> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://middlepowers.fyi/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # The Middle Powers at a Glance > Week of January 26, 2026 Top story per country this week, ranked by coverage volume. Select a story to visit the full country summary, or a region name to visit the region overview. ## [Frontline and Eastern Europe](/briefs/2026-02-01/frontline-eastern-europe) *Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia created a military "Schengen zone" this week, allowing their troops to move freely across shared borders.* Social Democratic Party harassment scandal hits opposition leadership Jarosław Kaczyński hospitalized with respiratory infection Zelensky visits Lithuania for 1863-1864 uprising commemoration and bilateral talks NATO chief warns Europe cannot defend itself without US support Foreign minister pushes EU-wide entry ban for Russian war veterans Constitution Protection Bureau warns of escalating Russian security threats to Latvia and Europe Security Service releases compilation video of drone strikes destroying Russian aircraft worth \$1 billion Speaker sparks controversy over Ukrainian flag display on Charles Bridge ## [Western Europe](/briefs/2026-02-01/western-europe) *France, Germany, and Poland are each independently pursuing greater independence from US influence through different strategies.* Prime Minister passes 2026 budget via Article 49.3 after surviving multiple censure motions Growing tensions between Salvini and Vannacci within Lega over party direction Christian Democratic Union sparks controversy over plan to restrict right to part-time work Labour blocks Andy Burnham from by-election, triggering party tensions Government faces opposition pressure over Adamuz train accident response Norway's sovereign wealth fund posts record \$247 billion return in 2025 Sweden Democrats leader injures head in nightmare, misses parts of Jerusalem antisemitism conference ## [Asia-Pacific](/briefs/2026-02-01/asia-pacific) *Taiwan's TSMC and Samsung posted record profits this week as AI demand surges, with Nvidia becoming TSMC's top customer and Samsung's operating profit tripling.* Prime Minister's Liberal Democratic Party leads in polls ahead of February 8 snap election Nvidia overtakes Apple as TSMC's largest customer amid AI chip demand surge Reserve Bank expected to raise interest rates as inflation exceeds forecasts Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 20 months for bribery in luxury gifts case Sovereign wealth fund announces major stock market investment strategy amid crisis ## [Near East and South Asia](/briefs/2026-02-01/near-east-south-asia) *Turkey is positioning itself as a mediator, Saudi Arabia is balancing between the US and Iran, and the UAE has declared neutrality as Middle Eastern powers pursue separate strategies amid US-Iran tensions.* Saudi Arabia drastically scales back NEOM megaproject, pivots toward data centers Home Minister conducts multi-state political tour targeting infiltration and opposition Turkey positions itself as mediator between US and Iran amid regional tensions Foreign Minister conducts diplomatic outreach with multiple foreign officials ## [The Americas](/briefs/2026-02-01/the-americas) *Trump's administration tested allies across the Americas, with Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile each responding differently.* Pierre Poilievre wins Conservative leadership review with 87.4% support Petrobras announces gas price cuts and reports record reserves growth Mexico suspends oil shipments to Cuba amid US presidential pressure CODELCO corruption scandal investigation advances with Vivanco detention and new testimony