World News 

 North Korea - COVID outbreak (BBC)

COVID cases were first discovered on Thursday though experts are speculating that the virus has been circulating in North Korea for a while now. Due to the country’s lack of vaccination systems and healthcare programs, there are many worries about the severity of the virus outbreak. Kim Jong-Un blames the country’s ‘bureaucratic and medical incompetence’ and wishes that the country can learn from this and respond to COVID as China has. The outbreak on Thursday, unfortunately, ended the 2-year freedom that North Korea had from COVID. The president has enforced maximum emergency virus controls, such as lockdowns and social restrictions. 

US eases Sanctions on Syria (WSJ)

Washington - US officials have stated this week that there will be an easing of sanctions on parts of Syria that are outside of Damascus’ control, which will lessen the economic crisis and could potentially avert the resurgence of the Islamic State militants. It was presented on Thursday that The Treasury Department issued a license which will allow for private sector activity in selected parts of Syria (not controlled by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime). Which is President Biden’s major policy change on Syria since his presidential election. This decision to lessen the sanctions on Syria on the US’ part will allow ‘transactions in agriculture, construction, finance, transportation and other areas of the economy.’ 

Support for abortion rights (AP news)

There have been more than 380 events set from Maine to Hawaii, which its largest gatherings being produced in LA, Chicago, New York and other big cities. In Washington, there have been activists planning to gather at the Washington Monument before marching to the Supreme Court (currently surrounded by a security fence). There are tens of thousands of individuals that were present in the ‘Ban off our Bodies’ events. There have been polls that show that most Americans want to preserve the rights of Abortion in the US. Recently, the Senate failed to gather enough votes to ‘codify Roe v. Wade.’ These rallies have been an outlet for frustration and the presentation of women’s rights being fought for. 

- Written by Jenna Cho; Source BBC, WSJ, AP News

Finland and Sweden's Bid to Join NATO

Finland and Sweden, previously neutral nations, have announced plans to join NATO. Many speculate the move the break their decades-long military neutrality is driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Sweden’s Prime Minister directly mentioned the Kremlin’s aggression as a motivator to join NATO. The process to join the international alliance has been known to take months due to the requirement for each of its members to approve new entries, but the NATO Secretary-General claimed that it could be very quick in this case.

Many consider Turkey to be a roadblock to the two Nordic nations joining NATO after President Erdogan publicly stated he did not hold “positive views” about their entry. At this stage Turkey is not directly opposed to the two joinings the alliance, instead, they have made diplomatic demands including lifting the ban on select arms sales and requesting that the nations cut off support for Kurdish groups residing in Turkey.  

Reactions from current NATO members and Russia have been predictably divided, with member nations supporting Finland and Sweden’s entry and Russia greatly opposing it. Prominent European nations have supported the Nordic nations joining the alliance, claiming that it will increase security both for the two countries seeking membership and those already in the alliance. Russia is on the opposite side of the spectrum, urging that breaking decades-long neutrality is a mistake on Sweden and Finland’s part, and will have consequences. The Kremlin has threatened to boost its military presence along the Baltic Sea including the installation of nuclear weapons in order to protect its border if the two are granted entry into NATO.

Political Commentary

Liberal Political Commentary

The war in Ukraine has been going on for over a month now, and European nations are understandably feeling the sting and fear of what Russia’s invasion means for policy within the continent. The invasion shocked the democratic world, and illuminated issues in supply chains, energy usage, and trade policy. While the nations affected by the war have had the opportunity to make necessary changes— and not done so, I would argue, in regards to clean energy and transparency— they have now been presented with an opportunity to increase military security: admitting Finland and Sweden into NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization serves as a means of ensuring security, and supporting entry do not mean supporting military action. The alliance is not one of the military aggressors, instead, it serves as a way to deter aggressive countries like Russia from invading member nations. Reasonable people may disagree, but it's possible to remain a pacifist nation and still be part of NATO-- at least during peacetime.

NATO absolutely has its issues, like the select group of permanent members conglomerating power, but at this stage, it's the best option to protect European nations. The isolationist policies that Finland and Sweden have adopted up to this point certainly have their merit and have allowed the nations to focus on their own issues, but NATO entry is in the best interest following Russia's invasion.

Russian opposition to NATO in general centres around the argument that at some point, the member nations will build up military power and invade Russia. However, this claim that increasing NATO membership threatens their security is faulty at best, considering that alliance members would only engage in combat with Russia if they invaded a member nation first. If Russia doesn’t pursue military action, it’s almost certain that NATO won’t either. To no extent is NATO the leading aggressor, Russia is. In order to protect their people, the democratic world is hoping for a speedy entry into the alliance for Finland and Sweden.

- Written by Ashlyn Hill; Source The Washington Po, AP News, Business Insider

Conservative Political Commentary

Finland and Sweden seem to be willing to finally take a side and join NATO. This would end over 200 years of neutrality for Sweden and decades of military non-alliance for Finland(Cook). So, what does this mean?

A mutually beneficial alliance would occur with the risk being incurring the wrath of the Russians. Since Finland shares an over 800-mile border with Russia it would undoubtedly increase its national security due to the NATO alliance and “redraw Europe’s security map”(Cook). Even though Sweden has been historically neutral, its invasion has always been met with international outrage. Should they follow Finland into NATO, which seems inevitable, they would also gain the guaranteed alliances of those larger military powers such as the UK and the United States. The support for joining NATO has grown exponentially in both countries. Previously only 20% of Finland’s public supported such a move and now it is nearly 80% after the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a similarly drastic change of opinion occurring in Sweden(Erlanger). This is likely due to the fear that Russia may try and claim the countries as their territory and rebuild an empire reminiscent of the Soviet Union.

In regards to NATO adding Sweden and Finland would only be a net positive since it would garner the organization more control along the borders of Russia. Sweden is the largest arms exporter per capita and would be immensely beneficial as an ally(Erlanger). Unfortunately, this move does seem to escalate the possibility of world war three as major alliances lead to significant consequences for military conflicts. It is hoped that the addition of these two countries would be enough of a deterrent to prevent Russia from committing any undue aggression toward its neighbours.

- Written By Alexis Walker; Source AP News, NY Times

Economy

A new global trade policy is beginning to form in hopes of building stronger supply chains referred to as “friend-shoring.” This new outlook has been supported by the US and its allies in Asia and Europe, and involves narrowing trade to a smaller, trusted group of nations. Large companies like Samsung have joined the US in strengthening trading channels between “friend” nations, and have supported production in these nations. (Source: Wall Street Journal)

China’s property sales in April fell by 46.6%— a drop that hasn’t been seen since 2020. The property sector is one of the most critical in boosting China’s economy, and many cities have made an effort to revitalize the market in recent months. (Source: Reuters)

Cryptocurrency has faced a tough market in the past week, with the most popular company, Bitcoin, dropping to a price of $25,420. Although the price boosted back up to $30,000 by the end of the week, other cryptos weren’t as fortunate. Ethereum’s value fell by 44% while dogecoin lost nearly half of its value, causing many to become wary of crypto usage. (Source: PBS)

Startups

Business Model

Applied is a recruitment software that enhances diversity by using anonymised applications to recognise skills and talents in applicants that would have otherwise been overlooked. Almost half a million job seekers have given Applied a 9/10 rating.

Funding

In 2020, Applied received $3 million in the seed round. 

- Source Applied website

The Global Snapshot in association with Stedu Association

Stedu Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in South Korea - aiming to provide FREE STEM opportunities for middle and high school students. Stedu Association is hosting its first-ever Startup Summer Camp after a series of successful summer, fall, and winter courses with lecturers from the University of Pennsylvania, Oxford, Dartmouth, Columbia College, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Kings College London, and more…

Impacted over 300+ students only in 2021 in 14 different time zones around the world. If you are a parent of a student or a student, definitely recommend Stedu Association Startup Summer Camp - a 100% free international summer camp hosted via zoom.

Want to contact The Global Snapshot?

Advertise → Link

Careers → Link

General Inquires → [email protected]