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Three US Soldiers Killed in the Middle East
Global Recap
January 29, 2024 • Read in: 7 minutes
Hi Global Recap readers,
It finally happened.
US soldiers have been killed in the Middle East, marking the first time since the Israel-Gaza war began.
Will this be the beginning of an all-out war?
Or will Biden be able to balance his response to avoid such calamity?
🌐 Around the World
🎨 Protesters throw soup at Mona Lisa.
🇨🇳 China halts lending.
🚀 North Korea strikes.
🇮🇷 Iran Executes Four Spies.
🇺🇸 Three US soldiers killed in the Middle East.
🎨 Soup Meets Mona
In a bizarre turn of events, two activists launched soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting the iconic Mona Lisa in Paris’ Louvre Museum.
Their demand? The right to "healthy and sustainable food.”
Soup Attack: The soup was hurled at the masterpiece on Sunday.
Protection: The painting’s thick glass casing ensured it came to no harm.
Not the First: This follows a previous incident in May 2022, where a custard pie was thrown at the painting.
If they want to detract people from their cause, they’re doing a fantastic job.
🇨🇳 China Halts Lending
China’s securities regulator has put a full stop to the lending of restricted shares starting Monday.
This move is part of the latest efforts to stabilize the country’s stock markets after recent sharp falls.
Restricted Shares: These are often offered to company employees or investors with certain limits on their sale.
Purpose: The suspension aims to reduce the efficiency of securities lending and restrict the advantages of institutions in the use of information and tools.
Future Plans: The regulator also plans to limit the efficiency of some securities lending in the securities refinancing market from March 18.
🚀 North Korea Strikes
North Korea has launched multiple cruise missiles from an eastern military port. This marks the country’s third weapons demonstration this year, amidst escalating tensions with the US, South Korea, and Japan.
Launch Time: The missiles were launched around 8am (2300 GMT Saturday).
Analysis: South Korean and US intelligence authorities are currently analyzing the launch.
Previous Tests: North Korea previously tested cruise missiles with potential nuclear strike capabilities in September 2021.
🇮🇷 Iran Executes Four Spies
Iran executed four men on Monday for allegedly working with Israel’s spy agency Mossad and plotting sabotage against a defense ministry factory.
Conviction: The men were convicted of “forming and managing a terrorist group with the aim of disrupting the country’s security” and were sentenced to death last September for "espionage cooperation in favor of the Israeli regime".
Arrest: In 2022, Iranian security forces detained the four men, claiming they were allegedly involved in a scheme to attack a factory linked to the defense ministry.
Context: Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war for years, accusing each other of spying and assassinations.
Middle East
Three US Soldiers Killed in the Middle East
🎯 Biden’s Iran Conundrum. The recent drone attack on a US base, Tower 22, near Jordan’s northeastern border with Syria, has resulted in:
the death of three American troops, and
injury to dozens more.
Now, political pressure is mounting on US President Joe Biden to take a hard stance and retaliate with force against Iran.
🙅 Iran’s Denial. Iran-backed militants are suspected to be behind the attack. However, Iran has denied any involvement.
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, clarified that groups in the Middle East, despite being backed by Tehran, do not act on Iran’s direct command.
🤔 Why It Matters. This event signifies a major intensification in the continuing conflict, marking the first instance of US soldiers’ fatalities since the onset of the Israel-Gaza dispute.
💥 The Pressure Cooker. The event has incited fury among Republican lawmakers, who blame Biden for exposing American troops to danger. They are calling for a robust military response against Iranian forces, both within Iran and throughout the Middle East.
"He left our troops as sitting ducks.”
🌍 Global Implications. The situation is delicate and could potentially trigger a wider war.
If the response is soft, US allies might question the US’s commitment to safeguarding them in future conflicts.
If the response is severe, the US could risk instigating a full-scale war.
Talk about complex…
🔮 What’s Next? Biden has vowed that the US will respond, but the nature of this response remains uncertain.
“We shall respond.”