Despite President Trump’s public denials, his administration has rapidly implemented a significant portion of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 policy blueprint. As of the article’s publication, 32% of the plan’s objectives were underway or completed, with some agencies, like USAID, showing near-total completion. This swift action prioritizes easily enacted targets such as LGBTQ+ rights and DEI initiatives, often reversing Biden-era policies. Furthermore, the administration’s actions are exceeding the scope of Project 2025 in some cases, such as illegally withholding funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Read More
Behind-the-scenes at the Munich Security Conference, the US pressured Ukraine to immediately sign a proposed mineral resources deal in exchange for a meeting with Vice President JD Vance, threatening to cancel the meeting otherwise. Kyiv refused to sign the US’s proposed version of the agreement, rejecting proposed amendments. Despite this refusal, the meeting proceeded as planned after the US dropped its demand. The initial US request was interpreted by Ukraine as a figurative expression of urgency, but proved to be a literal precondition for the meeting. Zelenskyy’s refusal to sign under pressure ultimately led to constructive dialogue.
Read More
European leaders will convene in Paris on Monday to coordinate their response to the Trump administration’s exclusion of Europe from U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, including key EU members, the UK, and NATO, aims to address European security concerns arising from potential peace deals negotiated without Ukrainian or European input. Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any agreement excluding Ukraine, while concerns persist that a deal could undermine Kyiv and broader European security. Discussions will likely focus on formulating a unified European approach, potentially including a joint envoy and exploring the possibility of contributing peacekeeping troops to secure a future ceasefire.
Read More
Ukraine and the UAE formalized an economic partnership agreement on Monday, establishing free trade. President Zelenskyy’s subsequent trip to Turkey and Saudi Arabia is unrelated to concurrent U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, though he intends to inquire about their progress. While Zelenskyy supports European involvement in future negotiations to pressure Russia for peace, both Moscow and Washington have rejected this proposal, citing differing priorities for their bilateral discussions. The Kremlin emphasized that its focus is on rebuilding U.S.-Russia relations and laying the groundwork for potential Ukraine negotiations.
Read More
Donald Trump’s alleged confidential plan for Ukraine involves a staggering $500 billion “payback,” far exceeding the reparations imposed on post-WWI Germany. This isn’t merely about controlling critical minerals; it encompasses a vast swathe of Ukrainian assets, from ports and infrastructure to oil and gas reserves and the broader resource base. The proposed agreement, leaked and described as a pre-decisional contract, reads like a blueprint for the US’s economic colonization of Ukraine, binding the country to potentially unachievable financial obligations in perpetuity. The document, marked “Privileged & Confidential,” has understandably caused panic in Kyiv.
The core of the plan centers around a joint US-Ukrainian investment fund, ostensibly designed to prevent “hostile parties” from profiting from Ukraine’s reconstruction.… Continue reading
Intercepting Hamas communications, Channel 12 revealed that early 2024 humanitarian aid intended for Gaza citizens was diverted to Hamas leaders. These recordings, reportedly shared with the US, detail Hamas’s close ties to UNRWA and internal disputes over aid distribution. Junior operatives complained of aid shortages while facing threats and violence from superiors for raising concerns. The intercepted conversations exposed deep resentment towards the Hamas leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the needs of its own people.
Read More
A Washington state judge issued a preliminary injunction against President Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, deeming it unconstitutional. The order blocks federal funding for such treatments and potentially criminalizes the medical procedures themselves, exceeding the President’s authority. The judge cited violations of the separation of powers and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This preliminary injunction follows a temporary restraining order and is expected to be appealed, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
Read More
Sky News captured footage of Russian ships Sparta and Sparta 2, sanctioned by the US in 2022, transiting the English Channel on February 13th. These vessels, owned by a Russian Ministry of Defence company, transported military equipment evacuated from Syria following the Assad regime’s fall. The British Navy’s RFA Tideforce shadowed the Russian ships, which were accompanied by the armed Russian naval ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy. This equipment was likely moved from Russia’s now-abandoned Tartus naval base.
Read More
At the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Closing Ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech praising the athletes’ resilience and the enduring friendship between Canada and the U.S., despite recent political tensions. He highlighted the Games’ focus on perseverance over adversity, referencing the recent NHL game between the two countries. Trudeau’s appearance alongside Prince Harry at the event underscored the strong relationship between the two nations, even amidst uncertainty about Trudeau’s political future and heightened U.S.-Canada anxieties. The Games, a multi-nation adaptive sporting event, successfully concluded its seventh edition, marking a return to Canada and the first inclusion of winter sports.
Read More
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukraine will not participate in, nor recognize any agreements reached in, Saudi Arabia-based talks between Russian and US representatives concerning Ukraine. He emphasized that any negotiations excluding Ukraine are meaningless. Zelenskyy’s own Saudi Arabia visit, focusing on oil price reduction and unrelated to the US-Russia discussions, included plans to address the talks directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Zelenskyy believes President Trump holds significant influence over oil prices and could potentially lower them.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood