For the first time since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia plans to reopen its national pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The Kremlin’s delegate for international cultural cooperation, Mikhail Shvydkov, confirmed to ARTNews that Russia will put on an exhibition starting in May for the 2026 event. Shvydov claimed that Russia “never left” the Biennale, despite its decision to rent out its pavilion instead of organizing national exhibitions. While the Biennale’s organizers never formally banned Moscow’s participation, critics argue that Russia’s return to Venice would be impossible without their consent. And the European Union is now threatening to pull funding. Meduza examines the growing controversy surrounding the Russian Pavilion’s forthcoming project, and explains why the Biennale remains a platform for state soft power by design. 

Six people were killed and at least 42 others injured in a missile strike on the Russian city of Bryansk on Tuesday, according to local authorities.

When the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the new conflict could make it harder for Kyiv to obtain the missiles and other weapons it needs to defend its skies. At the same time, Ukraine itself is playing a role in the region: Kyiv has sent drone-defense experts to the Middle East to help U.S. allies in the Gulf protect themselves from Iranian strikes. To discuss how the two wars are connected, Meduza spoke with senior Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.

2026.03.07

Canada is a middle power. What exactly does that mean?

Wikipedia’s definition is “a sovereign state that, while not a superpower or a dominant global leader, holds significant influence, economic clout, and diplomatic sway on the international stage. Positioned between great powers and smaller nations, they often act as coalition-builders, mediators, and champions of multilateralism (the principle of participation by three or more parties, especially by the governments of different countries – Rick).”

An AI Overview goes further in stating that middle powers have enough capacity to influence events, but not to unilaterally control them.

Continue reading Canada on the right track with middle power strategy – Richard Mills at Ahead of the Herd.

202603.05

Last Saturday, Feb. 28, the United States and Israel struck Iran, killing the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with three members of his family and several high-ranking figures in the regime.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, including targets in Israel and US military assets in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.

But according to several sources identified by Ahead of the Herd, including leaks from the Pentagon, if war with Iran continues for longer than expected —Trump has said four to five weeks — the inventory of certain US missiles, especially critical interceptor missiles, could run dangerously low.

Continue reading US risks running out of missiles in war with Iran – Richard Mills at Ahead of the Herd.

By Bruno Venditti – Visual Capitalist

China is in the middle of the largest nuclear construction push in the world.

Dozens of reactors are rising across the country, representing nearly 43 gigawatts of new generating capacity. That buildout alone exceeds what every other nation currently has under construction combined.

This chart breaks down which countries are expanding nuclear power in 2025, and below we also cover how much power they are adding to their grids.

Continue reading Ranked: Countries Building the Most Nuclear Reactors at Ahead of the Herd.