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Description: Over 12 thousand people gathered in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava in protest against the sitting Prime Minister Robert Fico. The protests have been ongoing since Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Dec and sparked suspicions over Russian interference in Slovakia’s political landscape. Fico in the meantime hardened his stance on Ukraine, seized all aid to the country and adopted warmer political winds towards the government in Moscow. Protesters also blame Fico for the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018 which prompted his resignation from the PM position, but he returned to power in 2023. Impact: Even though
Description: The Iranian military has announced the commencment of a large – scale military exercise called Zolfaghar 1403 aimed at demonstrating Iran’s military readiness and capacities. The exercise would undertake the Makran coast alongside Iran’s border with Pakistan and the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. The large – scale military drill comes as a response towards recent threats from both Israel and the US which have significantly ramped up their joint military posturing. Intelligence reports indicated that Iran’s aerial defenses have been substantially depleted, and its nuclear sites have been left vulnerable and susceptible to aerial attacks. Impact:
Description: Three navy ships from the People’s Liberation Army have conducted naval dills in seas between Australia and New Zealand, 340 nautical miles of the coast off Eden. The Chinese ships most prominently known as Taskforce 107 previously advised Australian authorities of the drill emphasizing that it wasn’t a live – fire exercise. Australian authorities have however, preemptively warned airline operators and diverted aerial traffic from the region. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that the Chinese exercise was conducted in line with international maritime law, while Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister stated that she believed live fire has b
Description: In line with the recent meetings between high level ranking diplomats from the US and Russia, European countries have stated growing fears that the US might consider withdrawing its troops from NATO’s Eastern flank. The speculation comes as Trump has openly confronted Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy and accused him of starting the war with Russia. In contrast, the Trump administration showcased substantially lighthearted approach towards Russian diplomatic efforts. Military and intelligence experts raised concerns after speculating that one of Moscow’s requests could be the withdrawal of US troops from countries which entered the Alliance post 1990. The
Description: Three empty buses have exploded in the city of Bat Yam near Tel – Aviv as suspicions of a terrorist attack saw Israeli police forces and the Shin Bet conducting the investigation. The explosives were equipped with a timer set to explode around 8:30 PM local time after the buses ended their daily shifts, no victims were reported. Remaining bus lines in the region were halted and ordered to conduct thorough inspections, no other explosive devices were identified during the inspection. Early suspicions arose that the bombings were a response to IDF’s operations in the West Bank, but no further evidence was disclosed as the investigation was unfolding. Israeli PM Be
Description: Researchers in cooperation with the Robert Bosch Foundation have identified more than 700 fake social media accounts that used AI – based pictures of Friedrich Merz to instigate large scale disinformation campaign using the X platform. The accounts published messages with anti – migration and anti – Ukraine sentiments ahead of the German elections scheduled for Sunday 23 Feb. Germany cybersecurity watchdog BSI has stated that most of the accounts also published pro – Russian posts aimed at discrediting Merz’ party and ramp up support for their direct political opponent, the far – right AfD. Although the campaign gained little to no traction, it represents intens
Description: US and South Korean military forces conducted joint aerial military drills on the peninsula which involved the US B – 1B bomber as well as various F – 16 and F – 35 fighter jets. The drills come as a response to recent escalated threats from North Korea, which threatened to resume increasing nuclear capabilities. The drills also highlighted US and South Korean deterrent capabilities in the region as recent military activities also saw Chinese ships and aerial assets violating territorial waters and airspace in the Philippines. Impact: North Korea’s refusal to resume denuclearization talks has prompted US – led allies to enhance military assets a
Description: Belorussian defense official Valery Revenko has stated that Zapad 2025 or West 2025 joint military exercise with Russian forces has been scheduled for Sep. The announcement comes after the recent signing of a joint – defensive pact between Russia and Belarus which allowed Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on Belorussian territory as a deterrent against potential aggression from the West. Belorussian defense authorities also stated that OSCE representatives would be invited to monitor the exercises, and that Belarus was open to joint military inspections with Poland which could loosen military tensions on the border. Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky
Description: German, Austrian and Belgian internal security forces and police have warned against the emergence of a newly – formed propaganda website that incentivizes terrorist attacks on European soil. The website pertaining to the terrorist organization Islamic State contained videos and written material that incentivized attacks from so called lone wolf individuals who rapidly radicalized and conducted attacks on civilian targets. Security authorities from the three countries also stated that recently, terrorist plots were thwarted routinely as the level of such threats has significantly risen in the past couple of years. Impact: Mounting threats from R
Description: IRGC’s Commander for the Mazandaran province, Siavash Moslemi stated that a US – Israeli spy ring has been broken up through constant monitoring and various surveillance operations. The suspected individuals used trade companies and several charities as well as backgrounds as geological research scientists to infiltrate crucial Iranian infrastructure and gather intelligence. Iranian officials had yet to provide evidence to the claims as recent arrests also saw a British couple being accused of espionage and an Israeli individual arrested in Ardabil was also accused of espionage. Impact: The disruption of the alleged