Unfortunately for the majority of the semester, I’d be posting to the wrong board, so here is a compilation of this semester’s Politiquips, the general global news headlines I found across multiple sources, including CNN, FOX, SkyNews, MSNBC, and several independent news sources. Enjoy the look back on everything that happened these last few months!
Week 1
August 30th
A New Friendship has been formed! The US has gotten Japan and South Korea to drop their disputes and agree to a new security pledge that would see all 3 countries defend each other. South Korea and Japan have famously hated each other since the Second World War, but after meeting at Camp David with President Biden - the two countries will now pursue peace and mutual security as friends, not foes. The threats of China and North Korea and the friendship of the United States have brought them together. This comes as America seeks to build an Asian NATO
Week 2
Sept 7th
China Drops New Map Claiming India, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, and Bhutan China dropped its new map and its neighbors are upset. China’s new map shows them claiming part of India. India says the map is absurd and that their claims have no basis. The map also shows them infringing on Malaysia’s maritime border so Malaysia has rejected their unilateral claims. China’s map also claims parts of Russia, Japan, Vietnam, Bhutan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and all of Taiwan. It may seem silly for these countries to get very upset over what are essentially just lines on a piece of paper. But lines on a map represent people’s identities, their validation, things they’ve fought thousands of years for. It’s never just a line on a piece of paper
Week 3
Sept 16th
A flight from Atlanta to Barcelona was forced to turn around 2 hours into the journey because a passenger had diarrhea throughout the airplane. Passengers say it dribbled down the aisle and that they tried to cover up the smell with vanilla but it just smelt like vanilla diarrhea. I do feel bad for the diarrhea passenger because not only did you cover the plane in diarrhea but then you had to sit in it for the next 2 hours, and the rest of the plane is pissed at you for ruining their vacation. They’re getting off the plane and pointing at you saying “That’s the diarrhea guy” and then just when you think the humiliation is over… it’s front-page news across the country.
Week 4
Sept 21st
Ukraine destroyed a Russian submarine and a landing ship. Using British Storm Shadow missiles, they hit a Russian dry dock in Crimea. Both vessels have been destroyed. The submarine is only one of 6 that Russia has in the Black Sea, and Russia frequently uses them to fire cruise missiles at Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly said that attacking this area would result in a nuclear response. These missiles hit the same area that Elon Musk blocked Ukraine from hitting earlier in the year by turning off the internet. Ukraine’s attack would have nearly taken out the entire Russian Black Sea fleet, but General Musk blocked it. As a result of the aborted attack, the Russian Black Sea Fleet would proceed to fire hundreds of missiles at Ukrainian cities in the following months, causing widespread destruction and numerous civilian casualties. So far though, it’s been over 12 hours and Russia’s super spooky nuclear threat appears to be yet another bluff. If you’re threatening to use nukes, you’ve already lost and if you believe their nuclear threats - you’re a sucker. Do you know who also doesn’t buy the nuclear threats? The United States. They will be providing Ukraine with the Army Tactical Missile System, which fires ballistic missiles that have a range of 300 kilometers… So more strikes inside of occupied Crimea and Russia are coming.
Week 6
Sept 30th
The US Navy may be creating UFOs unintentionally and that is likely why there are increasing sightings. For at least the past two decades, the US Navy has been researching Laser-Plasma, and 3 years ago, they patented the technology. It’s supposed to protect stealth aircraft by using bursts of laser plasma to create or project mid-air images, these images will trick incoming missiles into hitting the hologram. These holograms, for lack of a better term, can be picked up in several wavelengths including infrared, and can appear as real objects in them. This technology has also been used to create laser-plasma balls that can transmit human speech, whatever that means. Perhaps the Pentagon changing the term from UFO, an unidentified flying object, to UAP, an unidentified aerial phenomenon, is further evidence of this. So it seems like aliens are once again not real but who’s to say?
Week 7
Oct 4th / Oct 7th (Forgot I had posted this week)
For the first time in American history, the speaker of the house has been removed. Needing only 5 votes to can him, McCarthy’s fellow Republicans cannibalized him after he worked with Democrats to prevent the government from shutting down. Democrats called McCarthy a reneger and refused to save his speakership. Kevin was the speaker for 270 days, which is about 25 Scaramuccis
Israel has been invaded and is at war. Hamas just launched a massive sneak attack on Israel and has invaded the country via land, air, and sea. The terrorists have reportedly captured and are occupying several cities in Israel and are reportedly indiscriminately killing civilians in those cities. Israel says at least 100 Israelis have been killed and at least a thousand are injured, these numbers are expected to grow. There are reports that at least 100 Israelis have been kidnapped and are being held as hostages. Some of which have allegedly been brought back to Gaza and Hamas is reportedly threatening to execute them. And reports say that more than 5,000 rockets have been fired at Israel. Hamas claims it captured senior Israel officers, including a former general. This is a very sophisticated attack and the timing is reportedly intentional as today is the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. Israel has promised a biblical response, adding that Hamas has opened the gates of hell.
Week 9
Oct 19th
Israel has started to strike back at Hamas after last week’s massive attack. They have started to hit buildings in Gaza with airstrikes and Israel’s security council has reportedly authorized a ground invasion. Palestine says at least 300 people have been killed and more than 1,600 have been injured in Israel’s initial response. The IDF says it’s killed hundreds of terrorists in the past few hours. Israel has reportedly activated its reserve forces as it gears up for a massive retaliatory operation. Hamas is reportedly continuing to strike ambulances in Israel with drones as open combat with the IDF has been reported in 22 locations. UN Peace Keepers have reportedly been withdrawn from southern Lebanon as there are reports of Hezbollah fighters amassing on Israel’s northern border. They’ve allegedly threatened to invade Israel if they go through with the ground invasion. The Taliban have also reportedly asked its neighbors to give them passage so they can take Jerusalem. The US has issued a warning to any parties, countries, and organizations looking to take advantage of the situation. Saying the US stands ready to support Israel.
Week 10
Oct 27th
The US has warned Iran to not escalate the conflict with Israel, this comes as the US has deployed another carrier and is preparing troops for deployment. Israel turned the water back on for Gaza after President Biden pressured them to do so. Biden is also pushing Israel to demonstrate restraint. Acknowledging that Israel has a right to destroy Hamas but not a right to subject Palestine to collective punishment. He also warned against occupying Gaza. Israel’s ground offensive is still expected but keeps getting delayed by rain
Week 11
Nov 7th
A Chinese fighter jet came within 10 feet of a US B-52 bomber over the South China Sea earlier this week, that’s what you’re seeing on screen right now. The US says the Chinese pilot was “flying at an uncontrolled excessive speed, flying below, in front of, and within 10 feet of the B-52, putting both aircraft in danger of collision.” In response to this, China released a video showing a US warship doing what they call “close-in harassment” on August 19th, which is what you’re watching right now. China says the US is the real provoker, risk-taker, and disrupter. However, the US says that China has engaged in risky and aggressive behavior in the skies over 180 times since the Fall of 2021. Good lord, which one of them is gonna yell “mom” first?
Week 12
Nov 8th
In a very rare announcement, the US announced the arrival of one of its most secretive assets to the Persian Gulf. A nuclear submarine. The message they’re sending is clear and the recipient of that message is Iran and its proxies. The USS Florida is one of four Ohio Class Submarines that carries 154 tomahawk missiles that can each carry a 1,000-pound warhead and travel up to 1,500 miles. It also deploys navy seals. These subs are known as the four horsemen of the Tomahawkalypse.
Week 14
Nov 22nd
The US is at least mildly pissed at Israel according to Axios. Yesterday the Pentagon’s chief called his Israeli counterpart to issue a warning about trying to provoke a war with Hezbollah because the US believes that this will cause a regional war that will draw the US and several other countries into the conflict. Israel flatly denies that this conversation happened but Axios says their sources in both countries claim the call was very direct and frank. The US conducted another round of airstrikes in Eastern Syria on bases used by Iranian proxies and the IRGC.US Forces have been attacked 4 times by Iranian proxies since the airstrikes yesterday. There have now been at least 50 attacks on US forces since October 17th according to the Pentagon. The New York Times reported that President Biden has rejected more aggressive bombing options proposed by the Pentagon in hopes of not escalating into a war with Iran. Some now saying his hands are looking to be increasingly tied after today’s attacks. The Biden administration sent an advisor to Lebanon last week to deliver a warning to Hezbollah via Lebanon's parliament according to V-O-A. The warning was to not escalate the conflict. The advisor reportedly returned to America with the impression that Hezbollah wasn’t interested in an actual war, Axios alleges. Despite this, Israel and Hezbollah keep climbing the escalation ladder with each other, hoping one will give up.
