Skip to content
Fronts.co
Insider exclusive

Briefing Room 21.02.26

Simon Whistler · February 21, 2026 · 18 min video · Global

0:00Locked:2:00–18:19

Free 2-minute preview. The full 18 minutes is for Insiders.

What this episode covers

Defections to Islamic State are testing JNIM's grip on its ranks even as it mounts unprecedented attacks in Burkina Faso. Plus: Turkey blesses SDF integration, and Petro claims he escaped assassination.

Chapters

  1. Sahel Jihadist Group Rocked By DefectionsIn the free preview
  2. Turkey Signs Off on SDF IntegrationInsiders
  3. President Petro Claims Assassination AttemptInsiders

From the transcript

Welcome back to the Briefroom Room, the weekly show that rolls its eyes at the headlines before diving into the back page as an obscure specialist general to find out what's really happening in the world.

On Simon and what's happening this week is drama in South America, where Colombian President Gustavo Petro has claimed he was the target of an assassination attempt. Over in the Middle East, there's also been a significant shift in the makeup of the new Syria, where Turkey has apparently given its blessing to the SDF being integrated into state structures.

But first, we're going to be zooming in on this hell's most dangerous jihadist movement, where some recent shot depictions have thrown everything into doubt. As always, thank you so much for subscribing, it's your membership that allows us to make cool videos and obscure sh*t like this.

This transcript was generated automatically and may contain errors.

Fronts Insider

Watch the full 18 minutes with Fronts Insider

This episode is one of 128 exclusives made only for Insiders.

$5 a month

or $50 a year

  • This episode and all 128 Insider exclusives
  • 878 WarFronts and HomeFronts videos without sponsor reads
  • Every Insider article
  • Cancel any time, 30-day money-back guarantee
Join Insider

Already an Insider? Sign in

Not ready to join?

Get WarFronts Weekly, our free email on the week's conflicts.

A free account unlocks one Insider article a month. Videos are for Insiders only.