02.02.2026 – WEEKLY BRIEFING

The Ineffectiveness of Appeasement Policies in Response to the Taliban’s Restrictions on Women and Girls – 29.01.2026

The Taliban have intensified restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, including bans on secondary and higher education, most employment, and public presence without male accompaniment, affecting 2.2 million girls. Despite these measures being widely condemned as gender-based persecution, major powers such as Russia, China, India, and some European countries have sought diplomatic engagement or migration agreements with the Taliban, providing the regime with credibility. UN officials, including Richard Bennett, have warned that conditions are worsening, with new Taliban policies and internal power struggles consolidating control under Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. International legal efforts, including ICC arrest warrants and proposed treaties, have not secured concessions on girls’ education. Meanwhile, underground schools, home-based learning, and foreign scholarships provide limited alternatives. Experts highlight that excluding half the population from education and the workforce threatens Afghanistan’s economic development and food security.

Children among 31 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces across Gaza – 31.01.2026

Intense Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on January 31, 2026, killed at least 31 Palestinians, including six children, and injured several others, a day before the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was set to reopen for limited movement. Attacks targeted displaced-person shelters and residential buildings in Khan Younis and Gaza City, with UNRWA and mediators Egypt and Qatar condemning the strikes as violations of the ceasefire. Israel stated the strikes were retaliation for a Friday tunnel incident involving Palestinian fighters, while Hamas denied any ceasefire violations. Since the U.S.-brokered truce began, over 524 Palestinians have reportedly been killed. The Rafah crossing will allow only limited entry and exit for individuals cleared by Israel, with no humanitarian aid permitted, while calls continue for medical supplies and unrestricted movement.

Calls grow in Iran for independent inquiry into protest death toll – 01.02.2026

Amid ongoing debate over the death toll from recent protests in Iran, the government announced it would publish the names of those killed, reporting 3,117 deaths including security personnel, while critics claim the real figure could be as high as 30,000. Reformists and analysts argue the government-led identification lacks transparency and have called for an independent inquiry, potentially involving a UN fact-finding mission, to ensure credibility. Families identifying victims face potential reprisals, and tens of thousands remain detained, including children, with many from working-class families receiving initial sentences of two to five years. Reformist voices emphasize the need for civil society strengthening, political reform, and open reporting of casualties to restore public trust.

Czechs rally to support president in his growing rift with government – 01.02.2026

Tens of thousands of Czechs protested in Prague on February 1 in support of President Peter Pavel after he refused to approve the nomination of Petr Turek, a ministerial candidate in the new eurosceptic coalition government, who had performed a Nazi salute and posted Nazi memorabilia. The demonstration, with participants waving EU and Czech flags and voicing support for Ukraine, highlighted growing tensions between Pavel and Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ coalition, which includes the Motorists party and the far-right SPD. Pavel publicly revealed threatening text messages allegedly sent by Foreign Minister Petr Macinka via an adviser, which he described as blackmail, while Macinka denied the accusation, framing the messages as routine political negotiation. Organizers estimated 80,000–90,000 attendees and announced plans for further protests across the country.

India raises infrastructure spending by 11.4% to record 12.2 trillion rupees for 2026-27 – 01.02.2026

India’s federal government announced a record 12.2 trillion rupees ($133.08 billion) infrastructure budget for fiscal year 2027, an 11.4% increase from the previous year, aiming to boost economic growth and job creation amid global volatility. The revised capital expenditure for the current fiscal year ending March 2026 is 10.95 trillion rupees, slightly below earlier projections. The budget emphasizes support for the manufacturing sector, and analysts expect it to encourage private sector investment. Following the announcement, shares of capital goods companies such as Larsen & Toubro, IRB Infra, NBCC, and Action Construction rose between 1.3% and 4%. India’s economy is projected to grow 7.4% this fiscal year, supported by infrastructure spending and tax cuts, despite punitive U.S. tariffs.

Millions of Delhi residents lost water for days. Some say it’s still toxic – 01.02.2026

Residents of Delhi, India, are facing severe water shortages and unsafe supplies as rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River forced six of the city’s nine major water plants to shut down. Millions in the capital, including neighborhoods like Sharma Enclave and Raghubir Nagar, have received water only intermittently, often dirty or discolored, forcing residents to use contaminated water for daily needs. The Yamuna, which provides around 40% of Delhi’s water, is heavily polluted by industrial waste and untreated sewage, with dissolved oxygen levels frequently near zero and toxic foam covering sections of the river. Unplanned urbanization, inadequate sewage management, and flooding in low-income areas exacerbate the crisis, while government efforts, including the Yamuna Action Plan and planned expansion of sewage treatment capacity, have yet to resolve the problem. Vulnerable residents struggle to access clean water, highlighting persistent public health and infrastructure challenges in the city.

UK should consider resuming talks on EU defence pact, Starmer says – 01.02.2026

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that the UK should consider re-entering talks to join the EU’s €150bn Safe defence fund, emphasizing that Europe needs to “step up and do more” on security amid global uncertainties. While previous negotiations collapsed in 2025 over the cost of entry, Starmer signaled interest in closer collaboration with European countries to boost defence spending and military capability, including through bilateral deals such as the UK’s £10bn anti-submarine ship agreement with Norway and £8bn Typhoon jet sale to Turkey. He stressed that whether through Safe or other initiatives, greater European cooperation on defence, security, energy, and trade is necessary, with potential discussions at upcoming EU and US-hosted summits. Starmer faces internal party pressure for closer EU ties but remains opposed to rejoining the single market or customs union.

Teenager dies from Swiss bar fire injuries, bringing death toll to 41 – 01.02.2026

A teenager has died from injuries sustained in the New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, bringing the death toll to 41, while 116 others were injured, many with severe burns. Initial investigations indicate the fire started when sparklers on champagne bottles ignited soundproof foam on the bar’s basement ceiling, and authorities noted the bar had not undergone safety inspections for five years. The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face charges including manslaughter and negligent arson, while proceedings are also underway against the municipality’s head of public safety and a former fire safety inspector. Jessica Moretti is under a travel ban and daily police reporting, and Jacques Moretti is in custody for 90 days.

NASA begins a practice countdown for its first moonshot with astronauts in more than 50 years – 01.02.2026

NASA has begun a two-day practice countdown for the fueling of its new 322-foot Space Launch System rocket, a key test ahead of the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. Commander Reid Wiseman and his crew, already in quarantine, will monitor the rehearsal from Houston before flying to Kennedy Space Center once the rocket is cleared. The fueling test will fill the rocket with over 700,000 gallons of super-cold fuel, stopping just before engine ignition, and if successful, the launch could occur as early as February 8. The astronauts, riding in the Orion capsule, will fly around the moon and return directly to Earth in a mission lasting nearly 10 days.

Norway’s crown princess had years of contact with Epstein, files suggest – 01.02.2026

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has apologized for “poor judgment” after newly unsealed US court documents suggested she had extensive contact with the late convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, including numerous email exchanges and a brief stay at his Florida residence. The revelation comes as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, faces trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including rape, assault, and drug offenses. In a statement, Mette-Marit expressed regret for her contact with Epstein, emphasized her sympathy for his victims, and said she ended communication in 2014 after recognizing his manipulative behavior. The palace noted inclusion in the files does not imply wrongdoing, and the royal couple is not expected to attend Høiby’s trial.

Pakistani forces kill 145 fighters in Balochistan after deadly attacks – 02.02.2026

In southwestern Pakistan’s Balochistan province, coordinated attacks by the banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed 31 civilians, including five women, and 17 security personnel, prompting a large-scale manhunt in which Pakistani forces reported killing at least 145 fighters over two days. The assaults, occurring simultaneously across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki, involved shootings at security installations, suicide bombing attempts, and temporary road blockages, with some attackers reportedly disguising themselves as civilians. Authorities imposed months-long security restrictions, while provincial officials accused India and Afghanistan of supporting the attackers, allegations denied by both countries. The attacks, described as unusually audacious, highlight Balochistan’s ongoing separatist violence and targeting of both civilians and security forces, with international condemnation from the United States.

Candidate tough on crime wins Costa Rica presidential election – 02.02.2026

Laura Fernández of Costa Rica’s conservative Sovereign People’s Party has won the presidential election with over 48% of the vote, avoiding a runoff, and will be sworn in on May 8. Fernández, previously planning minister and chief of staff to outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, campaigned on continuing his tough-on-crime policies, promising to combat gang influence, complete a high-security prison, and possibly declare states of emergency in areas dominated by organized crime. Her party holds 30 of 57 parliamentary seats, giving her likely stronger legislative support than Chaves. Fernández has indicated she may maintain close ties with the US and implement security measures similar to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, while emphasizing her government will respect dialogue and the rule of law.

ICE releases 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from custody – 02.02.2026

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos, were released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas following a court order from U.S. District Judge Fred Biery directing their release “as soon as practicable.” The family, from Ecuador, had been detained earlier this month in Minnesota under disputed circumstances, with ICE alleging the father was an “illegal alien” and that Liam had been temporarily left in a vehicle during the arrest. Their release was confirmed by DHS officials, while Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated the administration might appeal the judge’s ruling. Local representatives, including Rep. Joaquin Castro and Rep. Ilhan Omar, welcomed the family back to Minnesota, and Columbia Heights Public Schools called for the release of all children in detention and reunification of separated families.

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THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN STATE ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC SYSTEM: THE GREECE EXAMPLE

09.02.2026 – WEEKLY BRIEFING