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Iran rains missiles
Global Recap
April 15, 2024 • Read in: 9 minutes
Hi Global Recap readers,
Today’s news is plastered with analysis of the recent Iranian attack on Israel…
Blessed with hindsight of course.
If you have shielded yourself from a barrage of gloomy geopolitics news on the weekend and don’t know which attack I'm referring to, welcome back!
Here it is. 👇
(⏰ Reading Time: 8 mins)
IRAN-ISRAEL
Iran launches an attack against Israel
On Sunday, people were either screaming "World War 3," throwing blame, cheering, and getting their sell buttons ready for the stock market open on Monday.
What happened
A barrage of over 300 Iranian projectiles targeted Israel on Sunday, which included:
around 170 drones,
30 cruise missiles, and
120 ballistic missiles.
Remarkably, Israel’s defense systems intercepted 99% of these, with a very small number of them reaching Israeli territory. This is also thanks to the US, UK, Jordan, and France, helping Israel intercept the projectiles.
Also, don’t forget Israel’s advanced defense capabilities.
Why
The attack is a direct response to Israel’s alleged bombing of Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1, escalating a long-simmering shadow war.
“With God’s help we will make the Zionists repent of their crime of aggression against the Iranian consulate in Damascus.”
Then Israel responded by warning Iran:
“If Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack in Iran.”
Iran
As we can see from the exchange detailed above, we knew for days that an Iranian strike was coming.
On Friday, I reported on US intel suggesting that Iran is 24-48 hours away from launching an attack on Israel. So days before the attack, everyone knew it was coming.
On Sunday, Iran began their attack by launching a fleet of drones from its territory, which took many hours to reach Israel.
At first, people freaked out when Iran launched the drones, but in the hours before the drones reached Israel, people’s perception of the attack as being a “prelude to WW3” started dissolving quickly.
Some analysts suggest that Iran’s response was more about saving face than escalating conflict, which could explain why the attack had limited impact.
However, some believe that this exposes that Iran, behind its tough demeanor and rhetoric, is largely impotent - whether the attack was intentionally for show or not.
And after the attack concluded, Iran’s mission to the UN stated that now “the matter can be deemed concluded.” While this made clear that Iran does not seek escalation, it also made itself look rather weak.
This didn’t stop Iranians from celebrating the attack.
US
Soon after the attack, President Biden reaffirmed the US’ “ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.”
However, the White House clarified that it will not participate in retaliatory strikes on Iran.
Israel
Final thoughts
World leaders are urging Israel not to retaliate to Iran’s attack, due to fears of escalation. However, Israel is adamant about retaliation.
In my view, Iran initiated the attack as a strategic move to uphold its dignity. Additionally, rallying its citizens against a shared foreign adversary serves as a distraction from the country’s internal issues.
This was a quick overview of what happened.
If you would like to read about it more, click here.
GEORGIA
Fistfight in parliament
War isn’t exclusive between countries, it also occurs within the confines of a government building.
🥊 Clash. Opposition MP Aleko Elisashvili punched ruling the party leader Mamuka Mdinaradze during a parliamentary session, leading to a brawl among legislators.
📜 Legislation. The proposed bill mandates organizations receiving foreign funds to register as “foreign agents,” drawing criticism for resembling Russian laws used to suppress dissent and stifle free speech. Thus, it’s referred to as the “Russian law.”
🌐 International Tension. Western countries, including the EU and the US, oppose the bill, fearing it contradicts democratic values and could strain Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU and NATO.
ISRAEL-HAMAS
Hamas’ hostage strategy
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (left), and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right).
After rejecting last week’s hostage-truce deal, Hamas presented a new proposal demanding Israel to permanently end the war as a precondition for freeing hostages.
📜 Proposal. Hamas’s plan unfolds in three phases, starting with a six-week period where no hostages are released. Instead, Israel must end the war and allow displaced Gazans to return home first.
🔁 Exchange. Over the next two phases, hostages will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. The demands include a tenfold increase in the prisoner exchange rate and the release of prisoners serving life sentences.
🛠️ Reconstruction. The final phase involves rehabilitating Gaza and releasing all remaining male soldiers and civilians, alongside the bodies of the deceased.
Will this bold gambit pay off for Hamas?
SOUTH CHINA SEA
Sea Tensions Escalate
Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left), and Chinese President Xi Jiping (right).
The Philippines’ stance on defense and sovereignty is clear: any attack on its servicemen will prompt a defense treaty invocation with the US. This firm declaration comes amid heightened South China Sea disputes, particularly with China.
🛡️ Defense. Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asserted that the Mutual Defense Treaty with the US will be invoked if a Filipino soldier is killed by a foreign attack. This follows a recent incident where Chinese coast guard ships attacked a Philippine boat, injuring three navy personnel.
As nations split into two major factions, one supporting the West, and the other united in their resistance against it, it appears that the Philippines is swiftly aligning itself with the US and its Western allies.