Washington’s weekend launch of “Operation Hawkeye Strike” – a midday wave of precision raids that hit multiple Islamic State sites across Syria – signals a decisive shift from containment to pre-emption. CENTCOM reports the joint sortie followed December’s ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter, and comes on the heels of December’s 70-target blitz. (apnews.com)

Yet the timing matters more than the ordnance. By striking hours after Aleppo’s Kurdish-government cease-fire collapsed, Washington ties counter-terrorism to Syria’s unstable post-Assad balance, risking entanglement in a three-front puzzle: ISIS remnants, resurgent Damascus forces, and Turkish pressure on Kurdish allies. With 140 000 civilians newly displaced from Aleppo and UN humanitarians warning of hospital closures, the humanitarian-security feedback loop is tightening once again. (apnews.com)

History cautions: in 2015, every one-percent rise in Syrian displacement coincided with a three-percent uptick in ISIS recruitment. Unless today’s raids are paired with governance and aid, tactical victories may re-seed the enemy Washington seeks to uproot. As strategist Emile Hokayem reminds us, “Force can break jihadi networks; only legitimacy breaks their appeal.” (amp.dw.com)

The Gist AI Editor

Manila’s Culinary Ambition

Philippine fast-food giant Jollibee is targeting a US stock market listing for its international operations, a strategic move to unlock global growth (The Straits Times). The company, which started as an ice cream parlor in 1975, plans to spin off and list the business by 2027 to tap into deeper capital markets. This reflects a broader trend of national brands leveraging open markets for global expansion, a testament to the power of consumer-driven enterprise. While analysts note potential volatility, the move signals confidence in its distinct business model against established international competitors.

Pyongyang’s Winning Playbook

North Korea is achieving surprising dominance in international girls’ soccer, a result of a state-directed strategy that other nations are unwilling to match (WSJ). The regime subjects preteen athletes to grueling, centralized training, effectively creating an arbitrage in a sport where most countries avoid such intense, early specialization. This approach highlights how authoritarian states can manipulate niche areas of international competition, achieving success through methods that liberal societies would rightly find unacceptable for young athletes.

Bangkok’s Reformist Wave

In Thailand, the leader of the reformist People’s Party continues to lead preference polls ahead of next month’s general election, signaling a potential political shift (Bloomberg). As the election nears, voters appear to be consolidating behind a platform of change. This trend underscores a growing public appetite for reform and could challenge the established political order, reflecting a desire for greater civic participation and a move away from traditional power structures in a key Southeast Asian nation.

Washington’s Science Pivot

The US Congress is signaling a reversal of the Trump administration’s proposed deep cuts to basic scientific research, with analysts now forecasting a potential budget increase of over 2% (Marginal Revolution). This renewed investment in “blue-sky” research—the foundational work that fuels long-term innovation in fields like AI and healthcare—is a welcome return to evidence-based policy. It reaffirms that state-funded, fundamental science remains a critical engine for the technological and economic dynamism that free markets ultimately commercialize.

Stay tuned for the next Gist—your edge in a shifting world.

Thai Reformist Party Chief Holds His Lead in Latest Opinion Poll
— Bloomberg

Hedge Funds Get Ready for the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ Trade
— Wall Street Journal

Congress is reversing Trump’s budget cuts to science
— Marginalrevolution

Inside North Korea’s Obsession With Dominating Girls Soccer
— Wall Street Journal

Philippines fast-food giant Jollibee eyes global expansion with planned US listing
— The Straits Times

Trump’s Oil Grab Is a Big Problem for the OPEC Cartel
— Wall Street Journal

America’s Culture War Spills Over

The cultural schism in the United States is deepening, creating an unpredictable policy environment for European partners. In Washington, the influence of hardline advisors like Stephen Miller appears entrenched, with radical proposals such as the annexation of Greenland now part of the discourse (El Pais). This assertive nationalism is being met with significant resistance. Following the killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent, thousands have taken to the streets in Minneapolis, New York, and other major cities to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with organisers planning over 1,000 separate events (Ansa). This is not mere political disagreement; it’s a fundamental clash over the role of state power and individual liberty. For Europe, the instability of its primary security and economic ally presents a tangible risk, demanding a re-evaluation of dependencies.

The Transatlantic Brain Drain?

A second cultural divide is emerging over science and innovation, with long-term economic consequences. The Trump administration’s hostility towards climate science is creating a chilling effect on research, threatening to cost America a generation of scientific talent (El Pais). While the US disengages, China is doubling its investment in research and development, positioning itself to dominate the next industrial transformation. This divergence represents both a threat and an opportunity for Europe. The EU’s commitment to the green transition could attract top-tier researchers and innovators seeking a more stable, evidence-based policy environment. The key will be whether European capitals can capitalise on this self-inflicted American wound to bolster their own innovation ecosystems and secure a lead in critical green technologies.

Catch the next Gist for the continent’s moving pieces.

Stephen Miller, the most radical voice in Trump’s inner circle
— El Pais

Mexico, in Trump’s sights over its oil exports to Cuba
— El Pais

Trump’s climate war could cost America a generation, if we let it
— El Pais

Aktuelles zum Krieg in der Ukraine
— ZDF

Kircher: Man kann “per se nicht zufrieden sein mit dem VAR”
— ZDF

Trumps Amerika – Macht, Wandel, Widerstand
— ZDF