Bye bye Hezbollah?

Hi Global Recap readers,

We have some wild news coming from the Middle East, with the possibility of the entire Hezbollah leadership being decimated in just about a week.

Yes, we continue to discuss destruction, but it isn’t just about killing terrorists and their weapons. It also involves the destruction of culture and the contributions our ancestors have made to humanity through their expertise.

This includes van Gogh and his paintings, which were attacked by “climate activists.” Well, it seems we got some justice today: 👇

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Van Gogh Paintings Attacked Again

Do you remember this person? Meet the Just Stop Oil “activist” Phoebe Plummer.

She is the culprit who, with her fellow “climate activist” Anna Holland, hurled tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s historic painting Sunflowers (1888) at London’s National Gallery in October 2022.

Today, she was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars, while Holland received a 20-month sentence.

This was them in 2022:

They Strike Again

Just Stop Oil activists have struck again, targeting more of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers paintings, including the same version that Plummer and Holland targeted.

• A total of three activists threw soup at two “Sunflowers” paintings in London’s National Gallery.

• One painting was previously targeted in 2022.

• The other was on loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• The paintings were unharmed, but three people were arrested.

Reactions

While some were relieved by the sentencing, many others argue that two years is simply not enough to deter such culturally destructive actions.

🤔 Thoughts: Beyond their monetary value, if these culturally significant artworks are permanently damaged, they will be lost to future generations—surviving only in the memories of those fortunate enough to have seen them and in photographs.

🇱🇧 LEBANON
Israel Strikes Hezbollah HQ

The Middle East is on edge as Israel targets Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a series of precision airstrikes near Beirut.

Now the question is, is the entire Hezbollah leadership gone?

Attempt to Kill Nasrallah

Israel launched airstrikes on specific residential buildings in Beirut to target Hezbollah’s leader after ordering residents to evacuate the area.

• The strikes aimed at an underground bunker where Nasrallah was reportedly meeting.

• Initial assessments suggest Nasrallah may have been killed, but this is not confirmed.

• Residents were told to move at least 500 meters away from specific buildings.

International Reactions

Global leaders are reacting to the escalating violence.

• President Biden is receiving regular updates and has directed the Pentagon to adjust US force posture.

• The UN Secretary-General warned of “unimaginable consequences” if the conflict spreads.

• Iran’s Supreme Leader called an emergency meeting, condemning the strikes as a "war crime."

Meme

And once again, this has led to more Hezbollah memes circulating on the internet.

Curiosity

The question now is: will Iran step in to avenge the deaths of the commanders of its proxy group, Hezbollah?

• If so, it could significantly escalate the war, potentially causing the conflict to spill over into surrounding nations and involving their allies.

• However, given how much nations stand to lose in such a war, I believe the barriers to triggering an all-out world war are quite strong, making such a scenario unlikely—for now.

🇩🇰 DENMARK
Viking Skeletons Unearthed

Okay, let’s step away from the theme of destruction and explore that of discovery.

Discovery

Archaeologists in Denmark have made a remarkable discovery, unearthing over 50 exceptionally well-preserved Viking skeletons. This find offers a rare glimpse into the lives of these ancient seafarers.

• The burial ground, dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, was found near the village of Åsum.

• The skeletons are so well-preserved that DNA samples can be extracted for analysis.

• This discovery is unusual due to the high number of well-preserved skeletons found together.

Scientific Opportunities

The find allows for extensive scientific analysis.

• Researchers can study the general health, diet, and origins of the Vikings.

• DNA analysis might reveal familial relationships among the buried individuals.

• This is the first time such relationships could be examined in Viking grave findings.

High-Status Burials

Some skeletons indicate high social standing.

• One woman was buried in a wagon hull with a glass bead necklace, an iron key, a knife with a silver-threaded handle, and a possible amulet.

• A finely decorated wooden chest was found at the foot of the wagon, though its contents remain unknown.

• Other skeletons were found with jewelry, including metal rings and special buckles.

🎬 Here’s a video of the find those interested:

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Trump Meets Zelensky

In a high-stakes meeting at Trump Tower, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, with Trump claiming he could resolve it quickly if re-elected.

Meeting Highlights

Trump and Zelensky met in New York, aiming to repair ties amid growing tensions.

• Trump emphasized his good relationships with both Zelensky and Putin.

• Zelensky stressed the need for Ukraine to prevail and Putin not to win.

• The meeting lasted less than an hour and was described as “very productive” by Zelensky.

Historical Context

This meeting follows a controversial past between the two leaders.

• Their last in-person meeting was five years ago.

• Trump was impeached in 2019 for asking Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden.

• Zelensky had publicly stated there was “no blackmail” from Trump during the impeachment inquiry.

Reactions

Many Trump supporters view this as a step toward achieving peace in the region and ending the ongoing monetary and supply support for Ukraine, while Harris supporters believe it is a sure step toward “defeat.” Harris said so herself.

Interesting interaction:

• At 4:12: Trump states, “We [Trump and Zelensky] have a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin.”

• Zelensky interjects, saying, “I hope we have more good relations with us.”

• Trump replies, “It takes two to tango.”

I see it as a light-hearted back-and-forth, but some claim it reveals a tense relationship between the two.

What do you think?