Nuclear War

Hi Global Recap readers,

After writing the the first news, I’m receiving reports that Biden has just authorized the provision of “antipersonnel land mines” to Ukraine, reversing his own policy.

This comes in addition to his recent approval of Ukraine’s use of US long-range missiles, known as ATACMS.

🤔 Personally: I think it’s unlikely Putin would pursue a nuclear war against NATO just 60 days before Trump’s inauguration. However, it’s worth reminding everyone that Russia possesses the strongest known thermonuclear bomb in the world (not that it matters, since any nuke is deadly).

Tsar Bomba, the most powerful thermonuclear bomb ever detonated:

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Ukraine Strikes Russia with ATACMS, Fears of Russian Nuclear Response Escalate

Ukraine has taken the unprecedented step of using long-range American-made missiles to attack targets inside Russia, marking a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.

This article appears to be the one that unsettled people. I remember being on X when this article came out, and, unsurprisingly, World War III started trending immediately on the platform.

This seems to be the new norm now.

Missile Strike

According to US and Ukrainian officials, Ukraine's military used the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) to strike an ammunition depot in Russia's Bryansk region.

• The pre-dawn attack on Tuesday was the first time Ukraine has used these powerful US-provided missiles to hit targets within Russia.

• Russia's defense ministry claimed that five of the six ATACMS missiles were shot down, with the remaining one causing a fire at a military facility.

• Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council member Andrii Kovalenko said the strike hit warehouses containing artillery ammunition, including North Korean supplies.

Biden's Authorization

The missile strike came just two days after President Biden gave Ukraine permission to use the long-range ATACMS weapons.

• Ukraine had been pleading for months to use these missiles to hit deeper targets in Russia.

• The Biden administration had previously refused, but the arrival of North Korean troops to aid Russia appears to have changed their stance.

Escalating Tensions

So, were people justified in thinking this could lead to WWIII? To some degree, yes, because on Tuesday, Russia's President Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons use in response.

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said Biden's decision "escalates tensions to a qualitatively new level."

• This strike demonstrates Ukraine's ability to hit targets far inside Russia, potentially shifting the dynamics of the war.

• Many were scared that this could prompt Russia to view it as an act of war by NATO, given that ATACMS is a precision-guided missile system which requires coordination with US military assets to launch. Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said as much:

🇨🇳 CHINA
Chinese Ship Suspected of Sabotaging European Data Cables

A Chinese cargo ship, Yi Peng 3, is now under investigation for allegedly cutting critical data cables, the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German, in the Baltic Sea.

Suspicious Activity

• Yi Peng 3 was en route from Russia to Egypt when it passed close to the Swedish-Lithuanian and Finnish-German cables.

• The damage occurred on Sunday and Monday, raising suspicions.

Historical Context

This is not the first incident involving Chinese ships.

• Last year, another Chinese ship, NewNew Polar Bear, damaged a Baltic gas pipeline.

• The Nord Stream pipeline was also sabotaged in 2022.

Many online are calling these incidents blatant acts of provocation that demand a firm response.

International Response

European authorities are investigating the incident. But as of yet, they do not have any definitive conclusions.

• Finland, Germany, Lithuania, and Sweden have launched investigations.

• Danish navy ships shadowed Yi Peng 3 as it left the Baltic Sea.

• China’s embassies in Stockholm and Helsinki have not commented on the incident.

Social Media Claims

Several social media accounts claim the Danish Navy has boarded a Chinese ship, but this remains unconfirmed.

Here’s one:

🇵🇸 PALESTINE
UN Decries Looting of Gaza Aid Trucks

UN Decries Looting of Gaza Aid Trucks

The United Nations is condemning the looting of nearly 100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, calling it the worst theft of its kind during the 13-month war.

What happened? Thieves violently raided a UN convoy transporting food provided by UNRWA and the World Food Program, injuring some of the drivers.

Looting of Aid Convoy

According to UN officials, 98 out of 109 trucks in the aid convoy were raided by thieves.

• Some of the truck drivers were injured during the ambush, though the UN did not provide details on who carried out the attack.

• UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric called this the worst instance of looting in Gaza "in terms of volume."

Hamas Response

The Hamas-controlled Gaza interior ministry said over 20 "gang members" involved in the looting were killed in a security operation.

• Hamas threatened to expand its crackdown on those involved in stealing aid trucks, calling it a "broad security campaign."

• The ministry said the thefts have "severely impacted society and led to signs of famine in southern Gaza."

Ongoing Challenges

The UN says access for aid to Gaza has reached a low point, with deliveries to parts of the enclave all but impossible.

• The Israeli military has said attacking and stealing aid is an ongoing problem, especially in southern Gaza.

• COGAT, the military body overseeing aid, has blamed Hamas terrorists and crime families for the convoy attacks.

• An Israeli official said the main issue is UN distribution challenges, not Israel's efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.

Watch this puzzling interaction between a reporter and a UN spokesperson, who states that they are not taking any questions about the incident:

🇩🇪 GERMANY
"Hide Your Identity"

Berlin's police chief, Barbara Slowik, has sparked controversy by advising Jews and gay people to hide their identities in certain Arab neighborhoods due to safety concerns.

A sound piece of advice, but why is she offering advice without taking any action herself?

The Controversial Advice

Police Chief Barbara Slowik warned that "violent crimes against Jewish people are few and far between, but every act is one too many."

• She advised Jews and gay people to "hide their identity" in areas with large Arab populations.

• Slowik cited "open hostility" towards these groups and "sympathies for terrorist groups" among some residents.

• The police chief's comments have been widely condemned as promoting segregation and normalizing discrimination.

Reactions and Backlash

Slowik's remarks have drawn fierce criticism from politicians, activists, and community leaders.

• The head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany called the advice "absolutely unacceptable."

• A prominent LGBTQ+ organization described it as a "capitulation to anti-Semitism and homophobia."

• Berlin's mayor distanced himself from the police chief's statement, affirming the city's commitment to protecting all residents.

Ongoing Tensions

This controversy highlights the complex social dynamics and security challenges facing Germany's capital.

• The country has grappled with a rise in anti-Semitic and anti-LGBTQ+ incidents in recent years.

• Tensions between different communities, exacerbated by factors like the Israel-Hamas conflict, have led to sporadic violence.

• Authorities are struggling to balance public safety with upholding the rights and freedoms of all citizens.

The Way Forward

Experts argue that the solution lies in addressing the root causes of intolerance, not restricting the identities of vulnerable groups.

According to them:

• Increased education, community outreach, and law enforcement training are seen as crucial steps.

• Calls for stronger action against hate crimes and better protection for minority communities have grown louder.

• Ultimately, Berlin's leaders face the daunting task of fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society.

🤔 Personally: I can foresee this leading to a rise in calls for stricter anti-immigration measures and deportations. It seems to be the current global trend.