California Governor Gavin Newsom reassured European allies at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that former President Donald Trump's brand of politics is temporary, while also the U.S. military reported a series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria in retaliation for a December ambush. At the same time, Western officials expressed concerns about China's increasing support for Russia's war in Ukraine.
Newsom, speaking at the conference, urged European leaders to maintain partnerships with U.S. states like California during what he called a period of instability for America. He predicted Trump would face losses in the midterm elections and legal setbacks, according to Fortune. Newsom added that Trump's politics do not represent enduring American values. The U.S. military conducted 10 strikes against over 30 IS targets between February 3 and Thursday, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command. The strikes were in response to an ambush in December that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.
Meanwhile, Western officials stated that China increased its support for Russia's war in Ukraine in 2025 and is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow further this year, as reported by Fortune. These officials described Beijing as the key facilitator of the war, particularly through the export of dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production. They also noted that attempts by European leaders to improve relations with Beijing have become more challenging.
The Munich Security Conference, which brings together global leaders to discuss the most pressing international issues, also saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio deliver a keynote speech. According to NPR, European stakeholders were reassured by Rubio's words, but tensions remained.
In other international news, Bangladesh held what observers say is the country's first fair election in nearly two decades. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party emerged with a landslide victory, and the winners now face pressure to tackle corruption and a battered economy, according to NPR.
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