Briefing Room 21.02.26
Simon Whistler · February 21, 2026 · 18 min video · Global

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
- Sahel Jihadist Group Rocked By DefectionsIn the free preview
- Turkey Signs Off on SDF IntegrationInsiders
- 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.
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