News Digest

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Foreign Policy

  • Japan's snap election

    2026-02-09

    Sanae Takaichi's snap election gives her a free hand in opposing China and assuaging U.S. President Donald Trump. The election also provides a new lease on life for the long-ruling LDP, which appeared in serious trouble. The main risk ahead for the prime minister is in her economic program. The issue is how to deal with rising prices that are outpacing growth in wages.

  • Takaichi’s Landslide Victory

    2026-02-09

    Just 110 days after becoming Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi took a massive risk: holding snap parliamentary elections. On Sunday, the LDP won a rare supermajority, securing 316 seats (up from 198) in the parliament's 465-member lower house. She plans to use her party's newfound supermajority to enact sweeping reforms to the country's defense sector.

  • The Real Risk After New START Isn’t Arms Racing

    2026-02-09

    New START, the last remaining major U.S.-Russia arms control treaty, is now confirmed dead. This is due in part to Washington’s growing skepticism about Russian compliance. Attempting to rope in China would make the entire process grind to a halt.

  • The Post-Cold War Nuclear Era Might Have Just Ended

    2026-02-09

    Alliances feel shakier, trade is fragmenting, and great powers are jostling more openly. But beneath these visible shifts lies something less discussed and more dangerous. For much of the Cold War, people were terrified that a world with nuclear weapons would inevitably lead to proliferation.

  • Who Killed the Liberal International Order?

    2026-02-09

    The liberal international order was killed off by U.S. President Donald Trump. The order has been pronounced dead before. Who was the actual murderer? Was it George W. Bush, in Iraq, with the nuclear lies? was it Barack Obama, in Syria?

  • Why Missile Defense Now Raises the Risk of War

    2026-02-09

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions for a Golden Dome risks undermining the fragile nuclear balance with Russia and China. There remains a very strong case to be made for defensive shields over vulnerable countries in Europe and the Middle East. Yet the quest for total invulnerability is not making the world safer.

  • Xi Jinping Can Never Trust His Own Military

    2026-02-09

    After the fall of two top generals, China’s Central Military Commission was left with only Chairman Xi Jinping and one vice chairman. By an incomplete count, more than a dozen active-duty full generals have gone down. Xi has moved against his generals with greater severity than against civilian officials.

  • The United States’ 250th Birthday Has Become a Test for the Nation

    2026-02-09

    In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Donald Trump has sent clear signals to museums, universities, and civic groups as they determine what to present. Professional historians have expressed deep concern that the administration is attempting to impose a nationalist narrative.

Politico

LRT

  • Lithuanian startup develops night-vision camera to track smuggling balloons

    2026-02-09

    Luna Robotics developed a camera system that helps drone operators detect and intercept smuggling balloons at night. The camera allows drones to spot balloons flying in the dark and provides operators with visual guidance. The technology addresses a problem that the Lithuanian government, military and public have discussed for months.

  • Lithuania seeks EU funding to tighten security on Kaliningrad transit trains

    2026-02-09

    Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said only one escape from a transit train was recorded last year. Russian citizen Danil Mukhametov jumped off the train while traveling through Lithuania. Authorities updated procedures to ensure integrated control of transit trains by police, border guards and the Public Security Service.

  • Belarus opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya begins work in Warsaw after move from Vilnius

    2026-02-09

    Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya began working in Warsaw last week. Her office plans to open a new base of operations, while maintaining a presence in Lithuania. She said her team would continue its work in Lithuania and cooperate closely with the Lithuanian government.

  • MFA proposes 99-year lease for American school in Vilnius

    2026-02-09

    Lithuanian Foreign Ministry proposes allowing American International School of Vilnius to lease state or municipal property for up to 99 years. If approved, the change would amend a 2002 agreement between the Lithuanian and US governments governing the school’s legal status. The school would also be permitted to build, renovate and maintain leased property at its own expense.

  • Fourth RADAROM! campaign fundraises to buy robotic units for Ukraine military

    2026-02-09

    Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, Blue/Yellow, Laisvės TV, and Stiprūs Kartu spearheading initiative. Funds will be used to purchase robotic defence and medical evacuation systems for Ukrainian troops. Cost of a fully equipped robotic unit is up to 250,000 euros.

  • Searches conducted at parliament offices of two Lithuanian lawmakers, including former PM

    2026-02-09

    Kazys Starkevičius and Saulius Skvernelis have had their offices and homes searched. The searches are part of a corruption probe involving alleged bribes totalling about 1.5 million euros at the State Plant Service.

  • Lithuania holds interagency drills to test Kaliningrad transit controls

    2026-02-09

    The drills will test coordination and response by public security services. Lithuanian police, the State Border Guard Service, the Public Security Service and representatives of the rail transport sector will take part. Authorities warned that the exercises could cause brief traffic disruptions.

  • Two more songs advance to Lithuania’s Eurovision final

    2026-02-09

    Semifinal three out of five of Lithuania’s national Eurovision selection picked two more performers that will continue to vie for the spot. Let Me Cook by Black Biceps, and Sako by Paulė were the lucky ones.

  • Lithuanians uniformly opposed to raising retirement age – survey

    2026-02-09

    Lithuania’s statutory retirement age has been set at 65 for both men and women since January. Social Security and Labour Minister Jūratė Zailskienė told LRT.lt that the current retirement age is optimal and aligns with the European Union average.

  • New migration chief: how Lithuania decides who gets to stay

    2026-02-09

    Indrė Gasperė was appointed head of Lithuania’s Migration Department at the beginning of January 2026. Most foreign nationals living in Lithuania are citizens of Belarus and Russia. Lithuania continues to issue and extend residence permits for them.

📊 VoxEU

  • Mapping the contours of Chinese policy transmission at home and abroad

    2026-02-10

    China’s place within international trade networks and global supply chains makes the propagation of Chinese shocks a global phenomenon. This column discusses the channels of domestic and international transmission. It shows that vulnerabilities extend also to large and seemingly closed economies like the US.

✍ Blogs

Paul Krugman

  • Seduced by the Louis XIV Treatment

    2026-02-09

    JD Vance is being swaddled in a golden blanket of privilege and luxury. perks like these are standard fare for Trump cabinet members. Trump has surrounded himself with privilege addicts, knowing well that such people will be unwilling to sacrifice their perks for principles and basic decency. A number of people were involved with Epstein years after his 2008 conviction as a sex offender. "I believe that a small minority of the hundreds and hundreds in Epstein's extended circle received sexual favors," says author.

Šeši Nuliai

No Šeši Nuliai articles in this digest.

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