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Military Standoff
Global Recap
January 02, 2025 • Read in: 10 minutes
Hi Global Recap readers,
Have you heard of the asparagus fortune teller? Apparently, she’s the only one of her kind in the world.
She reportedly has a “75%-90% accuracy rate,” and she’s made 10 predictions for 2025. And guess what?
None of them are positive.
Given how things are shaping up so far in 2025, she might just be onto something with her gloomy outlook for the year.
Kicking things off, there’s a military-police standoff in front of the presidential residence in South Korea. 👇🏻
🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
Military-Police Standoff,
Resisting Arrest
Investigators are currently at President Yoon Suk Yeol’s official residence with an arrest warrant, trying to arrest him after his failed attempt to declare martial law.
This comes after Yoon ignored three summons.
🤔 And guess what? His supporters are staging a sit-in protest to block the arrest, with a military unit backing them inside Yoon’s residence.
Military Standoff
Investigators are in a standoff with a military unit at Yoon's residence.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials is executing an arrest warrant.
Military forces and tactical vehicles are reportedly blocking the arrest.
The NGO Center for Military Human Rights Korea calls it a “second insurrection”.
Supporters Rally
Yoon’s supporters aren’t backing down, determined to prevent his arrest. However, rumors are circulating that some may be paid protesters, trying to sway public opinion.
Pro-Yoon supporters, waving US and South Korean flags, are confronting police.
They hope incoming US President Donald Trump will intervene.
A recent poll shows 65% of Yoon’s party supporters believe in election fraud claims.
Even if US election fraud is true, what does it have to do with Korean politics? What incentive would President Trump have for “intervening”?
Legal Battle
Yoon's defense team is also fighting back.
Yoon's lawyer claims the arrest warrant is “illegal and invalid”.
They vow to take further legal action against the move.
Context
Yoon Suk Yeol is under investigation for imposing martial law, though it was a very brief one.
The investigation follows his botched attempt to declare martial law.
The incident has led to his suspension and subsequent arrest attempt.
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Terror Connection:
New Orleans & Vegas
New Orleans attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar (left) and Las Vegas attacker Matthew Livelsberger (right).
It turns out, that the man behind the Cybertruck explosion outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has a military background and served at the same base as the New Orleans terrorist.
Coincidence?
Uncanny Similarities
Both Jabbar (New Orleans terrorist) and Livelsberger (Las Vegas terrorist) served in Afghanistan in 2009 and were stationed at Fort Bragg.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar: killed 15 people in New Orleans by ramming his truck through a crowd. He was killed by law enforcement after the attack.
Matthew Livelsberger: detonated a Cybertruck full of explosives outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, wounding seven people. He shot himself in the head inside the car before the explosion.
FBI Investigation
The FBI is investigating any potential connections between the two attacks.
Authorities have received over 1,000 tips and are sorting through them to find relevant information.
No definitive link has been established yet, but the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are still examining phones, computers, and other evidence.
Extremism in the Military
Extremism among military personnel is rare, but the similarities between these two cases are noteworthy.
In 2023, there were 275 allegations of extremism in the military, with only two resulting in criminal prosecutions.
The Biden administration has been focused on addressing extremism in the military since 2021.
Tin Foil
Some conspiracy theorists online claim these attacks being linked to a secret government mind-control project, like MKUltra, with Fort Bragg at the center of it all.
MKUltra was a CIA program that experimented with mind control and brainwashing using drugs and hypnosis.
It’s been condemned as a gross abuse of power and a violation of individual rights.
While there’s no solid proof linking recent events to such a program, tinfoil hatters are running wild with the idea.
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Biden's Plan to Strike
Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
President Biden is reportedly “quietly considering” striking Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran accelerates its pursuit of a bomb.
Well, so much for keeping it quiet.
Secret Meeting
Biden and his national security team held a “secret meeting” about potential US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
The meeting took place about a month ago.
Biden hasn't given the green light for a strike yet.
If he’s planning to move forward, time’s running out before Trump’s inauguration.
Why It Matters
A US strike on Iran's nuclear program would be a huge gamble for Biden.
He promised not to let Iran develop a nuclear weapon.
It could hand a fresh conflict to his successor.
Behind the Scenes
Some of Biden's top aides think now might be the perfect time to strike.
Iran's nuclear program is accelerating.
Iran and its proxies are weakened in their war with Israel.
And as the saying goes, "a snake's last wriggle" might be the most dangerous. Iran's weakened state could make it more desperate and unpredictable.
State of Play
Iran's nuclear program has made significant progress during Biden's time in office.
Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, close to the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has enough 60%-enriched uranium to make four nuclear bombs.
Reality Check
Even if Iran decided to build a bomb, it would take time to develop a nuclear explosive device.
Israeli intelligence believes it would take at least a year.
An Israeli strike in October destroyed equipment needed to design and test a nuclear device.
🇨🇭 SWITZERLAND
Switzerland's Anti-Burqa Law
Switzerland has officially banned burqas, hijabs, or any other face coverings in public from January 1. This move follows a 2021 referendum where 51.2% of voters supported the ban.
The Ban Details
The new law prohibits covering the nose, mouth, and eyes in public spaces and private buildings accessible to the public.
Violators face fines of up to 1,000 francs (about $1,100).
Exceptions include health reasons, places of worship, artistic performances, and advertising.
The Proposal's Origin
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) put forward the “anti-hijab” proposal with slogans like “stop extremism.”
The referendum aimed to stop violent street protesters from wearing masks.
Almost no one in Switzerland wears a burqa, and only around 30 women wear the niqab.
Opposition
The ban has sparked significant controversy and backlash.
A leading Swiss Islamic group called it “a dark day” for Muslims.
Amnesty International labeled it “a dangerous policy that violates women’s rights.”
Support
Security Concerns: Supporters argue that banning face coverings boosts public safety by making it easier to identify people and prevent crime.
Integration and Social Cohesion: Proponents believe the ban encourages social integration and communication in public spaces.
Women's Rights: Some claim the ban protects women’s rights by preventing forced face coverings.
Cultural Values: For others, the ban is about preserving Swiss cultural values and traditions.
Whatever the case, the majority has voted in favor of enacting the law.
European Context
Switzerland is not alone in this move; several European countries have similar bans.
France banned full-face veils in public in 2011.
The Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Bulgaria have full or partial bans on face coverings.
📊 Poll
Source: arabiconline.eu
This enactment raises a lot of questions.
Do you agree with the law?
Or does it even matter, since a sovereign nation has the right to decide how it wants to live and be governed?
Do you think the law is fair?(Needless to say, there’s no right answer—it’s all personal opinion) |
🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Assad Poisoned in Moscow?
Rumors are swirling that Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian president, may have been poisoned after fleeing to Moscow. This rumor comes from General SVR, a Russian Telegram channel known for its dramatic (and unverified) reports.
✍🏻 Context: Assad fled to Moscow after his regime fell to a rebel uprising. • Russia offered refuge to Assad, a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin. • Moscow is now fighting to maintain its military assets in Syria.
The Poisoning Claim
General SVR claims Assad asked for medical help after “feeling unwell.”
Assad reportedly had trouble breathing and was coughing violently.
Tests allegedly showed traces of a toxic substance in his body.
Some speculators believe the Kremlin might be punishing Assad for his downfall.
Assad's Condition
Assad's condition reportedly stabilized after receiving medical treatment.
An investigation is underway to determine how he was exposed to the poison.
The Kremlin and General SVR have not yet commented on the claims.