PBS News Hour full episode, Feb. 12, 2026

Key Concepts:

• US Domestic Policy Challenges (Immigration, Climate)
• Evolving Transatlantic Relations and European Security Autonomy
• Arctic Geopolitics and Climate Science
• Humanitarian Impact and Cultural Resilience in Conflict Zones

Domestic US Challenges: Immigration and Climate Policy

The U.S. faces significant domestic policy challenges, particularly concerning immigration and climate change. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota saw a significant drawdown following intense scrutiny due to the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during enforcement actions and widespread protests. White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced the conclusion of the “surge operation” but reiterated President Trump’s commitment to “mass deportation.” This operation caused fear and disruption in Twin Cities immigrant communities, impacting businesses and leading to approximately 20% absenteeism in schools. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized ICE tactics, with Ellison highlighting a lack of cooperation in investigations. Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which employs 272,000 individuals (with approximately 23,000 potentially furloughed), is facing a potential shutdown due to a congressional deadlock over funding and ICE reform.

On climate policy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed the 2009 “Endangerment Finding,” which served as the legal basis for many federal climate regulations under the Clean Air Act. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin argued the finding was based on flawed science and imposed excessive costs, claiming this action would save American taxpayers over $1.3 trillion. This decision, made after a review of scientific evidence and a proposed rule, is expected to face legal challenges from environmental advocates who contend it will worsen climate change impacts and endanger public health. This rollback occurs as 2023 and 2024 were recorded as the third and second hottest years on record, respectively.

Shifting Global Alliances and Security Concerns

Transatlantic relations are under strain, exemplified by President Trump’s attempt to purchase Greenland, which raised questions about the reliability of the U.S. as an ally. Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference, expressed concern about the erosion of trust, noting that a recent Politico poll indicated 50% of Germans do not believe the U.S. is a reliable ally. This has prompted discussions about increased European defense spending and a more independent European security posture. Ischinger argues that while European security is heavily reliant on the United States, particularly its nuclear deterrence and the presence of U.S. nuclear weapons and aircraft in Germany for “extended nuclear deterrence,” Europe needs to bolster its own defense capabilities. He suggests exploring the incorporation of France’s nuclear arsenal into a collective European defense posture, asserting that a unified Europe of 450 million citizens could be a more “respected international actor” than relying solely on the U.S. for defense against nations like Russia (population 140 million). NATO has responded to the Greenland incident by developing a plan to boost surveillance and presence in the Arctic, highlighting a renewed focus on Arctic security.

Climate Change Research and Impacts

Scientific efforts continue to understand the critical impacts of climate change, particularly in polar regions. Miles O’Brien reported from Antarctica on ongoing research into the Thwaites Glacier, a massive ice sheet with the potential for catastrophic sea level rise. Researchers are employing a multi-faceted approach, including radar surveys (covering over 1,800 miles of the glacier to map sub-surface terrain using radargrams), ice coring, deployment of underwater sensors, and water sample analysis to gather data on glacial dynamics. The challenges of polar research were underscored by a failed attempt to drill into the glacier, which involves understanding phenomena like firn (partially compacted snow) and subglacial discharge (water flowing from beneath a glacier).

Resilience and Culture in Wartime Ukraine

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, the 50-year-old Theater Timur continues to operate despite the constant threat of bombardment, primarily from Iranian-made Shahed drones. Director Anton Zhiliakov views the theater as vital for resilience, arguing that art is essential to fight for alongside freedom and to define cultural identity. The theater provides a crucial space for children to learn, play, and experience joy, offering audiences moments of escapism and emotional release, with many reporting that it allows them to “cry out our pain and it becomes easier for us to live.” The report illustrates the normalization of air raid drills and shelter life for children, exemplified by their calm response to a drone overhead during an interview. Fifteen-year-old performer Sviatoslav Olhovskyi shared his traumatic experience of a rocket hitting a neighboring house. Zhiliakov believes the theater is playing its most vital role yet, helping children mentally survive the war and create positive memories, stating, “These memories will be some of their happiest, how during the war they played Christmas plays for the whole city in this bunker.”

Conclusion

This video highlights a complex interplay of domestic and international challenges. Domestically, the U.S. grapples with contentious immigration enforcement and significant reversals in climate policy, both with profound societal and environmental implications. Internationally, the reliability of U.S. alliances is being questioned, prompting Europe to consider greater defense autonomy, while the Arctic emerges as a new geopolitical and climate-critical frontier. Amidst these global shifts and scientific endeavors to understand climate change, the segment also powerfully illustrates human resilience and the enduring importance of culture and community, as seen in the unwavering spirit of a children's theater in war-torn Ukraine.