FBI Director Kash Patel joined the U.S. men’s hockey team in a jubilant locker-room celebration in Milan after their dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Canada secured the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Videos circulating on social media showed Patel enthusiastically drinking beer, spraying drinks, and even receiving a gold medal from a player as the team celebrated the United States’ first men’s hockey Olympic gold since 1980.

Patel later addressed critics on X, emphasizing that he was honored to celebrate with the athletes, framing the moment as an expression of national pride and unity. While supporters praised the gesture as a show of solidarity with American champions, his appearance has also sparked debate about priorities for someone in his position. The director’s visit to Italy included official duties, such as meetings with Italian law enforcement and U.S. security partners to strengthen Olympic safety operations. Advocates argue that celebrating the team aligns with fostering morale and supporting national achievement.

Kash Patel has been serving as FBI Director since February 21, 2025, after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, becoming the ninth person to lead the agency. Prior to this role, he built a diverse legal and national security career, starting as a public defender, then serving as a federal prosecutor, adviser to the House Intelligence Committee, and holding senior positions at the National Security Council and Department of Defense. His appointment was notable, as he had previously been a vocal critic of the FBI. As director, Patel now oversees the agency responsible for investigating federal crimes, counterterrorism, and national security matters across the United States.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @Kash_Patel.

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, completed an official visit to Australia from February 16–19, aimed at advancing India-Australia defence cooperation and strengthening strategic alignment, according to the Indian Army. During his visit, General Dwivedi engaged extensively with senior Australian Defence Forces leadership to review existing bilateral initiatives and explore ways to expand army-to-army collaboration. Key discussions focused on increasing the scale and complexity of joint exercises, enhancing professional military education exchanges, and promoting greater interoperability between the two forces.

In Sydney, he met with leaders of Forces Command (FORCOMD), Special Operations Command (SOCOMD), and the 2nd Division of the Australian Army, exchanging perspectives on operational readiness, training methodologies, and evolving military concepts. Particular emphasis was placed on the bilateral Army Exercise AUSTRAHIND, with both sides committing to enrich the next edition in India in 2026.

In Canberra, General Dwivedi was welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and held in-depth discussions with Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army. Drawing on their shared experience as alumni of the US Army War College (Class of 2015), the Chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to institutional linkages and expanding cooperation. A roundtable at Australian Defence Forces Headquarters reviewed force modernization, emerging technologies, and future operational environments.

The COAS also addressed officers at the Australian Command and Staff College and met with leadership at the Australian Defence College, emphasizing adaptive leadership, joint operations, and multinational cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges. He held high-level meetings with the Chief of Defence Forces, the Defence Secretary, and reviewed Australia’s integrated operational framework at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC), gaining insights into joint planning and execution.

The visit included a wreath-laying at the Australian War Memorial to honor fallen soldiers and reflect on the shared legacy of service between the two nations. General Dwivedi also met with Indian defence veterans in Australia, reinforcing ties between the Indian Armed Forces and its global veteran community. The statement noted that the visit has invigorated India-Australia defence relations, strengthened professional ties at the highest military levels, and highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Army.

Russian forces in Ukraine are encountering major communication challenges due to both restricted access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet system and a Kremlin crackdown on the Telegram messaging app. The sudden disruptions have hindered frontline operations, according to complaints on pro-Russian military channels, which have been confirmed by Ukrainian and European diplomats and analysts. This comes as Kyiv’s forces reportedly continue to inflict heavy losses on Russian troops.

Earlier in February, Elon Musk stated that SpaceX had successfully blocked “unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia,” cutting off terminals that had been smuggled into the country and deployed for military communications and drone operations. Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that authorized terminals used by Ukraine remained operational and thanked SpaceX for its timely support.

On February 10, Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, imposed new restrictions on Telegram for failing to comply with national data laws, angering many Russian soldiers who rely on the app for battlefield communication. Senior European diplomats told Bloomberg that these disruptions have had a notable impact. A NATO official noted that some of Ukraine’s recent tactical successes were made possible because Russian troops lost access to Starlink. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian counterattacks in recent days likely benefited from these disruptions, particularly as Russian drone operations have been slowed, limiting their ability to strike at previous levels.

Analyst David Kirichenko of the Center for European Policy Analysis emphasized the importance of Starlink, noting that drones, which account for around 60% of battlefield fire damage, are heavily affected by the service loss. Ukraine’s intelligence reports indicate that Russia was using thousands of Starlink terminals at the front. Kyiv also warned that Russian forces pressured Ukrainian relatives of prisoners of war to register terminals on their behalf to bypass restrictions. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged Russia would seek alternatives but affirmed Ukraine would attempt to block them. Ukrainian authorities have urged citizens to report any attempts to recruit them for registering blocked terminals.

Pro-Kremlin figures have publicly admitted the impact. Blogger Yuriy Podolyak described the Starlink shutdown as causing “chaos” in communications, while military correspondent Alexander Sladkov said the Telegram restrictions were “burying command and control capabilities.” The disruption coincides with Russia’s effort to push citizens toward its government-backed messaging app, Max, which critics say lacks proper security safeguards. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the Starlink shutdown but claimed domestic communications systems were unaffected, with Valery Tishkov of the army’s Main Communications Directorate stating that combat control systems remain operational.

These difficulties come at a challenging moment for Russian frontline troops, as Western assessments suggest the country is losing more soldiers than it can replace. New recruits are often inexperienced and poorly trained, worsening operational effectiveness. Ukraine reported 35,000 Russian KIA in December and 30,000 in January, higher than the 2025 monthly average of 25,000, with recent losses exceeding replacement numbers by about 9,000.

British Defence Secretary John Healey noted that growing casualties have made Russia increasingly reliant on foreign fighters from countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Cuba, Nigeria, Senegal, and North Korea. Healey also said that in some areas of the front, Russian losses may now be as high as 25 soldiers for each Ukrainian casualty. Russian officials rarely release official casualty figures, with President Putin and top generals maintaining that Russian fatalities are lower than those suffered by Ukraine.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg.

Guy Parmelin voiced strong support for India’s vision of building a safe, inclusive, and impactful artificial intelligence ecosystem, highlighting shared priorities of human-centric, sustainable, and fair AI development during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. In an interview, Parmelin praised the summit’s guiding themes—People, Progress, and Planet—emphasizing that AI should benefit everyone globally while promoting economic growth, social advancement, and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged India’s rapid rise as a major force in AI research and innovation and expressed Switzerland’s interest in strengthening collaboration, noting the presence of Swiss startups at the summit exploring partnerships with Indian counterparts.

He stressed that both Switzerland and India are committed to ensuring AI serves the public good by supporting inclusive growth, sustainability, and societal benefit. Parmelin also highlighted the importance of joint efforts in shaping international rules and agreements for AI governance, with close cooperation between the two countries playing a key role.

According to him, the principles established at the summit—such as developing human talent, expanding access, ensuring trustworthy and energy-efficient AI, promoting scientific use, democratizing AI resources, and driving economic and social progress—will help guide global cooperation. These ideas are expected to contribute to upcoming international discussions, including a United Nations dialogue in Geneva and future global meetings hosted by Switzerland.

Parmelin also noted that the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement has improved market access for Swiss exports, machinery, chemicals, and financial services, while making it easier for Swiss specialists to work temporarily in India. He further emphasized Switzerland’s active role in global AI governance, including its leadership in creating the first legally binding international AI treaty under the Council of Europe, and encouraged India to participate more closely in such initiatives. He concluded by reaffirming Switzerland’s commitment to working with India to advance responsible, transparent, and inclusive AI development worldwide.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Swiss Govt.

On Saturday (14 Feb), hundreds of thousands joined global protests against the Iranian government. Daniel Martin talks with Malminderjit Singh, Founder and MD of Terra Corporate Affairs.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

When Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, he pledged to eliminate what he called “woke” culture in America. From the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Smithsonian Institution and the Stonewall National Monument, his administration has sought to reshape American cultural institutions and historical narratives to reflect its own priorities. Jonathan Freedland and the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief, David Smith, examine how Trump’s efforts to recast history and culture in his own image could affect millions of Americans.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The expiration of the New START treaty has lifted the final restrictions on the nuclear stockpiles of the United States and Russia. As global arms control frameworks weaken, Russia is simultaneously strengthening military partnerships abroad, notably through a new five-year defense agreement with Myanmar’s ruling junta. This raises questions about whether Moscow now has greater freedom to act militarily and what these moves mean for global nuclear security.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro chats with Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. Varadkar, author of the autobiography “Speaking My Mind”, shares insights from a remarkable life in public service—how politics fascinated him as a child, his journey from a junior politician to Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, and ultimately becoming Ireland’s youngest prime minister. He also reflects on key lessons learned along the way and his experiences interacting with global leaders, including Donald Trump.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.