TYB
https://rt.rs/programs/pravo-na-rec/172983-pravo-na-rec-sibel-edmonds-prevodilac-fbi-epstin-balkan-srbija/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPXFi-sQ7qE
https://rt.rs/programs/pravo-na-rec/173745-sibel-edmonds-epstin-albanija-balkan/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGNdd0X0N3o
extra Sibel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTiRPXCDqA (From 9/11 to Epstein: When the Gov is the Culprit!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RopB6G_02eA (US Congress’ Dirty Dozen in Epstein Pedophile Network & Clients List)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuR1m1-1l2M (My 2009 Testimony on Epstein Co-Conspirators & Partners: Ihlas Holding & Marc Grossman)
https://x.com/NewSibelEdmonds
https://x.com/NewsBud_
extra Epstein
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXgzZHD-AFw (Ben Swann and Mario Nawfal Live)
Sibel Edmonds: Epstein came to the Balkans and Serbia, just during the wars of the 1990s
Updated : Feb 17, 2026 9:41 p.m
What are the connections of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with the Balkan countries and how much his monstrous network has affected this part of the world in the show "Right to Speak" with Marija Kordic on RT Balkan television, Sibel Edmonds, who worked as a translator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Edmonds is a former contract translator for the FBI and the founder and editor-in-chief of the independent website News Bad. He hired the FBI as a translator shortly after September 11, 2001, but fired him after less than seven months.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice published more than 3.5 million pages related to Epstein, describing and exposing his crimes, as well as contacts with celebrities, businessmen, politicians and other people.
However, they do not state that, as can be learned, 80 percent of his victims come from the Balkans. The question is, have you ever been to this place before?
"Yes," replied the guest.
"Based on my sources at the FBI and a former Justice Department lawyer, between 1997 and 2002 Epstein traveled frequently to the Balkans and other Eastern European countries," she added.
According to Sibel Edmonds, he also had regular financial transactions with the local countries.
"None of this is in the documents published so far. The fact that he was involved in the transfer of money to individuals in the Balkans, including those in Albania, through J.P. Morgan Chase Bank."
And then she came up with an unbelievable piece of information.
"They estimate that his human trafficking operations in the Balkans involve more than 1,000 victims and say that is a very moderate estimate," Edmunds said.
She also revealed that he used to come to our country.
"I don't have an exact list of cities, but when it comes to countries, it's Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Albania… He often traveled to Poland and the Czech Republic.
It is interesting that he traveled to Afghanistan via Istanbul in Turkey, and these trips took place between 2003 and 2005."
As he says, this draws our attention to a common thread, and it is about coming to the landscapes, especially in times of the greatest social crises.
"The Balkan wars took place from 1997 to 2001. This covers events in Kosovo, Metohija, and Bosnia, and then from 2003 to 2005 they coincide with Afghanistan and the takeover of Afghanistan by the US military and private mercenaries.
She also said that some information suggests that the disappearance of children after natural disasters is related to his human trafficking network.
"Another interesting fact that I got from the FBI is that Epstein traveled to Turkey multiple times, at least nine times, six of which were at the time of the earthquake.
"It's a natural disaster when there were so many displaced children, and Turkey has reported thousands of missing children and they believe some may be connected to Epstein's human trafficking network," Edmonds said.
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Sibel Edmonds: The Epstein affair will unfold in the Balkans
Updated : Feb 24, 2026 10:02 PM
What does the unsuspected Trump hotel on the site of the General Staff have to do with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Sibel Edmonds, a former FBI translator, in the show "Right to Speak" with Marija Kordic on RT Balkan television.
In the second part of the interview, Edmonds mentioned that Epstein had been in contact with United Arab Emirates businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem about plans to make the island of Sazan in Albania a "franchise" of his Little St. James Island in the Caribbean.
"The project was supposed to have its own port and airport, the airport in Valona. So, everything was planned, but then it was (2019).
Epstein ended up in prison. His second trial began, and then he ended up in jail and dead," Edmonds noted. Albania and bin Sulayem then offered the island to Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Edmonds claims that both this facility, and the one in Belgrade whose construction was prevented, was intended to play the role of a "strategic hotel" like the Chiragan Palace in Istanbul.
At that hotel, Edmonds says, then-Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, was pimped by Turkish boys every time he arrived. The Mossad, the CIA and the Turkish intelligence service knew this, she added.
"In these strategic hotels, pedophilia is part of the service," says Edmonds. When she discovered Hastert's abuse of the boy in 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ordered her to remain silent. The affair only came to light in 2013.
One of the biggest problems in the U.S. right now, Edmonds says, is that whistleblowers have no one to turn over evidence to, because WikiLeaks has been largely silenced.
"Believe me, there are so many people who want to speak out… Because we are talking about young children, rape, in some cases even murder of children, child trafficking. These people want to do the right thing, but they have no one to turn to," she said.
Edmonds believes there are links between Epstein's network and the operation to extract and trade human organs in Turkey, but that certain governments protect the people involved, for political reasons.
"I always try to emphasize that there are more Epsteins in our world," she said.
If the Epstein case is ever fully revealed, it will be related to something from the Balkans, Edmonds said.
"Because it's a wasp's nest that, if it touches, if it opens, it's really going to reveal the true leaders of that network. Even today, I believe that it must come from the Balkans, only from there," she said.
Edmonds worked as a freelance contractor and translator for the FBI after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, but was "banished" from intelligence circles when she pointed out to Congress and internal auditors that the CIA and State Department had "worked closely" with terrorist leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, and brought their supporters to the Balkans in the 1990s.
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USSF: Vulcan NSSL Launches Paused Until Anomaly Is Resolved
February 25, 2026
AURORA, Colorado—The U.S. Space Force will not launch any National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket until it completes the investigation into a Feb. 12 launch anomaly, a senior service official said Feb. 25.
Space Systems Command is investigating a solid rocket motor anomaly that occurred during Vulcan’s recent launch of USSF-87 from Cape Canaveral SFS.
The mission was a success, and Vulcan delivered the payloads, including two geosynchronous space situational awareness program (GSSAP) satellites and an experimental satellite, to their respective orbits.
The investigation is in its initial phase but is shaping up to be a months-long process, Col. Eric Zarybnisky, Acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access, told reporters at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air Warfare Symposium here.
“Until this anomaly is solved, we will not be launching National Security Space Launch missions on the Vulcan,” he said.
Zarybnisky highlighted that mission success is “the number-one priority.”
“But anytime there’s an anomaly, my team is going to be actively engaged with the contractors to make sure we understand what happened and we correct that issue,” he said.
The pause on Vulcan missions may impact its next NSSL mission currently on the manifest, supporting the 10th GPS III satellite, which is currently scheduled to launch this spring.
The Space Force has now switched three GPS III satellites in a row that were contracted to launch on Vulcan over to SpaceX, which launched them on its Falcon 9 rocket.
Zarybnisky said that to date, he has not changed the provider for that GPS III mission, but that he is working through a number of options to get the payload on orbit as quickly as possible.
https://aviationweek.com/space/launch-vehicles-propulsion/ussf-vulcan-nssl-launches-paused-until-anomaly-resolved
Russia returns bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers – Putin aide
26 Feb, 2026 11:40
Russia returned the bodies of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers on Thursday, an aide to President Vladimir Putin has announced. Kiev handed over the remains of 35 Russian troops.
The figures were reported by Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s chief negotiator during the most recent round of US-mediated talks with Ukraine.
RT observed the latest humanitarian event facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Repatriations intensified last year after Kiev agreed to resume direct diplomatic engagement with Moscow under American pressure.
Exchanges now occur roughly monthly, with Russia typically transferring 1,000 sets of Ukrainian remains and receiving several dozen each time, though three recent transfers were unilateral.
The Ukrainian military is struggling to replenish battlefield losses, with some two million potential conscripts evading the draft, according to the Defense Ministry.
The manpower shortage is being worsened by mass desertion. This month, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky signed a law allowing the military to recruit volunteers older than 60.
Ukraine’s mobilization campaign has been marred by repeated incidents of violence and coercion by conscription officials.
Human rights ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets said his office is receiving an “avalanche” of complaints against draft officials, signaling a “systemic crisis.”
https://www.rt.com/russia/633066-ukraine-russia-military-repatriations/
Term ‘forced mobilization’ is ‘enemy language’ – Ukrainian officials
25 Feb, 2026 21:16
Anyone criticizing Ukraine’s forced mobilization campaign has fallen for Russian propaganda and is using the “language of the enemy,” a military recruitment center in Dnepropetrovsk Region has suggested.
Ukraine’s mobilization drive has grown increasingly brutal amid escalating manpower shortages in recent months.
There are hundreds of documented cases of draft officers using force to snatch men off the streets, illegally breaking into vehicles and homes, and brawling with onlookers. There have also been multiple reports of deaths among conscripts.
The process of violently packing unwilling recruits into minibuses commonly used by Ukrainian press gangs has become colloquially known in Ukraine as ‘busification.’
On Tuesday, Dnepropetrovsk Region’s Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TSR) reposted on its Facebook account an article by ArmyInform media outlet that warned that Ukraine’s “information space” is being “infected” with alleged Russian “artificial terms.”
The article categorically states that there are no such things as “man-trappers” or “busifications.” “Anyone who spreads hostile words is working for the enemy, even if they don’t realize it,” the article claimed.
“Both Ukrainian media and Ukrainian citizens should have long ago abandoned the terminology imposed by Russian propaganda and strictly tabooed it,” the author insisted.
According to the publication, the term ‘busification’ is being used to portray the “legitimate actions of the Ukrainian state to get conscripted citizens to fulfill their constitutional duty as illegal persecution.”
Among other words that should be off limits to the Ukrainian media and public at large are the “concentration camp country,” as well as “forced mobilization,” and “mobilization slavery,” the ArmyInform story says.
As for cases of abuse by draft officers caught on camera, the article suggests that most of them are “fabricated” by Moscow and are deliberately being spread in the Ukrainian public domain.
Ukrainian officials have also routinely dismissed grievances over forced mobilization as fabrications and “Russian propaganda.”
However, earlier this month, human rights ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets told Ukrainian lawmakers that his office was receiving an “avalanche” of complaints against draft officials, indicative of a “systemic crisis.”
https://www.rt.com/russia/633050-ukraine-draft-officials-mobilization-critics-enemies/
extra RT
https://www.rt.com/russia/633049-russia-un-ambassador-nebenzia-says-he-is-ukrainian/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/70801
https://united24media.com/latest-news/russia-unleashes-nighttime-barrage-on-ukraine-as-missiles-and-drones-strike-major-cities-16288
https://t.me/dsns_telegram/58885
https://t.me/dsns_telegram/58878
https://t.me/dsns_telegram/58888
other Russia and Ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/70846
https://www.rferl.org/a/deadly-drone-strike-at-russian-chemical-plant-/33688914.html
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/02/26/ukrainian-drone-attacks-rising-airfares-dent-demand-for-sochi-trips-kommersant-a92059
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4095780-two-civilians-wounded-in-chernihiv-region-due-to-russian-drone-attack.html
https://united24media.com/latest-news/crimean-partisans-knock-out-russian-electronic-warfare-tower-near-sevastopol-opening-drone-corridor-16289
https://telegrafi.com/en/extraordinary-action-Russian-drone-shot-down-with-machine-gun/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drone-factory-opens-in-suffolk-to-boost-ukraines-armed-forces-against-russias-war
Ukraine Hit in Sweeping Russian Missile and Drone Attack, Dozen Injured
UPDATED: Feb. 26, 12:02 pm
Kyiv
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that damage was recorded in three districts: Darnytskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Pecherskyi.
In Darnytskyi district, falling debris caused a blast wave that damaged windows and doors in a first-floor apartment of a nine-story building. No fire was reported.
Russia launched another massive drone and missile attack across Ukraine early Thursday morning, Feb. 26, striking multiple regions and damaging residential buildings and infrastructure.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, large numbers of drones were detected over Ukraine shortly after 1 a.m. At 3:52 a.m., Russia launched ballistic missiles toward Kyiv and Kharkiv.
Overnight, Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers also took off to fire cruise missiles. By 5:25 a.m., the missiles had entered Ukrainian airspace, primarily heading toward Kyiv.
In Holosiivskyi district, garages caught fire due to falling debris.
In Pecherskyi district, a private house caught fire.
All fires were later extinguished. No casualties were reported in the capital.
Kharkiv
Russia attacked Kharkiv with 17 drones and two missiles. Damage was recorded in four districts of the city.
In Kyivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts, apartment buildings and private homes were damaged, overhead power lines were torn down, and a gas pipeline was severed.
In Saltivskyi district, a private house was destroyed. In Slobidskyi district, another private home was completely destroyed and a fire broke out at the impact site. One strike hit the city’s Central Park.
Local authorities said nine people were injured in Kharkiv. Including casualties from shelling in the village of Rai-Olenivka, the total number of injured rose to 14, among them one child.
Zaporizhzhia
Zaporizhzhia was also heavily targeted overnight by drones. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said 19 apartment buildings, four private houses, and several non-residential buildings were damaged.
Two shopping centers were hit, including an Epicenter store.
More than 500 homes were left without heating as of Thursday morning.
The State Emergency Service (DSNS) reported that in one nine-story building, apartments on the seventh and eighth floors caught fire. In another building, apartments, balconies, and windows were damaged without further burning. A private house was also damaged.
A fire broke out in one shopping center over an area of 60 square meters, while another suffered roof damage.
Fedorov initially reported six injuries but later DSNS clarified that nine people wounded.
The DSNS later reported that the number of injured had increased to 10 people, including an 8-year-old child, five women and four men.
“All of them received the necessary medical care. Most are being treated on an outpatient basis,” the statement said.
Emergency and rescue operations have now been completed. Rescuers extinguished all fires and inspected the affected area, while municipal services have begun restoration work at the scene.
Kryvyi Rih
Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region was attacked by drones overnight, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s Defense Council.
Around 10 residential buildings were damaged, including one five-story building that sustained severe roof damage. A kindergarten, fire station, administrative buildings, and vehicles were also affected.
Two elderly residents - an 89-year-old man and an 83-year-old woman - were injured.
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Reported targets
Monitoring Telegram channels reported that targets may have included substations, an airfield, a combined heat and power plant (CHP), a thermal power plant (TPP), and a military-industrial facility.
The main areas targeted were Kharkiv and its region, Mykolaiv region, Vinnytsia and surrounding areas, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv and the Kyiv region, Kryvyi Rih, frontline areas of Donetsk region, and Poltava.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, Russia launched a large-scale air assault using two Zircon anti-ship missiles, 11 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 24 Kh-101 cruise missiles (launched from Russia’s Vologda Oblast), and two Kh-69 guided air-to-surface missiles.
Moscow also deployed 420 Shahed, Gerbera, and Italmas attack UAVs and other types of drones, about 280 of which were Shahed drones.
The attack was repelled by Ukrainian aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, as well as mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces.
As of 10 a.m., air defenses had shot down or suppressed two Zircon missiles, four Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, 24 Kh-101 cruise missiles, two Kh-69 guided missiles, and 374 Russian UAVs.
At the same time, five ballistic missiles and 46 strike UAVs were recorded hitting 32 locations. Debris from intercepted targets fell in 15 additional locations. Information regarding several missiles is still being clarified.
President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the overnight attack on Telegram.
“Russia once again targeted critical infrastructure and ordinary residential buildings… Destruction has been recorded in eight regions: many private homes and apartment buildings were damaged.
As of now, dozens of people are known to have been injured as a result of this attack, including children,” he wrote.
According to Zelensky, the strikes also hit gas infrastructure in the Poltava region and electrical substations in the Kyiv and Dnipro regions.
Rescue operations were conducted in the Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, and Kyiv regions, as well as in the capital.
“Most of the missiles launched today were shot down thanks to the fact that our partners promptly delivered air defense missiles agreed upon during the last Ramstein meeting. But, unfortunately, there were also strikes,” Zelensky said.
He stressed that Ukraine must continue strengthening its air defense capabilities.
“The cold has not fully receded, and air defense missiles are needed every day while Russia continues trying to destroy our energy sector,” the president added.
Drone violates Romanian airspace during Russian attack on Ukraine
A drone briefly entered Romanian airspace on Wednesday, Feb. 25, during a large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, Digi24 reported.
At around 6:15 p.m., residents of Tulcea County in northern Romania received a Ro-Alert warning following reports of renewed Russian shelling near the border and the detection of an aerial target approaching Romanian territory.
Romania’s Ministry of National Defense (MApN) confirmed that radar systems tracked a drone that briefly crossed into national airspace.
Earlier, at 5:50 p.m., two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the Fetești Air Base to monitor the situation.
According to the ministry, the drone entered Romanian airspace near the settlement of Sfântu Gheorghe and exited north of Sulina, continuing over territorial waters in the Black Sea. Authorities said there was no threat to human life.
The defense ministry strongly condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
“These actions constitute a serious violation of international law and pose a threat to regional security,” the ministry said in a statement.
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Unknown drone jammed near French navy flagship in Sweden: forces
February 26, 2026 11:01 am
Sweden’s army jammed a drone of unknown origin on Wednesday not far from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which was in Swedish waters, the two countries’ armed forces said Thursday.
“A drone was jammed yesterday by a Swedish system at about seven nautical miles from the Charles de Gaulle.
The Swedish system worked perfectly and this did not disrupt operations on board,” French General Staff spokesman Colonel Guillaume Vernet told AFP.
The incident took place in the Oresund Strait, near the city of Malmo where the French flagship made a stopover on Wednesday, the Swedish army said.
https://insiderpaper.com/unknown-drone-jammed-near-french-navy-flagship-in-sweden-forces/
https://united24media.com/latest-news/russian-drone-launched-at-french-aircraft-carrier-intercepted-in-swedish-port-16309
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15595225/NATO-intercepts-Russian-drone-heading-Europes-biggest-aircraft-carrier-security-incident-Sweden-days-Putin-issued-nuclear-war-threat.html
Russia, Russia, Russia!
Romanian Air Force scrambled fighter jets after Russian drone breached airspace
Last updated: February 26, 2026, 16:27 UTC
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — For the second time in less than 24 hours involving NATO-linked maritime security, regional tensions spiked as the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) confirmed that a Russian drone violated its national airspace on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026.
The incursion occurred as the Russian Federation launched a fresh wave of aerial strikes against Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River—a critical artery for global grain exports situated just meters from the Romanian border.
Rapid Response at Fetești Airbase
Romanian radar systems first detected the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the vicinity of the national border late Wednesday afternoon. In response, the military triggered preventive protocols:
Scramble: At approximately 5:50 p.m., two F-16 fighter jets were deployed from the 86th Airbase in Fetești to monitor the situation.
Public Alert: At 6:07 p.m., authorities issued a RO-Alert notification to residents in northern Tulcea County, advising them of the potential risk of falling debris and urging them to seek shelter.
The Breach: The drone briefly crossed into Romanian territory near the settlement of Sfântu Gheorghe, traveling over territorial waters before exiting north of Sulina.
The air alert was officially lifted at 6:45 p.m. Romanian defense officials later confirmed that while the drone’s presence was a clear violation, it did not pose an immediate threat to human life.
No wreckage or debris was found following a subsequent search of the area.
https://airlive.net/news/2026/02/26/romanian-air-force-scrambled-fighter-jets-after-russian-drone-breached-airspace/
Probably all ties into the human safari parties, Kosovo, Srebrenica Massacre, the depleted uranium, etc
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/02/25/exclusive-former-idf-general-iran-may-arm-missiles-chemical-warheads/
other Israel
https://www.jns.org/idf-strikes-hezbollah-terror-infrastructure-in-lebanons-bekaa-valley/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-29-mostly-idf-soldiers-injured-in-2-separate-bus-accidents-in-negev/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-888046
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjeodxcdwe
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888138
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-888080
https://www.aninews.in/news/world/middle-east/israel-razes-five-kilometers-of-tunnels-in-gazas-beit-hanoun20260226194013/
https://caliber.az/en/post/idf-targets-militant-activity-in-southern-gaza
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-888103
https://www.jns.org/idf-lifts-restrictions-in-beeri-forest-reopens-trails-more-than-28-months-after-oct-7/
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1hehf6dwl
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-to-relocate-11-bases-from-central-israel-to-free-up-land-for-real-estate/
Exclusive — Former IDF General: Iran May Arm Missiles with Chemical Warheads; ‘Massive Strike’ Only Option
25 Feb 2026
A former senior Israeli commander warned that Iran could seek to arm its rapidly expanding ballistic missile arsenal — which already threatens Israel, U.S. bases, and allied interests across the region — with chemical or biological warheads, arguing that the “only viable option” may be a “massive” and “decisive” strike to bring down the regime as nuclear negotiations reach a critical juncture.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News on Wednesday — on the eve of a pivotal third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva — Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi, founder and chairman of the Israel Defense and Security Forum and a former senior IDF commander who continues to advise Israeli defense circles, said the most urgent danger now facing not only Israel but also American forces and regional stability is Tehran’s accelerating ballistic missile production.
“Looking at the moment, the main issue which is urgent — not only to Israel but to American forces and regional stability — is the massive production of ballistic missiles,” Avivi said.
While Iran’s nuclear sites were “hit severely” last year and rebuilding efforts take time, he warned that Tehran is recovering “much faster” when it comes to manufacturing advanced missiles — systems he described as “more advanced and dangerous” than those launched during the 12-day war.
He said Iranian leaders appear “very determined to retaliate” after what they view as a humiliating blow that undermined their deterrence both internally and internationally.
One underreported dimension of that missile surge, Avivi cautioned, is the possibility that Tehran could seek to equip some of those systems with unconventional payloads.
“There is a discussion about that,” he said, confirming that Israeli defense officials are actively assessing “what are the capabilities and what are the chances that there is readiness to put a warhead that has these capabilities.”
The prospect that Iran could attach chemical or biological agents to long-range ballistic missiles, he argued, “strengthens the understanding that we need a preventive attack” to suppress any attempted strike.
Avivi has raised similar concerns in recent days in public briefings and interviews, warning that Iran is “continuing preparations for war” and expanding missile production even as diplomacy continues.
His warning comes as a report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies this week urged greater scrutiny of Iran’s opaque chemical weapons program, arguing that policymakers have focused heavily on the nuclear file while paying comparatively less attention to potential chemical capabilities.
The report cited allegations that Iranian security forces deployed unknown chemical substances against protesters earlier this year — claims Tehran denies — and noted that U.S. officials have repeatedly found Iran in noncompliance with aspects of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
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Asked to assess what could unfold in the coming days or weeks, the retired general outlined three possible scenarios.
The first, he said, is an Iranian preemptive strike against Israel or U.S. targets in the region.
“If the Iranians attack preemptively, they can launch a massive amount of ballistic missiles that will overwhelm defenses in Israel and in other places,” he warned.
Israel, he added, is monitoring “very, very closely” every Iranian movement.
A second scenario would be an Israeli preemptive strike if Jerusalem determines that Tehran is crossing defined red lines or preparing an imminent attack.
The third — and, in his view, increasingly likely — is a U.S.-led military campaign drawing heavily on Israeli intelligence and targeting data.
“There’s a very big chance this is what will happen — a massive U.S.-led attack,” Avivi said, describing the current period as “a very defining moment.”
Beyond the immediate battlefield calculations, Avivi framed the confrontation — particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s stated red lines — as a broader test of American deterrence and global credibility.
“At the end of the day, America has to build back its deterrence,” he said, arguing that projecting strength against Tehran would reverberate beyond the Middle East, including in dealings with China and Russia.
But the retired Israeli commander said limited strikes on nuclear or missile facilities would not be enough.
“If the U.S. wants to push the vision of stability and peace in the region, this regime must go,” Avivi said, contending that Iran’s network of proxies — including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias operating in Iraq and Syria — ultimately derive their power from Tehran’s leadership.
What would be required, he argued, is a far broader and more decisive military effort aimed directly at collapsing the regime’s command structure and removing its leadership.
“This is a completely different kind of operation,” he explained. “It’s not just about military sites or nuclear sites. This is about the leadership. It’s about the centers of government, media, Revolutionary Guard, Basij forces.”
For such a campaign to succeed, Avivi said, two developments would need to occur simultaneously: a massive, coordinated assault degrading the regime’s ability to govern and command its forces — and a domestic uprising from within.
“America is going into this big war without boots on the ground,” he said. “This is not similar to Iraq. The boots on the ground are the Iranian people.”
Avivi expressed confidence that many Iranians, battered by economic collapse and repeated crackdowns, would view such a moment as an opportunity for change.
Despite President Trump’s public preference for diplomacy, Avivi said there is “no way to bridge” the gap between Israeli-American demands and what Tehran would ultimately accept — or genuinely implement.
“They are going to deceive and lie and continue their path toward nuclear capabilities and rebuilding their proxies and ballistic missiles,” he warned, arguing that even a negotiated settlement would not alter the regime’s long-term ambitions.
“Therefore, the only viable option is to attack — massive attacks, simultaneous, decisive — to bring this regime down,” Avivi said. “And I believe that this is what will happen.”
As negotiators prepare to meet in Geneva on Thursday, Avivi’s warning frames the stark choice now facing Washington and Jerusalem: secure an agreement that permanently halts Iran’s weapons ambitions — or prepare for a military confrontation that could reshape the region.
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In Historic First, US Deploys Stealth Fighters In Israel Amid Iran Tensions
Feb 26, 2026 22:56 pm IST
The deployment of the combat aircraft comes in the backdrop of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates refusing to allow any forces to use their airspace. This has limited US options for basing their aircraft needed for a major operation.
The US has already gathered a fleet of aircraft and warships in the Middle East as a war looms over Iran. However, for the first time, the US has deployed combat aircraft to Israel for a potential war mission, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
The F-22 Raptors deployed to Israeli air bases will help the US in defending Israeli territory and American troops from Iran's retaliation.
"Operating aircraft from Israeli bases is a first," said Dennis Ross, a former senior US official, to The Wall Street Journal.
Why Has The US Deployed The Jets In Israel?
The deployment of the combat aircraft comes in the backdrop of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates refusing to allow any forces to use their airspace. This has limited US options for basing their aircraft needed for a major operation.
Elliott Abrams, former special envoy for Iran during the first Trump administration, told the publication that the deployment "is the product of two developments: the growing cooperation between the United States and Israel, and the refusal of so many countries to allow the US to use their bases."
He added, "I have to wonder if, over time, Americans will wonder why we have bases in countries that don't cooperate when we ask."
The stealth fighters were spotted taking off from the Lakenheath airbase in the United Kingdom on the morning of February 24 before they flew to Israel, the Israeli daily said, citing open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters.
Israeli officials are said to believe that a US strike is inevitable, and top military brass from the two countries have reportedly been in contact.
One official quoted by Channel 12 news on Tuesday said that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict would be the "surprise of the year," as per The Times of Israel report.
For decades, Washington deliberately kept its military footprint in Israel limited, wary that permanently stationing offensive aircraft could inflame regional tensions.
Israel was therefore placed under the US European Command to manage diplomatic sensitivities in the Middle East.
That calculus shifted after the Abraham Accords. In 2021, Israel was reassigned to US Central Command, a change that quietly removed long-standing operational barriers and opened the door to far closer US-Israeli military integration.
US-Iran Talks Over Tehran's Nuclear Programme
Amid talks ongoing between the US and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, US President Trump, in his address to the joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday night said that Iran is developing long-range missiles that can reach US territory.
"They've already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they're working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America," Trump said during his first State of the Union address of his second term.
"My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy–but one thing is certain: I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon," he told Congress.
Iran's foreign ministry says delegates from the country and the United States have exchanged "very constructive" proposals so far in their third round of nuclear talks in Geneva.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-sends-topline-f-22-raptors-to-israel-for-1st-time-amid-iran-conflict-buzz-11141553
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202602250842
other Iran
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/2/26/us-iran-talks-live-nuclear-talks-to-kick-off-in-geneva-amid-tensions
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-moves-cut-off-swiss-153713933.html
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-road-rivalries/why-wouldnt-iran-work-with-isis-cells
https://www.cfr.org/articles/u-s-iran-hold-third-round-of-nuclear-talks
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5755665-live-updates-trump-iran-hillary-clinton/
North Waziristan school building damaged in suspected drone strike - Pakistan
February 26, 2026
A government high school building in North Waziristan was severely damaged in a suspected drone strike late on Wednesday night, just days before educational institutions were scheduled to reopen. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The incident occurred in the Miami Kabul Khel Dorazinda area of the Shewa tehsil. Government High School Shamazan Kot sustained extensive damage, with nearly 80 per cent of its structure reportedly reduced to rubble.
According to local sources, a powerful explosion was heard across the surrounding villages, triggering panic and fear among residents. However, the blast took place at night while the school was closed, ensuring that students and staff remained unharmed.
A senior district administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the exact nature and cause of the explosion.
Authorities are collecting evidence from the site to ascertain whether it was a drone strike or another form of attack.
District police and security personnel have cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.
In an official statement, authorities said security around educational institutions would be further tightened, and emergency measures would be taken to rehabilitate and reconstruct the damaged school building.
Local residents expressed deep concern over the incident, particularly as schools across the region were due to reopen on March 1. Parents and students fear the attack may disrupt the fragile return to normalcy in the conflict-affected district.
“Education here is already struggling. If schools themselves are targeted, what future will our children have?” said an elderly tribal elder while speaking to this correspondent.
A parent of one of the students told Dawn that the government must not only ensure the immediate reconstruction of the school, but also establish lasting peace in the area so that children can pursue their education without fear.
Educational institutions in North Waziristan and adjoining tribal districts have previously been targeted in various incidents.
In some cases, militant elements have blown up school buildings using explosive materials, while in others, structures have reportedly sustained damage during security operations.
Only a few weeks ago, another alleged drone strike in the same area left students and a teacher injured. Investigations into that incident are still underway.
While attacks targeting infrastructure are fairly common in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also seen a rise in such incidents in recent months.
In May 2024, a private girls’ school in Shewa was also blown up by unidentified militants. Similar attacks also took place in May 2023 when two government schools for girls in Mirali were blown up. No loss of life was reported in the incidents.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1975878
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/02/26/cop-martyred-in-tank-drone-strike-three-abducted-brothers-found-dead-in-bannu
China Accused Of Masking Drone Flights ln Suspected Taiwan War Rehearsal
18:52, 26th Feb, 2026
Chinese military drone allegedly used false aircraft identities in South China Sea operations, raising concerns over Taiwan invasion rehearsals.
China has been accused of masking military drone flights in the South China Sea by transmitting false transponder signals, a move analysts say could be a rehearsal for operations targeting Taiwan.
According to investigators and open source intelligence analysts, a large Chinese military drone identified as a Wing Loong 2 unmanned aerial vehicle conducted multiple flights while disguising itself as other aircraft.
These included a sanctioned Belarusian cargo plane operated by Rada Airlines and even a Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet.
The flights reportedly originated from Qionghai Boao International Airport in Hainan, a dual use commercial and military facility.
Flight tracking data reviewed by analysts showed the drone frequently flying star and hourglass shaped surveillance patterns over sensitive areas of the South China Sea.
Experts say the tactic represents a significant evolution in Beijing’s so called ‘grey zone’ operations actions designed to assert dominance and test adversaries without triggering open conflict.
By broadcasting false 24 bit transponder codes, the drone appeared on public tracking systems as entirely different aircraft.
While such masking would be unlikely to deceive advanced military radar systems, analysts argue it could create confusion in the early stages of a conflict. Even brief uncertainty in identifying aircraft could complicate response times in highly automated warfare environments.
Two particularly unusual incidents were noted. In one flight, the drone allegedly switched identities multiple times mid air before landing under the guise of a Belarusian aircraft.
it transmitted the same identity as a real cargo plane that was airborne at the same time, suggesting deliberate electronic deception.
Security analysts believe the routes especially those near the Bashi Channel and waters south of Hainan mirror strategic pathways that would be critical in any future military operation involving Taiwan.
When overlaid on a map of Taiwan, the flight paths reportedly pass near several military points of interest, including areas around Taipei and the island’s southern coast.
The Wing Loong 2 drone, produced by Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is primarily used for surveillance but can also be configured for precision strikes and anti submarine missions.
China’s defence ministry has not publicly responded to the allegations. Analysts say the operations may signal increasing readiness by Beijing as tensions across the Taiwan Strait persist.
Observers warn that such deception tactics if refined could be used not only to conceal surveillance missions but also to disrupt adversaries’ situational awareness in a crisis.
As regional powers monitor developments closely, the reported flights underscore growing concern over military manoeuvres in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive waterways.
https://www.arise.tv/china-accused-of-masking-drone-flights-ln-suspected-taiwan-war-rehearsal/
China claims breakthrough with world’s first ducted ton-class ‘flying saucer’ eVTOL
Feb 26, 2026 08:38 AM EST
A range of eVTOLs, including a UFO-shaped aircraft, was put on display in China, showcasing rapid-launch capability and low-altitude maneuverability.
The ‘flying saucer’ can take off in three seconds and operate close to buildings or near the ground, according to Chinese media outlets.
Developers said it will initially be deployed for logistics transport and aerial rescue missions once it secures the required regulatory certifications.
Recently, Singapore unveiled its first locally designed eVTOL at Singapore Airshow 2026, developed over three years by researchers at Nanyang Technological University.
Low-altitude push
A silent aircraft with rotors enclosed inside its fuselage lifted off in front of an auditorium in downtown Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, during a public display on February 24.
Designed with a maximum payload capacity of 992 pounds (450 kilograms), the aircraft is positioned for practical urban applications.
The event took place outside the Hongshan Auditorium and featured four distinct eVTOL vehicles. The demonstration was part of Hubei’s provincial meeting, where local officials outlined the region’s economic agenda.
The display was held on the first working day after the Spring Festival holiday and highlighted locally developed aviation technology, according to China Daily.
The presentation underscored Hubei’s focus on advancing the low-altitude economy, which has been identified as a national strategic priority in China.
By featuring domestically developed eVTOL aircraft at the official gathering, the province emphasized its commitment to accelerating development in the sector.
Industry executives and regulators have identified 2026 as a pivotal year for eVTOL commercialization.
Multiple manufacturers are working to secure type certification and move toward mass production, making the coming year critical for the sector’s transition from development to commercial deployment, China Daily reported.
Hybrid eVTOL breakthrough
In addition to the UFO-style eVTOL, three other aircraft were showcased, highlighting different approaches to market entry.
A 1.2-ton eVTOL, which is claimed to be the world’s first ducted ton-class “flying saucer”, with enclosed rotors emphasized enhanced ground safety.
Its developer is pursuing a dual strategy of direct sales at a projected price below 2 million yuan and a future ride-hailing style sharing model. A two-seat version is planned this year, targeting low-altitude logistics and tourism, reports China Daily.
A hybrid tilt-rotor V1000 was presented as a solution to range limitations associated with pure-electric models. With a range exceeding over 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) and a about 880 pounds (400-kilogram) payload capacity, it is designed to connect major cities without recharging.
The aircraft has received acceptance of its type certificate application from the Civil Aviation Administration of China and is scheduled for a first test flight in 2026.
Another prototype, described as a flying “micro-intensive care unit,” is configured for emergency medical response. Designed to carry a stretcher and portable CT scanner, the pure-electric aircraft aims to reduce hourly rescue costs to around 2,200 yuan.
Testing of medicine and plasma transport is planned this year. A compact model with simplified controls is being developed for recreational use, targeting a price below 500,000 yuan, as reported by China Daily.
National policy support includes revised civil aviation regulations effective in July and plans to expand low-altitude communications coverage to 90 percent by 2027. Hubei is developing nine eVTOL models, four of which have completed test flights.
https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/worlds-first-ducted-ton-class-flying-saucer-evtol
https://x.com/XueJia24682/status/2026614765561458938
https://thedebrief.org/all-domain-anomaly-resolution-office-hosts-private-workshop-with-civilian-researchers-universities-and-government-agencies/
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/Information%20Papers/2025_UAP_Workshop_Paper.pdf
https://www.aaro.mil/
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office Hosts Private Workshop with Civilian Researchers, Universities, and Government Agencies
February 26, 2026
The Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has outlined plans to standardize the collection and analysis of reports on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), marking a shift toward greater collaboration with civilian researchers and more structured public data sharing.
The plans were conveyed in a new report that appeared on AARO’s website earlier this month, detailing an August 2025 private meeting with experts from government, academia, and civilian research organizations convened in the Washington, D.C., area.
Coordinated by AARO and hosted by Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), the workshop marked a significant step in AARO’s engagement with civilian and independent research groups.
The meeting sought to establish a more collaborative and professional process for standardizing the study of UAP within the Department of War (DoW), while potentially increasing transparency compared with previous years.
Topics discussed at the 2025 Workshop
Traditionally, many UAP gatherings involving academics or government officials have focused on presenting findings, historical analysis, or scientific data.
The AARO workshop took a different approach, forming breakout groups to address a foundational challenge: how to collect, manage, integrate, and analyze UAP data using rigorous scientific methods—both internally at AARO and in collaboration with civilian datasets.
Areas that the August 2025 workshop focused on included:
Assessing the current landscape of UAP reporting systems and data repositories;
Identifying key challenges and gaps in UAP data collection, standardization, and accessibility;
Exploring methodologies for data analysis and pattern recognition in UAP reports.
Nurturing trust and collaboration among researchers, government agencies, and civilian organizations; and
Proposing recommendations for developing a robust UAP data infrastructure.
UAP Report Collection
UAP reports originate from a wide array of sources, including military logs, pilot reports, civilian testimony, archival records, social media posts, and sensor-based systems such as radar and imagery platforms.
In the past, challenges with UAP data collection have ranged from fragmentation and inconsistent formatting to the lack of standardized metadata and limited cross-correlation between datasets.
Classification restrictions, language differences, social stigma, and inconsistent retention policies have further complicated access for both government and civilian researchers.
According to the report, participants in the 2025 workshop emphasized that progress in UAP research depends on building a shared data infrastructure between government and civilian researchers.
One major recommendation was the development of standardized metadata templates that combine human expertise with AI tools, leverage existing infrastructure, support case triage, and integrate interviews and historical reports, while prioritizing new high-quality data.
These templates would record contextual information such as time, location, morphology, provenance, and environmental conditions.
Clear metadata standards would also make it easier for agencies and independent researchers to share datasets while protecting sensitive information and privacy.
The white paper notes AARO seeks a “multi-disciplinary and community-engaged approach to UAP narrative data,” which may influence future sensor deployment strategies.
The white paper identifies artificial intelligence as both a potential solution and a potential hazard.
AI could assist with transcription, clustering, and large-scale pattern detection, but also risks introducing bias, amplifying hoaxes, or producing inaccurate results—the classic “garbage in, garbage out” problem.
The workshop strongly endorsed a hybrid human-AI model with human oversight.
Privacy First
The AARO whitepaper emphasizes that privacy was a central priority for the workshop.
“Participant privacy was an important consideration throughout workshop planning, and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval governed data collection and security for the workshop,” the report states.
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Workshop participants were asked to adhere to the “Chatham House Rules,” and not to take photos or attribute statements to individuals without permission.
Given these circumstances, civilian participants who attended the workshop and later spoke with The Debrief did so on background.
“Civilian participants were given genuine opportunities to contribute perspectives and technical insights, and there appeared to be a shared commitment—on the part of both AARO personnel and external researchers—to improving the quality and rigor of UAP data collection,” one participant told The Debrief.
“The discussions and presentations were conducted in a constructive, solutions-oriented atmosphere that encouraged collaboration on best practices for future observational and analytical efforts.”
The breakout sessions also emphasized balancing quantitative data with qualitative witness narratives and incorporating cultural and experiential perspectives while allowing multiple analytical approaches to coexist.
“I was pleasantly surprised that AARO did a good job of getting a cross-section, not only of the UAP community, right, but also of people from other federal groups or agencies that attended.
None of the three-letter agencies, at least none that I knew of, were represented,” said one participant who spoke with The Debrief.
“There was definitely more transparency compared to their public statements and postings,” another participant said. “I think that was attributed to the level of trust they had with their select invitees in a private session. ”
The Importance of Public Reporting
Improving reporting systems was another major priority discussed at the workshop.
Recommendations included open-ended narrative submissions followed by AI-assisted structuring that witnesses could review; improved geolocation tools; standardized time inputs; flexible units; and optional metadata fields.
Participants also encouraged the release of de-identified public data to build public trust and reduce stigma.
Following the report’s publication, The Debrief reached out to the Pentagon for comment on how AARO’s mission may incorporate public reports going forward.
“AARO anticipates using public reports to enhance overall UAP trend analysis and, when possible, to enrich open UAP cases from government and law enforcement sources,” said Sue Gough, a Department of War spokesperson, in an email to The Debrief.
According to AARO’s official website, it currently accepts UAP-related information from military and Department of War civilian personnel, although it adds that “AARO will announce when a reporting mechanism is available to the public.”
Asked about the potential timeline for completing this civilian-accessible UAP reporting mechanism, Gough told The Debrief that “We have nothing to announce at this time.”
A Change in Direction
Sean M. Kirkpatrick, a laser and materials physicist and inaugural director of AARO, presided over the office during the initial phase of its development.
At that time, engagement with civilian UAP researchers had been limited and often viewed through a more cautious, security-focused lens. That approach appeared to reflect broader government concerns about data reliability, classification, and the challenges of integrating independent research into official investigative frameworks; however, it also left some outside researchers feeling excluded from the process, and at times drew criticism from some in the broader UAP research community.
Under its current director, Dr. Jon T. Kosloski, AARO appears to be moving toward a more collaborative model.
The recent workshop brought together representatives from academia, government, and civilian research communities, offering participants an opportunity to contribute perspectives on data collection practices, reporting standards, and analytical methods.
For many independent researchers, the possibility of participating in discussions about government UAP data infrastructure and national security implications marks a notable shift from previous engagement.
Overall, the workshop concluded that continuous collaboration and community-building are needed to establish a sustainable “community of practice” across disciplines.
“AARO recognizes that input from the scientific and academic community is critical to its work and hopes to convene future workshops and collaborative opportunities, as needed, to foster an interdisciplinary community for UAP analysis,” Gough told The Debrief.
“The long-term success of these efforts will be measured by higher-quality UAP reporting, the use of new analytical tools, and improved understanding of UAP sightings, drawing on the expertise of a wide range of stakeholders,” Gough added.
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