International Relations 15 January 2026 - 5 February 2026

Starmer’s Russia Oil Sanctions Move Fuels Ukraine Criticism While Energy Prices Jump
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Starmer’s Russia Oil Sanctions Move Fuels Ukraine Criticism While Energy Prices Jump

Britain has issued a licence allowing imports of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian crude if refined outside Russia, effective Wednesday, as fuel prices hit 158.5p a litre amid Strait of Hormuz disruption. The permit is indefinite but subject to review. A separate licence allows LNG shipments from Russia until January 2027. Labour and Conservative politicians criticized the move, citing concerns over support for Ukraine.
May 20, 2026
Italy says it blocked Russia-linked cyberattacks on Milano Cortina Olympics sites and a U.S. embassy
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Italy says it blocked Russia-linked cyberattacks on Milano Cortina Olympics sites and a U.S. embassy

Italy blocked cyberattacks targeting its foreign ministry, an embassy in Washington, and Milano Cortina Winter Olympics sites, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Wednesday. He linked the attacks to Russian actors but gave no technical details. A U.S. official in Milan said no credible threats are tracked, though cyberattacks remain a daily risk as the Games open Friday.
February 5, 2026
Trump unveils $12B ‘Project Vault’ minerals stockpile as U.S. moves to blunt China leverage
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Trump unveils $12B ‘Project Vault’ minerals stockpile as U.S. moves to blunt China leverage

President Trump launched Project Vault, a $12 billion program to build a U.S. strategic reserve of critical minerals, combining a $10 billion Export-Import Bank loan with private investment. Shares of rare-earth and critical-minerals companies rose after the announcement. General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and Google joined the initiative for emergency access to supplies. The plan aims to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global processing.
February 2, 2026
Trump administration pushes out Liz Cannon, Commerce official behind Chinese car curb, sources say
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Trump administration pushes out Liz Cannon, Commerce official behind Chinese car curb, sources say

Elizabeth “Liz” Cannon, head of the Commerce Department’s ICTS unit, will leave her post on Feb. 20 after being ousted by the Trump administration, according to sources. Cannon’s team helped finalize rules barring nearly all Chinese passenger cars from the U.S. Her departure follows Commerce’s decision to drop plans restricting Chinese-made drones. The administration plans to replace her with a political appointee.
January 23, 2026
France may send Eutelsat satellite terminals to Iran as Starlink goes free during the blackout
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France may send Eutelsat satellite terminals to Iran as Starlink goes free during the blackout

France is weighing the transfer of Eutelsat satellite internet terminals to Iran after Tehran cut off national internet access during protests, French officials said. Starlink, with over 9,000 satellites, has made its service free in Iran and issued a firmware update to counter jamming, activists told AP. Eutelsat, backed by France and the UK, operates just over 600 satellites. Starlink remains banned in Iran, and users risk severe penalties.
January 15, 2026
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