The political landscape saw significant shifts on Friday, February 13, 2026, with developments ranging from international relations to domestic political debates. The German Chancellor warned that the world's rules-based order "no longer exists," while in Bangladesh, the Nationalist Party secured a majority victory in a historic election. Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and Cuba escalated, and a debate over voter integrity legislation in the U.S. sparked controversy.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference, expressed concern over the current state of global affairs. He stated that "our freedom is not guaranteed" in an era of big power politics and that Europeans must be prepared to make "sacrifice," according to BBC World. Merz also acknowledged a "deep divide" between Europe and the United States.
In Bangladesh, the Nationalist Party (BNP) achieved a two-thirds majority in the country's first election since the 2024 uprising, as reported by Sky News. The BNP, led by prime ministerial candidate Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-exile, secured enough votes to form the next government. This victory could potentially bring stability following the ousting of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meanwhile, in the realm of international relations, Cuban diplomat Carlos de Cossio accused the United States of imposing collective punishment on his country, as reported by Al Jazeera. De Cossio, Cuba's deputy foreign minister, made the statement in response to the Trump administration's efforts to restrict the Caribbean island's access to oil.
Domestically, a debate over voter integrity legislation in the United States has ignited controversy. Representative Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., claimed that the SAVE America Act could potentially disenfranchise married women who have not updated their birth certificates to reflect their married names, according to Fox News. Scholten stated that "nearly 70 million married women in this country have changed their last name, but their birth certificates don't reflect that." However, Representative Brandon Gill, R-Texas, argued that the SAVE Act is meant to enfranchise Americans.
Additionally, Sky News reported on a schism between Donald Trump and Israel, with Trump criticizing Israel's president, Isaac Herzog. Trump stated that Herzog should be "ashamed of himself" for failing to pardon someone.
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