These Are Not Spy Balloons

Hi Global Recap readers,

I think the meme I attached to yesterday’s newsletter intro was perfectly timed.

As if Kim’s watching me, North Korea used a new type of weapon against South Korea.

And no, it wasn’t some advanced floppy disk tech like the meme.

It was something filthier…👇

🇰🇷 South Korea
Kim’s “Gifts of Sincerity”

You thought Chinese spy balloons were a menace?

North Korea dispatched balloons carrying filthy payloads across the militarized border. And you will never guess what they were.

🔘 Provocation: The balloons, reportedly numbering over 150, were found with trash and animal excrement in them.

• North Korea called them "gifts of sincerity." This is some next-level trolling.

• The military’s explosives ordnance unit and chemical and biological warfare response team have been mobilized to manage the situation.

🔘 Response: Warnings have been issued to residents to avoid the balloons and report sightings, as the objects pose potential health and safety risks.

🔘 Tensions: This incident marks a new low in the ongoing propaganda war between the two Koreas, with each side historically using balloon drops as a means of psychological warfare.

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🇹🇭 Thailand
Thailand Approves BRICS Application

It seems like Thailand is eager to join BRICS.

🔘 Membership: Thailand’s cabinet has approved a draft letter expressing the country’s desire to join BRICS, signaling a shift toward an intergovernmental organization with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa at its core.

• Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE joined BRICS on January 1st.

• Thailand is among 15 countries under consideration for membership.

🔘 Multilateralism: The letter underscores Thailand’s commitment to multilateralism and the growing influence of developing countries.

• This aligns with BRICS principles and envisions co-creating a new world order.

• BRICS is largely perceived as a rival to the Western Order, which is led by the United States.

🔘 Opportunity: BRICS has invited aspiring BRICS member nations to join the 16th BRICS summit in Russia. Thailand’s participation may be a chance for it to expedite its membership and assert its position among developing nations.

• Thailand also seeks to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

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🇺🇦 Ukraine
Zelensky Warns Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a warning to US President Joe Biden regarding the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland.

Zelensky’s message is clear: Biden’s absence would be tantamount to applauding Russian President Vladimir Putin.

🔘 Diplomacy: The summit, scheduled for June 15 and 16, aims to forge a path toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

• While the US has confirmed participation, Biden’s presence is uncertain due to the summit clashing with a campaign fundraiser in California.

🔘 Stance: Zelensky stresses the importance of Biden’s attendance, framing it as a choice between supporting peace or war. He argues that leaders who desire peace will attend and voice their positions, even if they disagree on certain points.

• Russia has not been invited to the summit.

• Over 70 countries have confirmed attendance, reflecting a global commitment to resolving the conflict.

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🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Hong Kong Arrests More

Hong Kong’s security forces have detained six individuals under the shadow of a new security law, signaling a tightening grip on free speech.

🔘 Arrests: The national security police’s latest sweep has netted a group including a high-profile barrister, all accused of sowing “hatred” through social media against the governments of Hong Kong and China.

• The charges stem from a Facebook page allegedly used to incite discontent.

🔘 Legislation: This crackdown follows the enactment of the new local national security laws (Article 23) in March, which were passed by Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing lawmakers and have drawn international criticism.

🔘 Context: Although China promised to protect Hong Kong’s freedoms for 50 years under the “one country, two systems” principle when it was returned by Britain, recent events indicate a forceful exercise of power by China in Hong Kong.

🔘 Impact: The ongoing suppression since 2020 has quelled dissent but at a cost.

• Critics argue that the vitality and economic prospects of Hong Kong are waning.

• However, authorities maintain that these measures have restored stability after the disruptive pro-democracy protests of 2019.

• The crackdown has already disbanded groups like the Alliance and banned public commemorations of sensitive historical events.

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🇬🇪 Georgia
Vetoed Russia Law Pushed Through

🔘 Defiance: Despite President Salome Zourabichvili’s veto and public outcry, Georgian lawmakers have passed a law requiring organizations with over 20% foreign funding to register as “foreign agents.”

• Critics label it “the Russian law,” likening it to Moscow’s crackdown on dissent.

• The EU, UN, NATO, and the US have all voiced concerns, fearing it will stifle media freedom and harm Georgia’s EU aspirations.

🔘 Resistance: Tbilisi’s streets are alive with thousands protesting, waving Georgian and EU flags, symbolizing the citizens’ resistance to a law they believe will tarnish Georgia’s global reputation and Western relations.

• The youth-led movement represents a broader national pushback against the government’s direction.

🔘 Consequences: The US has imposed travel sanctions, and the EU is considering a response, signaling international disapproval of Georgia’s legislative move.

• The law’s passage could jeopardize Georgia’s path to EU membership, a concern echoed by President Zourabichvili.

• With parliamentary elections looming, the law’s implications for Georgia’s democratic trajectory are significant.

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🎬 YouTube Basics Cohort
How To Start & Grow Your Channel

YouTube is growing every day.

In fact, more people are watching YouTube instead of TV now. If this isn’t the perfect time to start your own channel, I don’t know what is.

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• Little to no views

• No monetization

• A lack of content ideas

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