Now North Korean army?

Hi Global Recap readers,

Today, world leaders have gathered in Washington, D.C. for the two-day NATO summit.

The NATO website states that 32 NATO allies are gathering to discuss how they can navigate “the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War.”

That doesn’t sound too good.

Here are some highlights from President Biden’s opening remarks:

• Biden announces new air defenses for Ukraine.

• Biden surprises outgoing NATO Secretary Stoltenberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

📊 Also: We have a light-hearted poll about the recent event in Spain where locals “water-gunned” tourists! I would love to hear your opinions.

🇰🇵 North Korea
North Korea’s Military Moves

North Korea has sent an elite army training delegation to Russia, raising concerns about deepening military cooperation between the two nations amid the Ukraine war.

🌐 First: We saw the Chinese military heading to Belarus for joint training. Now, does this mean we could see North Korea joining soon too?

🌐 If that’s the case: it would indicate a noticeable military buildup from four nations along the EU borders.

🔘 Delegation. North Korea’s military education delegation, led by Kim Kum-chol, has traveled to Russia.

• This is the first announced military exchange since Putin’s visit to Pyongyang last month.

• The delegation is from Kim Il-sung Military University, a training institute for military officers.

🔘 Partnership. A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was signed between Putin and Kim Jong-un during Putin’s Pyongyang visit.

• This includes a mutual defense pact, binding the two countries to assist each other if attacked.

• The agreement has raised concerns in South Korea and the US about potential military implications.

  • If North Korea were to “accidentally” cross the border again and South Korea responded with warning shots, a misunderstanding could quickly escalate into a military confrontation. This situation could spiral out of control rapidly.

🔘 Sanctions. Any military exchange with North Korea violates UN sanctions, not that they care.

• These sanctions bar member nations from providing military support to Pyongyang.

• Both North Korea and Russia have denied accusations of military cooperation in the Ukraine war.

🔘 Reactions. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has urged Russia to avoid military assistance to North Korea.

• He described Russian military cooperation with North Korea as a “distinct threat and grave challenge” to security.

• Yoon plans to discuss this issue at the NATO summit.

🇭🇺 Hungary
Orbán’s Peace Mission

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is on a mission to broker peace in Ukraine, making surprise visits to China, Russia, and Ukraine.

🔘 Surprise Visit. Orbán made an unexpected trip to China after visiting Russia and Ukraine.

• He met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

• The visit was part of his “Peace Mission 3.0” initiative.

🔘 Diplomatic Efforts. Orbán is positioning Hungary as a mediator.

• He proposed an immediate cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia.

• His visit to Moscow was controversial and condemned by Kyiv and European leaders.

🔘 Diplomacy. Hungary’s unique position in Europe, as Orbán claims Hungary is becoming the only European country that can talk to both sides.

• Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the EU in July.

• His stance has frustrated EU and NATO allies, who view Russia’s actions as a breach of international law.

But Orbán isn’t the only world leader that visited Moscow.

Another national leader, who stands to gain significantly from skillfully navigating both sides, has also made a trip to Russia. 👇

🇺🇦 Ukraine
Zelensky Criticizes Modi’s Hug

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed strong disapproval of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow, especially on a day when Russian missiles struck a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

🔘 Disappointment. Zelensky called it a “huge disappointment” and a “devastating blow to peace efforts.”

• Modi hugged Russian President Vladimir Putin on the day Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing at least 42 people and injuring 206 others.

• Zelensky criticized the timing and optics of Modi’s visit, especially given the deadly attacks.

🔘 Visit. Modi’s visit to Russia.

• Modi arrived in Moscow for a two-day state visit, his first since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

• He praised Russia as a “reliable friend” and announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in Russia.

🔘 International Reactions. The visit and attacks drew international condemnation.

• US President Joe Biden called the strikes a "horrific reminder of Russia’s brutality.”

• The US has raised concerns with India about its relationship with Russia, urging respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

This raises the question: Did Putin deliberately time the attack to make it appear that India is aligned with Russia?

Or was the timing merely coincidental, given the ongoing relentless bombings between Russia and Ukraine?

Modi’s Response

During his visit to Russia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, possibly aware of the public perception, directly urged for the cessation of the war in Ukraine.

🔘 Appeal. Modi urged an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

• Modi stated, “There is no solution on the battlefield. Dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward.”

• He also stressed the importance of respecting the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty.

🔘 Concern. Modi expressed concern about Indians who were deceived into joining the Russian army by unscrupulous travel agents.

• These Indian citizens were allegedly lured with false promises of lucrative job offers, only to end up in the Russian army in the frontlines of the Ukraine war.

• Russia has committed to repatriating all affected individuals.

🇪🇸 Spain
Barcelona’s Tourism Tensions

Barcelona is facing a surge of anti-tourism protests as locals express their frustration with the overwhelming number of visitors.

🔘 Protests. Locals in Barcelona are protesting against mass tourism, disrupting travelers, and blocking hotel entrances.

• Protesters threw items and sprayed travelers with water guns and canned drinks.

• They used police-style tape to block hotel entrances and sidewalk cafes.

• The protests took place in the Barceloneta neighborhood, with around 3,000 people participating.

🔘 Overtourism. The city is struggling with the impact of mass tourism, which has led to significant issues for residents.

• Hotel occupancy rates neared 80% during peak summer months.

• The number of hotels in the city quadrupled from 1990 to 2023.

• The Barcelona Cruise Port saw a massive increase in passengers, from 560,000 in 2000 to 2.2 million in 2023.

🔘 Housing Crisis. The influx of tourists has driven up housing costs, making it difficult for locals to afford living in the city.

• Rents have increased by 68% in the past decade.

• The mayor announced a ban on Airbnb-style short-term rentals by 2028 to add 10,000 apartments back into the long-term rental market.

🔘 Caveat. The problem is that tourism contributes a huge portion of the country’s economy.

• In 2023, tourism contributed around 12.8% of the country’s GDP.

• Of all jobs created in 2023, 17% were in companies in the tourism industry.

• All these figures are growing too.

So, with such reliance on tourism, can Spain afford to fend off tourists? Who would want to come to Spain when they might get harassed?

📊 Poll

Popular tourist destinations, such as Japan and Spain, are evidently displaying a certain level of resentment towards tourists. While many criticize this behavior, it’s important to understand that the reasons behind these feelings are complex and it’s not just about labeling people as “bigots.”

Naturally, this creates a significant conundrum for these governments, given the employment opportunities and revenue that tourism generates.

🇷🇺 Russia
Arrest Warrant for Yulia Navalnaya

Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, accusing her of being part of an “extremist” group.

🔘 Accusation. Russian authorities have accused Yulia Navalnaya of being involved in extremist activities.

• A court in Moscow approved a preventive measure of detention for two months.

• Navalnaya currently lives outside Russia but would face immediate arrest if she returns.

🔘 Response. Yulia Navalnaya and her supporters have condemned the arrest warrant.

• In response to the warrant, Navalnaya called Vladimir Putin a "killer and a war criminal."

• Leonid Volkov, Navalny’s former chief of staff, praised her determination to continue Alexei’s fight.

🔘 Legacy. All this charade is because of Yulia Navalnaya continuing her late husband’s work against corruption in Russia.

• She has met with several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and EU leaders at the European Parliament.

• She. continues to rally supporters of Navalny and freedom in Russia through addresses and online content.

• Navalnaya and the Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation won the DW Freedom of Speech award in May.