Xi's purging (again)

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope you had a restful weekend!

As for me, I'm currently hopping between time zones, so I’m a bit disoriented from all the shifts. Just a heads up!

I’m doing my best to stay on top of sending out newsletters on time, all while formatting them with just my touchpad (I forgot my mouse…).

To kick off today’s update: we’ll dive into the situation between the Houthis and the US, with a look at how Iran might be trying to distance itself from the whole affair. 👇️ 

🇾🇪 YEMEN
Trump Targets Houthis,
Calls Out Iran

Things are getting heated in the Middle East.

The US just slammed Yemen’s Houthi rebels with massive airstrikes, and Trump is coming out swinging, warning Iran to back off—or face the consequences.

Houthi Attacks

The Houthis have been firing missiles and drones at the USS Harry Truman group.

• Over the weekend, they threw 11 drones and a ballistic missile—none of which came close to hitting a US vessel.

• Sunday wasn’t any quieter—18 ballistic missiles and more drones were launched, but all were intercepted or missed.

US Strikes Back

How did the US respond? A barrage of airstrikes on Saturday and Sunday, taking out dozens of targets.

• Targets included terrorist training grounds, weapons hubs, and command centers.

• The Pentagon claims “dozens of military fatalities” on their side—and denies any credible reports of civilian casualties.

Trump’s Rhetoric

Trump didn’t mince words, blasting the Houthis as “sinister mobsters and thugs.”

• He’s also pointing fingers straight at Iran, accusing them of backing the Houthis with money, weapons, and intel.

• Trump says every Houthi attack is basically an attack by Iran now.

• His promise? Iran will face “overwhelming lethal force” if the strikes continue.

• Critics worry that this threat could be used as a pretext for future strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Freedom of Navigation

In this interview, US Defense Secretary Hegseth lays out the reasoning behind the strike on the Houthis.

The key argument: Protecting freedom of navigation in the region.

But Here’s the Thing

Look at how Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander, Salami, responds. He starts off sounding forceful but then pivots—claiming the Houthis act independently and that Iran isn’t involved.

Is it just me, or does this sound like Iran is trying to put some distance between itself and the Houthis to avoid becoming the next US target?

One thing’s clear: this statement doesn’t seem as “strongly worded” as the mainstream media is making it out to be.

What’s your take?

Houthis

And here’s what’s even more bizarre—the Houthis put out an animated video showing US-flagged caskets drifting among wrecked warships.

🇨🇳 CHINA
Xi’s Military Purge

Since last year, reports have surfaced about alleged “troubles” within the Chinese military. At the time, many dismissed them as nothing more than a routine “shakeup” at worst.

However, with the recent purge of top officers, murmurs of doubt are growing—has Xi Jinping’s iron grip begun to slip?

Arrests & Chaos

It all started with He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, getting the boot (and then some). Now, it’s a domino effect of detentions.

• Ex-Logistics Minister Zhao Keshi? Arrested.

• Generals from the Fujian faction? Gone.

• Even He Weidong’s secretary is under the microscope for leaking secrets.

Fujian Leaders Targeted

Here’s a peculiarity: Xi’s cracking down on folks in Fujian, his supposed stronghold.

Why? Either he’s severing old alliances, or the military’s turning on him. Either way, it’s ugly.

• Fujian’s symbolic importance makes this move feel particularly significant.

• There are some whispers about an anti-Xi movement, but don’t get too excited if you want to see him “overthrown.” If people are saying this could finally take Xi down, remember all the other times we’ve heard this? And here we are.

• Or, it could be Xi trying to clean up “corruption” within the military. However, critics argue that this “corruption” excuse has been used before—particularly in his early years as leader—to eliminate political rivals and polish his image as a “reformer.”

Bigger Power Struggle?

• There are rumors that suggest that big names like the Eastern Theater Navy Commander and others might be next on the chopping block.

• Analysts are bracing for even more drama in the coming weeks.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Ceasefire Ends,
Gaza Hit Hard

Well, that didn’t last. Just two months after agreeing to pause the chaos, the Israel-Hamas war is back in full swing.

Ceasefire? Not Anymore

As we reported last week, the Trump administration tried to extend the ceasefire last week with a “bridge proposal” but Hamas rejected it.

• And this time around, Hamas reportedly refused to release the hostages.

• And Israel also claims that Hamas was gearing to up attack.

• Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz made it clear: the strikes are all about “war objectives”—that includes bringing the hostages home.

• Hamas wasn’t budging, demanding Israel fully withdraw from Gaza first. Israel wasn’t having it.

The Gloves Are Off

As a result, Israel didn’t hold back, ramping up their military action to target Hamas leaders and operations.

• Airstrikes are going after key Hamas commanders and infrastructure.

The War of Words

On the political front, emotions are running high.

• Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to bring all hostages back and take down Hamas.

• Katz also didn’t mince words, warning Hamas they’re about to face “the gates of hell,” mirroring President Trump’s rhetoric.

• Meanwhile, Hamas called Israel’s actions “treacherous aggression” and asked the international community to step in.

This is a developing story, and we will have to see how Iran would also fit into this, with President Trump’s recent warnings against Iran and the Houthis.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
The Statue Stays, Period.

I was browsing online and came across a bunch of people discussing the Statue of Liberty.

Now, given that New York is such a sensitive place due to 9/11, I’ll admit I got a little uneasy.

But then I stumbled upon something that really threw me off: a French politician is actually calling for the US to give the Statue of Liberty back.

At first, I thought it was a joke.

Turns out, I was wrong.

The French Provocation

Raphaël Glucksmann, a French politician declared that America “despises” Lady Liberty. He even suggested shipping her back to France, where she’d apparently feel more loved.

At a convention of his Place Publique center-left movement, he declared to his supporters:

This is the only video with subtitles on it:

The White House Clapback

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wasn’t having it. Her mic-drop moment? Reminding everyone that without American troops, Glucksmann would probably be speaking German.

• “Absolutely not,” she said when asked if the US would give back the statue.

• She called him a “low-level” politician—ouch—and stressed America’s sacrifices in World War II.

A Monument of Friendship

The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of hope and freedom, wasn’t easy to get here. Fundraising woes and war delayed its journey, but it was finally unveiled in 1886. It’s been standing tall ever since.

• France paid for the statue; Americans covered its pedestal.

• It arrived in 350 pieces.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Finally Coming Home
After Nine Months

Imagine signing up for a quick trip and ending up on a nine-month “extended stay.” That’s been the wild reality for two NASA astronauts, but now, they’re finally on their way home.

What Went Wrong?

Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore were supposed to spend about a week on the ISS to test out a new Starliner capsule.

Well, spoiler alert: it was built by Boeing.

• Technical failures sent the Starliner back to Earth empty in September—without its passengers.

• NASA had no choice but to make Williams and Wilmore full-time ISS crew members while they figured things out.

The Homecoming

Today, the SpaceX Dragon capsule undocked from the ISS, carrying Williams, Wilmore, and two others. They’ll splash down off Florida’s coast after a 17-hour descent.

• NASA’s Anne McClain sent them off with a heartfelt, “We’ll miss you, but have a great journey home.”

• Joining the ride: NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.

Drama in Space

Of course, no story involving Elon Musk would be complete without some drama.

• Musk claimed the astronauts were “abandoned” by the Biden administration, and things got messy from there.

• Many accused Musk of fabricating the story. However, when a reporter asked about his claim that he offered to bring them home only for it to be denied, Wilmore backed him up, saying it was "absolutely factual.”