Is this all part of the narrative?

Author

Global Recap
March 22, 2025 • Read in: 11 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Over the years, one prevailing narrative has always been this:

  • The US asserts its military dominance.

  • Things quiet down, and people start questioning US hegemony, worrying that another nation might pull ahead.

  • Said-nation fuels the fear with a strategic PR campaign.

  • Panic builds in the US.

  • The US unveils a massive, years-long military project that renders current tech obsolete.

  • Americans breathe easy, reassured of their dominance.

  • Things quiet down again… and the cycle repeats. 🔄

It almost feels like this narrative is intentionally designed to keep the military-industrial complex running nonstop.

But no, I don’t believe it’s some secret plot orchestrated by a shadowy society. Instead, I see this as just the natural evolution of how humans interact—an ongoing push-and-pull between conflict, fear, and psychology that drives this cycle forward.

Here’s the latest twist in this ongoing narrative.👇️ 

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump Unveils New F-47 Fighter

President Trump has introduced the F-47, a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, calling it “a beautiful number” and promising it will secure America’s air superiority for decades.

Reveal

In the Oval Office, Trump, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, announced the F-47.

  • Boeing is set to manufacture the jet.

  • It’s touted as the world’s first crewed sixth-generation fighter.

  • Trump described it as “virtually unseeable” with “unprecedented power.”

Speed and Stealth

The F-47 is designed to outpace and outmaneuver adversaries.

  • It can reportedly exceed Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound).

  • Its stealth capabilities aim to make it nearly invisible to radar.

Cost and Production

While Trump didn’t disclose the price, the F-47 is expected to be cheaper than the F-22 Raptor it replaces.

  • The Air Force currently has 183 Raptors, each costing $143 million.

  • More F-47s are planned for production.

Global Competition

The F-47 enters a competitive field as Russia, China, and European nations develop their own sixth-generation fighters.

  • Trump claimed, “It’s not even close. This is next level.”

  • The jet is designed to carry advanced weaponry in internal bays for maximum stealth.

Critics

Critics are honing in on a particular part of Trump's announcement where he claims that allies are always eager to buy US military equipment. He then suggests that the US might sell them “toned-down versions” since they won’t necessarily remain allies forever. (3:11)

🤔 Thoughts: I get why the US might prefer to sell “toned-down” versions of its weapons, especially if it’s worried about losing its global dominance. But why say that out loud?

Now EU officials are wondering if the US has secretly built a “kill switch” into the weapons they’re buying. For now, they have little choice but to rely on the US for cutting-edge military technology—but in the future, that might not be the case.

Meme

That being said, if you’re worried about the US losing its global influence, you’re not alone.

Some online are noting that this is just part of a recurring cycle—one where US dominance is constantly questioned but never really fades. In fact, this narrative of decline might actually be feeding the military-industrial complex, using fear to keep it thriving.

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Germany Seizes Russian Tanker

Germany has confiscated an oil tanker, the Eventin, suspected of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

The Tanker’s Story

The Eventin, an aging vessel, was found anchored near the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea back in January.

  • It was carrying around 100,000 metric tons of oil, valued at €40 million ($43.3 million).

  • German authorities detained it while it was supposedly heading to Egypt.

  • There were concerns about an oil spill, which could’ve turned this into an even messier situation.

What’s Next?

German officials are now trying to figure out how to safely remove the crude oil and what to do with the tanker.

  • If this confiscation sticks, the ship and its cargo will officially belong to Germany.

  • The finance ministry has kept details under wraps, citing security concerns.

Russia’s Reaction

And Russia? It’s acting like it has no clue what’s going on.

  • Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said they don’t know the ship, the owner, or why it was seized.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israel Threatens Gaza Occupation

Israel’s threatening permanent control of parts of Gaza unless Hamas hands over the hostages.

Ceasefire Collapse

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas shattered on Tuesday, ending two months of relative calm.

  • Israel resumed bombarding Gaza, citing Hamas's refusal to release hostages.

  • Over 400 people have been killed in Gaza since the fighting reignited.

  • Hamas has retaliated, firing rockets into Israel, though no casualties have been reported on that end.

🖊️ Note: Throughout the years, many have questioned the casualty numbers reported by Hamas. These figures typically come from the region’s Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas and has previously been accused of manipulating statistics—such as counting militants as civilians (source) and inflating death tolls (source).

Hostage Crisis

Of the over 250 hostages originally seized by Hamas in October 2023, 59 remain captive, with 24 believed to be alive.

Israel's Stance

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has made statements about expanding control in Gaza.

  • Katz instructed the military to seize more territory and evacuate populations.

  • He emphasized that “the more Hamas continues its refusal to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel.”

  • Katz also mentioned plans to implement US President Trump’s “voluntary transfer plan” for Gaza residents.

International Reactions

Egypt, a key mediator, has criticized Israel’s actions.

  • Egyptian officials called Israel’s return to war a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

  • They warned of “ripple effects” from the renewed violence.

Perspective

It is no secret that people have extremely varying opinions on this war.

  • One side argues that Hamas’ manipulation of statistics and use of propaganda fuel Western sympathy, prolonging the war—especially since the group has yet to release all hostages. As previously discussed, the now-eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had explicitly directed his militants to use this tactic.

  • Others argue that Hamas’ actions are justified as part of an effort to end the conflict entirely. While many see the war as having been initiated by Hamas on October 7, its supporters claim it is simply a continuation of what they call a “resistance” against decades of “Zionist oppression.”

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Two Aircraft Carriers in CENTCOM

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) arrives at the NATO Marathi Pier Complex in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, during a scheduled port visit on Feb. 6, 2025.

Meanwhile, the US is ramping up its military presence in the Middle East with two aircraft carriers, the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson, heading to the region.

Deployment Extension

The USS Harry S. Truman’s deployment has been extended by a month. Initially nearing the end of its mission, it will now remain in the Middle East under US Central Command (CENTCOM).

  • The Truman has been operating in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean.

  • It recently underwent emergency repairs in Crete after a collision near Egypt.

Carl Vinson Joins the Scene

The USS Carl Vinson, currently in the East China Sea, is en route to CENTCOM. It will take two to three weeks to arrive, creating an overlap of two carriers in the region.

  • The Vinson has been active in the Indo-Pacific, conducting drills with South Korean and US Air Force F-35s.

  • It carries F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.

Why the Build-Up?

This move comes as the US resumes airstrikes on Yemen-based Houthis, who are backed by Iran. The Houthis have threatened to attack American ships following these strikes.

  • Former President Trump has vowed to “completely annihilate” the Houthis.

  • The last time two carriers overlapped in CENTCOM was in late 2024.

🇸🇩 SUDAN
Republican Palace Retaken Amid War

Soldiers from the Sudanese Armed Forces celebrate after taking over the Republican Palace in Khartoum.

Sudan’s military has completely seized the Republican Palace in Khartoum, marking a symbolic victory in its ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Palace Takeover

After nearly two years of bloody fighting, Sudan’s military announced it had retaken the Republican Palace, traditionally the seat of the country’s president and government.

  • The RSF acknowledged the loss but claimed its troops were still fighting in the area.

  • The palace’s capture is a major milestone in the military’s efforts to reclaim Khartoum.

War’s Toll

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, tens of thousands are dead, and over 14 million people have been forced to pack up and leave. Entire regions are staring famine in the face.

  • Parts of Sudan are now facing famine due to the war.

  • The RSF still controls much of western Sudan, including most of Darfur.

Parallel Governments?

However, the RSF isn’t just playing defense—they recently set up their own “parallel government” out of Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Sudan’s military chief, Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has also hinted at forming a “transitional government.”

  • This could lead to two rival administrations vying for power, further entrenching Sudan’s partition.

Accusations

Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities during the conflict.

  • The RSF, which evolved from the notorious Janjaweed militias, has faced allegations of genocide.

  • The military has also been accused of abuses, though both deny the claims.