Knee = Bent

Hi Global Recap readers,

I am honestly conflicted about this.

• At first, when I saw Zuckerberg speak out about the potential abuse of power by the Biden administration and then heard him call Trump saying "fight, fight, fight" after nearly being assassinated “bad-ass,” I thought maybe Zuckerberg had changed his stance on Trump.

• Some even claim that getting into jiu jitsu helped him see a different side of himself and the world.

But as time passes, I’m not so sure anymore—and I am not the only one.

What do you think? 👇️ 

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump and Meta Settle Lawsuit

Trump and Meta have reached a settlement agreement, with Meta agreeing to pay $25 million to resolve a lawsuit Trump filed after his accounts were suspended following the January 6th Capitol attacks.

The Settlement Agreement

Trump signed the settlement agreement on January 29, 2025.

• Meta will pay $25 million, with $22 million going to Trump's presidential library and the rest to legal fees and other plaintiffs.

• Is this an admission of guilt? No, Meta has reportedly stated that it will not acknowledge any wrongdoing.

The Dinner That Started It All

Serious talks began after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in November 2024.

• Zuckerberg flew to Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump, initiating serious settlement talks.

• Meta also donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund.

Related Settlements

Meta's settlement follows a similar agreement with ABC News.

• ABC News agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump's presidential library.

• The settlement was over a defamation lawsuit involving anchor George Stephanopoulos.

📊 Poll

• Some are accusing Zuckerberg of being opportunistic, just bending the knee to whoever’s in power. If Meta won’t acknowledge any wrongdoing, why settle?

• On the other hand, some argue that while this move was long overdue and helped mitigate some of Trump’s financial and reputational damage, it still undermines the value of free speech in the United States.

What do you think?

🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
Thwarted Antisemitic Attack

Sydney police revealed on Wednesday that a trailer packed with explosives and a list of apparent Jewish targets was found hidden in an Australian suburb last week.

Explosives Found

The bomb-laden trailer contained enough explosives to create a 130-foot blast zone.

• A note containing antisemitic messages and a list of locations—including Jewish synagogues—was also discovered hidden in the vehicle.

• New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called it a “potential mass casualty event” and labeled it as terrorism.

• It was discovered on January 19 on a property in Dural, 22 miles northwest of Sydney.

Police Response

Police refused to publicly disclose the targets on the list but said the Jewish community had been made aware of the threats.

• Authorities also refused to say how many people had been arrested or what charges they faced, only stating they had “mitigated the risk as much as possible.”

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on X that “hate and extremism have no place in Australian society.”

🇲🇽 MEXICO
Sheinbaum Doubts US Tariffs

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum is skeptical about the US imposing tariffs on February 1, 2025, despite President Donald Trump's threats.

However, Mexico says it is ready with a response plan if needed.

Prepared for Retaliation

What is their plan? Sheinbaum announced that Mexico is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if the US follows through with its threats.

• Retaliatory tariffs would initially exempt the automotive industry.

• Potential targets include pork products, cheese, apples, grapes, potatoes, cranberries, Bourbon whiskey, and manufactured steel and aluminum.

• These measures are seen as strategically targeting products for retaliatory tariffs, aiming to hit regions that supported Trump—aiming to create political pressure within the US.

Impact on Jobs

Mexico has warned that US tariffs on Mexican goods could have significant repercussions.

• Tariffs could supposedly kill 400,000 US jobs.

• Prices for US consumers could rise as a result.

Diplomatic Efforts

US and Mexican officials have been in talks since Trump returned to the White House on January 20, 2025.

• Mexico is trying to demonstrate its efforts in combating drug trafficking and northbound migration.

• The aim is to avoid the imposition of tariffs that could harm both countries' economies.

• However, the recent shootout between a Mexican cartel and US border agents doesn’t help this.

Record Crackdown

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has intensified efforts to control migration and drug trafficking.

• A record 475,000 migrants were detained between October and December.

• The government seized a record 1,100 kilograms of illicit fentanyl.

But is this enough for Americans?

🇸🇾 SYRIA
New President,
Dissolves Constitution

The Syrian rebel group that ousted Bashar al-Assad last month has made major changes in the country, including dissolving parliament and appointing a new president—steps meant to facilitate a political transition.

New Leadership

The rebels have appointed its leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as the new president.

Surprise, surprise.

• Al-Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), will serve as president during a transition period.

• No time-frame has been set for elections or drafting a new constitution.

What This Means

The rebels have dissolved the existing parliament and dismantled the country's armed apparatus.

• This means the 2012 constitution is now nullified.

• Assad’s Baath party has also been disbanded.

Security Challenges

The security situation in Syria remains fragile since Assad's downfall.

• HTS has vowed to restore order and protect all ethnic and religious sects.

• However, numerous armed groups complicate the task of maintaining security, including Turkish-backed factions and Kurdish forces vying for control.

Rebel Unity

HTS is working to unify rebel factions under the Ministry of Defense.

• Multiple meetings have been held to coax rebel factions into merging.

• Army personnel who served under Assad have been forced to hand over their weapons and pledge allegiance to the new authority.

🌍 AFRICA
Three Countries Quit ECOWAS

Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the bloc of double standards in punishing their military juntas. Negotiations failed to change their minds.

The Exit

The three countries announced their intention to leave last year and have now made it official.

• They are forming their own group, the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES).

• This military force is comprised of 5,000 troops.

Reasons

The juntas presented their exit as essential for their sovereignty and criticized ECOWAS as a neocolonialist force.

• Mali’s President Assimi Goïta said, “ECOWAS and the jihadists are the same.” 😬

• The withdrawal weakens ECOWAS, which will now have only 12 members.

Impact on ECOWAS

The departure of these countries will significantly impact ECOWAS.

• They account for more than half of the alliance’s 1.9 million square miles and 17 percent of its 400 million population.

• ECOWAS offers visa-free travel, favorable trade tariffs, and access to a $702 billion market.

Consequences (?)

Despite this dramatic exit, analysts say the three countries stand to suffer the most from it.

• Higher prices, food shortages, and political isolation are expected.

• Niger relies on Nigeria for 80 percent of its trade, and relations have become strained.