Just five days before a parliamentary election that will determine the trajectory of Polish politics, two top military commanders and 10 officers have resigned in a scandal that could undermine the national security platform of the ruling Law and Justice party, aka PiS.
The resignations, which were confirmed on Tuesday, have raised questions about the state of Poland’s military as the Russian-Ukraine war rages next door. The president has already found their replacements, citing the need to limit military disruptions due to the “exceptional circumstances” on their border.
The commanders reportedly quit over the government’s politicization of the armed forces on the campaign trail, but tensions between top brass and the government have been building for months. The defense minister criticized the army’s underreaction when a stray Russian missile crashed into a Polish forest late last year. And the final straw came when the commanders were kept out of decisions surrounding the evacuation of Poles from Israel after this weekend’s attack.
The resignations could damage the PiS’s reelection campaign as it positions itself as the only party that can keep Poland secure. Opposition candidates say the resignations are a symbolic condemnation of the ruling party’s national security platform, but it is unclear whether the scandal will change voters’ minds before Sunday’s vote. Polling suggests that the election will be extremely close, with the outcome determining whether Poland veers further toward the populist right.In this special edition of Tools and Weapons, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith sits down with Juan Lavista Ferres, Chief Data Scientist and Director of the AI for Good Lab, to unpack the most striking insights from Microsoft’s newly released AI Diffusion Report. Their conversation explores the growing reach of generative AI, the accelerating pace of technological progress, and what this moment means for societies and economies around the world. The discussion examines how generative AI is spreading globally, and why the speed of diffusion will determine who benefits most. Together, they highlight countries leading the charge, including the UAE, Singapore, and South Korea, and explore the rise of models such as China’s DeepSeek across parts of Africa, offering a clear-eyed look at how AI adoption is reshaping global power, opportunity, and impact. Subscribe and find new episodes of Tools and Weapons wherever you listen to podcasts.
30%: A pair of surveys showed that Thailand’s progressive opposition party is leading the polls ahead of the Feb. 8 general election.
Mastercard Economic Institute's Outlook 2026 explores the forces redefining global business. Tariffs, technology, and transformation define an adaptive economy for the year ahead. Expect moderate growth amid easing inflation, evolving fiscal policies, and rapid AI adoption, driving productivity. Digital transformation for SMEs and shifts in trade and consumer behavior will shape strategies worldwide. Stay ahead with insights to help navigate complexity and seize emerging opportunities. Learn more here.