Hook Weekly Wrap | 18.07.25
594 Killed in Syria’s Sweida Clashes
First up, we have to talk about Syria. The Middle-eastern nation has been rocked with a fresh wave of deadly sectarian violence between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin fighters.
At least 594 people have been killed in southern Syria's Sweida province since the violence began on Sunday, July 13. But after days of intense fighting between the two factions, as well as government forces, a tenuous ceasefire announced on Wednesday has largely held up.
Damascus Rocked by Israeli Strikes; Sweida Hit in Strategic Play
Sticking with Syria, Israel carried out a series of air strikes on central Damascus, hitting a compound that houses the Ministry of Defence and areas near the presidential palace.
Additionally, the Israeli military also struck targets in Sweida portraying itself as a defender of the Druze community, whom it considers potential allies.
Also watch: Why Israel bombed Syria ministry of defence HQ | Suwayda violence against Druze minority explained
Russia-Ukraine ceasefire: Trump issues Putin ultimatum
Shifting focus, a frustrated US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Trump says that he wants a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal in the next 50 days.
Trump and NATO Strike ‘Really Big Deal’ To Arm Ukraine, Europe Gets The Bill
Meanwhile, Ukraine is finally getting “top-of-the-line weapons" that it has craved ever since the unprovoked 2022 invasion by Putin’s Russia.
Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced what Rutte called a "really big" deal on Monday - a deal that will see the US send Ukraine weapons through NATO without Washington picking up the tab.
Also watch: Trump not happy with Putin, considers first sanctions against Russia
Trump Orders Epstein Grand Jury Files Released Amid MAGA Pressure
Speaking of Trump, the US President has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump's directive to release more documents comes after days of sustained and surprising pressure from the president’s faithful MAGA base.
Secret Afghan Scheme Revealed: Data Leak Put Thousands in Peril
And lastly, a shocking revelation by the UK government, one which saw a secret Afghan relocation scheme made public.
Almost 19,000 Afghans were at the risk of being captured, tortured or even killed - all because of an accidental data leak by a UK official in 2022.
The leak discovered over a year later by the UK government led to subsequent relocations under the Afghan Relocation Route.
The scheme is said to have cost the British government over $500 million so far, and is expected to cost a further $500 million.
With that, it’s a wrap on geopolitics this week. Download the app or log on to Hook.online for all the latest updates.
