Pakistan’s overnight “intelligence-based” raids on seven militant camps across the Afghan frontier mark the sharpest escalation since the October 2025 border firefight that killed dozens. Islamabad’s move—confirmed by Associated Press, The Guardian and Deutsche Welle—follows two suicide bombings that left 13 soldiers dead in Bajaur and Bannu last week, tipping 2026’s death toll above 200 before March. (apnews.com)

I read the strikes less as muscular counter-terrorism than as crisis management for a weakened state: Pakistan’s fiscal deficit is 7 % of GDP and the rupee sits near record lows, yet Kabul’s Taliban rulers still deny harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters. History warns that cross-border “hot pursuit”—think Nixon’s 1970 Cambodian incursions—rarely quells insurgencies and often internationalizes them.

Unless regional guarantors—Qatar, China, even a distracted Washington—broker verifiable monitoring of the porous 2,600-km Durand Line, today’s pinpoint raids risk triggering a cycle of reprisal that neither economy can fund. As political scientist Vali Nasr cautions, “In South Asia, security dilemmas are always economic dilemmas in disguise.” —The Gist AI Editor

Corporate Culture Wars

President Trump has directly intervened in corporate governance, demanding that Netflix remove former Obama administration official Susan Rice from its board. In a social media post, Trump warned the streaming giant to fire Rice “IMMEDIATELY, or pay the consequences,” a move that escalates political pressure on publicly traded companies. The demand followed comments from Rice suggesting corporations aligning with Trump could face an “accountability agenda” if Democrats regain power (FT, Bloomberg). This action blurs the lines between political speech and executive influence over corporate affairs, raising questions for boards and investors about navigating an increasingly polarized environment.

Tariffs Trigger Global Pushback

The Trump administration’s imposition of a new 15% tariff on foreign imports is causing immediate international friction. Australia, a key ally, announced it will “examine all options” in response to the “unjustified tariffs,” signaling a robust challenge to the protectionist policy (Bloomberg). The move follows a Supreme Court decision that struck down a previous 10% tariff, prompting the White House to reinstate and increase the levy under a different law. For global businesses, this whipsaw of trade policy creates significant uncertainty, complicating supply chains and forcing executives to reassess political risk (WSJ).

Innovation’s Rocky Road

Innovation faced hurdles on two fronts. NASA’s ambitious Artemis II mission, slated to be the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years, will be delayed until at least April after an “interrupted flow” of helium was detected in the rocket system. This marks another setback for the large-scale government project, which previously faced delays from hydrogen leaks. In contrast, a more decentralized, market-driven innovation is flourishing in Australia, where farmers are partnering with energy firms to graze “solar sheep” under photovoltaic panels. This agrivoltaic approach boosts farmers’ revenue by an estimated 15% and offers a pragmatic solution for dual land use (The Straits Times).

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Tariff Ruling Sends CEOs Back to Company War Rooms
— Wall Street Journal

The Biggest New Fans of 401s Are Small Businesses
— Wall Street Journal

Trump demands Netflix remove former Obama official from board
— Financial Times

The U.S. Is Hunting the Shadow Fleet. This Is What It’s Up Against.
— Wall Street Journal

NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission may not launch in March after all
— NPR

‘Solar sheep’ help rural Australia go green, one panel at a time
— The Straits Times

Berlinale’s Political Minefield

The 76th Berlinale film festival’s closing gala has underscored the challenge for cultural institutions navigating Europe’s polarised political landscape. A speech by Syrian-Palestinian filmmaker Abdallah Alkhatib, accusing Berlin of complicity in genocide, prompted German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider—the sole government representative present—to walk out (ZDF). The incident caps a festival where political tensions often overshadowed the films, with organisers rejecting accusations of censorship while defending artists’ free expression (Reuters). The episode reveals how premier cultural events are becoming unwilling battlegrounds for geopolitical conflicts, forcing a difficult balance between open discourse and tacit state endorsement. This trend risks alienating both artists and government partners, shrinking the space for dialogue.

France’s Extremist Resurgence

In Lyon, a march of nearly 3,200 people commemorating the death of a young far-right activist signals a hardening of extremist factions (El Pais). The demonstration, marked by Nazi salutes and racist insults reported to prosecutors, highlights the city’s role as a crucible for political violence between far-right and far-left groups (Reuters). The event, ostensibly a memorial, functioned as a show of force, testing the state’s tolerance for extremist expression. For President Macron, it complicates efforts to de-escalate political tensions, as any response will be framed by opponents as either weakness or repression, further fuelling the cycle of reciprocal radicalisation.

The Digital Age Reckoning

A growing chorus of experts is pushing for a fundamental rethink of children’s relationship with technology. Spanish psychiatrist Beatriz Martínez argues that letting children have unfettered screen access will soon be viewed like “dipping their pacifier in alcohol” (El Pais). Her call to ban social media for under-16s is based on mounting evidence that early adoption is linked to severe mental health issues. Critically, she notes that individuals with smartphone access before age 15 show worse mental health indicators, including higher rates of suicidal ideation. This isn’t a niche concern; it’s a public health crisis in the making that will force governments to legislate on digital access, pitting individual choice against collective well-being.

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Schneider kritisiert propalästinensische Rede bei Berlinale
— ZDF

Marcha con saludos nazis en Lyon por la muerte a golpes de un joven ultraderechista
— El Pais

Beatriz Martínez, psychiatrist: ‘In a few years, letting children be glued to screens will be seen in the same light as dipping their pacifier in alcohol’
— El Pais

Der Ukraine-Krieg im Zeitraffer
— ZDF

Kehl: “Mannschaft ist in großen Spielen da”
— ZDF

Esplosioni udite a Kiev dopo l’allerta missilistica
— Ansa