Institute for the Study of War
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
ISW is a policy research organization focused on U.S. national security. Email: press@understandingwar.org. For more: https://linktr.ee/understandingwar
Pinned
NEW: The Kremlin continues to reject any meaningful security guarantees that would protect Ukraine from complete diplomatic or military capitulation.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
NEW: Some Iranian regime elements are signaling that Iran may offer relatively insignificant, nuclear-only concessions, but only if the United States offers complete sanctions relief. 🧵(1/4)
Iran Update, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Iran Update, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 10, 2026 at 1:36 AM
NEW: Some Iranian regime elements are signaling that Iran may offer relatively insignificant, nuclear-only concessions, but only if the United States offers complete sanctions relief. 🧵(1/4)
Iran Update, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Iran Update, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
NEW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explicitly blamed the United States on February 9 for the lack of progress in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. 🧵(1/6)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020926
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020926
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM
NEW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explicitly blamed the United States on February 9 for the lack of progress in ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. 🧵(1/6)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020926
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 9, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020926
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Applications for ISW's Summer 2026 Internship Program are open!
Interns will gain hands-on experience in research, open-source analysis, and communications while contributing directly to our mission in national security and conflict monitoring.
Apply now: https://isw.pub/SummerIntern26BS
Interns will gain hands-on experience in research, open-source analysis, and communications while contributing directly to our mission in national security and conflict monitoring.
Apply now: https://isw.pub/SummerIntern26BS
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Applications for ISW's Summer 2026 Internship Program are open!
Interns will gain hands-on experience in research, open-source analysis, and communications while contributing directly to our mission in national security and conflict monitoring.
Apply now: https://isw.pub/SummerIntern26BS
Interns will gain hands-on experience in research, open-source analysis, and communications while contributing directly to our mission in national security and conflict monitoring.
Apply now: https://isw.pub/SummerIntern26BS
NEW: Russian forces are continuing their cognitive warfare campaign that uses small-scale attacks in previously dormant frontline areas in northern Ukraine to try to convince the West that the frontlines in Ukraine are collapsing. (1/6)
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020826
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020826
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 8, 2026 at 10:27 PM
NEW: Russian forces are continuing their cognitive warfare campaign that uses small-scale attacks in previously dormant frontline areas in northern Ukraine to try to convince the West that the frontlines in Ukraine are collapsing. (1/6)
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020826
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020826
Other Key Takeaways ⬇️
NEW: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Washington, DC on February 11 to discuss Iran. Israeli officials have consistently said that US-Iran negotiations must include limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM
NEW: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Washington, DC on February 11 to discuss Iran. Israeli officials have consistently said that US-Iran negotiations must include limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile program
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Read more: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
NEW: Russia launched another massive strike against Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight on February 6 to 7 and specifically targeted substations that support Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs). 🧵(1/5) ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020726
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020726
February 8, 2026 at 12:25 AM
NEW: Russia launched another massive strike against Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight on February 6 to 7 and specifically targeted substations that support Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs). 🧵(1/5) ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020726
Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar020726
New: The United States and Iran will hold a new round of talks sometime early in the week of February 8. Neither the United States nor Iran has changed negotiating position, which makes a diplomatic breakthrough unlikely
Iran Update, February 7, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Iran Update, February 7, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 7, 2026 at 9:35 PM
New: The United States and Iran will hold a new round of talks sometime early in the week of February 8. Neither the United States nor Iran has changed negotiating position, which makes a diplomatic breakthrough unlikely
Iran Update, February 7, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Iran Update, February 7, 2026: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
The Hertog War Studies Program is a two-week seminar in Washington, DC. Students will learn from and interact with distinguished senior leaders in the national security and military communities and learn how to assess military decision-making.
Apply before February 24: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
Apply before February 24: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
February 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The Hertog War Studies Program is a two-week seminar in Washington, DC. Students will learn from and interact with distinguished senior leaders in the national security and military communities and learn how to assess military decision-making.
Apply before February 24: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
Apply before February 24: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
NEW: The Kremlin continues to reject any meaningful security guarantees that would protect Ukraine from complete diplomatic or military capitulation.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
February 7, 2026 at 1:49 AM
NEW: The Kremlin continues to reject any meaningful security guarantees that would protect Ukraine from complete diplomatic or military capitulation.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 6, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar02062026
More ⬇🧵(1/8)
NEW: Iran and the United States held talks in Muscat, Oman, on February 6 to establish a framework for future negotiations.
Read the full report:isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways:
Read the full report:isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways:
February 6, 2026 at 11:49 PM
NEW: Iran and the United States held talks in Muscat, Oman, on February 6 to establish a framework for future negotiations.
Read the full report:isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways:
Read the full report:isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Other Key Takeaways:
NEW: Indicators suggest that CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping launched investigations into two of the seniormost PLA officers because he perceived them as undermining his leadership and military modernization objectives.
China & Taiwan Update: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Other Key Takeaways:
China & Taiwan Update: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Other Key Takeaways:
February 6, 2026 at 11:07 PM
NEW: Indicators suggest that CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping launched investigations into two of the seniormost PLA officers because he perceived them as undermining his leadership and military modernization objectives.
China & Taiwan Update: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Other Key Takeaways:
China & Taiwan Update: isw.pub/ChinaTaiwanU...
Other Key Takeaways:
Reposted by Institute for the Study of War
NEW: US-Iran Negotiations: There are inconsistent reports about whether US-Iran talks in Oman on February 6 will be limited to the nuclear program or also include discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy and partner network. 🧵(1/6) isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 6, 2026 at 12:34 AM
NEW: US-Iran Negotiations: There are inconsistent reports about whether US-Iran talks in Oman on February 6 will be limited to the nuclear program or also include discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy and partner network. 🧵(1/6) isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Reposted by Institute for the Study of War
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
February 6, 2026 at 5:49 AM
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
February 6, 2026 at 5:49 AM
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
Read More:isw.pub/UkrWar020526
Other Key Takeaways:
The Kremlin is looking for new narratives to try to convince the United States and Europe to not agree to security guarantees for Ukraine.
NEW: US-Iran Negotiations: There are inconsistent reports about whether US-Iran talks in Oman on February 6 will be limited to the nuclear program or also include discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy and partner network. 🧵(1/6) isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 6, 2026 at 12:34 AM
NEW: US-Iran Negotiations: There are inconsistent reports about whether US-Iran talks in Oman on February 6 will be limited to the nuclear program or also include discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy and partner network. 🧵(1/6) isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
NEW: A Russian military court recently issued extensive and illegal sentences against nine deported Kherson Oblast residents. (1/9)
Russian Occupation Update, February 5, 2026: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Russian Occupation Update, February 5, 2026: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
February 5, 2026 at 5:03 PM
NEW: A Russian military court recently issued extensive and illegal sentences against nine deported Kherson Oblast residents. (1/9)
Russian Occupation Update, February 5, 2026: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Russian Occupation Update, February 5, 2026: isw.pub/OccupationUp...
Reposted by Institute for the Study of War
ISW is hiring! We seek a full-time, in-person Major Gifts Officer who will report to the Director of Development. Serving as an integral member of the ISW team, the MGO will initiate, manage, and nurture relationships with philanthropic prospects.
Apply today: https://isw.pub/MGO
Apply today: https://isw.pub/MGO
January 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM
ISW is hiring! We seek a full-time, in-person Major Gifts Officer who will report to the Director of Development. Serving as an integral member of the ISW team, the MGO will initiate, manage, and nurture relationships with philanthropic prospects.
Apply today: https://isw.pub/MGO
Apply today: https://isw.pub/MGO
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 4.
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020426
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/4)
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020426
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/4)
February 5, 2026 at 4:03 AM
NEW: US, Ukrainian, and Russian delegations continued trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 4.
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020426
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/4)
Read the full Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026: isw.pub/UkrWar020426
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/4)
NEW: Iran & the US plan to hold talks in Oman on Feb 6, despite the brief cancellation of the meeting on Feb 4. The US seeks to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, & support for its proxy network. (1/3)
Feb 4, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️
Feb 4, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 5, 2026 at 12:59 AM
NEW: Iran & the US plan to hold talks in Oman on Feb 6, despite the brief cancellation of the meeting on Feb 4. The US seeks to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missiles, & support for its proxy network. (1/3)
Feb 4, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️
Feb 4, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Additional Key Takeaways ⬇️
Applications for the War Studies Program close in less than three weeks! A highlight of the War Studies Program is the annual trip to Gettysburg, where students will immerse into one of the most consequential battles in US history.
Apply today: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
Apply today: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Applications for the War Studies Program close in less than three weeks! A highlight of the War Studies Program is the annual trip to Gettysburg, where students will immerse into one of the most consequential battles in US history.
Apply today: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
Apply today: https://isw.pub/HWSPBlueSky
NEW: RU resumed its combined missile & drone strike campaign against UA energy infrastructure on the night of February 2-3, after the moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes.
Read the Feb 3, 2026 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: isw.pub/UkrWar020326
More Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/7)
Read the Feb 3, 2026 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: isw.pub/UkrWar020326
More Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/7)
February 4, 2026 at 4:19 AM
NEW: RU resumed its combined missile & drone strike campaign against UA energy infrastructure on the night of February 2-3, after the moratorium on energy infrastructure strikes.
Read the Feb 3, 2026 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: isw.pub/UkrWar020326
More Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/7)
Read the Feb 3, 2026 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment: isw.pub/UkrWar020326
More Key Takeaways ⬇️ (1/7)
NEW: Iran conducted 2 probing ops against the US Navy in the Gulf likely designed to test US Navy defensive reactions & demonstrate Iran’s threat. The incidents may be the start of an Iranian maritime escalation that seeks to deter a US strike. (1/5)
Feb 3, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Feb 3, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 4, 2026 at 1:22 AM
NEW: Iran conducted 2 probing ops against the US Navy in the Gulf likely designed to test US Navy defensive reactions & demonstrate Iran’s threat. The incidents may be the start of an Iranian maritime escalation that seeks to deter a US strike. (1/5)
Feb 3, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Feb 3, 2026 Iran Update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
NEW | Korean Peninsula Update, February 3, 2026: A senior US defense official emphasized countering the People’s Republic of China (PRC) during his visit to South Korea as part of efforts to expand the US Forces Korea (USFK) mission to include contingencies involving the PRC. isw.pub/KoreanPenins...
February 3, 2026 at 9:08 PM
NEW | Korean Peninsula Update, February 3, 2026: A senior US defense official emphasized countering the People’s Republic of China (PRC) during his visit to South Korea as part of efforts to expand the US Forces Korea (USFK) mission to include contingencies involving the PRC. isw.pub/KoreanPenins...
NEW: The Iranian regime is conducting a concerted campaign that involves diplomatic, informational, and military lines of effort to try to prevent US military action against Iran. (1/10)
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
February 3, 2026 at 3:36 AM
NEW: The Iranian regime is conducting a concerted campaign that involves diplomatic, informational, and military lines of effort to try to prevent US military action against Iran. (1/10)
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
Read the full update: isw.pub/IranUpdate02...
NEW: Russian Security Council Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev used an interview with Western and Russian newswires and an ultranationalist milblogger to reaffirm that Russia’s demands for Ukraine “remain unchanged” and to reject security guarantees for Ukraine.
Full update: isw.pub/UkrWar020226
Full update: isw.pub/UkrWar020226
February 3, 2026 at 2:58 AM
NEW: Russian Security Council Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev used an interview with Western and Russian newswires and an ultranationalist milblogger to reaffirm that Russia’s demands for Ukraine “remain unchanged” and to reject security guarantees for Ukraine.
Full update: isw.pub/UkrWar020226
Full update: isw.pub/UkrWar020226