The Evening: No Ukraine Guarantees, Iran’s Stockpile Increases, Sir Paul, and More

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Good Evening,

It's Wednesday, February 26th.

No Guarantees for Ukraine

President Trump told his cabinet on Wednesday that President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine was expected to come to Washington to sign a framework agreement enabling the United States to share in the country’s mineral wealth, but he insisted the United States would not be providing security guarantees to Ukraine in return, as the NYT reports

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Iran Has Enough Highly Enriched Uranium for Six Nuclear Weapons

Iran has sharply increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium in recent weeks, according to a confidential United Nations report, as Tehran amasses a critical raw material for atomic weapons. The increase in Iran’s holdings of uranium enriched to 60%, or nearly weapons grade, gives it enough to produce six nuclear weapons, as the WSJ reports

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EPA wants to repeal a landmark environmental finding

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has privately urged the White House to strike down a scientific finding underpinning much of the federal government’s push to combat climate change, as The Washington Post reports

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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

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to sharpen your strategy and learn how to build the right coalitions. Register here

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by March 12.

Audio Briefs

CSIS now offers audio versions of our latest analysis. Listen to the latest Commentary by CSIS's Jon B. Alterman, "Accidental Empire

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In That Number

40 percent

Up to 40 percent of Ukraine's mineral deposits are in areas of the county currently under Russian occupation.

Source: WSJ

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Critical Quote

“NATO, you can forget about it. I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

—President Donald Trump

iDeas Lab

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The latest capacity projections for the Chancay Port reflect China's expanding influence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese port ownership could create strategic vulnerabilities and gain leverage over hemispheric commerce. View CSIS's newest chart.

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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: Pierre Crom/Getty Images.) Earth and minerals are loaded onto trucks at an open-pit mine near the frontline, despite the threat of bombing by Russian invading forces on February 26, 2025 in Donetsk Region, Ukraine.

Recommended Reading

“Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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” by CSIS's Mvemba Phezo Dizolele and Nick Elebe.

This Town Tomorrow

At 9:30 a.m.

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, the CSIS Korea Chair hosts a discussion exploring South Korea's AI ambitions and how it compares in the global technology race.

Then, at 10

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:00 a.m

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.

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, the CSIS Defense and Security Department Military Fellows reflect on the Battle of the Black Sea, breaking down key takeaways to improve U.S. strategy in future conflicts.

Later, at 2:00 p.m.

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, the CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program launches director Gracelin Baskaran's new policy book, "Critical Minerals and the Future of the of the U.S. Economy."

Video

Earlier today, CSIS's Wadhwani AI Center welcomed Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament and lead rapporteur of the DSA to break down the problem the DSA policy aims to address and the EU's views on freedom of expression. Watch the full video here.

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Podcasts

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CSIS’s Gracelin Baskaran, Director of the Critical Minerals Security Program, joins the podcast to break down the recent U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal and its implications for global resource security.

Listen on Spotify

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& Apple Podcasts

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Smiles

There was another epic performance during the SNL50 festivities. And I mean epic. Paul McCartney performed

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during the Saturday night anniversary special. Paul is 82 and this one gave me chills.

I invite you to email me at [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

and follow me on Twitter @handrewschwartz

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The Evening is my daily guide to key insights CSIS brings to the events of the day. It is composed by Lauren Adler, Ava Rose, and the External Relations team.

Follow CSIS

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Connect w/ H. Andrew Schwartz



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