News Digest

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Foreign Policy

  • Iran’s Protests Have Ended. The State’s Terror Campaign Has Not.

    2026-02-13

    The repression is especially intense in Iran's provincial and smaller cities. Hospitals have become extensions of the security apparatus. The goal is unmistakable: to ensure the protests will not reemerge.

  • Facing the Elephant in Munich

    2026-02-13

    European leaders are not holding back in assessing that the post-World War II global order is kaput. U.S. President Donald Trump’s name is mentioned in the Munich Security Report 214 times.

  • A New Chapter for Bangladesh

    2026-02-13

    The U.S. has ordered the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Thailand's Bhumjaithai Party secured a coalition government with the third-place Pheu Thai party on Friday. Barbados Labour Party won every seat in Wednesday's general election.

  • Is This What an Economic Bubble Looks Like?

    2026-02-13

    U.S. artificial intelligence companies are expected to spend $650 billion on capital investments this year. The companies clearly believe that the demand for AI services is at an inflection point. The scale of their spending raises macroeconomic questions.

  • Europe to America: ‘We Are Looking for New Partners’

    2026-02-13

    FP Live spoke with a group of leaders to check the pulse of the trans-Atlantic relationship. Lars Klingbeil: 72 percent of the world’s goods trade is still on WTO terms. Alexander Stubb: Tariffs are bad for the people.

  • The Age of Defensive Democracy

    2026-02-13

    By the mid-1990s, roughly 60 percent of the world’s states were electoral democracies. The number of democratic countries has fallen to its lowest point since 1996. Nearly three out of four people now live under autocratic rule, highest proportion since 1978.

  • Charting China’s Winter Olympics Rise

    2026-02-13

    When Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, he announced his intention to get 300 million Chinese citizens to participate in winter sports. China added winter sports into school curriculums, invested billions of dollars in sporting infrastructure, and began allowing elite, foreign-born athletes to compete under its flag. China's push for Winter Olympics dominance has largely been guided by its desire to compete with Japan and South Korea. The 2018 Winter Olympics were the third consecutive Olympics held in East Asia. China only participated in the figure skating, speed skating, and skiing events until 1998.

  • What in the World?

    2026-02-13

    Thailand's ruling conservative Bhumjaithai Party won the most seats in Sunday’s general election. On the same day, a referendum vote was held to repeal military conscription. The Chinese Embassy in London criticized the British government for expanding a visa program. Bangladesh voted in its first election since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show featured appearances by Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, and Pedro Pascal.

  • Park Chan-wook’s Murderous Comedy of Corporate Manners Is a Masterpiece

    2026-02-13

    No Other Choice is South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook's latest film. Park started “falling in love’ with The Ax, Donald Westlake’s ice-cold thriller masterpiece. Park was determined to set his film, with a screenplay cowritten by Don McKellar.

  • The Problem With Representative Democracy

    2026-02-13

    In the fall of 2018, the French government passed a carbon tax, ostensibly to address environmental concerns. By November, the Yellow Vests movement had emerged, named after the neon safety vests that all French motorists are required to keep in their vehicles. In the United States, discontent was brewing as well, arguably culminating in the right-wing populist uprising.

  • The Demise of the Washington Post Is a Global Problem

    2026-02-13

    The Washington Post announced the dismissal of nearly half of its news staff. This includes most of its international desk. President Donald Trump’s administration has been consistent and aggressive in its attacks on the media, says Julian Zelizer.

  • Migration Can Provide the Manpower for European Defense

    2026-02-13

    European countries should create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants willing to serve in their armed forces. Neither the EU nor NATO traditionally coordinates military recruitment. Defense personnel policy remains strictly a national competence. Some European nations already recognize this opportunity, though on a limited scale.

  • What Takaichi’s Triumph and Starmer’s Slump Say About Global Democracy

    2026-02-13

    In Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has just won the largest lower house majority in the history of the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party. In Britain, Keir Starmer—who swept into office a year and a half ago—has sunk to the lowest popularity ratings ever recorded for a British prime minister. Fareed Zakaria: Japan's prime minister projects motion, disruption and defiance. He says voters are less interested in policy detail than in emotional validation. In an age of anxiety, voters prefer rebellion to restoration, he says.

  • Does Germany’s Trump Policy Make Sense?

    2026-02-13

    Merz has loosened Germany’s tightly knit purse strings and agreed to up defense spending. He has dared to lift the taboo on nuclear deterrence and admitted leaders were discussing a European nuclear shield. Germany has set a date to be war-ready by 2029.

  • The Human Toll of Trump’s Cuba Policy

    2026-02-13

    The Super Bowl halftime show by Bad Bunny sparked a surge of attention across Latin America. A Mexican lawmaker said on the floor of Congress that Bad Bunny represented “the struggle of the Latin American people” A Brazilian lawmaker filed a petition to grant Bad Bunny Brazilian citizenship.

  • Arms Control Was Once Trump’s Signature Issue

    2026-02-13

    The early 1980s marked the start of a golden age of arms control. The last two decades have seen the slow decline and decay of that late Cold War architecture. Even the Obama-era New START deal with Russia has now lapsed. Today's China has improved its technology and begun a massive buildout of its arsenal.

Politico

  • Trump’s creation: A Europe that spends more on defense — and can stand up to the US

    2026-02-13

    European and American leaders talked of a “NATO 3.0’ but something has changed in the relationship. What comes out of this week’s negotiations may finally show whether the Russian president is serious.

  • Washington pushes back against EU’s bid for tech autonomy

    2026-02-13

    Europe wants to share more intelligence to push back against hybrid attacks from Russia. Israel announced it was terminating the operations of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, accusing the group of failing to submit lists of its Palestinian staff.

  • Zelenskyy to Trump: Here’s how to pile pressure on Putin

    2026-02-13

    The Ukrainian president sat down with POLITICO for an exclusive interview at the Munich Security Conference. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke about his country's relations with the U.S. and the world. Poroshenko also spoke about the country's relationship with Russia.

  • Germany’s Merz blasts ‘lost’ US leadership and says global order ‘no longer exists’

    2026-02-13

    European countries rely on the the U.S. for intelligence, logistics, communications and command-and-control. An official familiar with French President Emmanuel Macron’s thinking said a failure is more likely than a relaunch.

  • French and German voters balk at sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

    2026-02-13

    POLITICO Poll says Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to put French boots on the ground is not backed by the French public. Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson says America should not meddle in European democracy. Voters in leading allied states broadly support higher defense spending.

  • Portugal’s PM has had a terrible week — and it’s only getting worse

    2026-02-13

    The prime minister has endured years of abuse on the social media platforms he now seeks to regulate. The ultranationalist Chega party is thriving by campaigning on issues the president of the European Council failed to address while prime minister.

  • France’s Macron hammers message of European strength

    2026-02-13

    The Munich Security Conference will serve as a gut check of the frayed relationship, and whether Europe can hold on to its emerging self-assurance. An official familiar with French President Emmanuel Macron’s thinking said a failure is more likely than a relaunch.

  • NATO stronger than ever after Greenland crisis, Rutte says

    2026-02-13

    The alliance’s Arctic Sentry is mostly a rebranding exercise aimed at appeasing the U.S. President. London will contribute £150 million to the PURL program, as allies increasingly come under pressure to supply weapons to Ukraine.

  • Ukrainian skeleton racer fails to overturn Olympics ban at top court

    2026-02-13

    U.S. President Barack Obama has promised to keep his promise to the people of Ukraine. The president has also promised to continue to support the country’s efforts to win the Winter Olympics.

  • New round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks set for next week

    2026-02-13

    Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Mona Juul, showed “a serious lapse in judgment,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said. Moscow will be represented by Vladimir Medinsky, a Putin aide who has been criticized by the Ukrainians after previous negotiating sessions.

  • UK ban on Palestine Action as terror group unlawful, High Court rules

    2026-02-13

    The Home Office will challenge the judgment in favor of the direct action group, which it branded a terrorist organization last year. Chris Wormald will stand down as cabinet secretary after just over a year in post.

  • Europe needs cyber weapons, says EU tech chief

    2026-02-13

    Europe wants to share more intelligence to push back against hybrid attacks from Russia. “We also have to have offensive capacity,” says Commissioner Henna Virkkunen. Israel announced it was terminating the operations of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, accusing the group of failing to submit lists of its Palestinian staff.

  • Europe’s China shock worsens as trade deficit widens

    2026-02-13

    Seven of the 10 best-performing economies in 2025 were EU countries. The EU’s trade deficit in goods with China grew to €359B last year. Vice Premier He Lifeng says the world shouldn’t slide back into ‘the law of the jungle’

  • Europe’s open-border dreams meet German politics

    2026-02-13

    Brussels is preparing to scrutinize Germany’s border practices. The government is weighing whether to extend internal Schengen checks. An online bazaar of freelance headhunters finds new recruits to fight Ukraine.

  • EU defense chief lays out ideas for a European military force to replace US troops

    2026-02-13

    European countries rely on the the U.S. for intelligence, logistics, communications and command-and-control. ‘What we are talking about is a rapid reaction force of 100,000 or 80,000 capability,’ says EU defense commissioner.

  • Trusting Trump is hard but NATO’s newest member won’t ditch the US yet

    2026-02-14

    Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson tells POLITICO that America should not meddle in European democracy. Voters in leading allied states broadly support higher defense spending, but balk when faced with policy trade-offs. The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing.

  • Dear EU commissioner, will you be my Valentine?

    2026-02-14

    The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing. Several MEPs did not declare how much money they got for non-EU work. The European Commission is investigating whether the payments contravened the ethics code.

  • One in three Germans welcome killer robots, new poll says

    2026-02-13

    China will take “necessary measures” to protect Huawei and others if the EU imposes new supply chain restrictions, foreign ministry said. New EU cyber bill looks to root out risky Chinese technology vendors from tech supply chains across Europe.

LRT

  • Moscow House row an ‘embarrassment for entire state’, says Vilnius mayor

    2026-02-13

    Valdas Benkunskas criticised the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate for failing to implement a 2022 court ruling. He said only one attempt had been made to announce a tender during that period, which was challenged by excluded contractors.

  • Lithuanian parliament extends deadline for LRT governance review group

    2026-02-13

    Lithuanian parliament has granted a working group extra time to complete its task. Speaker Juozas Olekas proposed that the group submit its draft amendments by February 24. The group has already indicated plans to establish a new governing board for LRT.

  • Lithuanian FM calls for equal, not dependent, transatlantic partnership

    2026-02-13

    Kęstutis Budrys will attend the Munich Security Conference on Friday. He said a geopolitical Europe must be able to project power and extend its membership. Ukraine’s integration seen as far preferable to the alternative of Russian influence.

  • Lithuania trials new anti-drone and anti-balloon defences at Pabradė training area

    2026-02-13

    Lithuanian army concludes week-long C.U.A.S February 26 exercise at Pabradė training area. Exercises tested newly developed countermeasures against kamikaze drones and weather balloons.

  • Lithuanian customs seize 2,500 packs of cigarettes hidden on bus from Belarus

    2026-02-13

    Two Belarusian drivers of a Yutong coach told officials at the Medininkai border crossing that they were not carrying any prohibited goods. Officers noted the bus was carrying only seven passengers – unusually few for the route. During the search, officers discovered cigarettes hidden in the ceiling of the drivers’ sleeping compartment.

  • Culture in focus as Lithuania presents national art and heritage awards

    2026-02-13

    Lithuanian National Prizes for Culture and Art were presented on Thursday at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic. Each laureate receives an award equivalent to 800 basic social benefits. The Jonas Basanavičius Prize honours exceptional contributions to ethnic culture. The National Prizes for Culture and Art Commission had decided to move the ceremony to Sapiega Palace. The Culture Ministry later announced it would instead take place at the Philharmonic. The change of venue meant fewer security checks and more seats for guests.

  • Lithuania earmarks further €223m for Ukraine this year – defence minister

    2026-02-13

    Lithuania has earmarked €223 million in military assistance to Ukraine. The money will be spent on air defence and long-range artillery. A further €20 million has been set aside for the purchase of drones.

  • Berlin’s commitments unchanged despite brigade challenges – Lithuanian president

    2026-02-13

    German news magazine Der Spiegel has reported potential difficulties in staffing the brigade. According to the publication, volunteer numbers in the 203rd Tank Battalion and the 122nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion currently stand at between 28% and 47% of the target.

  • LRT’s upcoming centenary in focus on UNESCO’s World Radio Day

    2026-02-13

    LRT will mark its 100th anniversary on June 12, 2026. To mark the occasion, LRT RADIO is reaching out to European broadcasters. Their responses will be aired in the run-up to LRT’s centenary celebrations.

  • LRT English Newsletter: Revisiting the Taiwan question?

    2026-02-13

    Last week, we covered the discussions surrounding Belarus. Now, it’s time for the Taipei-Beijing dilemma. Inga Ruginienė blew the door wide open by saying she did not see a reason why the name couldn’t be changed. Officers from Lithuania's anti-corruption watchdog raided the parliament on Monday. They searched the offices of MPs Saulius Skvernelis and Kazys Starkevičius. The case follows on from earlier raids in which over a million euros in cash, as well as gold and cocaine, were seized.

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✍ Blogs

Paul Krugman

  • The MAGA Bubble Is Imploding

    2026-02-13

    Pam Bondi demanded that Democrats stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein because the Dow was above 50,000. This plumbed new depths of moral bankruptcy, effectively saying: “How dare you complain about child rape when the stock market is up?” The MAGA implosion is gathering force. Americans are mad as hell, and they won't be gaslit anymore. So while people inside the MAGA bubble keep insisting that Trump is a great president, the greatest president ever, their cheerleading reeks of desperation.

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