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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down a packed 24 hours in China that touches everything from Taiwan and nuclear testing to trade wars, military purges, and cyber espionage. If you care about US China relations, Taiwan security, nuclear arms control, or the future of global trade, this one is for you.

We start with the big diplomatic chessboard. A new US arms package for Taiwan is reportedly in limbo ahead of President Trump's planned April trip to Beijing. The proposed sale, which could include Patriot missile interceptors, comes on the heels of an $11.1 billion package approved in December. Trump has publicly acknowledged discussing Taiwan arms sales directly with Xi Jinping. That alone is a significant development in the context of US Taiwan policy. Timing now matters just as much as content.

From there we shift to nuclear tensions. US officials have provided additional details about a suspected Chinese nuclear explosive test conducted near Lop Nur in June 2020. A magnitude 2.75 seismic event was detected and described by US officials as consistent with a supercritical nuclear explosion, potentially using decoupling techniques to reduce detectability. China denies the allegation. The context is critical. New START expired on February 5, and the global arms control architecture is under strain. The conversation around nuclear testing is no longer theoretical.

Inside China, the People's Liberation Army is still dealing with major leadership turmoil. Senior generals, including Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, are under investigation. Since 2023, dozens of top officers have been removed. The purges come as the PLA continues to modernize and increase pressure around Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported six PLA Navy vessels operating around the island in the past 24 hours. No dramatic escalation, but the pressure campaign continues.

On the economic front, China is pushing aggressively into new trade agreements as it navigates US tariffs and export controls. Beijing is accelerating negotiations across Europe, Africa, and Asia while also facing warnings from the IMF that it must pivot toward consumption driven growth. Solar production continues to surge, with China now surpassing 1,000 gigawatts of installed capacity, even as oversupply pressures build.

We also cover a major cyber espionage story involving a critical Dell vulnerability exploited for over a year by a suspected China linked group. Root level access, stealth persistence, and enterprise infiltration are all part of the picture.

If you want a clear, energetic breakdown of US China strategy, Taiwan security, nuclear risks, PLA developments, trade policy, and cyber threats all in one place, this episode delivers.

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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down what really happened in Geneva on February 17 and 18 as US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials wrapped another round of peace talks without a breakthrough. If you were hoping for a handshake moment or a surprise agreement, not this week.

We dive into why Donetsk remains the gravitational center of the negotiations and why the sequencing debate between security guarantees and territorial concessions could determine whether this process moves forward or stalls out. Russia continues to demand control of the remaining Ukrainian-held portions of Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine continues to say that is a red line. The difference now is how loudly each side is pressing its conditions and what European intelligence services believe Moscow is actually trying to accomplish behind closed doors.

We also get into reports that European intelligence chiefs are skeptical Russia wants a fast peace deal in 2026. Is the Kremlin negotiating seriously or using diplomacy to explore sanctions relief and economic leverage with Washington? We unpack the signals and the tone shifts coming out of both Moscow and Kyiv.

On the battlefield side, we break down Russia's latest drone and missile strikes, including the February 17 to 18 wave of 126 drones and an Iskander M ballistic missile. We explain why the Geran 2 drone remains central to Russia's strategy and how Western made components continue to show up inside downed systems despite sanctions. If you want to understand how global supply chains intersect with modern warfare, this is the part to hear.

There is also a major update on Starlink. Since early February, Russian access to Starlink terminals has reportedly been restricted. Ukrainian operators say it is affecting Russian drone coordination. Russian officials say it is not a big deal. We break down what this actually means for command and control in a drone heavy war.

We cover Russian Railways debt, high interest rates in Moscow, manpower replenishment efforts in the State Duma, sanctions against Belarus, and even reports that more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals have traveled to fight for Russia. Yes, the conflict's labor market is global now.

If you follow Russia Ukraine war updates, US foreign policy, NATO strategy, sanctions enforcement, military technology, and geopolitical risk, this episode pulls it all together in one fast moving conversation.

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On the ground in Kyiv. Power outages. Drones overhead. War in real time.

In this episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, Glenn Corn records from Kyiv, Ukraine, joined by Phil, a senior commander in Ukraine's Third Corps and Chief Unmanned Systems Officer.

Phil is not a media personality. He is actively fighting this war.

They discuss:

• What modern warfare actually looks like in 2026

• How Russia has shifted from mechanized assaults to infiltration tactics

• Why drones have fundamentally changed the battlefield

• The reality behind Russian propaganda victories

• How energy infrastructure attacks are meant to terrorize civilians

• The psychological dimension of this war

• What Europe understands — and what it doesn't

• Whether negotiations are real or simply delay tactics

• Why this war is not just about territory

Phil explains that Ukraine is not negotiating land — because this is about survival, not square kilometers.

He also shares how Ukrainian resilience holds, even during blackouts and -20°C winter nights.

This is not theory. This is not analysis from afar. This is war described by someone living it.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover: • The evolution of Russian tactics on the front line • Why infiltration replaced armored assaults • Drone dominance and battlefield adaptation • The cost of Russia's missile campaign • Civilian energy infrastructure as a weapon • Russia's foreign fighters and manpower strategy • The illusion of territorial "gains" • The reality behind negotiations • What it would actually take to end the war

⏱️ TIMELINE / CHAPTERS

00:00 Glenn in Kyiv 02:00 Phil's Background (From IT CTO to Commander) 05:00 Davos & Europe's View of the War 10:00 Russia's Strategic Objective 15:00 Modern Battlefield Tactics 19:00 Drone Warfare & Infiltration 24:00 Russian Casualties & Foreign Fighters 29:00 Energy Infrastructure Attacks 33:00 Negotiations: Real or Delay Tactics? 38:00 What Would End the War? 43:00 The Human Dimension 47:00 Final Thoughts from Kyiv

HOW TO FIND GLENN CORN

Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station.

Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/

Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/

RESTRICTED HANDLING

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Step beyond the headlines and official spin to uncover the deeper realities inside Russia and China's economies. We take a close look at how Moscow and Beijing project power abroad while grappling with fragile foundations at home, from Russia's unsustainable wartime spending to China's faltering growth and anxious workforce. We cut through state narratives to reveal the costs of these economies, costs borne not by leaders, but by ordinary citizens facing higher prices and shrinking opportunities. With insights from data, policy shifts, and on-the-ground reports, we trace how these two authoritarian powers strain to maintain control, and how their choices reverberate across global markets, diplomacy, and the lives of millions.

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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down the latest high-stakes developments coming out of Russia, Ukraine, and the Geneva peace talks as of February 18, 2026. If you are tracking the Russia-Ukraine war, US foreign policy, NATO posture, or global energy security, this is the episode you need.

Geneva negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the US wrapped without a breakthrough, and we walk through what that actually means. Territory in Donetsk remains the central sticking point. Moscow continues to demand the remaining Ukrainian-held portions of the region, while Kyiv is holding the line and tying any territorial discussion to binding security guarantees. We dig into the roles of Vladimir Medinsky, Admiral Igor Kostyukov of the GRU, and Kirill Dmitriev, who is quietly keeping economic channels open with the US side.

While diplomats were in Switzerland, Russia launched one of the largest aerial strike packages of the war. We break down the 425 drones and missiles fired at Ukrainian infrastructure, including Shahed drones and Iskander-M ballistic missiles. Energy and transport infrastructure were targeted across multiple regions. This was not random timing. It came hours before negotiations resumed.

On the other side, Ukraine is not sitting still. We cover Ukrainian long-range drone strikes inside Russia, including hits on the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai and a major chemical plant in the Perm region more than 1,600 kilometers from the border. We also discuss reported strikes on VNIIR-Progress, a facility tied to missile guidance systems used in Iskander and Kalibr platforms. This is a shift toward targeting the brains behind the weapons, not just the fuel.

We also touch on NATO airspace activity, Poland scrambling fighter jets, hybrid threats around Sweden, and escalating rhetoric from Russian hardliner Nikolai Patrushev over shadow fleet tanker seizures. Inside Russia, the State Duma just expanded FSB authority to shut down communications without explanation. Telegram may face nationwide blocking. The domestic control apparatus is tightening.

This episode connects the dots between Geneva diplomacy, energy warfare, drone strikes, sanctions pressure, and internal Russian security moves. No fluff. No recycled headlines. Just clear, grounded analysis of what happened this week and why it matters.

If you follow Russia, Ukraine, NATO, US foreign policy, sanctions enforcement, hybrid warfare, or global security trends, hit play.

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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down one of the most strategically loaded 24-hour news cycles involving China in recent memory. If you follow US-China competition, Taiwan security, nuclear deterrence, or Indo-Pacific military posture, this is the episode you want in your feed.

We start with new details from the US government alleging that China conducted a covert nuclear explosive test on June 22, 2020, near Lop Nur. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw revealed seismic data captured by a monitoring station in Kazakhstan that US officials say was not consistent with an earthquake or mining blast. China denies it. Russia backs the denial. Meanwhile, New START officially expired on February 5, and President Trump has signaled that the US could resume nuclear testing "on an equal basis" if others are doing it. That is not small talk. We unpack what this means for nuclear arms control, deterrence stability, and great power competition.

From underground tests to open water, we shift to the South China Sea, where the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted combat readiness patrols while US, Philippine, and Australian forces carried out joint maritime exercises near Scarborough Shoal. Chinese warships shadowed the drills. The US also confirmed plans to deploy additional missile systems to the Philippines, building on previous Typhon and NMESIS deployments. If you are tracking the military balance in the first island chain, this is a major development.

We also cover President Trump's public confirmation that he discussed Taiwan arms sales directly with Xi Jinping. This follows reporting that a new arms package for Taiwan could exceed 11 billion dollars and include Patriot and NASAMS systems. That conversation touches directly on longstanding US policy commitments to Taiwan and raises important diplomatic questions.

Inside China, the PLA purge cycle continues. Senior figures, including Central Military Commission leaders, remain under investigation. At the same time, Pentagon assessments indicate that modernization toward the 2027 military capability goal has not slowed.

We round out the episode with a Greek espionage case involving a Hellenic Air Force officer accused of spying for China and a look at China's emerging AI video capabilities that could reshape information warfare and election interference.

Nuclear strategy, Taiwan security, South China Sea tensions, PLA leadership purges, and AI-driven influence operations. It is all here, delivered with energy but grounded in the facts.

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👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ Get a daily intel brief covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, global economics, sanctions, and geopolitical competition.

Today we have a deep dive prepared by Roan Aidane with the aid of AI and read by AI on a topic that's going on in the background around the world but, in particular, the Global South. Ryan and Glenn feel this is an important topic that flies under the radar and Roan was kind enough to prepare a deep dive on it for us.

The most dangerous weapon in modern warfare doesn't explode.

• It's a loan agreement.
• A telecom contract.
• A railway corridor.
• A lithium off-take deal.

In this special deep dive episode, we explore one of the most under-discussed dynamics shaping the 21st century:

Corporate Statecraft.

This is not about tanks crossing borders. It's about infrastructure, debt, software standards, and supply chains.

The battlefield isn't Europe. It's the Global South.

🎙️ In this episode, we break down:

• Why China's Belt and Road strategy is more ecosystem than construction project • How financing + construction + technology bundling creates lock-in • Why telecom networks matter more than missile systems • The lithium triangle and control of EV supply chains • Off-take agreements as strategic leverage • Saudi Arabia's strategic hedging between Washington and Beijing • The Lobito Corridor and logistics warfare in Africa • Debt, ports, and Sri Lanka's 99-year lease • Why commercial deals now carry geopolitical aftershocks • Whether the U.S. can compete without state-owned enterprises

This conversation reframes geopolitics:

It's no longer just about military dominance. It's about who writes the contracts. Who builds the rails. Who owns the code. Who controls the ports.

The invisible war is already being fought — in boardrooms, not battlefields.

Chapters

00:00 Intro 02:00 What Is Corporate Statecraft? 05:00 China's Bundled Strategy Explained 10:00 Lock-In and Infrastructure Dependency 14:00 Lithium, EVs, and Resource Control 18:00 Telecom Networks as Strategic Terrain 23:00 Saudi Hedging Strategy 27:00 The Corridor Wars in Africa 32:00 Debt, Ports, and Sri Lanka 38:00 The U.S. Structural Dilemma 44:00 Who Writes the 21st Century?

Find Glenn Online

Glenn Corn is a former CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer and multiple-time Chief of Station.

Institute of World Politics – Faculty Profile https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/

Great South Bay Consulting https://greatsouthbayinc.com/

Subscribe and receive the daily intelligence brief: https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down a fast moving 24 hours in China's strategic orbit. From Xi Jinping tightening his grip on the People's Liberation Army to escalating pressure on Japan and fresh tensions in the South China Sea, this one covers serious ground without putting you to sleep.

At the top of the stack is Xi's continued purge of senior military leadership. General Zhang Youxia, once considered part of Xi's inner circle and a vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, has now been effectively removed. That makes five of six top generals gone in three years. We unpack what that means for internal stability, loyalty inside the PLA, and why references to Mao era "rectification" campaigns should get your attention.

Then we shift to Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is not backing down after linking Taiwan's security to Japan's national survival. Beijing responded with economic pressure, rare earth restrictions, tourism cuts, and some very pointed rhetoric at the Munich Security Conference. Instead of folding, Tokyo doubled down after Takaichi's landslide election win. We talk about what this means for US alliances, defense spending, and whether China's pressure campaign is working or backfiring.

We also cover fresh military activity around Taiwan. In just one 24 hour window, Taiwan tracked multiple PLA naval vessels and aircraft operating near the island, plus a high altitude balloon. The pace is steady. The pressure is constant. This is gray zone strategy in real time.

Down in the South China Sea, things are heating up again between China and the Philippines. The Chinese Embassy in Manila warned that tensions could cost "millions of jobs," prompting a sharp response from Philippine officials. Add in the arrest of a Mongolian national with reported ties to Chinese military aviation training near sensitive facilities in Zambales, and the story gets even more layered.

We also touch on China's renewed diplomatic charm offensive toward US allies like Canada and the UK, including new visa free travel agreements that signal a strategic push to look open and stable while tightening control at home.

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In this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we break down the February 17, 2026 Geneva talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US and why territory is still the fight inside the fight. Moscow is demanding full control of the remaining Ukrainian-held portions of Donetsk. Kyiv says that is a red line. President Trump wants a deal fast. Zelensky wants security guarantees first. The table is set, but nobody is blinking.

While diplomats talk in Switzerland, the war keeps moving.

Russia launched Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and waves of Shahed drones against Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukraine responded by striking deep inside Russia, targeting oil refineries in Krasnodar Territory and disrupting energy infrastructure in Belgorod and Bryansk. Russian wholesale gasoline prices jumped after refinery hits at Volgograd and Ukhta. That's not just battlefield activity. That's economic pressure.

We also cover Ukraine's recapture of roughly 201 square kilometers near Zaporizhzhia, reportedly the fastest gains since 2023. Russian forces continue grinding forward near Pokrovsk and Kupyansk, but the battlefield remains fluid. Add in reported Starlink disruptions, expanding Russian drone doctrine through the BARS-Sarmat center, and growing reliance on unmanned systems, and you get a war that is evolving in real time.

Outside the frontline, the hybrid fight is heating up. Western intelligence reporting suggests former Wagner recruiters are linked to sabotage recruitment efforts inside Europe. Arson. Vandalism. Plausible deniability. The gray zone is alive and well.

Energy politics are back in play too. Hungary and Slovakia are scrambling after Druzhba pipeline disruptions. Strategic reserves are being discussed. The EU remains divided on how hard to press Moscow.

Inside Ukraine, an anti-corruption bombshell hits as former Energy Minister German Galushchenko is detained in the Energoatom bribery case. In Russia, the State Duma moves forward on legislation expanding FSB authority to suspend communications services. Meanwhile, new findings on Alexei Navalny's death escalate tensions between Moscow and European governments.

If you want a fast, clear, no-nonsense breakdown of the Russia Ukraine war, US foreign policy, European security, energy warfare, drone strikes, and geopolitical power plays, this episode has you covered.

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China is not easing into 2026 quietly. It is moving on multiple fronts and this episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast breaks it all down in one tight, high-energy brief.

In this RH 2.16.26 episode, we dig into satellite imagery showing major expansion at China's nuclear weapons facilities deep in Sichuan Province. New construction at suspected plutonium pit production sites. High-explosive testing infrastructure upgrades. A 360-foot ventilation stack. And all of it unfolding just as the last remaining US-Russia strategic nuclear treaty expires. No caps. No guardrails. Beijing is on track to move from roughly 600 warheads toward 1,000 by 2030. That is not background noise. That is a structural shift.

At the same time, Xi Jinping is purging the top ranks of the People's Liberation Army. Gen. Zhang Youxia, once considered a trusted insider, is out. Five of six top military leaders have been removed in just a few years. Nearly one million officials punished in the latest party discipline campaign. This is not routine reshuffling. It is consolidation of power at the highest level of the Chinese system.

Then we move to Taiwan. PLA aircraft crossing the median line. Naval vessels operating around the island. Millions of cyber intrusion attempts per day targeting Taiwan's infrastructure. Telecom networks under pressure. Political messaging dialed up at the Munich Security Conference. The pressure campaign is steady, layered, and intentional.

Japan is feeling the heat too. After Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi linked Taiwan's security to Japan's own defense posture, Chinese tourist arrivals dropped 45 percent year over year. Rare earth supply risks are back in the conversation. Diplomatic protests are flying. Economic coercion is not theoretical. It is measurable.

And let's not forget energy. China is set to import record volumes of discounted Russian crude oil while India cuts back. Moscow gets a lifeline. Beijing gets bargain barrels. Meanwhile Iranian flows dip slightly amid uncertainty over potential US action. Energy markets are quietly reflecting big geopolitical decisions.

If you care about China's nuclear buildup, Taiwan security, Japan-China tensions, Russian oil flows, South China Sea gray zone pressure, or the future of great power competition, this episode connects the dots.

This is the stuff that shapes the decade ahead. Not hype. Not clickbait. Just the hard realities of international security in 2026.

Listen in and stay ahead of the curve.

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