courage to stand up to Iran

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when the rest of the world was too scared. One. All right, after talking about failed states and collapsing regimes, let's end on a high note, because while the rest of the world is falling apart, America is about to throw the biggest birthday party in our nation's history. On New Year's Eve, just two nights ago, President Trump launched Freedom 250 to celebrate America's 250th birthday throughout 2026. The Washington Monument

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became the world's largest birthday candle with projections on all four sides. At midnight, fireworks lit up the DC skyline in red, white, and blue. So here's what's coming. May, National Prayer Event rededicating America to One Nation Under God. Memorial Day. Spirit of America Parade honoring fallen soldiers. June, Great American State Fair on the National Mall with all 50 states represented.

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Flag Day, June 14th, UFC fight at the White House, a 5,000 seat arena on the South Lawn. In the fall, first ever Patriot Games, high school athletes from all 50 states competing. July 4th, the largest fireworks display in world history on the National Mall, military flyovers, unprecedented celebration. Plus, America co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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and New York Harbor hosts 60 ships from 30 countries. Now, you know the left is already losing their minds over this. CNN published an article worrying that Trump's celebrations are too divisive and too partisan. Devisive? We are celebrating the founding of our country. How is that divisive unless you hate America? They are mad because Trump is placing himself front and center in the celebrations.

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Well, yeah, he's the president. He's the one actually doing something to honor our nation's history instead of tearing it down like the previous administration. Remember when Biden was in office? They were pushing the 1619 project. They were teaching our kids that America was founded on slavery and racism. They wanted to make our 250th birthday about shame instead of pride. Trump, he's building a national garden of American heroes.

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He's hosting events that celebrate what makes us great. He's reminding the world that America is the greatest nation in human history. And you know what? The American people, such as myself, are hungry for this. We are tired of apologizing for being American. We are tired of being told that our history is shameful. We are tired of politicians who hate the country they are supposed to lead. Trump is giving us permission to be proud again.

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to celebrate our heritage, to honor our founders, to recognize that for 250 years, America has been a beacon of freedom and opportunity for the entire world. Here's what I want you to think about. What does America mean to you? When you think about our nation's 250th birthday, what are you most proud of? Is it the Constitution that guarantees our freedoms? The men and women who fought and died to protect those freedoms?

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the innovation and entrepreneurship that made us the most prosperous nation on earth. The fact that people from every corner of the globe want to come here because this is where dreams can come true. Take some time this year to really think about that. Teach your kids about it. Share it with your friends and family. Because 2026 isn't about fireworks and celebrations. It's about remembering who we are as Americans.

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It's about passing that pride and that knowledge on to the next generation. And it's about rejecting the left's attempt to make us ashamed of the greatest country ever created. So there you have it, Patriots. Three stories to kick off 2026. Somalia, the number one failed state in the world, just took over the presidency of the UN Security Council. A country that can't secure its own capital is now leading global security discussions.

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and we are paying billions to fund this circus. Iran's regime is collapsing as protests enter their fifth day. At least six people are dead, government buildings burned, and the mullahs are appointing terrorists to crush the uprising. Trump and Israel crushed them militarily, sanctions crushed them economically, and now the Iranian people are finishing the job. And Trump launched Freedom 250.

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The biggest celebration of America's 250th birthday we've ever seen. From prayer events to the Patriot games to a UFC fight at the White House. 2026 is going to be the year of American pride. These are the stories the mainstream media either won't tell you or will completely distort when they do cover them. That's why you're here. That's why O'Connor's quick strike exists. I'll be back on Monday, January 5th with three more stories they don't want you to know about.

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This is O'Connor's Quick Strike and I'm John O'Connor. Hold the line, Patriots.