Monday Briefing 02.03.26
By Elina Silver, Managing Editor of Monday Briefing
WORLD NEWS
Israel and the U.S Launch Strikes on Iran
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran following diplomatic tensions over Iran's potential nuclear weapons programme. Tehran and other parts of the country were struck, and retaliation quickly followed, with Iran launching strikes on Israel and American military bases in the region. US President Donald Trump stated that the attacks were aimed at eliminating threats posed by the Iranian regime.
The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed on Sunday by Iranian state media. Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989, was killed at his office during the strikes. His death prompted 40 days of national mourning, however, reactions both inside Iran and internationally were divided, with some mourning the loss and many publicly celebrating.
The situation continues to unfold rapidly, with a mounting civilian death toll and serious questions raised about violations of international law. We urge you to stay informed through a range of news sources, and we extend our thoughts to the families of CEU community members from the affected countries.
Afghanistan–Pakistan War
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, longstanding neighbours with a fraught relationship, have escalated this weekend. After Pakistan targeted militants inside Afghanistan, the Taliban launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistani installations, causing rising casualties on both sides. This marks the first time Pakistan has directly targeted the Afghan government, accusing it of harbouring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants who seek to overthrow the government in Islamabad. Qatar has offered to mediate, but with the region engulfed in conflict, those efforts have so far stalled.
EUROPEAN NEWS
Macron Announces Update to France’s Deterrence Doctrine
Today, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is strengthening its nuclear deterrence doctrine - both by expanding the size of its arsenal and by deepening nuclear cooperation with European allies. Macron cited Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth year, China's expanding military capabilities, and shifting US defence strategy as key drivers of the change.
In his speech, Macron stated: "It is essential that our adversaries, or combination of adversaries, cannot even glimpse the possibility of hitting France without the certainty of suffering damage they would not recover from." Concerns have been raised across Europe about the risk of a broader arms race. With this in mind, Macron confirmed that France will not disclose the number of nuclear warheads it holds, now or in the future.
He did, however, indicate that French "strategic assets" could be deployed in other European countries, and that enhanced cooperation with European partners, including the UK, the continent's only other nuclear power, is expected. France will nonetheless retain sole decision-making authority over the use of its nuclear weapons, reaffirming its military sovereignty.
Can Chemical Castration Solve the Pedophile Recidivism Problem in Sweden?
Major political parties in Sweden recently stated that they are open to exploring whether chemical castration could be made a condition for pedophiles seeking probation. The Sweden Democrats have gone further, calling for physical castration or life imprisonment for those convicted of child sexual abuse. The issue has risen sharply up the political agenda following the release of “The Hunt” (Jakten), an investigative documentary by Uppdrag granskning.
Recidivism rates among those convicted of sexual offences are notably high - studies suggest 30–40% over a 20-year period. The chemical castration under discussion involves medication or injections that significantly reduce testosterone levels, thereby lowering libido. One man convicted of child sexual abuse described a complete loss of sexual drive, while also noting depression as a side effect. Studies suggest that those who receive this treatment reoffend at lower rates, though it is not a complete solution. It does not, for example, address impulsivity or reduced empathy towards children.
The treatment is currently available on a voluntary basis, but politicians are now proposing it be tied to the conditions of parole for those convicted of sexual crimes against children. Whether it is effective enough to serve as a parole requirement remains to be evaluated; most experts suggest it would be most impactful as part of a broader approach combining therapy, preventative measures, and appropriate sentencing.
Read more: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/i-fokus-kan-kemisk-kastrering-fa-stopp-pa-overgreppen-mot-barn
CEU NEWS
The Façade of CEU Gets an Artistic Update
To mark its 35th Anniversary, CEU invited visual artists to propose a work celebrating the university's history and envisioning its future. The commission sought a piece symbolizing the "spirit of transformation", reflecting on CEU's journey through displacement, renewal, and resilience.
The winner has now been announced: Viennese artist Andreas Fogarasi. His work, The Facades of CEU, will be unveiled at the 35th Anniversary Celebration in November 2026. The piece will trace the outlines of the CEU building in Budapest onto the glass walls of the Quellenstrasse campus in Vienna. Fogarasi described the concept as "drawing a continuous line from façade to façade - from Budapest to Vienna," adding that it felt like tracing not only the university's architectural history, but its intellectual and human journey.
Read more: https://www.ceu.edu/news/2026-02/ceu-announces-winner-35th-anniversary-public-art-commission
