Terrorists in India

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Global Recap
April 22, 2025 • Read in: 9 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

Just as the title of this newsletter suggests, there has been an attack in India labeled as a “terrorist” act, with more details emerging by the minute.

But here’s the weird part: Some people online are blaming US Vice President Vance for the tragedy, calling him a grim reaper and a bad omen.👇️ 

🇮🇳 INDIA
Terrorist Attack in Kashmir

A terrorist attack in Kashmir has left at least 24 tourists dead, marking one of the worst civilian assaults in years.

The Attack

The assault occurred in the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot.

  • Terrorists fired indiscriminately at tourists in the area, leaving at least 24 dead and many injured.

  • Victims were from various Indian states, though not all identities have been released.

  • Injured and deceased were transported down the valley on horseback and all-terrain vehicles.

Government Response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a “terror attack” and vowed justice.

  • Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to address the crisis.

  • Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah traveled to Srinagar to review security measures.

  • Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called for an investigation into potential security lapses.

International Reactions

The attack has drawn global attention and condolences.

  • US Vice President JD Vance, currently in India, expressed solidarity with the victims.

  • President Trump stated that the US stands with India against terrorism.

And it is Vance’s visit that’s getting everyone talking.

Right after he met with the Pope, the Pope died on Easter. Now, while he’s in India, a terrorist attack just went down. People online are joking (or maybe not) that he should swing by Moscow next and have a chat with Putin.

It’s even got The Babylon Bee posting about it:

The Bigger Picture

Kashmir has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with both nations claiming the region since 1947.

  • Violence has declined since Modi’s government revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019, but tensions remain high.

  • Domestic tourism to Kashmir has surged in recent years, with over 22 million visitors in 2023.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump Folds on China

Trump’s trade war with China is heating up, but now, he’s hinting at a softer stance. The massive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports might drop, but don’t expect them to vanish completely.

Context

There are two camps on this one, but more and more people are starting to see that Trump might be dialing down his once hardline stance on China.

  • His supporters are calling it a sign of “strategic mercy.”

  • However, critics are ridiculing him for backing down.

🤔 Thoughts: Now, I’ve been openly skeptical of Trump’s tariff strategy. In fact, I am not really a fan of tariffs in general—they’re a lot more complicated than just slapping numbers on trade deficits. There's a whole world of nuance that gets lost in the political soundbites.

Still, I’ve always said: “let Trump cook.” But it’s becoming pretty obvious that he’s starting to see the writing on the wall—China’s not folding, they’re not cutting a deal, and that will innevitably hurt the US economy. Add to that some voter discontent due to higher prices ahead of the midterms.

Which raises a bigger question: why would any country currently negotiating with the US feel the need to cave—when standing their ground seems to be working just fine?

So here’s the deal: 

• Either Chinese products get blocked for dodging tariffs, forcing the US to scramble to fill the gap with domestic alternatives—which will innevitably cost way more.

• Or China decides to pay the tariffs, and those costs just get passed right along to the consumer.

Either way, prices go up for everyday Americans.

Now, if China chooses the first option, they’ll definitely take a hit. But this means they have chosen to “outsuffer”—betting that they can outlast the US until the US throws in the towel. Although the situation may change very quickly, currently, it is looking like the bet may be paying off.

Trump’s Latest Remarks

In a recent Oval Office chat, Trump admitted the tariffs would “come down substantially” but added, “it won’t be zero.”

  • He’s optimistic about trade talks, claiming both sides will be “very nice” in negotiations.

  • Trump insists China will have to make a deal to stay in the US market.

  • Trump has also been framing this as a mutual show of goodwill, saying that the US is being “nice” to China and that China is returning the favor.

Bessent

On top of all this, US Treasury Secretary Bessent just dropped a headline of his own, saying he expects a “de-escalation” of the so-called trade war “very soon.”

  • He didn’t mince words either—called the whole standoff “unsustainable.”

  • That tracks, especially considering both he and Elon Musk have been openly critical of Peter Navarro’s all-gas-no-brakes tariff strategy.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Ukraine Pushes for Ceasefire

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy is ready to talk peace with Russia—but only after a ceasefire is in place. Meanwhile, Putin’s latest offer hints at a possible retreat from his maximalist demands.

Zelenskyy’s Stance

Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine won’t negotiate until the fighting stops.

  • He’s open to talks “in any format” once a ceasefire is recorded.

  • Ukraine’s delegation is set to discuss a full or partial ceasefire in London this week.

Putin’s Proposal

The Financial Times reported that Putin might be willing to halt Russia’s invasion at the current front lines.

  • Russia could relinquish claims to full control of four Ukrainian regions: Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia.

  • This marks the first formal indication that Putin might scale back his demands since the war began.

US Involvement

The US is playing a key role in the peace talks, but its proposals are stirring controversy.

  • Washington reportedly suggested recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and freezing the war’s front lines.

  • Zelenskyy has long rejected such concessions, calling them unconstitutional.

The Roadblocks

Several thorny issues remain, complicating the peace process.

  • Russia insists Ukraine must remain neutral and not join NATO.

  • Ukraine wants a foreign contingent to enforce the peace settlement, but Moscow opposes this.

What’s Next?

With talks in London and US envoy Steve Witkoff heading to Moscow, the coming days could be pivotal.

  • Trump has warned that Washington might abandon its peace efforts if progress isn’t made soon.

  • Zelenskyy is also set to meet Trump at Pope Francis’ funeral this week.

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS
Russia’s Cyber Attack

Dutch intelligence has revealed that Russian hackers targeted a public facility’s digital control system last year, marking the first known sabotage attack on critical infrastructure in the Netherlands.

The attack was thwarted, but it shows growing threats from Russia and China amid the ongoing Ukraine war.

Why the Netherlands?

Analysts believe that Russia sees the Netherlands as a strategic target due to its strong support for Ukraine.

  • Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently announced €150 million ($172 million) for Ukraine’s air defense systems.

  • The attack aimed to “gain control of the system,” according to MIVD director Peter Reesink.

Sabotage in the North Sea

The report warns of Russian sabotage activities in the North Sea, targeting vital infrastructure.

  • Internet cables, water supplies, and energy systems are at risk.

  • These activities are part of Russia’s broader hybrid warfare strategy against Europe.

China’s Role

China isn’t sitting idle either—it’s backing Moscow while conducting its own cyber espionage.

  • The report calls out China’s growing threat to Europe’s security.

  • This collaboration between Russia and China adds another layer of complexity to the cyber warfare landscape.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about a single attack—it's a much bigger alarm bell. With undersea cables and other critical infrastructure looking more exposed than ever, this might be the wake-up call the EU needs to finally get serious about shoring up its defenses.

After all, they’ve been the loudest supporters for Ukraine, both in words and in resources, for years.