Forging ahead
The EU, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Singapore, the DRC, and Argentina.
The five things you need to know today:
EUROPE. The EU faces a geopolitical reckoning.
ISRAEL. PALESTINE. LEBANON. Ceasefires may hold, but peace stays elusive.
SINGAPORE. A convenient finding against the opposition.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Uganda's ‘tweeting general’ logs on.
ARGENTINA. A crypto scam could undo Milei's agenda.
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EUROPE. Welcome to the big league
The EU faces a geopolitical reckoning.
Emmanuel Macron called an emergency summit for Monday amid mixed US messages on whether Europe would have a role in Ukraine talks. The UK said it was ready to send troops to Kyiv. The EU’s trade commissioner visited Washington.
INTELLIGENCE. After JD Vance dropped a truth bomb on Munich (or disinformation according to his hosts), Macron is seizing the moment to galvanise peers around a long-held vision for a European defence pact, including the UK (which may see it as a backdoor to freer trade with the continent). Only Germany and France can realistically drive such change. And next week Germany may have a chancellor who can rival Macron's self-sense of leadership.
FOR BUSINESS. Macron is correct that Europe needs to ensure its own defence. Even if NATO holds, the US will put its own interests first (as always). Macron is also correct that now’s the time to make the case. Europe, as they saying goes, is forged in crisis. Yet Macron is unpopular and looks set to have testy relations with Germany’s probable next chancellor. The irony is a united Europe may ultimately end up being forged by a Eurosceptic like Marine Le Pen.
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ISRAEL. PALESTINE. LEBANON. Extend and pretend
Ceasefires may hold, but peace stays elusive.
Marco Rubio said Hamas "must be eradicated" in remarks local pundits said could endanger the fragile truce. Hezbollah's new leader said Lebanon must "make Israel withdraw" by 18 February. Monday marked the 500th day of the Gaza war.
INTELLIGENCE. The ceasefires will probably hold, with an extension to Israel’s Lebanon withdrawal likely, thanks to