The United States has deployed more than 50 fighter jets to the Middle East within a single day, according to flight tracking data released on Wednesday, February 17. The deployment includes F-22 Raptors, F-35 Lightning II, and F-16 Fighting Falcons, along with several refueling aircraft capable of supporting other airborne operations. A U.S. official told Axios that the aircraft were moved to the region within the past 24 hours.

The move comes as preparations are underway in Geneva, Switzerland, for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Observers view the increased U.S. military presence as significant given the timing of these diplomatic efforts. The United States had previously deployed a large naval fleet, including aircraft carriers, to the region.

The buildup follows widespread anti-government protests in Iran in January, which were forcefully suppressed by Iranian security forces. Citing allegations of lethal force against protesters, the United States has been strengthening its military posture around Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday described Cuba as a 'failed state' and urged Havana to reach an agreement with Washington. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the possibility of any U.S. military operation to change the Cuban government, saying he did not think such action would be necessary.

According to AFP, Trump made the remarks while discussing Cuba’s ongoing crisis. The island nation is facing severe fuel shortages and widespread power outages. The Trump administration has tightened the long-standing U.S. embargo on Cuba and is pressuring other countries to halt oil supplies to Havana.

Addressing the energy crisis, Trump called it a 'humanitarian threat'. His comments come as Washington continues to exert economic pressure on Cuba while maintaining a stance against direct military intervention.

Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall, celebrated for his performances in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall announced in a Facebook post on Monday. She said Duvall gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. Tributes from across Hollywood followed, with Adam Sandler calling him one of the greatest actors ever and Michael Imperioli describing him as an actor’s actor.

Duvall’s career spanned nearly 100 films, including acclaimed roles as Tom Hagen in The Godfather, Lieutenant Colonel Bull Meechum in The Great Santini, and the title character in Stalin. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Tender Mercies in 1983 and received six additional Oscar nominations, including for Apocalypse Now. He also wrote, directed, and starred in The Apostle, earning another Oscar nomination.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland, Duvall was the son of a US Navy admiral and an amateur actress. He studied at Principia College, served in the US Army, and later moved to New York City, where he shared an apartment with Dustin Hoffman and befriended Gene Hackman during their early acting years.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that it would face consequences if it failed to reach an agreement in the upcoming talks. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, Trump said he would be indirectly involved in the discussions and cautioned that Iran would not want to face the outcome of refusing a deal. The meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.

The talks come after months of heightened tensions following Iran’s crackdown on anti-government protests and its firm stance on its nuclear program. The United States and several European countries have expressed concern that Iran’s nuclear activities could be aimed at developing weapons, an allegation Tehran continues to deny. Washington has also sought to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups in the Middle East in the negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the U.S. position on the nuclear issue had become more realistic. A previous attempt at dialogue collapsed after Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, sparking a 12-day war that later saw U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

At least two people were killed and three others were seriously injured in a shooting during a high school ice hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States. The incident occurred on Monday, February 16, when local police received the first emergency call at 2:28 p.m. According to Al Jazeera, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said the suspected shooter is believed to have taken his own life after firing the shots.

Goncalves described the attack as possibly premeditated and linked to a family dispute, though authorities have not released details about the suspect or the victims. Investigators are examining what led up to the shooting. A Providence Journal report cited video footage capturing about 13 gunshots within six seconds, followed by another shot roughly 11 seconds later.

Witnesses said spectators and students dropped to the floor and sought safety as the gunfire erupted, before quickly evacuating the area. The incident has caused widespread panic in the community.

The United States will support Israel in launching a strike on Iran if negotiations with Tehran fail, according to multiple US media reports cited by Anadolu Agency. The reports state that President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this position during a meeting in December, specifically regarding Iran’s ballistic missile program.

CBS News reported that discussions in Washington have shifted from whether Israel can carry out such an attack to how the US could assist technically and diplomatically. Sources familiar with the matter said the proposed cooperation includes aerial refueling to extend the range of Israeli aircraft and securing overflight permissions from neighboring sovereign states.

However, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly refused to allow their airspace to be used for any attack on Iran, complicating potential operational plans.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that he will travel to Washington next week to attend the first meeting of the 'Board of Peace' led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Rama made the announcement during an interview on the Albanian podcast Flasim, stating that he would participate in the board’s formal establishment and the inauguration of its activities.

According to the source, Trump created the 'Board of Peace' to oversee the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip two years after the Israel-Hamas war. The board’s charter reportedly suggests that its scope of work could extend beyond the Palestinian territories, though no further details were provided.

The upcoming meeting marks the official launch of the board’s operations, signaling a new phase in post-conflict reconstruction efforts under Trump’s leadership.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran, with a particular focus on curbing Tehran’s oil exports to China. The understanding was reached during their meeting at the White House last Wednesday, according to a report published Saturday by Axios and cited by Anadolu Agency. Two U.S. officials briefed on the meeting confirmed the consensus on applying maximum pressure against Iran.

Despite the agreement on overall strategy, the two leaders reportedly differed on how to achieve their goals. Netanyahu argued that a reliable deal with Iran was impossible and that Tehran would likely violate any agreement. Trump, however, expressed belief in the possibility of a diplomatic solution, saying efforts should be made to test that path. U.S. officials added that Washington would keep military options open if diplomacy failed, maintaining both nuclear talks and a strong military presence in the Middle East.

Analysts noted that since over 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports go to China, reducing Chinese purchases could significantly increase economic pressure on Tehran. A recent executive order signed by Trump also allows the U.S. to recommend tariffs of up to 25 percent on countries maintaining trade with Iran, potentially deepening Iran’s international isolation.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the US military used the artificial intelligence model Claude, developed by Anthropic, during an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to unnamed sources cited in the report, the AI system was integrated into the mission through a partnership between Anthropic and Palantir Technologies, a contractor for the US Department of Defense and federal law enforcement agencies.

Following the operation, an Anthropic employee reportedly asked a Palantir official how Claude had been used in the mission. This marks the first known instance of Anthropic’s technology being deployed in a classified US defense operation. However, the exact role of Claude—capable of tasks ranging from PDF analysis to autonomous drone control—remains unclear.

An Anthropic spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied Claude’s involvement but stated that all uses of the model, whether in private or government sectors, must comply with the company’s usage policies. The report has sparked renewed debate over the ethics of using AI technologies in military operations.

The United States House of Representatives has passed the 'Brave Burma Act' to increase pressure on Myanmar’s military junta and strengthen support for pro-democracy movements. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Michigan Republican lawmaker Bill Huizenga in May of the previous year, was approved on Monday, according to Myanmar-based media. The bill will now move to the Senate for approval before being sent to the President for signature.

If enacted, the law will authorize the President to decide annually whether to tighten sanctions on Myanmar’s oil and gas enterprises, the Myanmar Economic Bank, and the jet fuel sector for the next seven years. It will also extend existing sanctions on state-owned entities, officials, their families, and foreign associates until December 23, 2032, with provisions for stricter enforcement.

The act would allow the appointment of a special envoy with ambassadorial rank to coordinate sanctions, arms restrictions, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic engagement. It also directs the US Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund to oppose any effort to expand Myanmar’s participation while the State Administrative Council, formed after the 2021 military coup, remains in power.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has sharply criticized the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids conducted in Minnesota, comparing them to behavior typical of authoritarian regimes. The raids, carried out over several weeks by thousands of federal agents, led to numerous arrests. The Trump administration claimed the operation targeted criminals, but it was halted earlier this week following widespread protests.

In an interview on Saturday, Obama described the conduct of federal officials as reckless, deeply concerning, and dangerous, citing two fatal shootings during the operation. He praised the organized resistance of ordinary citizens, saying their peaceful protests and use of truth and cameras represented hope for the nation. According to him, continued civic resistance, even in harsh winter conditions, signals the possibility of overcoming the current situation.

Trump administration immigration official Tom Homan announced the suspension of the Minnesota raids on Thursday after they sparked major demonstrations and national outrage. In the same interview, Obama also criticized the lack of civility in U.S. political discourse and responded to controversial social media posts by Trump about him and the former First Lady.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that President Donald Trump is ready to hold talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking to Bloomberg, Rubio stated that the president is willing to meet anyone if it helps resolve global issues, adding that Trump is interested in reaching an agreement with Tehran.

Rubio explained that Trump believes dialogue is the best way to solve the world’s problems. The statement comes as the United States and Iran recently held discussions over Iran’s nuclear program and are preparing for a second round of talks. Despite this diplomatic engagement, Washington continues to strengthen its military presence in the Middle East.

President Trump also announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the United States’ largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, will soon move from the Caribbean to the Middle East, signaling continued strategic focus on the region.

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.

An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has pleaded guilty in the Southern District Federal Court of New York to attempting to assassinate US citizen and Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The 54-year-old admitted before Judge Sarah Netburn that he hired a hitman in 2023 to kill Pannun, who resides in New York. Gupta told the court he paid $15,000 to someone he believed was a contract killer, who was actually linked to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Pannun leads the US-based group Sikhs for Justice, which campaigns for an independent Khalistan state in India’s Punjab region.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, Gupta was arrested in June 2023 at Prague Airport in the Czech Republic and extradited to the United States. He has been convicted of conspiring to murder Pannun, with sentencing scheduled for May 29. Under US law, he faces 20 to 24 years in prison. FBI officials said Pannun was targeted for exercising his freedom of expression. The FBI also alleged Gupta worked with Indian intelligence officer Vikas Yadav, who remains at large.

The case has strained relations between Washington, Ottawa, and New Delhi, as the US and Canada accuse India of targeting their citizens of Indian origin. Indian officials deny the allegations, calling such actions contrary to national policy.

US Congress member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that Israel was able to carry out genocide in Gaza because of American military assistance. She made the remarks on Friday during the Munich Security Conference, calling the idea of unconditional support meaningless. Ocasio-Cortez said she believed thousands of women and children had been killed in Gaza, deaths she described as entirely avoidable.

Responding to a question from a journalist of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ocasio-Cortez said the Democratic nominee in the next US election should reconsider providing military aid to Israel. She emphasized that the issue was not only about the presidential race but also about the United States’ obligation to follow its own laws.

She added that under US law, when serious human rights violations are observed, assistance should be conditional. The remarks were reported by The Guardian and highlighted growing debate over the legality and morality of US support for Israel.