February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Iran, Middle Orient
Toplines Iranian officials are rejecting US offers to engage in negotiations over Iran’s ballistic missile program amid increasing US threats. Iranian Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani told al Jazeera on February 13 that Iran’s missile capability is a “firmly established” element of Iran’s defense doctrine and part of its deterrence …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil recently declared that “Now is the time for a two-speed Europe. Germany, together with France and other partners, will therefore now take the lead in making Europe stronger and more independent. As the six biggest economies in Europe, we can now be the driving force.” …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Middle Orient
The United States has evacuated its forces from the al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria, relocating personnel to neighboring Jordan as part of a broader military drawdown from Syrian territory, according to two security sources cited by Reuters on Wednesday. Strategically located at the tri-border junction of Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Middle Orient
According to UN assessments, roughly 3,000 ISIS fighters remain active across Iraq and Syria, with the majority operating inside Syrian territory. A newly released United Nations report has disclosed that five assassination attempts targeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, along with Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, were …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia
Depuis la nuit des temps, l’histoire de l’humanité est tissée de secrets, de prophéties et de pactes voilés qui semblent défier toute compréhension. Cette fascination pour l’occulte n’est pas un phénomène récent : sociétés initiatiques, codes cryptés et récits de pouvoirs occultes ont accompagné l’évolution des civilisations, alimentant à la …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia
Toplines Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to compromise ahead of trilateral US-Ukrainian-Russian talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17 to 18. Zelensky stated on February 14 that Ukraine is ready to hold elections as quickly as possible, provided a sustained ceasefire, and called for a two-month ceasefire and …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Middle Orient
The Middle East, a region of profound historical depth and strategic significance, remains a geopolitical tinderbox characterized by intricate alliances, entrenched rivalries, and unresolved conflicts. While active hostilities are often contained within certain thresholds, a complex web of latent parameters exists beneath the surface. These factors possess the inherent potential …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Iran, Middle Orient
The recent Oman talks reflect a remarkable shift in Iran’s negotiating behavior, with acceptance of expanding the scope of negotiations to include non-nuclear files that were previously considered red lines. This shift is due to the escalation of the US military threat, the decline of Iranian regional influence, and the …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia, Middle Orient, Turkey
As commendable as it may be that US President Donald J. Trump is apparently hoping that he can turn “swords into ploughshares,” the inclusion of avowedly pro-Islamist, pro-terrorist countries such as Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan in his so-called “Board of Peace” has all the potential thoroughly to undermine the American …
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February 16, 2026 Eurasia
In August 2025, Vladimir Putin abolished the president’s office for cultural relations with foreign countries, which promoted “soft power” (and in fact, espionage), and instead created the presidential office for strategic partnership and cooperation (USPS). As The Insider found out, the structure and tasks of the new management are almost …
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