Germany’s Plan to Attack Russia

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Global Recap
March 04, 2024 • Read in: 7 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Welcome back to another week of geopolitics updates!

If you are planning to visit Japan shortly, you may want to take this into account:

To shield its geisha and maiko, the city of Kyoto has introduced a new policy to fine up to ¥10,000 ($67) for those who take unsolicited photos of them in Gion.

Now, on with the news. 👇

Germany

Germany’s Plan to Attack Russia

A leaked audio recording of German military officials discussing possible strikes on Russian targets has sparked outrage in Moscow.

The Kremlin questioned whether Chancellor Scholz was in control of the situation or if the Bundeswehr had gone rogue.

  • 🎙️ Leak. Russian media published the recording last week, claiming it was a meeting of senior German military officials.

  • 🚀 Strike. The recording allegedly revealed plans to supply weapons to Ukraine and to target a bridge in Crimea.

For the audio recording with subtitles, click here.

US

Trump Wins Supreme Court Battle

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Monday that states cannot remove former President Donald Trump from their ballots for the 2024 election.

  • 👏 Victory. Trump celebrated the ruling as a “Big win for America!!!” and thanked his loyal supporters.

  • 👎 Defeat. The Colorado Supreme Court, which had tried to kick Trump off the ballot, was reversed and rebuked by the justices. Banning Trump was based on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars those who engaged in insurrection from holding federal office.

  • 👀 Implications. The ruling clears one obstacle for Trump’s potential 2024 run, but he still faces criminal charges and political challenges.

Here’s the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Haiti

Prison Break: Gangs Take Over Streets

A massive prison break in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince has unleashed chaos and violence in the city.

  • 🏃🏻 Break. The jailbreak was orchestrated by a former police officer turned gang leader, who declared war on the prime minister. Among the freed are gang members linked to the 2021 assassination of President Moïse.

  • 🔫 Gangs. The gangs, led by Jimmy Chérizier (aka “Barbecue”), control 80% of Port-au-Prince and have killed several police officers.

Belgium

Cops Bust Teen Jihadi Terror Plot

Four teenagers in Belgium were arrested on Sunday for allegedly planning a jihadi terror attack. The suspects, who were radicalized online, exchanged messages about their plot and had “worrying” details.

  • 👮‍♂️ Raid. Police searched the homes of the suspects and seized their phones and laptops. No weapons or explosives were found.

  • 🔥 Age. The suspects were in their “late teens” and one of them was 18 years old. They were part of a larger investigation into potential violent extremists.

  • 🚨 Alert. Belgium remains on high alert since the 2016 attacks by suicide bombers that killed 32 people in Brussels.

    • Recently, a gunman shot dead two Swedish football fans in Brussels.

    • The current threat level is 3 (out of 4), meaning an attack is possible and probable.

North Korea

Hackers Steal Chipmakers’ Designs

North Korea’s hackers have infiltrated two South Korean manufacturers of chipmaking equipment, according to Seoul’s spy agency.

  • 💡 Importance. "What's the big deal?" some might ask. But semiconductor technology, crucial for modern electronics from devices to weapons, is a closely guarded matter of national security.

  • 👀 Hide. The hackers used a technique called “living off the land”, which minimizes malicious codes and uses legitimate tools within the servers, making it hard to detect.

  • 🏆 Goal. It is feared that North Korea is seeking to develop its own chip industry, as it faces difficulties in procuring it due to sanctions, and high demand from its satellite, missile, and other weapons programs.

China

Xi’s Big Show of Confidence

This week, China’s top political event, the “two sessions,” kicked off in Beijing.

The gathering is a chance for Chinese leader Xi Jinping and his team to showcase their achievements and plans for the future, amid mounting economic and diplomatic challenges.

However, it will also break a long-standing tradition: No final press conference with China’s premier, as Xi solidifies his absolute power.

  • 📈 Growth. On Tuesday, the Chinese premier is expected to announce an ambitious economic growth target of around 5%, signaling its confidence in overcoming its economic woes.

  • 🌎 Diplomacy. China may adopt a more conciliatory tone towards the US, as it faces various global challenges that continue to pull investors away from the communist country.