Mushroom cloud?

Hi Global Recap readers,

Quick update: I’m finally heading home after a week of travel. Hopefully, the ever-changing time zones and lack of a mouse didn’t mess with the quality of the newsletter too much.

Speaking of travel, here’s a striking photo comparison from President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Helsinki, Finland, versus his trip to the US. 😬

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Huge Drone Strike
Rocks Russian Base

Ukraine just pulled off a huge move, striking a Russian airfield with drones and causing a massive explosion.

To an untrained eye, it almost looks like a nuclear mushroom cloud.

Bold Strike

Ukrainian drones targeted the Engels airfield, located about 700 kilometers from the war's front lines.

• The airfield houses Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers, nicknamed “White Swans.”

• Verified videos showed a massive explosion and intense fire, with debris scattered across the area.

• Ten people were injured, and nearby residents were evacuated.

Russia Reacts

Of course, Russia wasn’t too happy about this. They claimed their defenses took down 132 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.

• In Engels, officials declared a state of emergency.

• Some people were finding drone parts in their backyards.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first time Ukraine has targeted the Engels base.

• Previous attacks date back to December 2022, including a strike on an oil depot that caused a fire lasting five days.

• In January, Ukraine claimed to have hit a storage facility for guided bombs and missiles at the same base.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Travel Warning for US Visitors

The UK has issued a new travel advisory for citizens heading to the US.

What’s Changed?

The new guidelines emphasize tougher enforcement of US entry rules under President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

• British travelers are warned to comply with all visa and entry conditions.

• Failure to meet requirements could lead to detention or deportation.

• The advisory reflects a shift from earlier, less explicit warnings.

Why Now?

The timing coincides with Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.

• His administration has expanded ICE’s authority to detain undocumented individuals.

• Mass deportations and stricter border scrutiny are key priorities.

A Real-Life Example

The advisory follows the recent deportation of Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old British citizen.

• Burke was detained for having an “incorrect visa” while traveling to Canada.

• She was classified as an “illegal alien” and deported by ICE.

🇫🇷 FRANCE
Survival Manual for Every Household

Speaking of not knowing the reason for something, France is reportedly gearing up to send a survival manual to every household this summer, aiming to prepare citizens for crises ranging from armed conflicts to natural disasters.

Why the Manual?

Inspired by Norwegian and Swedish guides, this booklet is designed to boost resilience in the face of emergencies.

• It includes tips for armed conflicts, floods, and health epidemics.

• The survival kit checklist features essentials like bottled water, canned goods, and flashlights.

What’s Inside?

The manual is split into three sections: “Protecting Yourself,” “What to Do in the Event of an Alert,” and “Get Involved.”

• “Protecting Yourself” emphasizes solidarity and lists survival kit items.

• “What to Do in the Event of an Alert” provides emergency numbers and nuclear accident tips.

• “Get Involved” explains how to join reserve forces.

Public Reaction

Not everyone’s thrilled about this initiative. Critics argue it’s fearmongering and a waste of money.

• Some liken it to Cold War-era brochures.

• Others say it’s part of a broader strategy following Macron’s speech on European defense.

The Bigger Picture

Not everyone thinks this is a waste of money. Some believe it’s an example of what’s known as “predictive programming.”

If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s a favorite among conspiracy theorists. The idea is that powerful figures sneak references to future false flag operations into pop culture to subtly condition the public for what’s coming.

Take Netflix’s recent miniseries Zero Day, for instance. Some claim it’s one of these planted narratives. The show revolves around the US descending into chaos after a cyberattack, which is first blamed on Russia.

📊 Poll

Do you think this is France’s way of preparing the public for a planned war with an already-designated enemy of the State? Or is this all harmless overthinking with a tinfoil on?

This is just for fun, so please don’t take it too seriously:

🇹🇷 TURKEY
Istanbul Mayor Arrest
Sparks Protests

It seems like the heat in Istanbul isn’t cooling off anytime soon, with outrage still raging after the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure to President Erdoğan.

Thousands have taken to the streets, defying bans, to protest what many see as a politically motivated move.

The Arrest

Imamoglu was arrested in a dawn raid on Wednesday, accused of corruption and terror links.

• He’s a prominent rival to President Erdogan and was expected to run for president.

• His arrest has sparked protests in Istanbul and beyond, despite a four-day ban on demonstrations.

• As highlighted in yesterday’s newsletter, financial markets took a nosedive, triggering a temporary trading halt to stop people from pressing the sell button in panic. Meanwhile, the currency, already in freefall, plunged even further.

Here’s another view on the Turkish Lira’s slide against the USD since 1991—you can’t even spot the drop from this arrest because the decades-long plunge is that steep.

Opposition Unites

The arrest has empowered opposition leaders, who are calling for unity against Erdogan’s government.

• Mansur Yavas, Ankara’s mayor, joined the protests, urging opposition parties to stand together.

• Police used tear gas to block students marching in Ankara.

Government’s Defense

Erdogan’s party denies political interference, insisting the judiciary is independent.

• Spokesman Omer Celik dismissed claims of a “coup” and urged respect for the legal process.

• Erdogan criticized the opposition for not addressing the allegations with evidence.

What’s Next?

Imamoglu currently faces multiple charges, including aiding a terrorist group and corruption.

• If formally charged, he could be removed from office and banned from politics.

• His arrest comes just days before his expected nomination as the opposition’s presidential candidate.

🇪🇺 EUROPE
Europe Plans for NATO Shift

Europe’s military powers are reportedly gearing up to replace the US in NATO, aiming for a smooth transition over the next five to ten years.

The Big Picture

The UK, France, Germany, and Nordic countries are leading informal talks to reduce reliance on the US for European defense.

• The goal is to avoid chaos if the US decides to withdraw from NATO.

• A proposal will be presented at NATO’s annual summit in June.

• It includes commitments to boost European defense spending and capabilities.

Why Now?

The debate is driven by concerns that the US might abruptly scale back its NATO commitments, especially after Trump’s threats such as the US not backing member states that haven’t met their defense spending obligations—even if Article 5 were triggered.

• The US currently spends more on defense than all other NATO allies combined.

• European countries are ramping up their defense budgets to prepare for a potential shift.

The Challenges

Replacing the US’s role in NATO is no small feat. This is a bit outdated, but you get the picture:

• It could take up to a decade of increased spending to match US capabilities.

• Some European officials are skeptical about the US agreeing to a structured transition, believing that trust in the US to stick to any deal is shaky at best.

What’s Next?

European leaders are also exploring a “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine and strengthen regional defense.

• This coalition, led by the UK and France, excludes the US.

• NATO’s existing structure might still be the best option for European security, even without the US.

🎬️ YOUTUBE
Want to Make 5 Figures
A Month on YouTube?

Imagine collecting $10K to $15K every month—without showing your face on YouTube. Sounds unreal, right?

• Here’s the thing: It’s 100% possible. And you don’t need prior experience, fancy cameras, or viral luck.

• How do I know? Well, I did it myself…

Join this FREE private training led by a 6-figure YouTuber who’s sharing the exact playbook to turn faceless YouTube into a profit machine.

✅ Get insider secrets to create viral videos in 2025.

✅ Learn how to leverage AI to cut production time in half.

✅ Find out exactly why YouTube pays $$$ for the “simple” videos.