Edition #020 (December 1st)

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Voyage Members: 360

Good Morning- Today is the 1st day of December with 2024 around the corner. Typically, around 45% of Americans regularly set a New Year's resolution, on average.

Global Insights

Indian Espionage in the United States

The US Department of Justice has charged Nikhil Gupta, an Indian man, with participating in a planned assassination of Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York. The accusations, revealed on Wednesday, raise questions about Gupta's potential ties to the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gupta, 52, is accused of collaborating with an individual identified as "CC-1," described as a senior field officer associated with an Indian government agency, possibly linked to the Central Reserve Police Force. The charges suggest that CC-1 directed the murder plan from India, enlisting Gupta around May 2023.

According to the charges, CC-1 instructed Gupta to coordinate the operation and contact a supposed criminal associate for the assassination. Unbeknownst to Gupta, the person he approached was a confidential source working for US law enforcement. This source connected Gupta with an undercover DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) officer acting as a "hitman." Gupta allegedly agreed to pay $100,000 for the job, providing an initial cash advance of $15,000 in Manhattan around June 9.

Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities on June 30 and awaits extradition, facing a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted. India's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that extraterritorial assassinations are against government policy, promising a formal investigation.

The indictment follows reports of US authorities thwarting a plot to harm Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on November 22. Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, accused the Indian government of attempting to harm him. While these developments may strain US-India ties, the Justice Department not charging CC-1 or any other Indian government official, at least for now, may ease concerns in New Delhi. This situation highlights the delicate balance in US-India relations, with the US considering India a vital ally in the Indo-Pacific region amid challenges posed by China.

Henry Kissinger dead at 100…who was he?

The recent passing of Henry Kissinger, a United States diplomat who lived to be 100, has sparked discussions about his complex legacy. Kissinger, known for his distinctive voice and enigmatic personality, is both celebrated and criticized for his contributions to global affairs.

Kissinger's life was full of contradictions. Born in Germany in 1923 to Jewish parents, he fled the Nazis and settled in the US in 1938. Serving in the US Army during World War II, he earned the Bronze Star for counter-intelligence being a native German speaker.

Moving from academia at Harvard to politics, Kissinger became a key figure as the national security adviser under Presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. However, it was during his time with Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford that he played a crucial role in shaping US foreign policy.

Kissinger's achievements, like opening diplomatic relations with China and negotiating US-Soviet arms deals, are widely acknowledged. Yet, his involvement in the Vietnam War, secret bombings of Cambodia, and support for anti-communist governments in Latin America remain sources of debate. Critics argue that his realpolitik approach prioritized broad interests, possibly at the expense of human costs in societies different from the US.

Even in his late 90s, Kissinger co-authored a book on artificial intelligence, showcasing his adaptability to the digital age. This surprising move highlighted his unique blend of pragmatism and intellectual curiosity.

While discussions about Kissinger's legacy continue, there's no denying his impact on global affairs. He reshaped US foreign policy, emphasizing a realpolitik approach that influenced generations of policymakers. His role in crucial events, from the Vietnam War to Middle East diplomacy, solidified his status as a memorable figure in international relations for the United States

"The most fundamental problem of politics is not the control of wickedness but the limitation of righteousness." - Henry Kissinger

Trending

Israeli forces raid Jenin (West Bank)

Palestinian news agency Wafa reported 17 arrests and a total of four casualties. The Israeli military claimed to have fired live rounds in response to alleged explosive device throwing, targeting, and killing "two high-ranking terrorists" which was the reason for the raid according to Israeli Forces. The surge in West Bank violence coincided with the Gaza conflict's start on October 7th, with two young boys aged eight and 14 losing their lives in the raid. Before the recent Jenin incident, the United Nations reported over 225 Palestinians, including 50 children, killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since October 7th

Ronaldo law-suit

Cristiano Ronaldo is being sued for at least $1 billion over his promotion of cryptocurrency-related NFTs issued by the crypto trading platform Binance.

South Korean protest over dog meat

On Thursday, around 200 South Korean farmers, who raise dogs for human consumption, gathered for a rally near Seoul's presidential office. They are urging the government to reconsider a proposed ban on this practice. Some farmers attempted to bring trucks with caged dogs to the street in front of the presidential office, but the police intervened, inspecting the cargo and preventing their entry.

History & Culture - Stoic philosophy

Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy with roots in figures like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, has experienced a resurgence of interest in modern times.

At its core, Stoicism encourages individuals to focus on what they can control and accept what lies beyond their influence. This philosophy invites practitioners to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity, urging them to maintain a stable mind regardless of external circumstances. In a society marked by constant change and uncertainties, Stoicism provides a stable foundation upon which to build a resilient mindset.

Central to Stoic teachings is the idea that happiness is derived from internal virtues rather than external possessions. By prioritizing qualities like wisdom, courage, justice, and self-discipline, Stoicism encourages individuals to foster a sense of inner tranquility that remains unshaken by external fluctuations.

Stoicism's emphasis on mindfulness and self-awareness enables individuals to confront challenges with a rational and measured perspective. Rather than succumbing to emotional turmoil, Stoics advocate for a calm and calculated approach, fostering a resilience that allows one to endure life's tribulations with grace.

Whether one fully embraces this philosophy or takes inspiration from its principles, the enduring relevance of Stoicism in contemporary discussions on well-being and resilience highlights the capacity of ancient wisdom to contribute meaningfully to the modern world.

Fast Facts

• The very first used car dealership was founded in 1898 in London, England

• The peak of the recent riots in Dublin was 500 people

• Casa Botín in Madrid, founded in 1725, is the oldest operating restaurant in the world.

• The longest anyone has held their breath underwater is over 24.5 minutes

• Airbnb has 7M+ listings worldwide and it is active in approximately 98% of the world.

“Better slip with foot than tongue.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1734