Sep 24, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have shared insights into their careers and the enduring rivalry between domestic powerhouses NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its qualification for major tournaments, transitioned to coaching following his playing career. He served as an assistant to head coach Srečko Katanec for over a decade, including seven years working in Asia. Despite his strong ties to Olimpija and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh expressed lasting respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Jan Mlakar detailed his decision to return to Maribor for a third stint. Mlakar noted that he was "never close to Olimpija" despite his hometown roots, citing trust in Maribor's leadership under Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič as key factors in his return.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

German security services have reportedly linked a foiled drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport directly to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. According to investigative documents cited in media reports, a Russian GRU operative coordinated logistics for the August attempt, where an explosive-laden drone targeted four Ukrainian transport aircraft. The operation failed when a detonator malfunctioned.

The incident forms part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored subversion across Germany. Security authorities are investigating over 100 cases, including unauthorized drone overflights, infrastructure sabotage, fake media campaigns, and deep-sea cable damage. Officials also suspect foreign operatives have established hidden weapon caches in Germany to support potential future attacks aimed at destabilizing public trust and democratic institutions.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

The United States Central Command has conducted extensive military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, including three commercial oil tankers, following Iranian ballistic missile attacks on two American warships and an attempt to lay sea mines. U.S. forces confirmed that all sea mines in international shipping lanes have since been cleared.

The confrontation marks a significant escalation as direct military operations target commercial maritime and energy transport networks. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further strikes against domestic infrastructure if disruptions persist, stating that "very little of Iran will be left" should attacks continue. Recent analyses indicate these developments reflect an emerging era of fifth-generation energy warfare focused on drone strikes and critical infrastructure.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Security analysts and European authorities report that Russia is facing constrained strategic options despite maintaining the capacity to sustain its war in Ukraine. Ukrainian drone and missile strikes deep inside Russian territory have targeted key strategic aviation assets, placing pressure on Moscow's combat effectiveness and economic stability.

Simultaneously, intelligence agencies in Germany and Denmark have reported covert Russian hybrid operations, including alleged sabotage plans against Danish defense suppliers and explosives discovered at Leipzig airport. In Northern Europe, Kremlin officials sharply criticized Norway, with President Vladimir Putin alleging "statsterrorisme" following NATO military exercises and the seizure of a Russian vessel. Security experts advise European governments to maintain composure and sustain support for Kyiv while addressing these hybrid threats.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter

Historical analyses continue to emphasize the year 1989 as a critical juncture that defined the modern geopolitical landscape. While Western perspectives predominantly focus on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the dismantling of Soviet hegemony in Europe, key developments in Asia simultaneously altered international relations.

In East Asia, the Chinese leadership's suppression of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square consolidated autocratic governance while initiating rapid economic expansion. Meanwhile, the exit of Soviet forces from Afghanistan generated regional instability across Central and South Asia. Collectively, these events marked the transition from Cold War bipolarity toward modern systemic competition between democratic and autocratic political systems.

Sources: Die Presse.