Hi Global Recap readers,
People are piling on VP Vance over his latest Iran comment.
It was undoubtedly the “safest” line to take, but it’s not landing with those who feel the President sold them out. 👇🏼
🇮🇷 IRAN
Pezeshkian’s Public Apology
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, offered public remorse for last month’s protest crackdown, saying the state is "ashamed" and owes help to those harmed.
However, people are not buying it.
Apology. On February 11, 2026, President Masoud Pezeshkian marked the Islamic Republic’s 47th anniversary by telling Iranians, "We are ashamed before the people," and pledging assistance for those affected by last month’s violence, while stopping short of directly acknowledging security forces’ responsibility.
Numbers. Activists estimate more than 6,000 people, mostly protesters, were killed in the crackdown. Some are even claiming that 30,000 people have been killed. Needless to say, independent verification is difficult at the moment.
Mixed Messaging
There is mixed messaging from both Iran and the United States, even as they continue to engage in public talks.
Iran. Despite Pezeshkian’s messaging, some photos and video from the 47th anniversary show pro-government crowds chanting “Death to America” and staging an image of President Trump being hanged and placed in a coffin.
“If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that’s up to the Iranian people.” - US Vice President Vance
Click for video
US. We’re also hearing reports that the Pentagon has ordered a second carrier strike group to prepare for deployment to the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Vice President Vance said regime change in Iran is up to the Iranian people—suggesting the US is not seeking to topple the Islamic Republic.
Although this seems to be the “diplomatically correct” response, since they are engaging in negotiations, this is not sitting too well with many online commentators.
🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Russia Faces Backlash
for Telegram Throttling
Yesterday, we talked about Russia moving to throttle Telegram across the country.
But what's new is that the crackdown is reportedly drawing unusually harsh pushback from soldiers, pro-war bloggers, and regional officials.
Move. On February 11, 2026, Russia’s communications watchdog said Telegram would begin slowing nationwide, accusing the company of failing to address earlier regulatory violations.
For reference: Telegram is used by more than 60 million people in Russia each day.
Users reported sluggish traffic on Tuesday, including delayed video and image downloads.
Backlash. The response has been surprisingly public by Russian standards, with frontline soldiers, hawkish Telegram channels, lifestyle influencers, and opposition figures all criticizing the move.
In one circulating video, a serviceman asked the regulator, "Did you even ask us? Did anyone come and find out whether this would be useful?"
Context
An alleged Russian soldier talking about the importance of Telegram.
Click for video
Dependence. If you haven’t noticed, many of the videos and written posts shared by Russians are distributed through Telegram.
Telegram is deeply embedded in Russia’s war ecosystem, with even units using group chats to coordinate logistics, share updates, and raise money for equipment and munitions.
Pro-war bloggers warned that slowing the app could even complicate responses to drone attacks by disrupting coordination between “mobile fire groups” and other agencies. This is how much Russians rely on Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov
Pressure. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said officials were “in contact with representatives” of Telegram and signaled further steps if the company does not respond, while also insisting it was “hard to imagine” frontline communications running through any messenger.
Agenda. The episode fits Moscow’s long push for a “sovereign internet,” with tighter control over platforms and information flows, while officials promote a state-backed “super-app” called Max modeled on China’s WeChat.
In fact, it's not just Telegram that's being targeted. According to Meta, The Russian government attempted to "fully block" WhatsApp too.
📌 Context. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has accelerated internet controls and restricted multiple western platforms, while largely tolerating Telegram because it is useful to officials and pro-Kremlin narratives.
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN UNION
Von der Leyen
Targets Red Tape
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula von der Leyen is pressing EU leaders to simplify regulation and knit Europe’s money markets together, arguing the bloc is losing ground to the US and China.
This is a somewhat unexpected move by the EU, which is often criticized online as being weighed down by excessive regulation and bureaucracy.
Here’s one of the popular memes that show people’s sentiment.
This meme contrasts SpaceX catching a reusable Super Heavy booster as big, bold American innovation with the EU’s tethered bottle-cap rule as small, regulation-driven “innovation.”
I don’t know about you, but I always just rip the cap off the tether whenever I go to Europe.
Setup. Speaking February 11, 2026, ahead of meetings in Belgium, the European Commission president said Europe’s rulebook needs to be lighter and its capital markets deeper if the EU wants to compete with the US and China. She pointed straight at structural clutter:
27 financial systems
27 supervisors
more than 300 trading venues
Diagnosis. Europe’s growth has lagged the US for two decades, and its productivity and innovation have not kept up, including in AI.
Von der Leyen’s go-to example was the US having one financial system and one major financial capital, while Europe runs “fragmentation on steroids.”
On top of all this, some countries are actively pushing for "two-tier EU" model that would curb new members’ veto power and make decision-making easier for the bloc by reducing veto-driven gridlock. But of course, this means more fracturing.
Split. Even with the problem agreed, the strategy is still a fight:
French President Emmanuel Macron is again pushing for more common borrowing and a “Made in Europe” approach
Meanwhile, Germany argues for productivity gains and trade deals instead of new debt.
Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruch is calling for “less bureaucracy” and “more flexible labour laws.”
📌 Context. The EU is trying to fund decarbonization, digitalization, and defense while facing US trade pressure and tighter Chinese control of critical-mineral exports.
🇨🇺 CUBA
Russia Plans Cuba Airlift
Moscow says it will pull Russian tourists out of Cuba within days as a US oil blockade squeezes the island into a jet-fuel shortage.
Alarm. Cuban aviation authorities have warned the country is running out of jet fuel, a problem that could cripple tourism just as airlines need predictable refueling.
The last known oil delivery reportedly came from Mexico in early January before exports stopped under US pressure, and crude from Venezuela has also dried up after a US operation in January that captured Nicolas Maduro.
The Kremlin called the fuel situation critical and blamed US attempts to "suffocate" Cuba.
Flights. Russia's aviation authorities said on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, that two Russian airlines serving Cuba will run outbound-only flights to bring travelers home, then suspend service.
People. Russia's tourism board said about 4,000 Russian tourists are currently in Cuba, and it also said future tourist packages would be suspended.
In online chat groups, Russians on the island reported fuel rationing, public transport cuts, and some being moved into lower-grade hotels where electricity was more stable.
