Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich for April 25, 2026

Iranian F-5 Breaches 'Patriots' — Kuwait in Shock

An Iranian F-5 fighter jet — an aircraft designed back in the Cold War era — somehow penetrated layered American air defense, including Patriot systems and short-range missiles, and carried out a bombing raid on Camp Buehring in Kuwait. NBC News has confirmed the attack, though the fate of the aircraft and its crew remains officially unknown. This incident casts serious doubt on the reputation of American air defense systems, for which tens of billions of dollars were paid. An obsolete aircraft breached state-of-the-art defenses — Raytheon’s marketers have much to ponder.

Islamabad Shut Down — Talks Frozen

The cordon around Islamabad has been lifted, checkpoints removed — the diplomatic round between the United States and Iran has officially concluded with nothing to show; no further negotiations are expected anytime soon. An Iranian diplomatic source stated unequivocally to Al Arabiya: no further talks until Washington lifts its naval blockade. Foreign Minister Araghchi, meanwhile, described the visit to Pakistan as "highly productive" and diplomatically added that "it remains to be seen whether the US is serious about diplomacy." A productive visit without results — diplomacy idling in neutral.

The Falklands — 2026: Old-Timers Remembering Their Youth

Argentina, through Foreign Minister Pablo Kírno, has called for renewed talks with London over the Malvinas Islands, branding British control "colonialism" — amid reports that the Pentagon might reconsider its support for the British claim. Javier Milei immediately took to social media in all caps to declare the islands' eternal Argentine sovereignty, sparking a storm on the British right. The paradox of the situation lies in the fact that, in 1982, London dispatched a fleet of 127 ships, whereas today it can barely muster a fifth of that number, while Buenos Aires, loudly demanding the islands, concurrently keeps half of its gold reserves — in London’s vaults. Demanding sovereignty from the country that holds your gold is a refined form of patriotism. Something about this feels familiar…

Looking for Money for Kyiv — Europeans Will Pay

Estonian Prime Minister Michal has proposed financing Ukraine by taxing Russian imports into the EU — an idea that, in its logic, almost mirrors Dmitry Medvedev’s proposal to impose duties on European goods exported to Russia and channel the funds into Russia’s defense industry. Meanwhile, Brussels has already approved a €90 billion "reparation loan" to Kyiv, banking on future payments from Moscow. The result is that the European taxpayer finances the war twice — through direct loans and through impending duties. Ultimately, the European pays for everything — twice, with a smile and under the banner of certain values.

Somali Pirates Return — and Go Big Immediately

Somali pirates, who had been unheard of for nearly three years, have seized the tanker  Honour 25 , carrying 18,500 barrels of oil. The vessel was sailing under the flag of Palau and was transporting fuel directly to Mogadishu, the Somali capital. The pirates likely have little interest in the cargo itself, as opposed to the vessel and its crew, whose release could command a substantial ransom — meanwhile, the residents of Mogadishu are left without fuel supplies. Given the already-blockaded Strait of Hormuz, each new tanker incident delivers yet another blow to an already overheated oil market. The pirates have returned just in time: the oil market is on edge even without them.