Good Evening,
It's Tuesday, February 25th. |
Ukraine Agrees to Mineral Deal
Kyiv has agreed terms with Washington on a minerals deal that Ukrainian officials hope will improve relations with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term US security commitment, as the FT reports. |
UK Announces Increase in Military Spending Ahead of Trump Meeting
Britain on Tuesday announced a landmark increase in military spending, seeking to send a powerful signal about burden sharing to President Trump before Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets him at the White House on Thursday, as the NYT reports. |
Taiwan Detains Ship and Chinese Crew After Undersea Cable Severed
Taiwan detained a cargo ship and its eight Chinese crew members after an undersea fiber-optic cable was severed, in a stepped-up effort to police such incidents, which are often seen as part of China’s pressure campaign targeting the self-ruled island, as the WSJ reports. |
Executive Education
Washington thrives on relationships. Knowing who to work with—and when—can make all the difference in achieving your policy goals. Join Washington insiders from March 24-27, 2025, for Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People to sharpen your strategy and learn how to build the right coalitions. Register here by March 12. |
Audio Briefs
CSIS now offers audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to the latest Commentary by CSIS's Philip Luck, "How Sanctions Have Reshaped Russia’s Future." |
In That Number
50 percent
The final version of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement would establish a fund into which Ukraine would contribute 50 percent of the proceeds from the “future monetization” of state-owned mineral resources, including oil and gas. The fund would invest in projects in Ukraine.
Source: FT
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Critical Quote
“We must change our national security posture because a generational challenge demands a generational response.”
—British Prime Minister Keir Starmer |
iDeas Lab
A lack of domestic processing capability for critical minerals means that some of the most crucial U.S. technologies remain vulnerable to the influence of foreign adversaries. China holds dominant positions in processing for many essential minerals, including lithium (65 percent), cobalt (74 percent), copper (42 percent), and graphite (100 percent). Read the full analysis here.
The Andreas C. Dracopoulos iDeas Lab at CSIS enhances our research with the latest in cutting-edge web technologies, design, and multimedia.![]() ![]() ![]() |
Optics
(Photo credit: Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu/Getty Images.) A view of the destruction after Russian bombing of a residential area of Kramatorsk, Ukraine, on February 25, 2025. |
Recommended Reading
“How Sanctions Have Reshaped Russia’s Future" by CSIS's Philip Luck. |
This Town Tomorrow
At 9:00 a.m., the CSIS Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business hosts a fireside chat with Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on critical worker shortages.
Also, at 9:00 a.m., the CSIS Africa Program hosts a conference to explore Kenya’s leadership in peace diplomacy in the Horn of Africa, Kenya’s role as a security partner in DRC, Kenya’s economic initiatives in the EAC, and Kenya’s leadership in climate action.
And, at 9:00 a.m., the CSIS Langone Chair in American Leadership hosts a conversation on the ever-changing role of the private sector in national defense. |
Video
Today, CSIS President and CEO John J. Hamre, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security Sherri Goodman, former Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman, and former Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette discussed a framework for restoring the United States to global leadership in nuclear energy and meeting the nation’s long-term energy and emissions-reduction goals. Watch the full video here. |
Podcasts
On this week's episode, the Trade Guys talk through the crossroads that Europe has reached vis-à-vis its regulatory approaches and relationship with the United States.
Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts. |
Smiles
I finally got around to watching the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary shows. I must admit that I was skeptical. I thought they might come off as a bit contrived. They were anything but. “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” proved to be one of the most interesting, entertaining and emotional TV concerts that I’ve ever seen.
There were so many remarkable performances. Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder, Snoop Dog, Lauren Hill and Wyclef, Mumford & Sons, Devo, Nirvana with Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Jack White, Bonnie Raitt, and the B-52s were unforgettable for me. However, one moment stood out above all. At almost 79 years old, Cher rocked a performance for the ages that left the audience awestruck—just watch the reaction shots. Talk about an icon. |
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