Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 25, 2026!
Iran strikes again in Hormuz - the "peace agreement" has its own fine print
The IRGC Navy struck a vessel 7.5 nautical miles off the Omani coast - the tanker attempted to pass through Hormuz on an unapproved route without notifying the Persian Gulf Strait Authority. The U.S. learned of the strike through the newly established Hormuz de-confliction channel, with American officials reportedly responding: "What the fck man? What do you mean?" Hormuz is formally open - but Iran has clearly reserved the right to decide who passes and how. Iran signed peace and immediately installed its own toll
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 23, 2026!
Putin offers peace talks - on 2022 terms
Putin announced readiness for peace talks with Ukraine "on the basis of the Istanbul agreements," adding the Anchorage principles, realities on the ground and his own 2024 Foreign Ministry address to the list of preconditions. This is not a new position - it is an old position in new packaging, presented at the moment Ukraine is striking deep inside Russia and receiving Western long-range weapons. Putin offers peace on terms under which Ukraine loses everything it has already lost. Negotiating generosity in full display.
Ukraine says Trump gave a green light for
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 22, 2026!
Zyuganov calls for seizing 30 trillion rubles from bank deposits - immediately
Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov publicly called on the State Duma to immediately seize no less than 30 trillion rubles from citizens' bank deposits "to replenish the budget under wartime conditions," arguing that 67 trillion in citizen savings and 63 trillion in corporate deposits are "just sitting there enriching bankers." The proposal came from the floor of Russia's official legislative body. The CPRF proposes raiding citizens' savings in a country where people are already queuing at petrol stations with 20-litre limits. A historically familiar scenario.
Gazprom shares hit
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 18, 2026!
Iran naval blockade lifted - the war is officially over
CENTCOM confirmed the end of the naval blockade of Iran, the Strait of Hormuz is reopening, and Putin - at the Russia-ASEAN summit - was among the first to welcome the Trump-Pezeshkian agreement, expressing hope it would form the basis for future deals. Stabilisation in the Middle East, Putin noted, "will have a positive effect on global energy and food markets" - diplomatic translation: Russian oil flows freely again. The Iran war ended - and the first to celebrate was Putin, speaking to ASEAN.
Israel thinks Trump is secretly conspiring
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 17, 2026!
Ukrainian strike hits children's football bus - Belarus, Bryansk, Gelendzhik
Ukrainian forces struck a bus carrying a Belarusian youth football team near Bryansk as it travelled to a holiday in Gelendzhik - one woman was killed, six people injured including four teenagers. Russia's Investigative Committee opened a terrorism case, Peskov called the strike deliberate and promised the continuation of the military operation as a response. Russia has long been at war - but a children's football bus as a target belongs to a separate genre of military logic.
Hormuz to open in a day or two - Trump promises, Iran
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 13, 2026!
Gabbard declassifies the biolabs - and names Fauci as a liar
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard published declassified documents on U.S.-funded Ukrainian biolaboratories conducting research on anthrax, Ebola, plague and Marburg fever - with virtually no oversight. Gabbard directly accused Fauci and Biden's national security team of lying to the American people about the programme's existence. Notably, Gabbard leaves office on June 30 - the documents appeared in her final days. On her way out, Gabbard put on the table what others spent years hiding. A farewell gift with biological contents.
Iran deal - tomorrow, or maybe not
Pakistan's
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 12, 2026!
Deal on the finish line - but the IRGC objects and Khamenei stays silent
Pakistan's prime minister announced the finalisation of the U.S.-Iran memorandum text, and Qatar's delegation achieved a breakthrough with Araqchi and Qalibaf present - but IRGC Commander General Vahidi, also in the room, disagreed with several terms. The text has been sent to Khamenei for final approval, which has not arrived. An Iranian MP already called the new version "more damaging" to Iran than previous drafts. Agreement agreed by everyone except those who decide. Classic Iranian diplomacy.
UAE unfreezes up to $20 billion for Iran - the
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 8, 2026!
EU warships to seize tankers - the shadow fleet is now a target
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that Operation IRINI in the Mediterranean has been granted new rules of engagement, allowing European warships to intercept and detain tankers suspected of carrying Russian oil. Originally designed to block arms shipments to Libya, IRINI has been quietly repurposed into a naval enforcement tool for energy sanctions. Kallas rewrites the rules in the Mediterranean - Russia will rewrite its shipping routes in response.
The European trio arms Ukraine - and integrates its defence industry
Britain, France and Germany announced after
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich - June 3, 2026!
Netanyahu thanks America, Trump reminds everyone who saved whom
Netanyahu addressed the American public with a rallying cry: "When we fight Iran, we're fighting for you" - a transparent attempt to keep Washington on side as Trump's patience visibly wears thin. Trump, meanwhile, claimed that his decision to launch operations against Iran personally saved Israel from annihilation: "If it weren't for me, there would be no Israel." Two allies publicly trading gratitude while privately trading insults - the special relationship, 2026 edition. Netanyahu fights for America, Trump saves Israel. Both claim the debt - neither plans to pay it.
Araqchi draws
Geopolitical Digest by Mikhail Azhgirevich — June 2, 2026!
Trump screams at Netanyahu — the 'unbreakable' bond cracks
According to Axios, Trump erupted at the Israeli Prime Minister over reports of a planned strike on Beirut: "You're f**ing crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. Now everyone hates Israel because of you." A sitting U.S. president publicly humiliating his closest Middle Eastern ally — rare under any circumstances, explosive in the middle of Iran negotiations. Trump saved Netanyahu from prison — Netanyahu thanked him by planning to bomb Beirut.*
Kazakhstan to store Iran's uranium — Russia's fingerprints on the deal
Astana announced readiness to accept
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