The GPR Digest- April 17, 2024
News on the Ukrainian military draft, Iran, and more!
GPR FEATURES
Recent and Upcoming International Elections
Check out the newest edition of recent and upcoming elections on the Political Review website! GPR authors Zachary Leggio and Mayerlyn Rivera offer analysis and predictions for elections from April 6th-14th in South Korea, Kuwait, and Slovakia.
GEORGIA
New prosecutor picked in Burt Jones investigation
Pete Skandalakis, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia and a former district attorney, has announced that he will be the lead prosecutor in the investigation against Georgia Lieutenant Burt Jones. Jones is under investigation for his role as a fake elector for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Jones was originally being investigated by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, but she was disqualified after being found to have a conflict of interest in the case.
Jones’ efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia have led to him being Georgia’s first sitting lieutenant governor to be put under criminal investigation. Jones is also likely to be a strong competitor in the 2026 Georgia gubernatorial race and remains a supporter of Donald Trump.
NATIONAL
Trump hush money trial begins in New York
Donald Trump’s first of four indictment trials has begun in Manhattan. Trump is being tried for his involvement in paying off two women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, that he allegedly had sex with. The charges relate to Trump’s misuse of campaign funds and falsification of business records to pay the hush money.
The trial is beginning with jury selection, which is very difficult due to the high profile name recognition of Trump. The key witness is Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney who was in charge of placing the alleged hush money. This criminal investigation, although unpopular with Americans, could be the only of the four investigations to go to trial before the 2024 presidential election.
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine approves legislation to expand military draft
On Apr. 11, Ukraine’s parliament approved a law expected to simplify conscription and mobilize thousands more Ukrainian men to take up arms against Russia. The law was approved by a 283-1 vote in the Ukrainian parliament, Verkhovna Rada, with 49 abstentions. Although the measure has not yet been published fully, still requiring President Zelensky’s signature, it is expected to clarify exemptions from the draft and simplify the process.
However, the draft of the law does not address two contentious issues: how many soldiers will be drafted and whether those who have served since the start of the invasion will be eventually discharged. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, former commander in chief, has stressed the need for as many as 500,000 new troops to counter recent Russian advances. Zelensky has resisted this call in fear of backlash towards mobilization, instead recognizing a need for reinforcements.
Biden voices support for Pacific allies in response to Chinese military action
On Thursday, Apr. 11, President Joe Biden solidified his commitment to allies in the Pacific, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in a historic trilateral summit. The three countries announced joint patrols in the Indo-Pacific between the Philippine, U.S, and Japanese Coast Guards. They also announced a new economic corridor in the Philippines as part of the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment. This corridor hopes to develop clean energy, port, agriculture, and other projects in the country.
The trilateral summit responds to China’s supposed efforts at intimidation in the South China Sea. These efforts include firing water cannons, ramming ships, and shining military-grade lasers in disputed areas of the sea. Chinese ships were also reported infringing upon Japanese-controlled areas near the East China Sea islands in Taiwan. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have responded to intimidation accusations by blaming the U.S for exacerbating tensions and overstepping their territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
The Philippines-U.S relationship has had its ups and downs over the years thanks to scrutiny from human rights groups, who spotlight extrajudicial killings from Marcos’ predecessor. Nonetheless, Biden has made improving relations with the Philippines a priority since Marcos became the country’s president in 2022.
Iran launches attack on Israel— world leaders call for restraint
Early on Sunday, April 14, Iran launched nearly 300 missiles and drones, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense system. The United States, France, and Britain came to aid Israel with interceptions, and Jordan claimed its military shot down drones and missiles that entered their airspace as well. With only one casualty and light damage to an Israeli air base, Israel’s defense was noted as a success.
However, tensions are rising as Israel considers retaliation against Iran. Iran stated its attack was in response to an airstrike that destroyed their consulate in Syria. While Iran says it desires no further escalation, their ambassador to the UN warned that it would respond proportionately if Israel or the US were to attack Iran or its interests. Israel’s war cabinet convened on Sunday and Monday to weigh a response, but world leaders are calling for restraint to prevent a wider war.
CULTURE
2024 Ocean Decade Conference meets to address decade challenges
From Apr. 10 to Apr. 12, UNESCO hosted the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona, Spain. This marked the fourth year of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which is consistently implemented under the leadership of UNESCO’s IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission).
Over three days, the conference sought to strengthen the sustainable management of the ocean and drive innovations in science around the globe. An important UN milestone on the path to 2030, the event covered a multitude of Ocean Decade Challenges including critical issues like climate change, food security, sustainable management of biodiversity, sustainable ocean economy, pollution, and other natural hazards.
Scottie Scheffler wins the 2024 Masters Tournament
Ranked as the #1 golfer in the world, American Scottie Scheffler won his second green jacket in three years by winning the Masters this weekend in Augusta. The win is his third in major tournaments in the last six weeks and brings his season earnings to over $15 million.
Scheffler began the day with a one-stroke lead over Colin Morikawa but ultimately pulled away to win the tournament by 4 strokes at 11 under par. Scheffler made headlines before the final round Sunday when he revealed that he might not even be able to finish the tournament, as his wife was expecting their first child at any time.
Contributors: Sophia Nguyen, Zachary Leggio, Marin Arvin, Jacob Weiszer