Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: How the Pentagon smuggled Elon Musk’s Starlink into Iran
Date: February 17, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley
Guest Contributors: Alex Ward (Wall Street Journal), Micah Rosenberg (ProPublica), Christo Grazhev, Yulia Navalny, Senator Marco Rubio

Episode Overview

This episode dives into several high-impact stories from around the globe, with a major focus on a Wall Street Journal investigation revealing the Pentagon's covert mission to smuggle Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran. The episode also explores:

• Life inside a Texas immigrant family detention center
• The findings around Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s death
• The legacy of film legend Robert Duvall
• Headlines including a Rhode Island school shooting and new developments in the Epstein saga
• The convergence of global holidays: Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Lent

Main Segment: Pentagon Smuggles Starlink Into Iran

Background & Context

• US-Iran talks are ongoing in Switzerland regarding Iran’s nuclear program amidst US military threats and naval escalation.
• Iran’s regime faces internal protests and crackdowns, exacerbated by economic woes and internet blackouts to stifle dissent.

Key Revelations (00:19–03:15)

• The Wall Street Journal reports the US covertly smuggled about 6,000 Starlink terminals into Iran to provide internet access despite government shutdowns.

  “It is the first time that the US has ever done such a thing. So it's a covert but still severe escalation in the way the US is dealing with Iran.”
  — Alex Ward, 00:19

• Alex Ward (WSJ):

  • Explains how Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, allows users to bypass local internet restrictions.
  • The US directly facilitated supply for the first time, a significant policy move.

  “Of course, if they have more access... the opposition group, as fractured as it is in Iran, can start to communicate and organize against the regime.”
  — Alex Ward, 02:27

• Risks for Iranians:

  • Possession of Starlink terminals is extremely dangerous—users risk prison or execution if caught.

  “Anyone with the Starlink could be suspected of receiving a US one, and therefore they could face even harsher punishment.”
  — Alex Ward, 02:57

• Impact & Analysis:

  • Tens of thousands may use Starlink, but the outcomes for diplomatic talks and protest dynamics remain uncertain.

Inside a Texas Immigrant Detention Facility

ProPublica Investigation (03:15–06:56)

• Focus: Rare look inside the Dilley Family Detention Center; stories of detained children, many US residents, all facing trauma and uncertainty.

• Ariana (Detainee), 14 years old:

  “I've been detained for 45 days and I have never felt so much fear to go to a place as I feel here.”
  — Ariana, 04:27

• Conditions & Challenges:

  • Over 750 families detained; nearly half are children.
  • Health issues (measles, frequent illness, skin rashes) worsen over time.

  “Just getting other kinds of illnesses all the time, getting colds, getting stomach bugs and skin rashes and other problems from being detained for a long period of time with a large number of people.”
  — Micah Rosenberg, 05:44

• Policy Realities:

  • Families often forced to choose between deportation together or child separation. For many, neither is a realistic, humane option.

The Death and Legacy of Alexei Navalny

New Forensic Revelations (06:56–10:23)

• Memorials: Russians defy security to commemorate the opposition leader’s death two years prior.

• Western Investigation:

  • European governments believe Navalny was poisoned with a rare frog-derived toxin (epibetadine).
  • The Russian state is widely suspected; Russia denies any wrongdoing.

• Christo Grazhev (Investigator):

  “The Russian government did everything possible to not let any samples of the body not have the relatives have access to the body. And despite this, the family were able to...deliver them to Western laboratories for independent testing. So it was a sequence of very unlikely events that led to this announcement a couple of days ago.”
  — Christo Grazhev, 09:15

• Yulia Navalny (Widow):

  “It's difficult for me to say that it's good news, you know, because my husband was killed... I am working on it very hard that one day it will be justice for Vladimir Putin.”
  — Yulia Navalny, 10:03

• The Russian opposition remains fractured, though efforts to unite continue.

News in Brief

Rhode Island School Shooting (10:23–11:28)

• Two dead, three critical after a hockey game shooting—suspected familial dispute.

Epstein Ranch Inquiry (11:28–12:07)

• New Mexico to create “truth commission” to investigate alleged crimes at the infamous Zorro Ranch.
• Hyatt’s Thomas Pritzker resigns amid Epstein links.

Robert Duvall Remembered (12:07–13:25)

• Hollywood mourns the death of actor Robert Duvall at 95.

  “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
  — Duvall as Lt. Col. Kilgore, Apocalypse Now, 13:03

• Robert De Niro tribute:

  “God bless Bobby, I hope I can live till I'm 95. May he rest in peace.”

Lunar New Year and Holidays (13:25–End)

• The world marks Lunar New Year (Year of the Fire Horse), the start of Ramadan, and Lent within days, thanks to calendar overlap.
• Anticipated record travel in China as families reunite.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Speaker | Quote | Timestamp | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Alex Ward | “It is the first time that the US has ever done such a thing...” | 00:19 | | Alex Ward | “Opposition group... can start to communicate and organize against the regime.” | 02:27 | | Alex Ward | “Anyone with the Starlink could be suspected of receiving a US one, and... face even harsher punishment.”| 02:57 | | Ariana (Detainee) | “I've been detained for 45 days and I have never felt so much fear...” | 04:27 | | Micah Rosenberg | “Just getting other kinds of illnesses all the time...” | 05:44 | | Christo Grazhev | “The Russian government did everything possible to not let any samples of the body...” | 09:15 | | Yulia Navalny | “It's difficult for me to say that it's good news... one day it will be justice for Vladimir Putin.” | 10:03 | | Robert Duvall (as Kilgore)| “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” | 13:03 | | Robert De Niro | “God bless Bobby, I hope I can live till I'm 95. May he rest in peace.” | 13:15 |

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode balances clear, matter-of-fact reporting with moments of poignancy—particularly when amplifying voices of protestors, detainees, and mourning families. Quotes from both officials and ordinary people bring stakes and emotion into sharp focus, all while maintaining the brisk, journalistic pace and concise delivery Apple News Today is known for.

For Further Reading/Listening

• Full ProPublica investigation into Dilley Detention Center: Available in the Apple News app
• Wall Street Journal’s original report on Starlink in Iran
• BBC and Politico coverage on Navalny’s death and aftermath

This summary is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the episode’s content, helping listeners stay informed on timely, complex global issues even if they missed the broadcast.