Will this be a short spurt or the start of something big?

Today we're looking into a major operation in Mexico where the government eliminated El Mencho, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. This marks the highest profile capture/killing of a cartel leader in years and immediately led to a spike in violence across the country. This is a developing situation so this is what we know so far.

Sources referenced
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-02-22/mexican-army-kills-leader-of-jalisco-new-generation-cartel-official-says
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/violence-mexico-jalisco-new-generation-cartel-killed-military-puerto-vallarta/
https://apnews.com/article/jalisco-cartel-drugs-mexico-mencho-new-generation-5014a70bc62a81d74849146c59ba19f8

Reliable sources to follow on the cartels
https://x.com/All_Source_News
https://x.com/HuasoBB
https://x.com/natsecboogie
https://x.com/Borderland_Beat
https://x.com/HEARST_BB

This could begin any day at this point

Today we're looking into the possible options for the US to strike Iran in the coming days. Based on what we have in theater right now it could be a sustained campaign for about a week, no boots on ground and we should expect a panicked Iranian response. Right now we're in a window where we have enough assets in the region for limited strikes and every day more flow in to increase our capabilities.

Sources
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-military-middle-east-numbers-behind-trumps-threats-against-iran
https://mei.edu/publication/iran-considers-its-response-to-potential-renewed-us-israeli-strikes/
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/20/europe/britain-air-base-access-us-iran-intl-hnk-ml
https://www.twz.com/air/f-16s-heading-to-middle-east-equipped-with-angry-kitten-electronic-warfare-pods
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/us/politics/us-military-jordan-iran.html?unlocked_article_code=1.N1A.gnno.pHFDbndQ22hK&smid=url-share


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

These personal accounts are crazy

Be sure to check out Battle Lab, season 1 out now on VetTV!
https://www.veterantv.tv/battle-lab?utm_medium=paid-social&utm_campaign=preston-stewart&utm_content=read

Today we're looking into new reports about Russian commanders killing their own troops if they're unable to pay the bribe to stay off the front. While this isn't new, we should expect to see more stories like this as Russia is forced to stretch to meet recruiting goals. Despite this, we are still seeing Russia advance in a few areas of the front.

Truck fundraiser: https://car4ukraine.com/en-US/campaigns/preston-stewart-offensive-2026

Sources
https://t.me/romanov_92/51222
https://t.me/hochu_zhyt/4438
https://kyivindependent.com/if-you-stop-you-die-inside-ukraines-last-fight-for-pokrovsk-and-myrnohrad/
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/top-european-spies-sceptical-us-will-clinch-ukraine-peace-deal-this-year-2026-02-19/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/us/politics/trump-witkoff-kushner-diplomacy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NFA.dbAq.GlRehTcVOrpd&smid=nytcore-ios-share


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

This escalated quickly

Today we're looking at the increasing possibility of US military action in Iran. The military buildup in the Middle East, that's still ongoing now, is unlike anything we've seen in decades. Meanwhile, negotiations have stalled and Israeli officials are suggesting something may kick off in the coming days. For a wide look at what's coming, we look today into a number of sources that discuss the rationale for war, what might be holding the US back and risks of regional escalation.

Sources
https://www.axios.com/2026/02/18/iran-war-trump-military-strikes-nuclear-talks
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-iran-war-could-be-imminent-and-take-weeks-sources-warn-after-latest-nuclear-talks/
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/six-reasons-why-trump-should-choose-the-military-option-in-iran/
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/middle-east-watch/how-us-iran-clash-could-spiral-out-of-control
https://studies.aljazeera.net/en/analyses/why-trump-hesitates-go-war-iran
https://x.com/ianellisjones?s=21&t=IyGaFTP_GALOKOnvKI35jQ


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
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TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
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Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

Hearing rumors that there’s even more progress not yet reported

Truck fundraiser for the 104th: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/preston-stewart-winter-offensive

Today we're looking into the reports now coming out of Russia that Ukraine has kicked off a sizeable attack across multiple areas in the south. Previously we were looking at the eastern flank in Zaporizhzhia but overnight it appears a second front was opened in the west. This feels very similar to how the battlefield played out in Kupyansk a few months ago and Dobropillia before that.

Sources
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260216-ukraine-makes-fastest-battlefield-gain-in-2-5-years
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/16/ukraine-reports-confident-control-over-kupiansk-with-just-dozens-of-russian-troops-left-in-one-quarter/
https://deepstatemap.live/en#11/48.5341125/37.7229309
https://x.com/Playfra0

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

That happened fast

Here's our campaign with Car4Ukraine: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/preston-stewart-winter-offensive/

Today we're looking into Ukraine's continued push in the south as it appears they're clearing out the grey zone claimed by Russia in recent months. While the fog of war is still thick surrounding this operation, it does appear that Russian forces were cleared out of multiple areas of the southern front in a similar manner that we've seen in Kupyansk, Dobropillia and elsewhere.

Sources
https://x.com/Playfra0
https://x.com/M0nstas
https://x.com/Thorkill65
https://x.com/clement_molin

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

Couple unique operations last few days by Ukraine

Truck fundraiser for 104th TD: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/preston-stewart-winter-offensive

Today we're looking at a few unique Ukrainian operations in different areas of the front. Near Pokrovsk, Omega went behind Russian lines to rescue one of their guys who was captured 27 days ago. Then near Kupyansk, K-2 used a UGV to transport a Russian POW to the rear. We take a look at some battlefield updates and a new tracker showing Ukraine aid in 2025.

K-2 UGV video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LJx0mhgfH4
K-2 Valentines: https://t.me/k_2army/961
Ukraine aid tracker for 2025: https://www.kielinstitut.de/publications/europe-steps-up-ukraine-support-after-four-years-of-war-19486/


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

More to be done, but this is a good step

Today we're looking into a report that the US smuggled thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran to help the protesters during the recent government crackdowns. This comes as the US sends a second carrier strike group to the region as negotiations around their nuclear program continue.

Sources
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-smuggled-thousands-of-starlink-terminals-into-iran-after-protest-crackdown-69a8c74f?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos5
https://www.timesofisrael.com/returning-to-israel-skeptical-netanyahu-says-trump-sees-possible-good-deal-with-iran/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/uss-ford-ordered-middle-east-second-aircraft-carrier-being-sent-region
https://www.twz.com/news-features/f-35a-stealth-fighters-moving-closer-to-middle-east-as-u-s-military-buildup-continues

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

Truck fundraiser for the 104th Brigade:
https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/preston-stewart-winter-offensive/

Today we're looking into some recent developments in Ukraine where Russia seemingly has made a few bad decisions back to back.  After losing Starlink it looks like Russian soldiers fell for a Ukrainian trap and submitted their location and data to the Ukrainian military and then Russia went after Telegram.  These two together really opened the door for offensive operations in the southern direction. 

Sources
https://x.com/sternenko/status/2021949608725733738?s=20
https://t.me/DeepStateUA/23187
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/69929


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]

Below zero temps change everything

Today we're chatting with 'Bane' and 'Bruin' of the GUR Legion. We get into how they fight in cold weather conditions, how this impacts both sides, and some new tactics they're seeing from the Russians. This interview is part of an ongoing fundraiser through Ukraine Front Line and Protect a Volunteer, the link to contribute is below.

Fundraiser for GUR Legion: https://givebutter.com/Southern_Front


Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/prestonstew
Twitter:   https://x.com/prestonstew_
TikTok:   https://www.tiktok.com/@prestonstew
Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/prestonstew_/
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PrestonStewart
Unclassified Podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4YmaFZihykI0iov9XgQ0uD?si=efe0b3bd89b6421d&nd=1&dlsi=417702a2c0914864
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unclassified-with-preston-stewart-and-ben-wheeler/id1781679521
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSuyLEHMTO-oDHObnCeYwnQ
Contact: [email protected]