Today's Top Reports
Gaza Strip
Hamas says they are prepared to release all hostages in a single exchange in phase two of the deal
A Hamas senior official told AFP that the group is willing to release all remaining hostages in a single exchange during the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal rather than in stages. The second phase would require the end of the war and IDF withdrawal from Gaza. After the completion of phase one, 59 Israelis remain in captivity, with 35 confirmed deceased by Israeli authorities. The official did not specify whether this single release would include the bodies of deceased hostages, which were originally planned for the third phase. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/hamas-says-they-are-prepared-to-release-all-hostages-in-a-single-exchange-in-phase-two-of-the-deal/
Iraq
President of Iraqi Kurdistan urges PKK to disarm
President Barzani of Iraq's Kurdistan region urged the PKK to disarm for peace in Turkey, emphasizing this isn't surrender. A peace process is underway, and they are awaiting a message from jailed PKK leader Ocalan, with Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM Party delegation meeting Kurdish leaders in Iraq to discuss peace efforts. This follows an October proposal from Turkish nationalist leader Bahceli suggesting Ocalan's possible release if he renounces violence. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU, has fought against Turkey for decades. While the DEM Party has met Ocalan twice recently, President Erdogan remains silent on these developments. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/president-of-iraqi-kurdistan-urges-pkk-to-disarm/
Pakistan
Pakistan to deport Afghan refugees
Pakistan plans to deport all Afghan refugees, with immediate pressure on those in Islamabad and Rawalpindi who face arrests and forced relocation. A March 31 deadline has been set for illegal refugees awaiting third-country resettlement. While 1.45 million registered refugees can stay until June 2025, about 20,000 Afghans approved for U.S. resettlement are in limbo after Trump paused refugee programs. Since 2023, over 824,000 Afghans have returned home, with deportations rising in January 2024. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/pakistan-to-deport-afghan-refugees/
Philippines
US condemns Chinese helicopter maneuvers in the South China Sea
The US has condemned China's "dangerous" helicopter maneuvers near a Philippine aircraft patrolling the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines plans to file a diplomatic protest over the incident, describing the Chinese navy's actions as "unprofessional and reckless." China denies these accusations, claiming the Philippine aircraft illegally entered Chinese airspace. This incident is part of ongoing tensions over the Scarborough Shoal, over which both nations claim sovereignty. The dispute is part of broader territorial conflicts in the South China Sea, where China claims most of the waterway despite a 2016 arbitration ruling invalidating these claims. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/us-condemns-chinese-helicopter-maneuvers-in-the-south-china-sea/
United States
Rubio says US won't lift Russian sanctions for now
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed European allies that U.S. sanctions against Russia would continue until a peace agreement is reached in Ukraine. This message was conveyed during a phone call with European foreign ministers following U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia. While Rubio maintained a firm stance on current sanctions, he also suggested at a press conference that lifting sanctions could be part of future peace negotiations, noting that "concessions" would be needed from all parties to end the conflict. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/rubio-says-us-wont-lift-russian-sanctions-for-now/
Trump calls Zelenskyy a dictator
Former President Trump escalated attacks on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, calling him "a dictator without elections" and criticizing his leadership. This comes as US officials meet with Russia to discuss Ukraine's war without Ukrainian participation. Trump's claims about Zelensky being undemocratic are false, as he was democratically elected, and elections were legally postponed due to the war. Zelensky responded that Trump is "living in a disinformation space" created by the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Putin expressed satisfaction with US negotiations and showed openness to meeting Trump, highlighting growing tensions in US-Ukraine relations. This event took place on 02/19/2025.
View the Full Report and Map Here: https://www.geopolitical.report/trump-calls-zelenskyy-a-dictator/
Read all 53 event summaries for our reports that we've mapped over the last day. Geopolitical Report Pro subscribers can view complete reports and maps at the links under each summary.
