50+ Swastikas

Hi Global Recap readers,

This is ironically absurd. I titled today’s newsletter “50+ Swastikas” because that’s how most news outlets are describing the incident. Reports say dozens of Nazi symbols were found.

• But what’s missing from every report I read is the fact that the swastikas drawn by the alleged perpetrator are actually reversed.

• Nazi Hakenkreuz always point to the right (卐), while ancient, pre-Nazi versions of the symbol can face either direction (卍卐).

• His swastikas are all pointing to the left.

Maybe he’s clueless, or… maybe he’s playing 4D chess, setting up a future defense in court. 👇️ 

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Hanau Probes
Bloody Swastikas

Police in Hanau are racing to trace dozens of swastikas smeared on cars and homes with what appears to be human blood. A 31-year-old suspect now sits in custody as investigators test, map, and connect every mark.

• Pattern: Officers in Hanau count more than 50 Nazi symbols on vehicles, mailboxes, and house walls, many near everyday residential routes, which signals deliberate intimidation rather than random graffiti.

• Suspect: Suspect: Police report detaining a 31-year-old man inside Hanau city limits after a witness tip. He was recorded with high blood alcohol level and authorities believe the blood was likely the suspect’s own.

• Penalty: Investigators treat each swastika as a potential criminal offense under German laws that outlaw Nazi symbols, with exposure to heavy fines and prison terms of up to three years, especially when linked to hate-motivated acts.

• Broader: On the same day, Germany confirmed the arrest of Mohammed A. in London on a federal warrant for allegedly storing pistols and ammunition in Vienna for Hamas-linked plots against Israeli and Jewish targets in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

🇵🇪 PERU
Peru Bans
Mexico's President

Peru’s Congress declared Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, sharpening rift with Mexico. Lawmakers acted days after Peru cut ties over Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.

• Vote: The unicameral Congress passed the declaration 63–33, formally labeling Sheinbaum unwelcome in Peru.

• Why: Mexico offered asylum to Betssy Chavez, who denies charges tied to former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo’s failed 2022 move to dissolve Congress. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence.

• Status: Chavez was jailed in June 2023, released on bail in September 2025, and is now sheltering at Mexico’s diplomatic residence in Lima.

• Accusations: During debate, several Peruvian legislators accused Sheinbaum of having links to drug trafficking without providing evidence. Mexico rejected Peru’s moves as unfriendly.

• Treaty: Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela said Peru is reviewing the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, which Mexico cited to justify its decision.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
UN Lifts Sanctions

The UN Security Council just scrapped its sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and cleared the runway for his White House visit to meet US President Donald Trump.

• Decision: The US-drafted resolution passed with 14 in favor and 1 abstention from China. It removes targeted measures on President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab that had linked them to past al-Qaeda networks.

• Timing: The vote landed just days before al-Sharaa's scheduled trip to Washington, which will mark the first official visit by a Syrian head of state to the US capital since Syrian independence in 1946.

• Framing: US Ambassador Mike Waltz framed the shift as recognition that Syria entered a "new era" after Bashar Assad's ouster in December, when forces aligned with Islamic militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized Damascus and ended his rule.

• Diplomacy: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani publicly thanked the US and "friendly countries," using the moment to pitch Syrian diplomacy as disciplined, methodical, and ready for incremental deals.

• Reactions: Envoys from the UK, Russia, France, and Pakistan welcomed the move as support for Syria's economic recovery and political transition, while China warned that Washington pushed the vote without fully addressing other members' security concerns, including Uyghur-linked militants in Syria.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Police Flood Villa Park

Birmingham deployed more than 700 officers around Villa Park for Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv as hundreds of demonstrators arrived. Police reported eleven arrests while rival rallies unfolded after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending the game.

• Scale: West Midlands Police pulled in officers from 10 forces to manage multiple protest groups, counter-protests, and match-day crowds around Villa Park from Thursday midday through the night.

• Flashpoints: Arrests included suspected racially aggravated public order offenses, attempted firework throwing into the ground, drug supply, refusal to remove a face covering, breach of peace, and failure to comply with a dispersal order, with minor scuffles reported before the 20:00 GMT kickoff.

• Sides: Pro-Palestinian protesters rallied against the game, accusing Israel of "genocide in Gaza," while smaller pro-Israel groups marched with messages against antisemitism such as "Ban hatred not fans," each kept apart by police cordons.

🇰🇿 KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan Joins
Abraham Accords

Trump announced that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, positioning it as the first new entrant of his second term and a signal that more deals are queued up.

• Leaders: Trump says he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday.

• Members: The existing signatories include the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, though Sudan’s implementation stalled amid internal unrest after its January 2021 declaration.

• Timeline: A White House signing ceremony is “soon,” with Trump posting that Kazakhstan is the first country of his second term to join.

• Targets: Trump has signaled interest from Syria and highlighted Saudi Arabia as central to expanding the pact, with a meeting with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa scheduled for November 10 and a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington planned for November 18.

• Rationale: Trump frames the deals as “bridges” for peace and prosperity and calls the growing bloc a “club of STRENGTH,” positioning US mediation as the driver.