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🗞️ Putin scrambles troops

🗞️ Putin scrambles troops

and Hezbollah’s next move

Ross Crabtree
August 11, 2024

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Hi there,

Significant developments across the globe this week, with Ukrainian forces advancing in Russia’s Kursk region, prompting a massive evacuation, (you weren’t expecting that this week! 🫢) and Hamas appointing a new leader in Gaza after a high-profile assassination.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s campaign faces cybersecurity challenges amid accusations of Iranian interference in the 2024 election, and Ukraine targets a Russian submarine in a historic strike.

Let’s get into it ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇷🇺 Russia: Moscow evacuated 76,000 people from Kursk as Ukrainian forces made significant advances in the border region, marking the largest attack on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine. Fighting centered around Sudzha, with reports of Ukrainian forces controlling parts of the town and Russia imposing "counter-terrorism" measures in response. The Kremlin is downplaying the attack, but there are signs of panic in Russian media as military reinforcements, including conscripts, are being rushed to the area.

2️⃣🇪🇸 Spain: Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont returned to Belgium after a brief appearance in Barcelona, evading a police operation aimed at arresting him. Puigdemont accused Spanish authorities of preventing him from participating in the Catalan parliament's session, where Socialist Salvador Illa was elected as the new president.

3️⃣🇵🇸 Gaza: Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's top official in Gaza, has been appointed as the new leader of the group's political bloc after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. Sinwar, known for his hardline stance and close ties with Iran, is expected to maintain the group's resistance efforts while also influencing ceasefire negotiations. Despite Israeli escalations and Sinwar being a top target, analysts believe negotiations could still progress, though Israel's stance remains a significant obstacle.

4️⃣🇺🇸 US: Donald Trump’s campaign reported that its internal communications were hacked, potentially by Iranian operatives, with documents on Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, leaked to the media. The campaign linked the breach to a broader Iranian effort to influence the 2024 election, following a recent Microsoft report highlighting Iranian cyber activities. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about foreign interference in US elections.

5️⃣🇺🇦 Ukraine: After repairing the damaged Russian submarine “Rostov-on-Don”, Ukraine struck it again in port, likely with an American ATACMS missile. This marks the first combat loss of a Russian submarine since World War II, highlighting Ukraine's focus on neutralizing Russia's remaining Kilo-class subs, which pose a significant threat despite their vulnerability when surfaced. With only three Kilos left, Ukraine is determined to continue its naval offensive against Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

Major Story

Hezbollah's vows for retaliation after the assassination of senior commander Fuad Shukr by Israeli forces have heightened tensions across the Middle East, sparking fears of a broader conflict. In a fiery televised address, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised a “strong” and “effective” response, making it clear that the assassination would not be brushed aside as an ordinary incident. This declaration has left many speculating about the scale and nature of Hezbollah’s impending actions, which could either be a solitary move or part of a coordinated effort with other Iranian-backed groups in the region.

The situation has become increasingly volatile, with Israel already launching preemptive strikes in southern Lebanon. A recent airstrike by the Israeli Defense Forces targeted a "military structure" used by Hezbollah in Maifadoun, resulting in the deaths of four Hezbollah fighters. In retaliation, Hezbollah unleashed a swarm of drones on northern Israel, injuring two. However, Hezbollah sources have indicated that this was not the full extent of their response to Shukr’s assassination, suggesting that further escalation is likely.

The international community is on high alert, with several countries, including the United States, urging their citizens to evacuate Lebanon. The U.S. has expressed deep concern over the potential for a wider conflict, with President Biden and his national security team closely monitoring the situation. As diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation, the specter of war looms over the region, with Hezbollah’s promised retaliation serving as a critical flashpoint in the ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

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Other News

1️⃣🇮🇱 Israel: Israel revoked the accreditation of eight Norwegian diplomats working with the Palestinian Authority, citing Norway's recognition of a Palestinian state and what Israel called Norway's "one-sided" approach. Norway condemned the move as "an extreme act" that hampers its ability to aid Palestinians and is now considering its response. The decision drew criticism from both the Palestinian Authority and the EU, highlighting its potential impact on Middle East peace efforts.

2️⃣🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇪🇬 Egypt, and 🇺🇸 the US have called on Israel and Hamas to resume ceasefire talks, urging both sides to meet on August 15 in Doha or Cairo to finalize and implement a framework agreement. The mediating nations emphasized the urgency of reaching a deal to provide relief to both Gaza's population and the families of hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to send a delegation, while Hamas has yet to respond. The call comes amid heightened tensions and concerns about a broader regional conflict.

3️⃣🇺🇸 New York: Former Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang was convicted in a U.S. court for his role in the "tuna bond" scandal, where he accepted bribes to secure loans for Mozambique that were ultimately looted, plunging the country into a $2 billion debt crisis. The financial conspiracy led to widespread economic hardship in Mozambique, with nearly 2 million people forced into poverty. Chang faces up to 20 years in prison, highlighting the global impact of corruption and financial fraud.

What Went Under the Radar?

🇲🇱 Mali: Mali has cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine after a Ukrainian military official suggested Kyiv played a role in a deadly ambush that killed Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries near the Algerian border. The clashes involved Tuareg rebels and al-Qaeda-linked fighters, leading to significant losses for the Malian army and Wagner, marking the heaviest defeat for the mercenary group in Mali. Mali accused Ukraine of violating its sovereignty, intensifying tensions in the region.