Hi Global Recap readers,
It’s no secret the West is pushing hard to de-anonymize the Internet. And so far, most pushback has stayed online.
But if you’ve ever lived under a de-anonymized system, you know what comes next: people stop talking.
In places like South Korea, many major local platforms gate sign-ups or key features behind phone/SMS verification that’s tied to a real identity. For foreigners, that means needing a Korean phone number registered under your name and an Alien Registration ID.
In China... Well, you already know.
*Subjective Thoughts:
I’ve never been quieter online than I was while I was there. Even when you write, you would surely feel Big Brother’s warm breath on your neck.
There’s also the argument that if you haven’t done anything wrong, you shouldn’t be concerned about these protective measures.
But who decides that my speech and opinions are “wrong?” In my opinion, the broader public should, not a select few in the government. 👇🏼
🇪🇸 SPAIN
Telegram's Mass
Warning Message
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov
Telegram founder Pavel Durov sent a mass message to Spanish Telegram users, warning that Spain is flirting with censorship as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pushes a plan to ban social media for people under 16 and prosecute platform executives over hate speech.
Durov warned it could force platforms to collect data on all users and delete more content to avoid prosecution, which would go against the app's core principles.
Package. Sanchez's proposal would:
ban social media access for people under 16
make executives criminally liable for hate speech on their platform
criminalize algorithms deemed to be amplifying "harmful content"
Response. The prime minister's office defended the plan.
It argued that Durov's ability to reach Telegram users at scale showed "unrestricted control" that needs oversight.
It accused Durov of spreading lies and said Spaniards cannot live in a world where "foreign tech oligarchs" can flood phones with propaganda when the government is trying to protect minors and enforce the law.
Backstory. Sanchez has been tightening his rhetoric on tech platforms since early last year, including proposing an end to anonymity on social media and linking users' data to a common EU identity wallet.
Sanchez Policies
Irene Montero, a former equality minister appointed by Sánchez, has recently faced backlash after advocating the “replacement” of Spaniards she described as “fascists” and “racists” with immigrants.
Click for video
Sanchez has been tightening his rhetoric on tech platforms since early last year, including proposing an end to anonymity on social media and linking users' data to a common EU identity wallet.
In just a few days, Sanchez has:
announced "regularization" of undocumented migrants
proposed a social media ban for people under 16
Durov's Full Message
🇮🇷🇺🇸 IRAN & US
Talks On, Then Off,
Now On Again
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (left) and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (right)
First it was on, then it was off, and now it’s back on.
US and Iran will hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday after Middle Eastern leaders quickly scrambled to urge the White House not to cancel.
Trigger. Several Middle Eastern leaders reportedly hurriedly lobbied the Trump administration on Wednesday afternoon to keep the meeting on, after Washington threatened to walk away. The officials said at least nine countries contacted the White House at the highest levels.
Turn. The meeting had been set for Istanbul, with other regional countries participating as observers.
But on Tuesday, Iran demanded relocating the talks to Oman and switching to a bilateral format focused only on the nuclear file, not other issues such as missiles.
US officials initially entertained the change, then rejected it, then reversed again.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X
Pressure. One US official said the administration would do the meeting "if they insist," while warning Washington is "very skeptical" about Tehran. The cancellation threat reportedly set off fears across the region that Trump would pivot quickly to military action.
Scope. US officials said the original design was two tracks: direct US-Iran nuclear talks alongside a broader forum on missiles, proxy groups, and human rights abuses tied to Iran's crackdown on protesters.
But now, only bilateral nuclear talks are planned in Oman.
Reaction. People’s reaction to the news hasn’t gone over well with many online commentators.
Some anti–Islamic-regime and conservative social media accounts initially welcomed the Trump administration’s hard-line decision to cancel the meeting.
Now that it is back on, some are expressing frustration, questioning whether Trump is backing down or whether the reversal is part of a broader 3D/4D/5D chess strategy.
Redlines. As things stand, several issues previously described by Trump as red lines—such as Iran’s missile program and its support for proxy groups—are not expected to be part of the talks, according to Iranian statements.
Some commentators describe that approach as pragmatic.
Others criticize what they see as shifting red lines that shows nothing but weakness from the "greatest military power on Earth."
🇮🇹 ITALY
Italy Foils
Olympic Cyberattacks
Italy says it stopped sabotage blamed on Russian actors targeting its Foreign Ministry and Winter Olympics sites.
Claim. Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italian security agencies had "foiled a series of cyberattacks" of "Russian origin."
He said the targets included Foreign Ministry offices, including the embassy in Washington, and Winter Olympics-related sites, including hotels in Cortina.
However, details of the sabotage remain scarce.
Pattern. Tajani pointed to recent Olympics in Paris (2024) and Pyeongchang (2018) as precedents, with those incidents widely believed to involve Russian actors.
British intelligence also warned about Tokyo (2021) as well.
Russia is excluded from this year's winter Olympics events over its war in Ukraine, though 13 Russian athletes and 7 athletes from Belarus are set to compete as "neutrals."
Protests are already factored into security planning, ranging from the usuals, such as environmental groups to pro-Palestinian activists protesting Israel’s participation amid the war in Gaza.
Pressure. The Winter Olympics run February 6 to 22 across Milan and the Cortina d'Ampezzo region, and officials expect about 2 million visitors, including 60,000 at Friday's opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro Stadium.
US Vice President JD Vance expected to attend.
Police say central Milan will become a "red zone" starting Friday, with tightened border and rail checks, K-9 and bomb teams sweeping venues, and snipers deployed around controlled sites.
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN UNION
EU Seals €90B Loan
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
EU governments have agreed on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine for 2026-2027, financed through joint debt and timed for a first payment in early April.
Agreement. On February 4, 2026, EU ambassadors in Brussels signed off on the final legal texts after Cyprus, holding the rotating Council presidency, presented a revised draft.
Financing. Brussels will issue common EU debt, with the EU budget serving as the investor backstop.
The European Commission estimates the remaining 24 member states will pay between €2-3 billion per year in associated costs, because Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are exempt from all financial obligations, including annual interest payments.
Split. The package is structured as €30 billion in budget support and €60 billion in military support, with the balance adjustable if the war ends. Funds will be released in tranches, and any backsliding on anti-corruption efforts can trigger a suspension.
French President Macron
Procurement. France pushed for a "Made in Europe" line. This means, Kyiv must first shop in Ukraine and the EU, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, and only go to other markets, including the US, if the equipment is not available.
Next. Countries with EU security and defense partnerships, including the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Canada, can access this priority purchase lane if they pay a "fair and proportionate" share of borrowing costs.
Ukraine repays the €90 billion only if Russia stops the war and agrees to compensate for damages.
If Moscow rejects reparations, Brussels expects to roll the debt over.
