Hi Global Recap readers,
This is either one of those freak coincidences where everything lines up perfectly, or… someone wanted him found exactly there.
But the question is: why would anyone go through the trouble of trying to take him out? (allegedly)👇🏼
👀 This Week So Far
Quick Catch-Up
🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran-US: The US and Iran pause attacks and restart Qatar talks after ~4 days of strikes around Hormuz.
🇮🇷🇮🇶 Iran-Iraq: Iraq arrests 47 people in a Baghdad corruption sweep that appears to also hit Iran-aligned power networks.
🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia-Ukraine: Russian President Putin admits Ukraine's refinery strikes are creating fuel shortages inside Russia, with rationing now reported from Irkutsk to Crimea.
🇮🇱🇹🇷 Israel-Turkey: Israel's Cabinet votes to recognize the Armenian genocide.
🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU-US: US President Trump threatens a 100% tariff on countries that tax US tech companies.
🇲🇨🇺🇦 MONACO & UKRAINE
Assassination Attempt?
Vadym Yermolaiev (left) and the suspect (right).
Monaco is treating a Monday night blast that wounded Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev and 2 others as a "deliberate explosion," after a suspect allegedly left a bag or package in a residential lobby near the French border.
📌 Context. Ukraine sanctioned Vadym Yermalaiev in late 2023 over alleged Russia-linked business activity, including companies tied to occupied Crimea. He is accused of moving assets under Russian rules and paying taxes into Russia’s system.
Device. The explosive device apparently contained bolts and buckshot, and the blast hit around 9 p.m. local time.
Injuries. A couple in their 50s or 60s were in life-threatening condition. A 13-year-old likely related to them was less seriously hurt. Four others were treated for shock and cuts from shattered glass.
Manhunt. French and Monaco authorities are searching for the suspect, who officials said fled into France.
Motive. Monaco officials have not said why the building was targeted.
🇮🇷🇺🇸 IRAN & US
Usual Denial Game
President Trump announced that Iran requested a Tuesday meeting in Doha, Qatar.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly en route to Doha.
However, as per usual, Iranian negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi says no talks are scheduled.
On top of that, adviser Mohammad Marandi posted on X that the request came from the "Trump regime" and Iran would not send a delegation. 👆🏼
Well, we’ll find out soon enough who’s lying.
🇺🇸🇻🇪 US & VENEZUELA
Machado Wants to Return
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says she will return to Venezuela to help coordinate earthquake relief. turning a disaster response into a test of whether acting President Delcy Rodríguez can keep her biggest rival out.
Risk. Machado left Venezuela in December 2025 after more than a year mostly in hiding and a decade-long travel ban. She is now in Panama City after Venezuela temporarily closed its airspace, she said.
Disaster. Rodríguez declared an emergency after 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes on June 24. Authorities put the toll at 1,719 dead, more than 22,000 injured, and thousands missing.
Washington. US officials have supported a later Machado return but warned she would travel now at her own risk and without US support.
Leverage. If Machado gets in, acting President Delcy Rodríguez has to tolerate a rival relief network.
📌 Context. Rodríguez is a Maduro loyalist who helped lead years of crackdowns on the opposition. If she blocks Machado from returning, it would suggest the US has less sway over Venezuela’s current government than many assume.
✍🏼 Note. Machado was barred from running in 2024, so the opposition rallied behind Edmundo González. The opposition later published more than 80% of polling-station tally sheets showing González won by a wide margin (a result later deemed highly credible by the Carter Center and independent election experts).
🇷🇺🇺🇦 RUSSIA & UKRAINE
Air War Widens
A Ukrainian rescue worker putting out a fire caused by a Russian strike on Mykolaiv region.
Russian strikes killed 12 civilians across Ukraine on Monday, while both sides traded huge drone-interception claims.
Hit. Ukraine reported deaths in Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kharkiv, with 40 people wounded and power cut to customers in 8 regions.
Ask. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy used the attacks to push Europe again for anti-ballistic systems, not just more short-range drone defenses.
Interception. Russia said it shot down 209 Ukrainian drones overnight and Ukraine said it neutralized 82 of 108 Russian drones
