Month: February 2026

#JaredKushner  #CIA  #FBI
x.com/mikenov/status/2022260…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #Kushner, Oligarchs,  #Epstein, and the  #Counterintelligence threats
gemini.google.com/share/d8d1…

Kushner, Oligarchs, Epstein, and the Counterintelligence threats

The following analysis synthesizes publicly available reporting, government documents, and intelligence assessments regarding the intersection of Jared Kushner, Russian-linked oligarchs (often colloquialized in this context as “Putin’s Jews” or his “Court Jews”), and alleged financial networks involving figures like Jeffrey Epstein.

This is a complex web involving confirmed financial transactions, intelligence allegations, and “soft power” religious diplomacy.

1. The “Putin’s Jews” Network: Leviev, Abramovich, and Chabad

The phrase “Putin’s Jews” in geopolitical analysis typically refers to a specific circle of Jewish oligarchs who aligned themselves with Vladimir Putin early in his presidency to help him consolidate power.

The Key Figures: The two central figures are Lev Leviev (diamond magnate) and Roman Abramovich (energy/aluminum tycoon). In 1999-2000, Putin enlisted them to create the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FEOR). This was a political maneuver to displace the existing Russian Jewish Congress (led by oligarch Vladimir Gusinsky, a Putin rival) and install a pro-Kremlin leadership.
The Chabad Connection: Leviev and Abramovich are major patrons of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Through their funding and Putin’s political backing, Chabad became the dominant state-sanctioned voice of Judaism in Russia, with Rabbi Berel Lazar (often called “Putin’s Rabbi”) becoming Chief Rabbi.+1
Strategic Use: Intelligence analysts view this network not just as religious, but as a tool of Russian “soft power” and diplomacy, utilizing Chabad’s global reach to open unofficial back-channels with influential figures in the West.

2. Jared Kushner’s Nexus with this Circle

Jared Kushner’s ties to this network are both financial and religious, raising significant counterintelligence questions during his time in the White House.

The Leviev Deal: In 2015, Kushner bought the old New York Times building (part of the 666 Fifth Ave portfolio struggles) for $295 million from Africa Israel Investments, a company owned by Leviev. This deal occurred just before the 2016 campaign heated up.
Religious & Social Ties: Kushner was affiliated with Chabad at Harvard and has long-standing ties to the movement. Ivanka Trump is a close friend of Dasha Zhukova, Roman Abramovich’s ex-wife.+1
The “Back-Channel”: During the transition, Kushner sought to establish a secret communication channel with the Kremlin using Russian diplomatic facilities. He met with Sergey Gorkov, head of Vnesheconombank (a sanctioned Russian state bank) and an FSB academy graduate. CI concerns focused on whether Kushner was seeking financing for his distressed family assets (666 Fifth Ave) in exchange for policy shifts.+1

3. “Orthodox Judaism and its Money”: The Laundering Allegations

The user’s query regarding “Orthodox Judaism and its money” likely refers to investigations into how specific charitable and business networks within the ultra-Orthodox community have been allegedly utilized for illicit finance.

The Prevezon Case: Lev Leviev’s company was named in the Prevezon Holdings case, a high-profile U.S. money laundering investigation involving the proceeds of a $230 million tax fraud in Russia (the case exposed by Sergei Magnitsky). Prosecutors alleged that laundered money flowed into Manhattan real estate, including projects involving Leviev.+1
Charity as Cover: FBI sources and leaked memos have alleged that loosely regulated religious charities (Gemachs) and specific Chabad-linked entities have been used to move funds across borders without scrutiny, effectively serving as “off-the-books” banking systems for oligarchs and transnational actors.

4. The Jeffrey Epstein Connection

While a direct business partnership between Epstein and the Leviev/Kushner circle is not the primary link, recent disclosures from “Epstein Files” and FBI memos suggest a deeper intelligence dimension.

Intelligence Asset Allegations: An FBI source memorandum (referenced in recent litigation) alleges that Epstein “belonged to intelligence” (specifically hinting at Mossad) and that his operation was designed to gather kompromat (blackmail) on American elites.
The Intersection: The same FBI source alleged that foreign intelligence services (including Israeli and Russian) viewed the Trump administration—specifically through the Kushner/Chabad channel—as a target for co-option. The allegation is that Epstein was part of a broader ecosystem of influence peddlers who used financial and sexual entrapment to compromise decision-makers.
Dershowitz Link: Alan Dershowitz, a defender of both Trump and Epstein, has been cited in these memos as a bridge between these worlds, though he has vehemently denied any wrongdoing or intelligence role.

5. Counterintelligence Threats to National Security

From a U.S. Counterintelligence (CI) perspective, the convergence of these factors creates a “Perfect Storm” of vulnerability:

Leverage & Blackmail: Kushner’s massive debt (specifically on 666 Fifth Ave) made him a prime target for foreign actors looking to gain leverage by offering a financial bailout.
Foreign Influence Operations: The use of “unofficial” envoys like oligarchs and religious leaders allows adversaries (Russia) to bypass the State Department and influence U.S. policy directly through the White House inner circle.
Penetration: The concern is that the White House was effectively penetrated by a foreign influence network that used financial entanglements (Leviev/Abramovich money), religious affinity (Chabad), and kompromat (Epstein) to steer U.S. strategy in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Putin and the Oligarchs | Frontline
This documentary investigates the rise of Vladimir Putin and the specific system of power he built with the oligarchs, providing essential context on how “Putin’s Jews” (like Abramovich) function as instruments of the state.—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2022260951681056786

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

#Kushner, Oligarchs,  #Epstein, and the  #Counterintelligence threats
gemini.google.com/share/d8d1…

Kushner, Oligarchs, Epstein, and the Counterintelligence threats

The following analysis synthesizes publicly available reporting, government documents, and intelligence assessments regarding the intersection of Jared Kushner, Russian-linked oligarchs (often colloquialized in this context as “Putin’s Jews” or his “Court Jews”), and alleged financial networks involving figures like Jeffrey Epstein.

This is a complex web involving confirmed financial transactions, intelligence allegations, and “soft power” religious diplomacy.

1. The “Putin’s Jews” Network: Leviev, Abramovich, and Chabad

The phrase “Putin’s Jews” in geopolitical analysis typically refers to a specific circle of Jewish oligarchs who aligned themselves with Vladimir Putin early in his presidency to help him consolidate power.

The Key Figures: The two central figures are Lev Leviev (diamond magnate) and Roman Abramovich (energy/aluminum tycoon). In 1999-2000, Putin enlisted them to create the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia (FEOR). This was a political maneuver to displace the existing Russian Jewish Congress (led by oligarch Vladimir Gusinsky, a Putin rival) and install a pro-Kremlin leadership.
The Chabad Connection: Leviev and Abramovich are major patrons of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Through their funding and Putin’s political backing, Chabad became the dominant state-sanctioned voice of Judaism in Russia, with Rabbi Berel Lazar (often called “Putin’s Rabbi”) becoming Chief Rabbi.+1
Strategic Use: Intelligence analysts view this network not just as religious, but as a tool of Russian “soft power” and diplomacy, utilizing Chabad’s global reach to open unofficial back-channels with influential figures in the West.

2. Jared Kushner’s Nexus with this Circle

Jared Kushner’s ties to this network are both financial and religious, raising significant counterintelligence questions during his time in the White House.

The Leviev Deal: In 2015, Kushner bought the old New York Times building (part of the 666 Fifth Ave portfolio struggles) for $295 million from Africa Israel Investments, a company owned by Leviev. This deal occurred just before the 2016 campaign heated up.
Religious & Social Ties: Kushner was affiliated with Chabad at Harvard and has long-standing ties to the movement. Ivanka Trump is a close friend of Dasha Zhukova, Roman Abramovich’s ex-wife.+1
The “Back-Channel”: During the transition, Kushner sought to establish a secret communication channel with the Kremlin using Russian diplomatic facilities. He met with Sergey Gorkov, head of Vnesheconombank (a sanctioned Russian state bank) and an FSB academy graduate. CI concerns focused on whether Kushner was seeking financing for his distressed family assets (666 Fifth Ave) in exchange for policy shifts.+1

3. “Orthodox Judaism and its Money”: The Laundering Allegations

The user’s query regarding “Orthodox Judaism and its money” likely refers to investigations into how specific charitable and business networks within the ultra-Orthodox community have been allegedly utilized for illicit finance.

The Prevezon Case: Lev Leviev’s company was named in the Prevezon Holdings case, a high-profile U.S. money laundering investigation involving the proceeds of a $230 million tax fraud in Russia (the case exposed by Sergei Magnitsky). Prosecutors alleged that laundered money flowed into Manhattan real estate, including projects involving Leviev.+1
Charity as Cover: FBI sources and leaked memos have alleged that loosely regulated religious charities (Gemachs) and specific Chabad-linked entities have been used to move funds across borders without scrutiny, effectively serving as “off-the-books” banking systems for oligarchs and transnational actors.

4. The Jeffrey Epstein Connection

While a direct business partnership between Epstein and the Leviev/Kushner circle is not the primary link, recent disclosures from “Epstein Files” and FBI memos suggest a deeper intelligence dimension.

Intelligence Asset Allegations: An FBI source memorandum (referenced in recent litigation) alleges that Epstein “belonged to intelligence” (specifically hinting at Mossad) and that his operation was designed to gather kompromat (blackmail) on American elites.
The Intersection: The same FBI source alleged that foreign intelligence services (including Israeli and Russian) viewed the Trump administration—specifically through the Kushner/Chabad channel—as a target for co-option. The allegation is that Epstein was part of a broader ecosystem of influence peddlers who used financial and sexual entrapment to compromise decision-makers.
Dershowitz Link: Alan Dershowitz, a defender of both Trump and Epstein, has been cited in these memos as a bridge between these worlds, though he has vehemently denied any wrongdoing or intelligence role.

5. Counterintelligence Threats to National Security

From a U.S. Counterintelligence (CI) perspective, the convergence of these factors creates a “Perfect Storm” of vulnerability:

Leverage & Blackmail: Kushner’s massive debt (specifically on 666 Fifth Ave) made him a prime target for foreign actors looking to gain leverage by offering a financial bailout.
Foreign Influence Operations: The use of “unofficial” envoys like oligarchs and religious leaders allows adversaries (Russia) to bypass the State Department and influence U.S. policy directly through the White House inner circle.
Penetration: The concern is that the White House was effectively penetrated by a foreign influence network that used financial entanglements (Leviev/Abramovich money), religious affinity (Chabad), and kompromat (Epstein) to steer U.S. strategy in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Putin and the Oligarchs | Frontline
This documentary investigates the rise of Vladimir Putin and the specific system of power he built with the oligarchs, providing essential context on how “Putin’s Jews” (like Abramovich) function as instruments of the state.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

Allegations against Jared Kushner surface in bombshell complaint against Tulsi Gabbard – Raw Story  rawstory.com/jared-kushner-2…

The Wall Street Journal revealed new details Thursday about the classified whistleblower complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard — and it involves President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

According to the report, the complaint concerns an intercepted conversation that two foreign nationals had about Kushner, who has held a number of mostly informal roles in White House policymaking and diplomacy, particularly during Trump’s first term in office.

This conversation, the report continued, included “allegations” against Kushner that two senior U.S. officials have confirmed would be “significant” — although there was no corroboration of whatever the allegations were.

ALSO READ: Trump just gave MAGA a million reasons to walk away

“It couldn’t be determined which country the foreign nationals are from or what they discussed about Kushner,” said the report. “But the connection to Kushner sheds further light on the top-secret whistleblower complaint that bureaucratically stalled within Gabbard’s agency for eight months and was kept locked in a safe until it reached Congress in heavily redacted form last week.”

Previous reporting indicated that the heart of the complaint is that Gabbard took a printout of what was discussed in this intercepted conversation, despite its highly classified nature, and handed it off to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

“Like in Trump’s first term, when he orchestrated peace talks between Israel and Arab nations, Kushner touts his business background as an asset in diplomacy, often deriding career government officials as too bureaucratic and slow,” noted the report. At the same time, “he is now running an investment fund, Affinity Partners, which has drawn billion-dollar investments from the Arab monarchies, and has pursued potential projects around the world.”

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

#CIA  #Drones  #DroneDeals
x.com/mikenov/status/2022250…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov)Armenia’s U.S. Drone Deal Significance  gemini.google.com/share/c1a3…
#Armenia‘s  #US  #SouthCaucasus

In February 2026, the United States officially announced the sale of advanced V-BAT (MQ-35A) reconnaissance drones to Armenia. While the dollar amount of the deal is relatively modest ($11 million), its military and strategic significance is substantial, marking a “turning point” in South Caucasus geopolitics.

+1

1. Core Military Capabilities

The V-BAT, developed by Shield AI, provides Armenia with specific technical advantages that address the vulnerabilities exposed in recent regional conflicts (such as the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war):

Airfield Independence (VTOL): The V-BAT uses a “tail-sitter” vertical takeoff and landing design. It can launch and land in a 4.6-meter square area, requiring no runways or launch rails. This allows Armenian forces to operate from rugged, mountainous terrain or hidden mobile positions, making the launch sites difficult for adversaries to target.+1
Electronic Warfare Resilience: The drones are equipped with Hivemind AI software. This enables the V-BAT to navigate and complete missions autonomously in GPS-denied or communication-jammed environments. Given the heavy use of electronic warfare (EW) in the region, this “denied-area” capability is a critical upgrade over older, less sophisticated platforms.+2
Persistent ISR: With an endurance of up to 10–11 hours, the V-BAT offers continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) for border monitoring and battlefield target acquisition.

2. Strategic Significance

The sale is less about the number of airframes (estimated at 15–20 units based on the $11M price point) and more about the geopolitical shift it represents:

Pivot from Russia: For decades, Armenia relied almost exclusively on Russian military hardware. This sale marks the first major transfer of high-end U.S. military technology to Yerevan, signaling a decisive move toward Western security architecture.+1
The “Vance Visit” Context: The deal was finalized during U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s historic visit to Yerevan in early February 2026. It was packaged alongside a $9 billion civil nuclear pact and the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project—a regional transit corridor initiative.+1
Deterrence and Stability: U.S. officials have framed the sale as a means of establishing “real deterrence” to ensure a sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. By enhancing Armenia’s surveillance capabilities, the U.S. aims to reduce the likelihood of surprise escalations.

3. Regional Impact
AspectMilitary ImpactIntelligenceSignificantly narrows the ISR gap between Armenia and its neighbors.TacticsShifts the Armenian military toward a more decentralized, mobile drone doctrine.DiplomacyPlaces the U.S. at the center of the South Caucasus security dialogue, challenging Russian and Iranian influence.
Note: The V-BAT’s effectiveness has been previously “combat-proven” in Ukraine, where it was tested specifically against Russian-made jamming systems, making it highly relevant for the specific threats Armenia faces.
Would you like me to look into the specifics of the TRIPP transit corridor project and how it affects Armenian sovereignty?—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2022250829722296629

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

Armenia’s U.S. Drone Deal Significance  gemini.google.com/share/c1a3…
#Armenia‘s  #US  #SouthCaucasus

In February 2026, the United States officially announced the sale of advanced V-BAT (MQ-35A) reconnaissance drones to Armenia. While the dollar amount of the deal is relatively modest ($11 million), its military and strategic significance is substantial, marking a “turning point” in South Caucasus geopolitics.

+1

1. Core Military Capabilities

The V-BAT, developed by Shield AI, provides Armenia with specific technical advantages that address the vulnerabilities exposed in recent regional conflicts (such as the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war):

Airfield Independence (VTOL): The V-BAT uses a “tail-sitter” vertical takeoff and landing design. It can launch and land in a 4.6-meter square area, requiring no runways or launch rails. This allows Armenian forces to operate from rugged, mountainous terrain or hidden mobile positions, making the launch sites difficult for adversaries to target.+1
Electronic Warfare Resilience: The drones are equipped with Hivemind AI software. This enables the V-BAT to navigate and complete missions autonomously in GPS-denied or communication-jammed environments. Given the heavy use of electronic warfare (EW) in the region, this “denied-area” capability is a critical upgrade over older, less sophisticated platforms.+2
Persistent ISR: With an endurance of up to 10–11 hours, the V-BAT offers continuous Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) for border monitoring and battlefield target acquisition.

2. Strategic Significance

The sale is less about the number of airframes (estimated at 15–20 units based on the $11M price point) and more about the geopolitical shift it represents:

Pivot from Russia: For decades, Armenia relied almost exclusively on Russian military hardware. This sale marks the first major transfer of high-end U.S. military technology to Yerevan, signaling a decisive move toward Western security architecture.+1
The “Vance Visit” Context: The deal was finalized during U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s historic visit to Yerevan in early February 2026. It was packaged alongside a $9 billion civil nuclear pact and the TRIPP (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) project—a regional transit corridor initiative.+1
Deterrence and Stability: U.S. officials have framed the sale as a means of establishing “real deterrence” to ensure a sustainable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. By enhancing Armenia’s surveillance capabilities, the U.S. aims to reduce the likelihood of surprise escalations.

3. Regional Impact
AspectMilitary ImpactIntelligenceSignificantly narrows the ISR gap between Armenia and its neighbors.TacticsShifts the Armenian military toward a more decentralized, mobile drone doctrine.DiplomacyPlaces the U.S. at the center of the South Caucasus security dialogue, challenging Russian and Iranian influence.
Note: The V-BAT’s effectiveness has been previously “combat-proven” in Ukraine, where it was tested specifically against Russian-made jamming systems, making it highly relevant for the specific threats Armenia faces.
Would you like me to look into the specifics of the TRIPP transit corridor project and how it affects Armenian sovereignty?

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

Armenia’s U.S. Drone Deal Significance  gemini.google.com/share/c1a3…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

#SouthCaucasus
#US consolidates engagement with Azerbaijan and Armenia in  #Vance‘s historic visit to South Caucasus | Euronews  euronews.com/2026/02/11/us-c…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

Goldman Sachs General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler Resigns Over Epstein Ties – The New York Times  nytimes.com/2026/02/12/busin…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026

#Trump  #CIA  #FBI
x.com/mikenov/status/2022240…Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) #Gemini Report –  #World  #News Briefing: February 13, 2026  gemini.google.com/share/070e…
Today is Friday, February 13, 2026. Here is a breakdown of the top stories making headlines around the world.
Geopolitics & International Security
Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2026 Begins: The 62nd annual conference has opened in Germany under the somber theme “Under Destruction.” Organizers and leaders are discussing the “wrecking ball politics” currently reshaping the global order. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading a large U.S. delegation, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave the opening address focusing on the growing rift in trans-Atlantic relations and threats from Russia.📷📷
U.S. Withdrawal from Syria: CENTCOM has confirmed that the U.S. military has completed its withdrawal from the al-Tanf base in southern Syria after nearly a decade. Forces are reportedly being redeployed to Jordan.📷📷
Landslide in Japan: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured a historic supermajority in Japan’s snap elections. Her victory is being called a “geopolitical earthquake” due to her nationalist stance and “strongwoman” platform, which has already sparked diplomatic friction with China over the Taiwan question.

Bangladesh Elections: Early unofficial results from Bangladesh’s first general election since the 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina show the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leading with a significant majority.📷

U..S. National News

DHS Shutdown Looming: A partial government shutdown for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appears imminent as funding is set to expire at midnight. Negotiations have stalled over Democratic demands to curb President Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics and implement more oversight for ICE.📷
Major Climate Rollbacks: The Trump administration announced the repeal of the scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health. This move effectively removes the legal basis for federal climate regulations and ends vehicle emission standards for model years 2012 through 2027.📷📷
Immigration Surge Ends: Border Czar Tom Homan announced that the federal immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis and St. Paul is concluding. Officials report that roughly 4,000 arrests have been made in the region since late December.📷

The Epstein Files & Public Tensions

Document Release: The Department of Justice has released over 3 million additional documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The release has already caused significant fallout, including the resignation of the UK’s top civil servant, Chris Wormald, and Prince Andrew’s move from Royal Lodge to the Sandringham Estate.📷📷

Cardi B vs. DHS: Rapper Cardi B is in a public spat with the DHS on social media after she made comments about “jumping” ICE agents during a concert. The DHS account responded by referencing her past criminal admissions, to which she retorted by questioning why the agency isn’t focusing more on the names found in the new Epstein files.📷
Global Updates & Sports

2026 Winter Olympics: The Games have officially begun in Italy, though the first day was marred by suspected sabotage of rail infrastructure near Bologna and anti-Olympic protests in Milan.

Natural Disasters: A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Chile earlier today; it was the second significant quake to hit the region within a few hours.📷

Would you like a more detailed briefing on the Munich Security Conference or the specific details emerging from the latest Epstein file release?
–
AI  MODE – news today:
critical developments in the Epstein files, a major environmental policy rollback, and ongoing updates from the Winter  Olympics.Today‘s top headlines for Friday, February 13, 2026, cover

Top National & World News
Epstein Fallout at Goldman Sachs: Kathy Ruemmler, the top lawyer at Goldman Sachs, has resigned following revelations of her ties to Jeffrey Epstein found in unredacted emails.
EPA Climate Policy Rollback: The Trump administration has officially revoked the 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health, a move described as a massive deregulation of climate authority.
Nancy Guthrie Case Update: The FBI has increased the reward to $100,000 for information regarding the abduction of Savannah Guthrie’s mother. They released a description of a suspect seen on doorbell camera footage carrying an “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack”.
DHS Shutdown Looming: A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is likely by the end of the week after Senate funding talks stalled over immigration enforcement disagreements.
Bangladesh Election Victory: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed a landslide victory in the country’s first election since the 2024 uprising.
Sports & Olympics
Oldest Triple-Double: LeBron James, at age 41, became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double during a Lakers win over the Mavericks.
Olympic Highlights: American snowboarder Chloe Kim took silver in the halfpipe, falling short of a three-peat as her mentee, Choi Gaon of South Korea, won gold.
Ice Dance Scandal: A judging controversy involving French scores has ignited a scandal at the Winter Games after the U.S. pair Chock and Bates were narrowly beaten for gold.
Breaking News Shorts
Campus Shooting: Two people were killed and one injured in a shooting at South Carolina State University.
Navy Collision: Two U.S. Navy ships collided in the Caribbean, resulting in injuries to two sailors.
James Van Der Beek: Tributes are pouring in for actor James Van Der Beek, known for Dawson’s Creek, who passed away at age 48.
Would you like more details on a specific story, or should I look for local news in a particular city for you?—  https://x.com/mikenov/status/2022240200303268149

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 13, 2026