The Rundown Headline

• February 22, 2026

  As Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year, Europe Faces Hard Truth On China

  Efforts to pressure Beijing have failed to slow support for Moscow, highlighting enforcement gaps and deep economic dependencies, analysts and EU officials told RFE/RL.

• February 21, 2026

  Iranian Students Chant Anti-Government Slogans, Clash With Security Forces In Tehran

  Iranian students chanting anti-government slogans faced off with security forces outside a Tehran university, according to social media videos and other reports.

• February 20, 2026

  Exclusive: 'It's Not A War Crime If It Was Fun.' Three Years Of Gory Messages By A Russian General

  RFE/RL’s Ukrainian and Russian investigative units obtained three years of correspondence sent and received by a top Russian general fighting in Ukraine. Jokes about torture, mutilation, and executions of POWs abound.

• February 19, 2026

  Ukraine Peace Talks Are Stalling. A Firebrand Russian Historian May Be To Blame.

  Why did Ukraine’s president refer to the latest round of peace talks using a barnyard epithet? The presence of a firebrand, revisionist Russian historian-- whose writings have been derided as propaganda – as part of the Russian delegation is why.

• February 18, 2026

  Iran's 40-Day Mourning Ceremonies Spark Renewed Protests

  Across Iran, memorials to mark 40 days since thousands of protesters were killed in January have turned into anti-government demonstrations.

• February 17, 2026

  Following Iran Nuclear Talks, China's Support For Tehran Returns To The Spotlight

  Targeting Iran’s oil sales to China could test the limits of Beijing’s backing as Washington seeks leverage in renewed nuclear negotiations.

• February 16, 2026

  US, Iranian Officials Meet For New Negotiations Aimed At Preventing War

  US and Iranian officials are meeting in Switzerland for a second round of negotiations over a deal aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear program and averting war.

• February 15, 2026

  From Central Europe, Rubio Rejects NATO Exit Talk, Calls For Stronger European Role

  Just one day after addressing the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used a brief stop in the Slovak capital to dispel fears of a US retreat from NATO, telling reporters that Washington remains firmly committed to the alliance.

• February 14, 2026

  Rubio Wraps Warnings In Warmth As Europe Breathes A Sigh Of Relief

  At this year's Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed European leaders with affirmations of transatlantic ties -- calling America a "child of Europe" -- while urging reforms to address deindustrialization, migration, and sovereignty challenges.

• February 13, 2026

  Zelenskyy Meets Son Of Iran's Last Shah In Show Of 'Support'

  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah of Iran -- an extremely rare meeting at such a level for the former crown prince who is one of many figures vying for prominence among the fractured Iranian opposition in exile.

• February 12, 2026

  A Year After 'Provocative' Vance Speech, What Will Be Rubio's Message In Munich?

  Last year at the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President JD Vance shocked his hosts with a speech voicing sharp criticism of Washington’s NATO allies. This year, Russia and China will be watching closely for new signs of fractures in the Western alliance.

• February 11, 2026

  'Robust' US Military Deployment To Gulf Ahead Of Possible Iran Strikes

  In one of the largest military deployments to the Persian Gulf in decades, the United States is building up its forces after President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Tehran if it fails to negotiate a nuclear agreement.

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