Hi Global Recap readers,
We’re now looking at 60,000+ U.S. troops in the Middle East, and there’s even chatter about Cuba on top of that.
The Doomsday Clock was set to 85 seconds to midnight on January 27, 2026—before the Iran war. Hard not to wonder where it’d be now.
🇮🇱 ISRAEL
No Arrest Warrant?
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (left), and Hungarian Prime Minister-elect, Peter Magyar (right).
Israeli PM Netanyahu says he had a "warm" first call with Hungarian PM-elect Magyar.
Despite pledging to rejoin the International Criminal Court (which issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on alleged war crimes in Gaza), Magyar invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary after winning the election.
📌 Context. The outgoing PM, Viktor Orban, has been a longtime Netanyahu ally. He was also the one who took Hungary out of the ICC last year in support of him. But technically Hungary’s withdrawal doesn’t take effect until June 2, 2026. But what good is “international law” if Hungary won’t enforce it?
🇮🇷🇺🇸 IRAN & USA
Ceasefire Talks Keep Going
US President, Donald Trump (left), and the Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei (right).
USA and Iran are still trying to stretch the ceasefire past April 22.
Pakistan is still doing the mediation, with more talks likely in Islamabad.
The White House denied reports that the US "formally" asked for an extension.
📔 Note.
Israel is continuing to hit Lebanon despite Iran demanding Israel stop.
The US is seeking a 20 year ban on nuclear enrichment for Iran, but Iran isn't budging from 5 years.
The USA naval blockade on Iranian ports is also still in place.
There's a not-so-secret bias that Pakistan holds against Israel.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif previously called Israel "evil," a curse for humanity, and cancerous.
And today, Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir landed in Tehran, warmly greeted by Iran's FM Araghchi.
🇨🇺 CUBA
Pentagon Plans For Cuba
Cuban President, Miguel Diaz-Canel (left), and US President, Donald Trump (right).
A possible US military action against Cuba is becoming more real.
The Pentagon's reportedly planning an intervention in case President Trump orders it.
The Pentagon didn't deny it and said it'd follow orders.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the country would fight if attacked.
📔 Note. Still, many analysts think this is mostly signaling to ramp up pressure against the Cuban government, since an actual attack could badly split MAGA’s anti-war base.
🇪🇺 EUROPE
EU Age Check App
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU says its "Age Check App" is technically ready.
It is being advertised as an app to let people prove they're old enough without giving up their identity to service providers.
Users first need to verify their age with a valid ID. That verification can then be used to unlock age-restricted services like gambling and alcohol.
🇷🇺 RUSSIA
VPN Blocks Spread Online
Russian sites are starting to shut out VPN users.
This matters because Russia's been gradually closing the internet off to the rest of the world since the Russia-Ukraine war started.
E-commerce platform Ozon and popular streaming service Kinopoisk already blocked some VPN users.
It lines up with an April 15 deadline set by Russia’s Digital Development Ministry for more than 20 major platforms to “curb VPN usage.”
The Kremlin says VPN use still isn't technically illegal.
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
10,000 More Troops, More Pressure
USS George H.W. Bush
Shift. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, the Pentagon is moving roughly 6,000 troops aboard the USS George H.W. Bush and its escorts, plus about 4,200 more with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
That's about 10,000 more troops, stacking onto roughly 50,000 already tied to operations against Iran.
This also means commanders are about to have 3 carriers to work with: USS Abraham Lincoln (arrived January), USS Gerald R. Ford (arrived February), and USS George H.W. Bush.
Analysis. There are two main reads on this:
One view is that Trump is using the temporary ceasefire to buy time for his troops to rest, reload, and gear up for another round of fighting.
The other is that this is simply a precaution—a backup plan to make sure US forces in the region are covered if negotiations fall apart.
Risk. Nonetheless, if fighting resumes, the buildup gives Central Command more options.
For weeks now, there have been talks of the US drawing up plans for riskier ground missions, including seizing nuclear material, or taking Kharg Island.
Could this be what Trump is planning?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt (right) during Wednesday’s news briefing at the White House Press Briefing Room.
Pressure. The US has non-military levers as well. At Wednesday’s White House briefing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned foreign banks and governments that holding or moving Iranian money could trigger secondary sanctions, with China singled out over its oil purchases.
