We said last week that things were heating up in the geopolitical world, and this week appears to be no different 🚀 

Before we give you the low down on this week’s news - we just wanted to thank all 4,100 of you for subscribing to this newsletter. Every single person who subscribes allows us to improve the quality and quantity of all of our content on all of our platforms. 

Anyway, enough of that - here’s what you really want ⤵️

And yes, we are a day late. Sorry about that 😬

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇬🇧 Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond has successfully thwarted a drone attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, with no injuries or damage reported. This incident, following previous attacks by the Iran-backed group, led to joint US-UK airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. Amidst heightened tensions, the UK has said it remains committed to protecting navigation freedom in the Red Sea, while US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro suggests the UK reassess its armed forces in light of global threats.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸 Texas Governor Greg Abbott has escalated the state-federal conflict over US-Mexico border control, vowing to install more razor wire despite a Supreme Court ruling favoring federal jurisdiction. Abbott's move, part of Operation Lone Star, aims to deter migration but faces criticism for defying federal authority and risking migrant safety.

3️⃣ 🇬🇧 General Sir Richard Sherriff, a former top NATO commander, has urged the UK to consider conscription in preparation for potential land warfare, especially in light of the perceived Russian threat. Sherriff emphasized the need to rethink defense strategies due to insufficient defense funding and the declining size of the armed forces. His proposal aligns with Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who suggests training UK citizens for possible conflict with Russia, amidst global tensions and a halving of the British Army size over 30 years.

4️⃣🇹🇷 Turkey's parliament has ratified Sweden's NATO membership, a significant step in Sweden's journey to join the alliance. This development leaves Hungary as the only NATO ally yet to approve Sweden's accession. The ratification comes after Turkey's initial hesitation due to concerns over Sweden's stance on groups Ankara considers security threats and other diplomatic issues.

5️⃣ 🇺🇦 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has revealed a significant corruption scandal involving a failed $40 million arms purchase. Five senior defence ministry officials and arms supplier Lviv Arsenal are under investigation for embezzling nearly 1.5 billion hryvnias in a deal for 100,000 mortar shells, which were never delivered despite advance payment. This case highlights ongoing corruption challenges in Ukraine, a key factor affecting its European Union membership aspirations.

Major Story

The International Court of Justice in The HagueThe International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an interim ruling in a case brought by South Africa against Israel, concerning allegations of genocide in Gaza. This ruling, while not demanding an immediate halt to Israel's military offensive, mandates Israel's compliance with international law on genocide. The decision coincides with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) dismissing employees linked to a Hamas attack, leading to the US halting aid to the agency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the military campaign, dismissing the genocide allegations as "false and outrageous." He interpreted the ruling as a recognition of Israel's right to self-defense.

In contrast, South Africa and Palestinian officials hailed the ruling as a victory for international law. The US, acknowledging the need for Israel to minimize civilian harm, refuted the genocide claims. The European Union emphasized the need for full, immediate implementation of the ICJ's orders.

The ICJ's decision, while legally binding, faces limitations in enforcement, as seen in the 2022 Russia-Ukraine case. This ruling marks a significant moment in international law, reflecting the complexity of global conflicts and the challenges of legal resolution.

Other News

1️⃣🇮🇹 Italian authorities have exposed a massive $1.9 billion tax fraud operation, involving false invoices and money laundering through a network of Chinese shadow banks. The Guardia di Finanza seized assets worth 350 million euros and blocked numerous accounts, with investigations revealing a parallel underground banking system aiding tax evasion and concealing cross-border payments.

2️⃣🇮🇳 Amidst concerns about Russia's ability to supply arms due to the Ukraine conflict, India is reducing its reliance on Russian military hardware, turning instead to Western technology. This shift is part of a strategic effort to balance ties with Moscow while preventing closer Russian-Chinese relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on domestic production aligns with India's broader defense and geopolitical strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.

3️⃣ The United States, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Finland have suspended funding to the UNRWA following allegations of staff involvement in a Hamas attack. In contrast, Ireland and Norway have maintained their support for UNRWA, recognizing its critical role in assisting Palestinians in Gaza.

What Went Under the Radar?

🇮🇶 The Iraqi government has condemned recent US airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed groups in Iraq as a violation of its sovereignty. The strikes, described as "proportionate" by the US, were in response to attacks against international forces in the region. The Pentagon asserts that these actions were necessary due to escalatory attacks by Iran-affiliated militias. The paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), largely consisting of Iran-backed Shia militias, reported casualties and injuries from these strikes. Amidst regional tensions, including the Israel-Gaza conflict, Iraqi officials are calling for international support to restore peace and de-escalate the situation. The US maintains its stance on self-defense, with further measures anticipated if such attacks persist.

Next Week’s Geopolitical Milestones

1️⃣🇺🇸 The Democratic Party's presidential primary elections kick off in South Carolina, with President Joe Biden highly favored to secure the nomination at this stage.

2️⃣🇸🇻 President Nayib Bukele and Vice President Felix Ulloa are set to run for re-election in El Salvador's general election.

Quote of the Week:

🗣️ "Realpolitik leads to real disasters." – Henry Kissinger

This quote by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reflects on the practicalities and consequences of political actions, particularly relevant in the context of complex international relations and geopolitical maneuvers.

Tips & Suggestions

Before we see you next Sunday:

As we settle into the rhythm of our newsletter, we're looking to evolve based on what you want to read most. We welcome your news tips and suggestions for regular sections, just let us know the stories you want to see covered here: [email protected].