Macron to Europe: Don’t Be Cowards

Global Recap
March 05, 2024 • Read in: 6 minutes

Did you know that on this day in 1953, the Soviet Union’s ruthless dictator Josef Stalin died after holding onto power for three decades?

He is thought to be responsible for millions of deaths, estimated to be between at least 6 million and 20 million people.

Josef Stalin

Unfortunately, we still see that hammer & sickle symbol being actively used by a few regimes today.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping (left and Premier Li Qiang (right)

China’s defense budget and rhetoric on Taiwan have both increased, signaling a more assertive stance on the island it claims as its own.

💰 Budget. China will boost its defense spending by 7.2% this year, more than doubling its military budget under President Xi Jinping’s 11 years in office.
🗣 Rhetoric. China dropped the mention of “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan in a government report, adding emphasis that it wants to “be firm” in doing so.

Will China resort to force to achieve its goal?

Or is this just another wordplay?

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry is struggling to return to his country as armed gangs try to take over the airport and demand his resignation.

🔫 Violence. The gangs, led by a former police officer known as Barbecue, have attacked police stations, freed thousands of prisoners, and clashed with security forces near the airport.
👑 Power. The prime minister left Haiti last week to attend a regional summit and sign a deal for a multi-national police force. He has been in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
🌎 Help. The prime minister has asked the international community to send troops to help fight the gangs.

As if the world needed another violent conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged European allies to stand up to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and not to be "cowards."

🔥 Heat. Macron sparked controversy last month by suggesting sending Western troops to Ukraine.
💣 Ammo. Macron also backed a Czech-led plan to buy and send ammunition to Ukraine, which is critically short of artillery supplies.
🌍 Vision. Macron said a “strategic leap” was necessary in the EU’s approach to the war.

A mysterious incident has damaged four undersea cables in the Red Sea, disrupting internet traffic between Asia and Europe.

🌊 Incident. The cables, which run between Jeddah and Djibouti, were cut in a recent “incident” that is still under investigation. The cause is not yet clear, but some suspect foul play by the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
💻 Impact. The cable damage has affected 25% of the traffic flowing between Asia and Europe, according to a telecoms company.
🔥 Conflict. The Houthis, who control much of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, have been launching drone and missile attacks on ships passing through the area. They say they are defending themselves against US and British strikes and supporting the Palestinians in Gaza.

I guess this is the new normal now.

With Ramadan on the horizon, there’s still no resolution in sight for the ongoing Gaza conflict, despite ongoing negotiations.

🕊️ Peace. Egypt, Qatar, and the US are mediating between Israel and Hamas to reach a 40-day truce, but the sides remain far apart on key issues.
👥 Hostages. Israel wants Hamas to provide a list of all the hostages it holds, while Hamas says it is impossible to do so without a ceasefire first.