Leaked: War Plans?

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope your weekend was fantastic!

I've made it a habit to keep an eye out for geopolitical developments from Saturday to Monday since things often seem to heat up over the weekend.

During my usual browsing of the web, I stumbled upon a headline that caught my attention: "War Plans." It wasn’t quite what I expected when I clicked on it, but it gave me the perfect reason to revisit one of my favorite texts—Sun Tzu’s The Art of War—a few stories down about Ukraine.

But first, let’s talk about the supposed “leaked” US war plans. 👇️ 

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Texting War Plans?

Imagine getting a text about military strikes—by mistake.

That’s exactly what happened to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, who was accidentally looped into a group chat about US military plans in Yemen.

The Accidental Text

Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, claims that he received a signal messages from none other than Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense.

These are his claims:

• The chat revealed sensitive details like weapons, targets, and timing.

• It included top officials like Vice President JD Vance and Hegseth.

• Goldberg initially thought it was a hoax—until the bombs started falling.

• Officials didn’t even notice he was in the group, allowing him to follow the conversation, before removing himself.

Reckless Communication?

Sure, adding a journalist to the chat is not great.

But the real issue here is that these conversations supposedly happened on Signal, which raises major national security concerns.

• Signal isn’t approved for sharing classified information.

• Some messages were set to disappear, potentially violating federal records law.

• Some national security lawyers argue that coordinating an action related to national security over Signal may have breached multiple provisions of the Espionage Act.

Response

However, Hegseth dismissed the controversy, insisting that “nobody was texting war plans” and slamming the journalist who broke the story as a “deceitful and highly discredited ‘so-called journalist” who is “peddling hoaxes.”

• Critics argue that Hegseth is lying and should resign.

• Supporters see this as just another effort of Democrats to undermine the Trump administration.

📊 Poll

🇹🇷 TURKEY
Protests Erupt Over Mayor’s Arrest

Turkey remains in a mess after Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was jailed on “corruption charges,” triggering the biggest protests in over a decade.

Now, reports are emerging that even journalists are being arrested, with over a thousand people detained.

Context

Imamoglu’s arrest on March 23 has ignited nationwide protests, with critics calling it a political move to sideline a key rival to President Erdogan.

• Imamoglu faces charges of corruption, extortion, and bid-rigging, which he denies.

• His detention has led to over 1,100 arrests and injuries to 123 police officers during clashes.

• Riot police have used tear gas, water cannons, and plastic pellets to disperse demonstrators.

• Imamoglu, a member of the opposition CHP, has been a constant challenge for Erdogan since his 2019 victory as Istanbul’s mayor. Many see this latest move as Erdogan’s way of sidelining a major rival for the 2028 presidential race.

Press Freedom Under Fire

Journalists covering the protests have also been targeted, raising concerns about press freedom.

• At least eight reporters were detained in what a media union called an “attack on press freedoms.”

• Social media platform X reported Turkish authorities ordered the blocking of over 700 accounts, including those of journalists and political figures.

Erdogan’s Response

President Erdogan has accused opposition leaders of inciting unrest and vowed accountability.

• Erdogan challenged opposition figures to address the corruption allegations instead of “provoking” protests.

• He warned of both political and legal consequences for the demonstrations.

A Political Power Play?

Many see Imamoglu’s arrest as a strategic move to eliminate a strong contender for the 2028 presidential race.

• Imamoglu, a member of the opposition CHP, has been a thorn in Erdogan’s side since winning Istanbul’s mayoral seat in 2019.

• His suspension as mayor and the appointment of an acting mayor have further fueled tensions.

What’s Next?

The protests show no signs of letting up, with Imamoglu calling on supporters to keep demonstrating peacefully.

• At the same time, Erdogan’s government is under growing fire for its crackdown on dissent and democracy.

• Whether the protests gain enough momentum to force a policy shift or fade under government pressure remains to be seen.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Russia Attacks Amid “Peace” Talks

Ukraine is calling out Moscow’s “hollow statements about peace” after a brutal missile strike injured 88 people, including 17 children, in Sumy.

Meanwhile, US and Russian officials are starting ceasefire talks.

The Attack

The strike targeted the northeastern city of Sumy, just 20 miles from the Russian border.

• A school and hospital were hit, along with several high-rise residential blocks.

• Heavy smoke and fires engulfed the area, with shattered windows and damaged vehicles visible.

• Ukrainian officials accuse Moscow of exploiting the pre-ceasefire window to escalate attacks.

Ceasefire Talks Begin

The attack coincided with ceasefire talks between Russian and US officials in Saudi Arabia.

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s actions, stating, “Moscow speaks of peace while carrying out brutal strikes.”

• Washington hopes these talks will pave the way for lasting peace.

• Understandably, Ukraine remains skeptical, citing Russia’s continued aggression.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Terror Attack in Yokne’am

A horrific terrorist attack unfolded in northern Israel, leaving an elderly man dead and a soldier seriously injured.

The terrorist was shot dead by Border Police officers.

Attack Details

The terrorist, Karem Jabarin, rammed his car into a bus stop at Tishbi Junction before stabbing a soldier and stealing his rifle.

• Moshe Horan, 85, was shot and killed while driving with his son.

• The soldier remains hospitalized in serious condition.

• Border Police officers intervened and neutralized the attacker.

Eyewitness Account

An eyewitness described the violence at the bus stop, initially mistaking the attack for an accident.

• The attacker wielded a 12-inch knife before grabbing the soldier’s rifle.

• Border Police officers happened to be passing by and quickly ended the rampage.

Recent Context

This attack follows weeks of relative calm after a series of violent incidents earlier this year.

• On March 3, a man stabbed five people in Haifa, killing one.

• Days earlier, a car-ramming attack near Pardes Hanna killed a teen girl and injured 12 others.

🇸🇸 SOUTH SUDAN
Chemical Weapons Attack

A suspected chemical weapons attack in Nasir, South Sudan, has ignited outrage and demands for accountability, with the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) accused of deploying chemical incendiary weapons.

Attack Details

World Without War, an international NGO, is claiming that an airstrike targeted civilians in Nasir, Upper Nile state, using ethyl acetate—a flammable industrial chemical.

• At least 21 people were killed, including the paramount chief.

• Key locations like the airport, market, and county commissioner’s residence were hit.

• Uganda’s alleged involvement raises serious legal and ethical concerns.

UN’s Role Under Fire

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been criticized for failing to protect civilians.

• Despite being authorized for 17,000 troops, fewer than 14,000 have been deployed.

• Edward H. Carpenter, a former UN peacekeeper, called for immediate action and accountability.

Escalating Tensions

Nasir, once relatively stable, has seen rising violence since 2024 due to human rights abuses by government forces.

• Uganda’s involvement has further inflamed the situation, with threats from Ugandan commander General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

• Carpenter warned that such attacks risk reigniting full-scale war and undermining peace efforts.

What’s Next?

World Without War has urged the UN to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.

• Carpenter emphasized the need for deploying Necessary Unified Forces alongside UNMISS peacekeepers.

• South Sudan is being called upon to ratify Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.