Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized the Munich Security Conference, calling it the “Munich Circus” in a post on social media platform X on Saturday. He accused the European Union and the E3 group of losing influence in discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program and said the annual conference had become ineffective on Iran-related issues. Araghchi also blamed the EU and Germany for failures in regional policy.

He argued that Europe, once a key diplomatic player, is now “completely absent from the scene.” According to him, the paralysis and declining influence of the EU and E3 in ongoing nuclear talks are evident. Araghchi further alleged that Germany had “completely handed over” its regional policies to Israel and that the EU’s inability to shape the direction of nuclear negotiations had already been proven.

The 62nd Munich Security Conference, which began on Friday, gathered leaders and ministers from over 60 countries, though Iranian officials were barred from attending. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former Shah, said U.S. military intervention could accelerate political change inside Iran, highlighting divisions among Iranian opposition groups.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused the United States of pressuring Kyiv, rather than Moscow, to make concessions in ongoing peace negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he said sustainable peace requires concrete and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, not just compromises. A trilateral meeting in Geneva, mediated by US President Donald Trump, is scheduled for next week, which Zelensky views with cautious optimism but also frustration over the negotiation format.

Zelensky criticized the absence of European nations from the talks, calling it a major mistake that could hinder prospects for ending the war. One of the most contentious issues remains Russia’s demand for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from the Donetsk region. Kyiv refuses unilateral withdrawal and seeks at least 20 years of Western security guarantees, while the US has proposed 15 years. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to oppose any foreign troop presence in Ukraine.

Zelensky also called for a national referendum before any peace deal, alongside nationwide elections, a ceasefire monitoring mission, and prisoner exchanges. He said Russia holds about 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers, while Ukraine detains around 4,000 Russian troops.

China has expressed its intention to raise its bilateral relationship with Germany to a “new height.” Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi made the statement during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday, held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang emphasized advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership and preparing for the next stage of high-level exchanges with Berlin.

The meeting took place as the European Union works to reduce dependence on both China and the United States. Beijing, in turn, is seeking to present itself as a more reliable and stable partner. In recent years, economic ties between China and Germany have faced strain due to allegations of unfair trade practices, protectionism, and shifts in global trade policy. Reports suggest that Merz may visit China later this month, with trade relations expected to dominate discussions.

Wang Yi also urged Germany to maintain “strategic autonomy and self-reliance,” describing the country as a potential driving force in China-Europe cooperation and a stabilizing anchor in strategic relations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a 'slave of war' during his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. He said Putin may see himself as a Russian emperor but is bound by war. Zelensky stated that every power plant in Ukraine has suffered major damage from Russian attacks and warned that granting territorial concessions to Moscow would only fuel further aggression.

Drawing a parallel to the 1938 Munich Agreement, Zelensky cautioned that appeasing Putin would not bring peace, likening the situation to European powers’ concessions to Hitler before World War II. He made these remarks just days before the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, accusing Russia of killing thousands, destroying eastern Ukraine, and forcing millions to flee.

Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s call for Western nations to expedite air defense supplies to Ukraine, emphasizing that his government is doing everything possible to end the war. Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Moscow of deliberately targeting Ukraine’s power grid to inflict suffering during the harsh winter.

The article from Amar Desh Online, published on February 15, 2026, argues that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza after two years of violence is not the result of natural disaster but of deliberate political and military decisions. It states that global media portrayals focusing on hunger, tents, and aid trucks obscure the underlying causes and shift attention from justice to relief.

According to the report, Israel’s blockade, military assaults, and restrictions on food and reconstruction have created famine-like conditions and widespread destruction. The piece contends that depicting Gaza solely as a humanitarian crisis hides Israel’s responsibility and transforms political crimes into relief issues. It emphasizes that Palestinians have been turned from a people resisting occupation into passive recipients of aid.

The article concludes that humanitarian assistance can keep people alive but cannot restore dignity, sovereignty, or security under a permanent blockade. It asserts that only justice and political accountability, not charity, can address Gaza’s ongoing devastation.

Israeli authorities are reportedly planning to restrict Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the upcoming Ramadan, according to former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri. Speaking to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, he said signs of this plan appeared earlier in January when Major General Avshalom Peled was appointed as the new police commander in East Jerusalem. The move is viewed as part of far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s broader agenda concerning control over the mosque.

Sheikh Sabri stated that Israeli authorities have already imposed restrictions on young worshippers and indicated that entry rules for Muslims from the occupied West Bank would not be eased. He warned that this would result in fewer worshippers at Al-Aqsa compared to previous years, calling the measures a violation of freedom of worship and an obstacle to Muslims’ observance of Ramadan.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Minister Ben-Gvir is taking actions that could further inflame tensions around the holy site.

US President Donald Trump called for strengthening unity between the United States and Europe during his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. He said Washington seeks to revive friendly relations with Europe, emphasizing shared heritage and cooperation with long-standing allies. According to Al Jazeera, Trump avoided mentioning Russia but criticized Europe’s stance on immigration and climate issues.

The appeal came a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of deep fractures in US-Europe relations while opening the same conference. Merz said the rules-based world order no longer exists and that Europe’s freedom and security are no longer guaranteed in an era of great power politics. He urged Europeans to be ready for sacrifices to safeguard their independence.

Trump’s remarks and Merz’s warning together underscored ongoing uncertainty in transatlantic relations, with both leaders highlighting the need for renewed commitment to cooperation and shared values.

At least eight Palestinians were killed in new Israeli attacks on Gaza despite an existing ceasefire agreement. According to an Al Jazeera report, four people were killed on Sunday in the southern city of Khan Younis when Israeli forces launched strikes beyond the so-called 'yellow line' marking their positions in Gaza. Another four were killed when Israeli forces attacked a tent sheltering displaced people in the Al-Faluja area of northern Gaza, a source at Al-Shifa Hospital said.

Israeli authorities did not immediately comment on the incidents. Gaza authorities stated that since the ceasefire came into effect on October 10, Israel has violated it more than 1,500 times. These violations have resulted in at least 591 deaths and 1,590 injuries so far.

The repeated attacks highlight the fragility of the ceasefire and the continuing humanitarian toll on Gaza’s civilian population, according to the information provided by Gaza authorities.

The United States military has prepared for potential weeks-long strikes against Iran if President Donald Trump issues the order, according to two unnamed US officials cited by Reuters. The officials said the plan would allow sustained attacks over several weeks, though they declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. The preparations come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following recent US troop deployments.

The report noted that the Pentagon is sending another aircraft carrier to the region, equipped with warplanes, military equipment, and thousands of troops. Last week, US and Iranian diplomats met in Oman to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program. During a visit to a North Carolina base, Trump remarked that reaching a deal with Iran had become difficult and suggested that creating fear was sometimes necessary to manage the situation. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said all options remain open for the president regarding Iran.

Analysts suggest that if the strikes begin, the conflict between the two nations could escalate significantly across the Middle East.

More than 50,000 members of the Israeli army possess one or more foreign citizenships in addition to their Israeli nationality, according to figures published by the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. The data was released after the transparency organization Hatzlacha filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act in March 2025, to which the army recently responded.

The statistics show that 50,632 soldiers have dual citizenship, with the largest group being 12,135 holding U.S. citizenship, followed by 6,127 with French citizenship and 5,000 with Russian citizenship. Over 3,000 soldiers each hold German and Ukrainian citizenships, while more than 1,000 hold British, Romanian, Polish, Ethiopian, or Canadian citizenships. Additionally, 4,440 soldiers have two foreign citizenships besides Israeli nationality, and 162 hold three foreign citizenships.

According to TRT World, the army did not clarify whether these soldiers are active-duty, reservists, or both. Israeli media estimate that the country has about 170,000 active soldiers and between 400,000 and 460,000 registered reservists.

The United States military is preparing for a potential long-term operation against Iran, according to two US officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning. The operation would begin if President Donald Trump orders an attack on Iran. The Pentagon has already deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East under Trump’s directive, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided missile destroyer in the Arabian Sea.

The report states that US forces could target not only Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but also its state and security installations. However, officials declined to provide specific details. The preparations come as US and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump has repeatedly warned of possible military action if no agreement is reached, cautioning that the alternative to diplomacy would be “very tragic.”

Iran has vowed to retaliate if attacked, raising fears of a wider regional conflict. Analysts warn that Iran’s large missile arsenal could pose significant risks to US forces and bases across the Middle East.

India has approved the purchase of five additional S-400 missile units from Russia under a plan valued at 10,000 crore rupees. The decision was made by the Defence Acquisition Committee led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The deal includes a total of 288 anti-ballistic missiles, according to a report by RT.

Alongside the S-400 purchase, India has also decided to acquire the Pantsir air defense system, jointly produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Russia’s state-owned arms manufacturer and exporter Rosoboronexport. Officials from India’s Ministry of Defence said the Indian Air Force had requested 288 missiles in total, comprising 120 short-range Pantsir and 168 long-range S-400 missiles.

Currently, India possesses four S-400 missile systems, with two more expected to be added soon. The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that discussions have begun between the two countries regarding the potential purchase of the upgraded S-500 Triumphator-M system.

During the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of an international initiative called the “Board of Peace.” Trump will serve as its chairman, and the board aims to coordinate with the United Nations to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The plan includes ensuring humanitarian aid, rebuilding infrastructure, fostering local political reconciliation, and forming a stable governance structure. At least 35 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Qatar, have pledged to join, while France and the United Kingdom have distanced themselves. China and Russia have not yet clarified their positions.

The initiative emerges amid multiple global crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, instability in Venezuela, and rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic. Analysts view the Board of Peace as a state-centric alternative to traditional multilateral institutions, reflecting Trump’s skepticism toward the UN and NATO. The board’s approach emphasizes power balance over international law or moral principles.

The article suggests that for developing nations like Bangladesh, this shift toward power-driven diplomacy poses new challenges and calls for stronger engagement in UN reform and regional cooperation to maintain strategic balance.

The United States military has carried out another strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. According to the US Southern Command (Southcom), which oversees military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, the attack took place early Friday. The operation is part of a series of US military actions in the region since September 2025, which have reportedly left at least 133 people dead, according to Al Jazeera.

Washington has maintained that its forces are targeting individuals suspected of drug trafficking, describing those killed as 'narco-terrorists.' However, international law and human rights experts have repeatedly criticized such operations, calling them extrajudicial killings. Earlier in the same week, the US also conducted a strike in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in which two people were reported killed, Southcom said.

The continued US military actions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions have drawn scrutiny over their legality and humanitarian impact, as questions persist about accountability and adherence to international law.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that 90 percent of school buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or completely destroyed during two years of Israeli military aggression. The agency shared this information on Thursday through a post on social media platform X, noting that the few remaining intact schools have been converted into shelters. Children in Gaza are now entirely dependent on temporary classrooms or digital platforms for their education.

UNRWA stated that it is working to support the education of children affected by the ongoing devastation in Gaza. The report comes amid continuing conflict that began after Palestinian resistance groups launched an operation in Israel on October 7, 2023, aimed at breaking the long-standing blockade of Gaza. In response, Israeli forces initiated one of the most intense military campaigns in recent history.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as of February 11, more than 72,000 people have been killed during the two-year-long Israeli offensive.