Good morning, readers!

As you can see from the map below, the world is practically glowing from all the geopolitical friction.

☝🏻 Starting off: We’re unboxing a surprise from Biden to Putin, via Zelensky.

Today’s geopolitics hotspots

A missile surprise for Putin, by Biden.

The US has reportedly decided to give Ukraine a powerful weapon that could change the course of the war with Russia. It’s called ATACMS, and it can hit targets up to 190 miles away.

This move can either significantly escalate or quell Russia’s war efforts.

So which will it be?

🚀 What is ATACMS?

• ATACMS stands for Army Tactical Missile Systems—long-ranged tactical ballistic missile that can hit targets up to 190 miles (306 km) away.

• They can carry either a single warhead or cluster munitions. Ukraine will receive the cluster munition variety.

• They are launched from mobile launchers that can be moved around quickly and easily.

• The US has been using ATACMS since the 1991 Gulf War.

🇺🇦 Why is the US giving it to Ukraine?

After months of Ukraine’s persistent requests for ATACMS, the US finally caved. Fearing Russian accusations of escalation and potential retaliation, the US was initially hesitant.

• The catch? Ukraine must vow not to aim them at Russian territory.

• The White House kept it quiet during Zelensky’s recent visit, leading to reports that Biden had turned down Ukraine’s plea for the weapons. However, it turns out the decision was already made before Zelensky even set foot in the Oval Office last week.

• No official announcement by either nation has been made yet.

🇷🇺 How will Russia react?

• Earlier this month, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles would be crossing a “red line.”

• They also cautioned that it would consider the US “a party to the conflict,” if this were to happen.

🗺️ What does it mean for the war?

The US sending ATACMS to Ukraine is a double-edged sword.

• On one hand: These missiles could enable Ukraine to strike far beyond the front lines, targeting key Russian assets such as command centers, supply depots, and railways. This could disrupt Russia’s logistics, weaken its ability to sustain the war effort and aid Ukraine in reclaiming its lost territories.

• On the other hand: Pushing Russia into a corner may provoke a more forceful retaliation—possibly even nuclear.

🌟 Today’s gem

This satellite image highlights the stark difference between North Korea and its neighbors during the night.

It isn’t called the “hermit kingdom” for no reason.

Quick updates

Click the country's name for more.👇🏻

🇮🇷 Iran:

Iran foils ISIL plot to bomb Tehran.

It sounds surreal, but it’s real. Iran’s intelligence ministry says it has stopped a massive terrorist attack by ISIS in the capital city. The agents seized 30 bombs and arrested 28 suspects, some of whom had ties to extremist groups in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

✱ ALSO: The plot was aimed at causing chaos and bloodshed in Tehran, where ISIL has previously carried out deadly attacks.

🇵🇭 Philippines:

China blocks Filipino fishermen with a giant floating barrier.

• Friday: China has unfurled a 300-meter-long (984 ft.) “floating barrier” near the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area that it seized from the Philippines in 2012.

• Sunday: The spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard has strongly condemned China’s actions, which he describes as preventing local fishermen from “entering the shoal and depriving them of their fishing and livelihood activities.”

According to Filipino fishermen:

✱ ALSO: China has not responded to the criticism.

🇫🇷 France:

France says au revoir to Niger.

It’s over. France is breaking up with Niger after a military coup in the African nation. President Macron announced that he will pull out all French troops and diplomats by the end of 2023. He said he won’t “cooperate” with the junta in combating terrorism in the area anymore.

✱ ALSO: Ironically, Macron’s initial refusal to withdraw his troops, despite the Nigerien Junta’s pleas, was due to his refusal to “cooperate” with illegitimate putschists. So what is Macron refusing to cooperate on exactly?

🇦🇲 Armenia:

Armenia dumps Russia.

Armenia is fed up with Russia’s broken promises and ineffective security alliance. After losing Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, the Armenian PM Pashinyan slammed Russia’s security guarantees as “ineffective” and hinted at a possible break-up.

Armenia also wants to join the International Criminal Court, which has a warrant for Putin’s arrest.

✱ ALSO: There are two opposing views of this matter.

• One demands his removal for giving up Nagorno-Karabakh.

• The other claims such a drastic change during war is a terrible idea. They even accuse the other side of being Russian actors who are aiding Russia’s coup attempt.