Countries are taking sides now...

Hi Global Recap readers,

As Christians celebrated Easter, news broke that Pope Francis had died at 88, sparking both mourning and debate. Loved by many, he was also hugely controversial.

• Critics saw him as overly political, especially on immigration and Palestine.

• Supporters praised his empathy and efforts to unite a divided world.

For example, just hours before his death, headlines claimed he "snubbed" an official meeting with US Vice President Vance.

The truth? They had a brief meeting before Francis passed, but the Pope didn’t attend the "official" one. Still, the internet stuck with the initial story, sparking criticism of Vance and turning the Pope into a hero.

Looking back, we can guess why he did it, but yeah... the internet is a mess.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israel Cancels French Delegation

Israel just canceled the entry visas for 27 French left-wing lawmakers and local officials, barely two days before their scheduled visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The delegation's goal was supposedly to promote international cooperation and peace, but that plan’s been pretty thoroughly derailed, it seems.

What Happened?

The group’s visas were approved a month ago, but then they were abruptly canceled under an Israeli law that bars entry to individuals who might act against the state.

• The delegation included not just politicians, but also local officials from France’s Ecologist and Communist parties.

• Israel didn’t offer a detailed explanation for the sudden reversal, sticking to the “acting against the state” reasoning.

French Delegation's Response

The French lawmakers, including well-known names like François Ruffin and Alexis Corbière, have fired back, urging French President Emmanuel Macron to intervene and calling Israel’s move undemocratic.

• Ruffin and others described the visa cancellation as “collective punishment.”

• The delegation’s trip was planned by France’s consulate in Jerusalem, giving it official diplomatic weight.

A Pattern?

This isn’t the first time Israel has blocked political visitors lately.

Just days ago, Israel barred two British Labour MPs from entering the country. Coincidence? Critics argue it’s part of a bigger trend toward restricting dissenting voices.

• The two blocked MPs were from the governing Labour Party.

• Observers think these moves signal a shift in Israel’s approach to handling critics from abroad.

🇨🇳 CHINA
China Warns Against US Deals

Beijing is drawing a hard line in the escalating trade war, warning nations not to curry favor with Washington at China’s expense.

If things keep heating up, this could go down as one of the flashpoints that helped draw the lines between a new set of “Axis” and “Ally” powers.

Let’s hope not, though.

China’s Warning

China’s Commerce Ministry made its stance clear on Monday, warning that “appeasement will not bring peace and compromise will not be respected.” Beijing is ready to retaliate if any country strikes trade deals that undermine its interests.

• The ministry warned against pursuing “temporary selfish interests at the expense of others.”

• It pledged to “resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures” against those who sidestep China’s economic priorities.

US Trade Pressure

Washington isn’t staying quiet either.

The US is pushing close to 50 countries to strike new trade deals that sidestep steep tariffs. This is all about using economic pressure to fix what Trump sees as “trade imbalances”—and making it clear that siding with China could cost them big in exports.

• Context: President Trump’s administration has set US tariffs on hold for 90 days for most countries, but China faces potential increases up to 145%.

• US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that multiple countries are seeking to renegotiate terms to avoid punitive measures.

Global Negotiations

Caught in the middle of this “trade war,” countries around the world are scrambling to cut deals that serve their economies, without ticking off China.

• Japan is considering boosting its US soybean and rice imports under a new deal.

• South Korea is outlining plans that include increased liquified natural gas purchases, alongside joint ventures in shipbuilding and pipelines.

• Taiwan’s president has proposed zero tariffs as a starting point, while Indonesian officials are pushing for a boost in food and commodities imports from the US.

Current Situation

• In 2024, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) traded over twice as much with China ($975 billion) as with the US ($398 billion), highlighting its deep economic links with Beijing.

• Bo Zhengyuan from policy consultancy Plenum summed it up: “The fact is, nobody wants to pick a side.”

Relief Soon?

While the rhetoric heats up, President Trump insists that talks with China are ongoing, even as Beijing remains very harsh in tone.

• Trump stated, “Yeah, we’re talking to China. I think we’re going to make a very good deal with China.”

• Beijing, however, has yet to confirm any substantive negotiations, promising to fight the trade war “to the end.”

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Deporting Activists

Germany’s Immigration Office is set to deport four pro-Palestinian activists—three EU citizens and one American—for their alleged involvement in an October 2024 protest at Berlin’s Free University.

Deportation Orders

Berlin’s Immigration Office served deportation orders last month, instructing the activists to leave Germany by April 21 or face forcible removal.

• The orders single out two Irish nationals, a Pole, and an American—all tied to a protest condemning what they describe as Israel’s inhumane actions in Gaza.

• Authorities claim the activists engaged in “masked” property damage, including graffiti.

• Criminal proceedings are still “ongoing” with no clear charges filed.

Context

The controversial protest at Berlin’s Free University erupted last October amid demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza, drawing scrutiny from city officials.

Activists’ Response

But of course, the affected “activists” are already fighting back.

• Irish citizen Shane O’Brien secured an emergency injunction, pausing his expulsion until a full hearing is held.

• Irish artist Roberta Murray, who told NPR, “I live here with my partner. I work in a café. I make art here. I have a studio,” remains determined to stay.

• American student Cooper Longbottom and Polish activist Kasia Wlaszczyk are both preparing to fight their deportation orders.

Political & Legal Battle

Central to the dispute is a controversial invocation of Staatsräson, which ties Germany’s state policy to its historical responsibilities and unwavering support for Israel.

• One deportation letter states, “The right of Israel to exist, its protection, and the integrity of the State of Israel are matters of German state policy.”

• Critics, including activist lawyers, argue that using Staatsräson—a mere political concept—as a legal basis is deeply troubling.

• The Central Council of Jews in Germany has even backed the move, adding another layer to this politically charged showdown.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Russia Broke Easter Truce

President Zelenskyy claims that Russia’s so-called 30‐hour Easter ceasefire turned into a brief, almost farcical pause before hostilities resumed.

Here’s what happened.

Ceasefire Controversy

Russia announced a ceasefire on Easter, but by most accounts, it barely lasted a few hours.

• President Zelenskyy reported that as soon as the pause began, Russian troops ignited the front with a barrage of attacks.

• Between 6 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, Russian forces reportedly fired nearly 450 artillery rounds.

• They launched 24 assaults and deployed over 300 drones, mainly in the first six hours.

Russian Announcement

So why did Putin announce an Easter ceasefire if he’s just going to can it?

Issued less than two hours before things were set to kick off, critics are saying that it was a strategic fakeout—an illusion of peace.

• The timing appears designed to send a message, particularly to an impatient Trump administration.

• Critics argue that the move was more about optics than a genuine desire to halt the fighting.

Zelenskyy’s Reaction

President Zelenskyy wasn’t having any of it. Taking to social media, he made it crystal clear that Ukrainian forces would respond in kind to any Russian aggression.

• He stated, “Our soldiers are responding everywhere as the enemy deserves,” underscoring Ukraine’s readiness.

• Zelenskyy added, “Ukraine will continue to act in a mirror manner,” promising to match every Russian move.

• He reiterated Ukraine’s push for a longer truce by proposing an extension of 30 days.

Political Context

• The move followed frustration from the Trump administration, which had criticized Moscow’s unwillingness to consider a 30‑day ceasefire proposal.

• US officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that the United States might “move on” if progress stalled.

• The incident deepens the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and underscores the challenge of mixing optics with real peace efforts.