Latest news for 9 February 2026

CUBA

Pressure rising.

While the island’s leader (Diaz-Canel) gave a defiant address to the nation last week, the pressure keeps building: at home, his regime just warned it’ll run out of jet fuel today (Monday), and abroad, its ally Nicaragua just ditched visa exemptions for Cubans, a common route for those hoping to flee to the US. (MSN)

Comment: That Nicaraguan visa move is presumably a response to US pressure.

CHINA

My word is your bond.

US treasuries have extended their losses after Beijing regulators reportedly asked local banks to curb their US bond holdings. The directive doesn’t apply to China’s state holdings of US Treasuries, and Beijing is apparently framing it all around diversification and US finances rather than direct US-China rivalry. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: Few in DC will believe that benign framing, particularly while both sides hustle to build their leverage ahead of the planned April summit in China. Still, while there’ll be dramatic headlines, the reality is China has been reducing its US bond exposure since the early 2010s.

NORTH KOREA

Rival winter games.

The regime is holding its own winter games after its athletes failed to qualify for the Winter Olympics now running in Milan-Cortina. (Independent)

Comment: The venue choice (Mount Paektu, near China’s border) is no accident — it’s the sacred spot where the regime insists the Kim family dynasty was born. We explored the geopolitics of the Winter Games here.

ETHIOPIA

Pull back your troops.

Ethiopia is accusing neighbouring Eritrea of occupying Ethiopian territory and supporting rebels along their shared border. Eritrea hasn’t issued a response, but has previously denied similar accusations. (Reuters)

IRAN

New prison sentence.

Tehran has arrested at least three leading reformist politicians and handed down another seven-year sentence to Nobel laureate and women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi, in what appears to be an attempt to curb criticism of the regime’s handling of recent protests. (Guardian)

HAITI

Give that back.

Haiti’s transitional government has handed complete power back to US-backed Prime Minister Fils-Aimé after failing to curb gang violence. (Al Jazeera)

Comment: While it might seem like a timebound technicality, there was a power struggle for all to see: councilmembers only backtracked on an attempt to pre-emptively oust Fils-Aimé after the US imposed sanctions and sent warships.

SYRIA

New wings.

Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed what’s believed to be the biggest investment package for Syria (~$5.3B) since the lifting of Western sanctions. Features include a low-cost airline, water desalination plants, and a telecom overhaul. (AA)

Comment: This state-backed investment is less about returns, and more about influence — those are all strategic sectors.

UNITED KINGDOM

Tremors at Downing St.

Prime Minister Starmer’s chief of staff has now resigned, taking the fall over London’s appointment of disgraced Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as (former) ambassador to the US. Starmer’s grip on power still looks wobbly, though no obvious contender has emerged at this stage. (BBC)