You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 336, on Friday, May 9th at 17:00 BST / 12:00 EDT.
The highlighted topics will include:
As Moscow Faces Drone Attacks, Trump Ties Oil to Ukraine Peace and Demands Veterans Day Rebrand
US President Donald Trump said that falling oil prices have made Russian President Vladimir Putin more willing to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump noted that both Moscow and Kyiv now “want to settle,” emphasizing that lower oil revenues have weakened Russia’s position. He pointed to Putin’s recent offer of a three-day ceasefire to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany as a positive sign, while criticizing the conflict itself as “a war that should never have happened.” Trump also expressed doubt that Russia was responsible for the 2022 Nord Stream that “a lot of people know who blew it up” without offering specifics.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted Moscow for a second consecutive night, halting flights at several airports ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade on drones, debris fell on major highways, highlighting security concerns. President Xi Jinping of China and other world leaders are expected to attend the celebrations, but Ukraine urged foreign governments to stay away, warning that participation would amount to supporting Russian aggression.
Despite Russia’s declared ceasefire, Ukrainian officials reported continued shelling along the front lines, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Skepticism remains Ukrainian forces continuing their drone operations both inside Russia and along disputed borders.
Separately, Trump proposed renaming Veterans Day (November 11) to “Victory Day for World War I” and called for May 8 to be celebrated as “Victory Day for World War II”. Historians quickly noted inaccuracies, pointing out that Veterans Day was created to honor peace after World War I, and that the official end of World War II occurred on September 2nd, 1945, following Japan’s surrender. Trump’s comments drew criticism for overlooking the broader purpose of honoring veterans from all US conflicts, as well as emphasizing the US role rather than celebrating the Allied victory.
The developments reflect deep tensions in current diplomacy, conflicting historical narratives and Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape both wartime remembrance and contemporary foreign policy debates.
Alcatraz Revival: Symbol of Law and Order or Impractical Fantasy?
US President Donald Trump has proposed reopening and expanding Alcatraz prison, the infamous facility located on an island in San Francisco Bay, to house the nation’s most violent offenders. Trump has framed this proposal as a symbol of his tough stance on crime, portraying it as a necessary step to restore law and order. The original Alcatraz, which housed notorious criminals like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly, was closed in 1963 due to high operational costs, especially because of its isolated location. Today, Alcatraz is a popular tourist destination, drawing over 1.4 million visitors annually. However, the prison buildings have significantly deteriorated over the years.
Trump’s plan to reopen and expand Alcatraz has faced significant criticism. Experts point out that the facility’s infrastructure is severely outdated, with structural issues, old security systems and a lack of basic utilities such as water and sewage. The cost of refurbishing the prison to meet modern standards could exceed $500 per inmate, making the proposal impractical and financially unfeasible. These concerns have set off a broader discussion about criminal justice reform, focusing on the balance between historical preservation and effective governance in addressing contemporary issues in the prison system.
The United States has the largest prison population in the world, with over 1.8 million people incarcerated as of early 2025. It also has the highest incarceration rate globally, with 500 prisoners per 100,000 residents, far exceeding other nations where the rate averages around 100. US incarceration disproportionately affects young men, particularly African American and Latino communities. In 2010, black men were incarcerated at a rate more than six times higher than white men. US prison policy has long been influenced by issues of race and class, and the debate on prison reform remains ongoing, with many advocating for change.
First Face-to-Face: Carney and Trump Discuss Tariffs and Trade but Clash Over Sovereignty
On Tuesday, May 6th, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with US President Donald Trump at the White House for their first official talks. The meeting centered on strained trade relations, following US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and cars. Carney, who had won the April 28th election promising to resist American economic pressure, used the visit to firmly reject any suggestion of annexation, telling Trump, “Canada is not for sale – ever”. Trump’s response was to double down, saying “Never say never”.
Despite past tensions, the atmosphere remained cordial. Trump praised Carney’s election victory as “one of the greatest comebacks in the history of politics,” while Carney acknowledged Trump’s focus on supporting American workers and revitalizing NATO.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing tariff dispute, with Carney urging Trump to lift the tariffs, although Trump seemed uninterested in making concessions. Despite the disagreements, both leaders expressed a willingness to continue dialogue and work on a new economic relationship. Carney emphasized the need for a more balanced and sustainable trade partnership, and the two side agreed to continue discussions in the coming weeks, with a follow-up planned for the G7 summit in June.
Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation Fuel Measles Resurgence in US, Canada and Mexico
Measles outbreaks across the United States, Canada and Mexico have raised alarm among public health officials, with over 2,500 confirmed cases and multiple deaths. These outbreaks, which began in late 2024, are a strong reminder of the dangers of vaccine hesitancy, with misinformation and distrust in vaccines contributing significantly to the spread of the disease.
Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000 after widespread vaccination campaigns achieved high levels of herd immunity. However, with increasing exemptions to vaccination laws and growing skepticism around vaccine safety, the virus has resurfaced. In Canada, Ontario is experiencing its worst outbreak in over 25 years, with over 1,000 cases. The outbreak is largely linked to Mennonite communities, known for their resistance to modern medicine, where vaccination rates have been historically low. Similarly, in Mexico, a sharp rise in measles cases has been reported in Chihuahua, a region with a large Mennonite population.
The resurgence of measles can be traced back to vaccine exemptions, which have become more common in certain regions. In the United States, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that exemptions from vaccines have increased in some states, with some regions seeing exemption rates as high as 5%. This has led to clusters of unvaccinated individuals who are more susceptible to outbreaks when exposed to the virus. In addition to religious or personal reasons for vaccine refusal, anti-vaccine activists have contributed to the spread of misinformation, particularly the false claim that vaccines cause autism. Despite hesitancy, particularly in communities with less access to accurate health information.
The rise of anti-vaccine rhetoric, fueled by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, has further undermined vaccination efforts. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic, has propagated false claims linking vaccines to autism and suggested unproven treatments for measles. Health experts warn that unless vaccination rates are increased and misinformation is tackled, the region will continue to face public health risks from diseases like measles.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.
