Iran is operating on the basis that U.S. military strikes are "inevitable and imminent."

Iran had placed all of its armed forces on the highest state of alert and preparing to resist fiercely.

Source: NYT

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejects Trump’s proposal to send a U.S. hospital ship to the territory, saying “no thanks.”

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Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on enrichment:

I think as a sovereign country, we have every right to decide for ourselves, by ourselves.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

Right now we are only negotiating the nuclear, and there is no other subject.

Trump agreed to a roughly 50% increase in defense spending — about $500 billion more — pushing the proposed military budget toward $1.5 trillion.

Since then, White House and Pentagon officials have "struggled" to figure out how to allocate such a massive increase without waste, delaying the administration’s budget submission past the legal deadline.

Source: WaPo

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

There is no need for any military buildup.

Talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place in Geneva on Thursday.

Source: Axios

Banner at Ethiopian military parade today in a message to Eritrea:

“Whether they love us or hate us, we will not live landlocked.”

Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed was present at the parade.

MORE & MORE: Since mid-January 2026, at least 249 U.S. C-5 and C-17 cargo flights have moved troops and equipment into the region, with about 147 landing at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

In the past week alone, 58 U.S. aerial refueling tankers (around 15% of the fleet) have deployed to Europe to support fighter movements and potential sustained operations.

NEW: China has overtaken the U.S. as Germany’s top trading partner in 2025, with €251 billion in trade, compared to €240 billion with the U.S.

German imports from China far exceeded exports, and trade with the U.S. fell 5%, partly linked to tariffs.

Germany’s defense spending is set to decisively surpass France’s, potentially reaching nearly double by 2029.

Source: FT

The United States won gold in men’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, defeating Canada 2–1 in overtime.

It’s Team USA’s first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi:

Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are IRANIAN.

Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi:

Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal.