US Embassy Under Fire in Baghdad

Author

Global Recap
December 08, 2023 • Read in: 8 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

We’ve covered Elon Musk quite a bit before.

But today marks the first time we are covering Sam Altman - the CEO of OpenAI. You know, the company behind the chatbot that writes your essays?

ChatGPT?

This is significant (for me at least) since I’ve never seen Sam voicing his political opinion on X before.

Or maybe I missed it?

🌐 Around the world:

  • Putin wants to be president (again).

  • Chinese spy balloon in Taiwan.

  • Israel declares a “safe zone.”

  • Iran slams West for Gaza “genocide.”

  • CEO of OpenAI gets political.

  • US embassy under fire in Baghdad.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🇷🇺 Putin’s Running Again

Russian President Vladimir Putin has just confirmed his intention to seek re-election in 2024.

This could extend his rule until 2030, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in Russian history.

  • Election Date: The presidential election is scheduled for March 17, 2024.

  • Controversy: Residents of the occupied Ukrainian regions, annexed by Russia during the conflict, will participate in the vote.

I wonder how the Russian people feel about this. 🤔

🎈 Chinese Spy Balloon

A Chinese military surveillance balloon was spotted in the Taiwan Strait, sparking concerns over Beijing’s intentions.

The balloon was seen flying near Taiwan’s northern port city of Keelung on Thursday night, before heading east and disappearing.

  • Reaction: Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it monitored the situation with combat aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems.

  • Timing: The balloon incident comes a month before Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections.

Is China peeking to see what Taiwan’s up to or poking to flex its muscles?

⛺️ Gaza’s “Safe Zone”

Israel has earmarked an undeveloped, coastal Gaza strip as a “safe zone” - a haven for war escapees to dodge airstrikes, an Israeli ground offensive, and secure humanitarian aid.

The area is now occupied by people living in a makeshift tent camp

  • Safe Zone: Israel has declared Muwasi a humanitarian zone where people can find protection from airstrikes and receive aid, but the UN begs to differ.

“How can a zone be safe in a war zone if it is only unilaterally decided by one part of the conflict?” It can only promote the false feeling that it will be safe.”

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

  • Poor Conditions: The people in Muwasi face squalid living conditions, with no running water, no bathrooms, or proper shelter. They also struggle to access food, health services, and education.

🇮🇷 Iran Slams West for Gaza “Genocide”

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R)

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow on Thursday and accused the West of supporting Israel’s “genocide” and “crime against humanity” in Gaza.

  • Middle East Focus: Putin and Raisi discussed the situation in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian territories, where Israel has been bombing and besieging Gaza for weeks.

  • Military Cooperation: Russia and Iran have been expanding their defense ties, alarming the United States, which says Iran is supplying Russia with weapons to use against Ukraine.

🤖 Sam Altman Gets Political

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, just dropped a political post on X.

Check out the reactions, including Elon Musk’s, by clicking the post above.

I hope his board has approved it. 😉

Iraq

US Embassy Under Fire in Baghdad

US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

t US Embassy. The US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, was attacked with rockets on Friday, at approximately 4:15 am - escalating the already-heated tensions in the region. It is still unclear who was behind the attack, but it is believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militias.

🔥 No Casualties, But Damage. The attack did not cause any casualties, but it damaged the headquarters of an Iraqi security agency near the embassy.

  • It was the first time the US embassy had been fired on.

  • This follows dozens of attacks on US military bases in Iraq and Syria. According to the Pentagon, as of December 7, US bases have been the target of around 78 attacks in the past weeks.

👀 Why It Matters. The attack is seen as a sign of Iran’s growing influence and aggression in the Middle East, as it backs its allies in the Gaza war against Israel. Previously, the US has responded to similar attacks against US forces in the region with airstrikes that have killed “at least 15 militants in Iraq and up to seven in Syria.”

Vice President of the Executive Council of Hezbollah Sheikh Ali Damoush

🗣️ What They Said. A senior Hezbollah official said such attacks by Iran-backed militias aim to pressure the US to stop supporting Israel in their war efforts.

  • The US embassy spokesperson urged the Iraqi government to “do all in its power to protect diplomatic and Coalition partner personnel and facilities.”

"We reiterate that we reserve the right to self-defense and to protect our personnel anywhere in the world.”

US Embassy Spokesperson during the announcement of the attack

Meaning… once the perpetrator becomes clear, “we will strike back at them.”

  • The Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, condemned the attack and vowed to pursue the perpetrators.

🤷‍♂️ What Next. The attack raises the risk of a wider confrontation between the US and Iran, and their respective allies, in the region. It also poses a challenge for the Iraqi government, which is trying to balance its relations with both sides and maintain stability and security.