New Year Can't Stop Elon

Hi Global Recap readers,

Happy New Year everybody!

Here at Global Recap, we’ve seen great growth—thanks to you!

• Our readership is up,

• the newsletter design is better (thanks for your feedback), and

• community engagement has been amazing with all the polls and opinions.

I hope you’ve experienced growth in yourself and those special people around you, and that you stick to all your New Year’s resolutions this year!

However, not everyone greeted 2025 with a smile—German President and Chancellor were hit with insults from none other than Elon Musk. 👇️

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Elon Musk Insults German President

Elon Musk has added another name to his list of European politicians he’s insulted: the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Insult

Musk’s latest jab came via X, where he called Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant.”

• The insult was in response to Steinmeier’s speech on the dissolution of the Bundestag.

• Musk’s post was a reaction to criticism from AfD-affiliated influencer Naomi Seibt.

• Steinmeier’s office noted the post but chose not to comment.

Previous Insults

This isn’t Musk’s first jab at European leaders, though.

• In November, Musk called Chancellor Olaf Scholz a “fool” in German.

• He also predicted Scholz would lose the upcoming German election in February, purposefully misspelling his name in the process.

Scholz’s Response

Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has called out Elon Musk, even bringing him up in his New Year’s speech.

• He emphasized that "the vast majority of reasonable and decent people" would decide the election's outcome.

• Scholz made it clear that "it's not up to the owners of social media" to determine Germany's future.

Political Reactions

German politicians are not taking Musk’s actions—or his support for the right-wing AfD party—lightly.

• Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck accused Musk of "strengthening those who are weakening Europe."

  • Habeck also emphasized the need to limit Musk’s influence, calling for Europe to use its power consistently.

• The government and politicians across the spectrum have condemned Musk's attempts to influence the election.

🇨🇳 CHINA
Xi's Taiwan Reunification Pledge

China's President Xi Jinping has made it clear: Taiwan's “reunification” with China is inevitable.

In his New Year's speech, Xi laid down a stern warning to pro-independence forces both within and outside Taiwan.

(Xi talks about Taiwan at 10:53)

Xi's Bold Claim

• In his New Year's speech on December 31, 2024, Xi declared that "no one can stop China's reunification with Taiwan."

• He emphasized the historical trend of national reunification and the unbreakable family bonds between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Military Pressure

China's military presence around Taiwan is becoming the new normal.

• Over the past year, Beijing has ramped up military activities near Taiwan, sending warships and planes almost daily.

• Taiwanese officials see this as an effort to "normalize" China's military presence around the island.

• Earlier this month, China staged a large massing of naval forces around Taiwan after Lai's stopovers in Hawaii and Guam.

Taiwan's Stance

However, Taiwan isn't backing down from its position.

• Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's claims and insists that only its people can decide their future.

• The new president, Lai Ching-te, deemed a "separatist" by Beijing, took office in May 2024, further straining relations.

US Involvement

The US continues to play a significant role in the Taiwan-China dynamic.

• US arms sales to Taiwan, allowed by the Taiwan Relations Act, have been a point of contention with Beijing.

• China has warned the US against military ties with Taiwan and imposed sanctions on military suppliers.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
US Ramps Up
Strikes Against Houthis

The US has ramped up its airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis, as tensions with Israel continue to rise.

🎯 Its targets? Key Houthi positions, aiming to curb their regional assaults.

New Airstrikes

• On December 31, 2024, the Biden administration directed new airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

• Strikes hit coastal Yemen and the capital, Sanaa, targeting command nodes and weapon facilities.

• The operations also destroyed radar positions and one-way aerial drones.

Regional Tensions

• The Houthis' campaign has impaired global shipping and affected US allies.

• Israel has launched its own airstrikes on Houthi targets in response to missile and drone attacks.

• The Houthis proclaimed their maritime campaign in protest of Israel's war against Hamas.

Humanitarian Concerns

Aid organizations are raising alarms over the impact on civilians.

• Recent Israeli strikes have hit key Yemeni transport, ports, and infrastructure.

• Groups like Oxfam and Save the Children warn of severe consequences for Yemeni civilians.

• Israeli strikes have destroyed all tugboats at key Yemeni ports, affecting the availability of imported goods.

🇨🇮 IVORY COAST
\French Troops Leaving Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is saying au revoir to French troops, marking a significant shift in the region's military landscape.

President Alassane Ouattara announced the withdrawal in his end-of-year address, signaling a move towards greater autonomy for the West African nation.

Announcement

Ivory Coast wants to take charge of its own defense.

• President Ouattara announced on December 31, 2024, that French troops would withdraw from Ivory Coast.

• The French-run military infantry battalion of Port Bouët will be handed over to Ivorian troops.

Regional Impact

This move is part of a broader trend in West Africa.

• Senegal also announced the closure of French military bases, with the withdrawal to be completed by the end of 2025.

• France has already pulled its soldiers out of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups and rising anti-French sentiment.

Historical Context

Ivory Coast's journey to this point has been rather bumpy.

• An armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation in two, leading to years of peace deals and renewed violence.

• Despite instability, Ivory Coast remains a key player in the global market.

• Ivory Coast is the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans.

• Its citizens enjoy a relatively high level of income compared to other countries in the region.

Future Prospects

What's next for Ivory Coast and the region?

• France will retain a small military presence in Gabon.

• Military leaders in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have moved closer to Russia, deploying mercenaries to fight jihadist insurgents.

• Political watchers believe France is devising a new military strategy to downscale its permanent troop presence in Africa.