Week In Review (WIRE) News 02.16.2026

Edited by Mary Wahn, Grey Cohen, John Gooden, Emma Grace Jarvis,  Ethan Joyce, Bianca Orfila-Molinet, and Meera Srinivasan

Asia and the Pacific

Written by Jesse Vu

PM Takaichi Wins a Landslide Victory in Snap Election

Less than four months after making history and taking over as the first female prime minister of Japan, Takaichi took a political risk and called a snap election to muster further support and mandate from voters. It is a move that would allow her to continue carrying out tough policies on China and adopt fiscally conservative economic policies. The gamble garnered a huge pay-off as Takaichi once again made history and secured her party a parliamentary supermajority. Notably, the party won 316 seats in the parliament, and it is the first time since WW2 that a political party has won more than two-thirds of the seats. 

Taikichi has been vocal on China’s aggressive approach to Taiwan since the day she took office. As a conservative, the Prime Minister has been pro-Trump and the West, while alienating China with statements showing support for Taiwan. In a speech made to the parliament last November, Taikichi stated that the Taiwan crisis might be interpreted as a “survival-threatening situation for Japan” and that Japan might respond militarily. In response to her comment, Beijing was furious and immediately requested that the PM issue a retraction. Additionally, the Chinese government warned its citizens against travelling to Japan and isolated the country by imposing a ban on Japanese seafood imports. 

Immediately after the landslide victory for Takaichi’s party, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te congratulated the Prime Minister, and so did President Trump. Now that Takaichi’s party has secured a supermajority in the parliament, the Prime Minister will have the mandate to enact core policy changes that have the potential to "significantly shift economic and fiscal policy.” Although there is little certainty on what the future of Japan’s diplomacy will hold, experts predict that Takaichi will take even tougher stances on China and align more with the stances of the West and President Trump.

Central America and the Caribbean

Written by Gabriella Ramirez

Cuba Suffers from an Economic Chokehold and Loses Access to the U.S.

Cuban aviation officials have warned airlines that there is not enough fuel for them to refuel on the island. The government of Cuba warned that jet fuel would not be available at nine airports across the island, starting Tuesday and continuing until March 11. The rationing of fuel presents a significant challenge for long flights from countries like Russia and Canada, a critical component of Cuba’s tourism economy. Air Canada states it is suspending services to Cuba due to the shortage of fuel. Global Affairs Canada posited that Canada is Cuba’s second-largest source of direct investment to the island. 

The lack of fuel is an example of the steps the island is taking to ration energy as the Trump administration cut Cuba off from its resources. Political pressure on behalf of President Trump on Latin America has cut Cuba’s access to Venezuela and Mexico, its primary petroleum sources. In January, Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, delivering another blow to the island already suffering from a severe energy crisis. For many Cubans, this energy crisis has manifested in power outages lasting 10 hours, fuel shortages for vehicles, and a lack of food and medicine. Additionally, the public bus system in Havana has essentially ceased to function. 

In Nicaragua, the government confirmed that it suspended an exemption that previously allowed Cubans to enter the nation without a visa. The move essentially cuts off a key route for Cuban migration to the U.S. in a period of economic uncertainty on the island. Prior to this, Cuban migrants would fly to Nicaragua and meet with smugglers, who would then help them migrate north to get to the U.S. border. The suspension comes as a result of increasing pressure by the Trump administration on Latin America, especially on issues of migration and security. In Cuba, the combination of a severe energy crisis and Nicaragua shutting the door on Cubans represents an accelerating economic decline, instability, and geopolitical tensions. 

Europe

Written by Ethan Joyce

The Reemergence of a “Two-Speed” Europe

On Thursday, February 12, European leaders gathered in the Alden Biesen castle in eastern Belgium in order to discuss a comprehensive plan to reboot the economies of European Union member states, as many face severe economic headwinds due (in large part) to the trade war between China and the United States. The biggest obstacle to achieving this economic reform is EU member states reaching an agreement on a particular paradigm for reconciliation. 

The main subjects of conversation at the meeting included a “Made in Europe” policy, which would be designed to encourage purchases of European goods, and reinitializing the Eurobond, which would permit the EU to have a common borrowing capacity in order to stimulate the economy. Additionally, representatives discussed a general economic stimulus package for business, and they are expected to vote again on a final economic proposal when they meet before the summer. Each component of the proposal is contentious among member states, and should there be no agreement reached within the time frame allotted, we can expect to see smaller coalitions of agreeable nations emerge in support of one another.

The EU is dependent on a 27-member consensus, and in the words of Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, "Often [they] move forward with the speed of the slowest”. This presents an intrinsic security threat as higher transaction costs generally lead to slower crisis response times. Today, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that there will be a self-imposed timeline for a consensus economic deal to be made by June. However, should that consensus deal not be reached in the time designated, representatives said they would continue good faith negotiations “with enhanced cooperation”. Enhanced cooperation describes a section of the treaties between EU member states, which permits nations to join together to advance initiatives of their own interest outside of the traditional 27-member consensus. It requires nine nations to reach an agreement amongst themselves, and the agreements are binding only for those nations. 

The issue of consensus became especially evident in December, after some EU leaders chose to disburse a 90 million euro loan to Ukraine despite the express disapproval of Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic (who were obstructing the proposal). As the deadline for a new economic deal approaches, the cohesion of the EU will face intense pressure, and the potential for new regional or issue-based alliances to emerge will become increasingly likely.

Middle East and North Africa

Written by Ansley Hovater

Israel and the United States’ Concerns with Iran’s Nuclear Program

Iran is accusing Israel of sabotaging negotiations about its nuclear program after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington to meet with U.S. President Trump. Iran remains adamant that Israel stay out of the negotiations, as the United States advances warplanes and ships to the region. 

Iran’s nuclear development was stalled significantly after Israel and the United States jointly attacked key military infrastructure and personnel in Iran.  Despite these setbacks, Iran's nuclear development remains a primary concern for both the United States and Israel. 

In the wake of Iran’s civil strife, the United States and Iran resumed negotiations concerning uranium enrichment and Iran’s nuclear program last week in Oman. Iran’s insistence on continuing uranium enrichment resulted in the United States’ moving a naval strike group to the Middle East as added pressure to the negotiations. Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, warned the United States that Iran would match military pressure and attack U.S. military bases in the region if the United States were to attack.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu last Tuesday, President Trump promised he had not concluded the negotiations with Iran, and that an agreement remains at bay. Iran remains adamant that the negotiations exclude Israel and persist exclusively between Tehran and Washington. Regardless, the negotiations continue amid rising concerns of another war, with significantly more Western involvement than the last.

North America

Written by Justin Cohen

U.S.-Canada Bridge Caught in Trade War Crossfire

Earlier this week, American President Donald Trump lashed out again at Canada, threatening to cancel a multi-billion-dollar bridge project linking the United States to its northern neighbor through a corridor in Michigan. In a Truth Social post, President Trump tied the bridge to his concerns regarding increased trade between China and Canada, writing, “Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just ‘take advantage of America!’ What does the United States of America get – Absolutely NOTHING!”

President Trump attempted to connect the bridge to former President Barack Obama, stating his predecessor had approved the construction plans “with virtually no U.S. content,” despite President Trump having championed the project himself during his first term. President Trump also suggested Canada would have complete ownership of the project, while in reality, the agreement stipulates custody will be shared between the state of Michigan and the Canadian government.

South America

Written by Trinity De Lima 

Venezuela's Opposition Leader Guanipa Re-arrested 

On Sunday, Venezuela's opposition leader and former vice president of the National Assembly, Juan Pablo Guanipe, was released from prison after about 8 months. Guanipa was detained last May after Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello accused him of involvement with an alleged terrorist group that planned to boycott the legislative election that month. Guanipa's brother, Tomás, denounced the accusation and stated that the arrest was meant to suppress dissent towards Maduro's government. 

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, announced on January 8th that her government would free a large number of prisoners. These prisoners were mostly accused of crimes in relation to political activism/protest, such as treason, terrorism, resisting the authorities, and more. The release followed the approval of an amnesty bill demanded by the opposition group, human rights organizations, and the United States. However, human rights watchdogs criticized that the release of these prisoners was too slow. Progress remains steady as Foro Penal reports 400 releases since January 8th. Additionally, the opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was freed after her short detainment last January. As of now, Machado remains in exile. Guanipa hopes that Machado and other exiled political leaders will return to help move Venezuela forward. 

When Guanipa and the other prominent opposition leaders were initially released, they immediately began urging the release of all political prisoners. Guanipa toured Caracas on a motorcycle and led activists to detention centers to demand the release of the prisoners. Authorities then sought house arrest for Guanipa. His son told reporters on Monday that authorities had not yet notified him of his whereabouts or their decision on house arrest. Allegedly, Guanipa had not violated the two conditions for his arrest—monthly check-ins and no travel outside Venezuela—nonetheless, he was taken into custody. Guanipa was apprehended on Monday by “heavily armed men” who arrived in civilian clothes in a neighborhood in Caracas. Machado is now denouncing Guanipa's arrest as a kidnapping, as it was made less than 12 hours after his release, and he didn't have any known violations. These recent events cast doubt on U.S. interventionism and its ability to stabilize Venezuela and the Latin American region.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Written by Alex Whirley

Reignited Internal Fighting in Northern Ethiopia 

On 26 January, fighting broke out in Western Tigray after the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) attempted to seize control over territory controlled by the Ethiopian government. The incursion led to clashes with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), with hostilities continuing on January 28 and 29. This confrontation marks the most significant direct fighting between the TDF and federal forces since the formal end of the northern Ethiopia conflict in November 2022. 

Analysts suggest the operation may be part of a broader territorial strategy by the TDF. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has resolved to reclaim disputed areas in western Tigray, including Welkait, Tsegede, Humera, and Tselemt.

The ENDF operates under the authority of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and seeks to maintain federal control and prevent further destabilization in the region. The TPLF, which governs the Tigray region, fought a two-year war against federal forces and Eritrean allies from 2020 to 2022. The status of Western Tigray has remained one of the most sensitive unresolved issues following the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.

It is still unclear whether the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is testing the water or using these armed clashes to renegotiate control of the disputed territories in western Tigray. Reduced international funding has compounded food insecurity and strained essential services. Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed rose to power in 2018, conflicts across Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia have resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths, while more than 3.3 million people remain internally displaced. The latest developments raise concerns that unresolved territorial disputes could reignite broader instability in an already fragile region on the Horn of Africa.

The bridge, officially known as The Gordie Howe International Bridge, has been entirely financed by the Canadian government and would link the cities of Ontario and Detroit. Set to open later this year, it has been under construction since 2018 with a cost of approximately $4.7 billion. Following a call with President Trump about the threats, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney described the project as “a great example of cooperation between our countries.”