🌐 Russia Tries Assassination in NATO Country

Hi Global Recap readers,

I think one of the reasons I love geopolitics so much is that it puts into perspective how we all just happen to be caught somewhere in this long tide of history.

Take Qingdao. No, not the beer… the city. If you look at the photo below, you might not immediately think it’s a Chinese city. That’s because Qingdao was part of a territory forcibly “leased” by the Qing dynasty to the German Empire in 1898.

And today’s story about Putin prodding one of Japan’s most sensitive historical disputes is one of those moments. But before that, let’s talk about how Russia tried to assassinate an American in a NATO country (allegedly). 👇

🇷🇺🇺🇸 RUSSIA & US
Russia Tries to Assassinate
an American

Poland says it stopped a Russian plot to assassinate a Ukrainian American citizen in Warsaw, arresting the suspected operative on Aug. 7 before the attack could happen.

• Polish PM Donald Tusk said the suspect was recruited by Russian intelligence and called the case unprecedented.

• After all, this is a Russian-directed attack on a US citizen inside another NATO country.

• Polish intelligence worked with US services, and the intended victim or the reasons behind it are unexplained.

🇯🇵🇷🇺 JAPAN & RUSSIA
Putin Defies Japan

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup (called Etorofu in Japan) on Aug. 13, making his first trip to the island chain called Kuril Islands.

• Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi called the visit “absolutely unacceptable,” and Japan summoned Russia’s ambassador.

• Russia claims all 56 main Kuril Islands. Japan claims only the 4 southern territories (including Iturup/Etorofu)

📌 Context: The Soviet Union seized the 4 islands in 1945 and the roughly 17,000 Japanese residents were forced out. About 20,000 Russian citizens live there today. Japan still wants the islands back, and says it would respect the rights and wishes of their current Russian residents.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 RUSSIA & UKRAINE
Ukrainian Defector Eliminated

A Russian military officer was killed Thursday by a bomb in Russian-occupied Sevastopol, and Russia says a 32-year-old Russian woman carried it out for Ukrainian intelligence.

• Russian reports identify the victim as Robert Shageev, a former Ukrainian Navy submarine commander who switched sides after Russia seized Crimea in 2014.

• Russian authorities haven’t officially confirmed his identity, nor has Ukraine commented on it.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Sailor Overboard

A US sailor went overboard from the USS Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 3 and was safely recovered, according to US officials.

* Details

Lincoln left San Diego on Nov. 21 and has now been deployed for more than 250 days (more than 200 days without a port call).

• That stretch without a port call is a modern record.

• Families and sailors have also described multiple attempts by other crew members to jump overboard.

* The Navy:
“Everything’s Fine”

The Navy acknowledged that combat in the Middle East disrupted supply hubs that caused shortages and lost mail, but says sailors now have clean water and healthy meals.

• It also says it hasn’t seen an increase in suicidal ideation or attempts.

• Officials also haven’t said whether the Aug. 3 incident is considered a suicide attempt.

Thankfully, USS George Washington is now heading to the Middle East to replace Lincoln. But officials say the swap was already planned, not triggered by the recent reports.

* Update

🗞️ Extra. US Central Command separately rejected an Iranian claim that seven sailors died in a shipboard brawl, and also denied a spike in suicidal ideation.