Putin’s Conscription Decree

Author

Global Recap
April 01, 2024 • Read in: 6 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope your weekend was relaxing!

While many around the world are celebrating April Fool’s Day with in-office dad jokes and harmless pranks, Putin’s got his serious face on issuing conscription notices to thousands of men. 👇

(⏰ Reading Time: 6 mins)

RUSSIA

Putin’s Conscription Decree

Russian President Vladimir Putin has initiated the spring military conscription, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service.

📈 Trend. This move is part of a routine campaign and follows the recent increase in the maximum conscription age in Russia to 30.

📜 Context.

  • Russia enforces a 12-month draft for all male citizens aged 18 to 30.

  • Conscripts are legally barred from deployment outside Russia and were notably exempt from the 2022 mobilization for the conflict in Ukraine. However, some were still sent to Ukraine due to “error.”

HAVANA

Havana Syndrome: Russian Menace?

An investigation reveals a suspected link between GRU, Russia’s intelligence agency, and the mysterious Havana Syndrome.

❓ What is it? It is named as such because of mysterious symptoms that were reported by US and Canadian government officials visiting Havana in 2016.

🔍 Inquiry. Insider, 60 Minutes, and der Spiegel have uncovered potential ties between Russia’s military intelligence and the unexplained health incidents associated with the Havana Syndrome.

🌐 Presence. Evidence suggests members of GRU’s Unit 29155, specializing in assassination and political destabilization, were at locations of suspected attacks on US personnel.

🛡️ Defense. Directed energy weapons, possibly developed by senior GRU members, are believed to be the cause of these health incidents.

  • The syndrome’s symptoms include ringing in the ears, chronic headaches, and lasting psychophysiological impairment.

  • The first known case might date back to 2014 in Frankfurt, not 2016 in Havana. So maybe it’s time to change the name?

GERMANY

Germany’s Love of Weed

As of April 1, Germany has partially decriminalized marijuana, allowing “social clubs” to grow and distribute cannabis non-profitably.

🌱 Decriminalization. The law aims to reduce black market activity and ensure quality control, yet it faces criticism for potential health risks and youth access.

👮‍♂️ Enforcement Challenges. However, police unions are expressing concerns, predicting a “chaos phase” and difficulties distinguishing between personal use and illegal distribution.

📊 Public Opinion. The move reflects a shift in societal attitudes, with a 2021 survey showing increased cannabis use, particularly among young adults.

  • This step represents a significant change from the conservative stance during Angela Merkel’s tenure, with her party vowing to reverse the policy if returned to power.

  • Experts emphasize that curbing the black market is a marathon, not a sprint, but critics view this as simply appeasing young people.

Will Germany’s gamble on cannabis pay off?

TURKEY

Erdogan’s Electoral Ebb

Turkey’s recent local elections have marked a significant shift in the political landscape, signaling a decline in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s long-standing influence.

🗳️ Upset. The Republican People’s Party (CHP), the main opposition party, secured victory in key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. These cities are traditionally regarded as indicators of national sentiment.

📉 Decline. Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party suffered a major setback, losing control of 35 out of 81 municipalities, including Istanbul, where Erdogan was born and which he had aimed to reclaim.

🌟 Beacon. Ekrem Imamoglu, the re-elected mayor of Istanbul and major opponent of Erdogan, heralded the election results as the end of “one-man rule,” positioning Istanbul as a “beacon of hope” against rising authoritarianism.

For those wondering, Erdogan has been in power for a very long time. He was the prime minister from 2003 to 2014 and the president since 2014.

GAZA

Israel Leaves al-Shifa Hospital

The Israeli military ended its two-week raid on Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, which has left the medical complex in ruins, with the Health Ministry reporting “dozens of bodies” recovered and the facility now “completely out of service.”