Hi Global Recap readers,
Yesterday, I held off on posting about the supposed “automatic US military draft registration” kicking in this December for most men aged between 18–26.
Mainly because, despite the scary headlines, it’s not really new. It just automates the existing Selective Service registration requirement for the same group.
But online, I kept seeing people saying things like, “You voted for this, MAGA, happy now?”
Not sure if they were baiting, but if they were, it got me. Hopefully it doesn’t get you too. Let me take one for the team.
👉🏼 Also: Thanks for taking part in yesterday’s send-time poll. Your comments were a really nice surprise. I’ll keep it open through the weekend, so feel free to chime so I get to hear all of you out.
🇷🇺🇺🇦 RUSSIA & UKRAINE
Easter Truce
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right)
Putin pitched a 32 hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 12).
It would run from 4 pm Saturday afternoon to midnight Sunday.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would follow it.
Russia says its troops still need to be ready for "provocations."
📌 Context. They tried this last year too, and both sides said it was broken.
🇺🇸 USA
Trump Eyeing Pullback
Trump is weighing pulling some USA troops from Europe according to "a senior White House official."
No decision yet, and the Pentagon hasn't been told to plan it.
He's angry NATO allies haven't done more in Hormuz.
📌 Context. More than 80,000 USA troops are in Europe now.
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN
Pakistan's “Neutrality” Problem
Seems like the post got taken down. The link seems broken.
Israel blasted Pakistan after its defense minister went off on X.
DM Khawaja Asif called Israel "evil," a curse for humanity, and cancerous.
This is surprising today because Pakistan is trying to position itself as the "neutral" mediator of the US-Iran ceasefire talks.
Israeli PM Netanyahu's office said a peace broker can't also call for Israel's annihilation.
🇮🇷 IRAN
More Confusion
From left to right, US Vice President JD Vance, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Moghadam, posted on X Thursday that an Iranian delegation is arriving “tonight in Islamabad for serious talks based on 10 points proposed by Iran.”
This is ahead of the peace talks with the US on Saturday.
However, the ambassador promptly deleted the post, "because of some issues."
The Wall Street Journal started reporting that the Iranian negotiating team arrived in Islamabad.
But according to Iran's official news agencies, this is false.
📌 Context. Despite Iran’s frustration with Israel’s ongoing strikes on Hezbollah, if the talks stay on track, US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead a US delegation to Islamabad with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Iran’s side will reportedly include Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
🇮🇷 IRAN
Hormuz Is Still Shut
Details
Standoff. On Thursday, President Trump demanded Iran stop charging tankers to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Control. Mojtaba Khamenei (if it is really him talking) said Iran would bring management of the strait into a "new stage" during those talks. He also said Iran would seek compensation for damage from the war and called the country the "definite victor."
Reality. “A US official” called the strait "wide open," but also admitted ships still were not moving because crews were intimidated by Iran.
Backup. Hundreds of tankers carrying oil and other goods are still waiting to transit Hormuz.
The International Maritime Organization says nearly 20,000 mariners are essentially stranded in the Persian Gulf.
Sultan Al Jaber, who runs Abu Dhabi's national oil company, said access is being restricted and controlled.
📌 Context. The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow waterway off Iran's southern coast that connects the Persian Gulf to open sea. It is one of the world's biggest oil chokepoints. Around 1/5 of the world's seaborne oil supply moves through Hormuz.
