🪖 Haiti Havoc 🇭🇹

Plus: Bell, a subsidiary with a knack for chopper business

👋 Hi there, WarLytics readers! Today's edition is a rollercoaster ride through the world of geopolitics and defense, packed with juicy updates you won't want to miss.

In a dazzling display of technological bravado, Ukraine unleashed a barrage of drones and rockets on Russia, causing substantial havoc by targeting a major oil refinery.

Bell, the prodigious chimer of choppers, has clinched a colossal $455 million deal with the U.S. Navy, orchestrating the delivery of a dozen AH-1Z attack helicopters to Nigeria. It’s quite an avant-garde solution to obsolescence woes. 

- The WarLytics Team

Today’s edition is a 5.1 minute read.

A QUICK SHOUT-OUT:

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine: In a bold and calculated move, Ukraine unleashed a barrage of drones and rockets, targeting key Russian sites, including a major oil refinery, in an audacious attempt to breach the borders of the world's largest nuclear power. The assault left a significant mark, causing substantial damage to critical energy infrastructure. 

• 🇳🇬 Nigeria: Bell, a subsidiary with a knack for chopper business, has landed a sweet $455 million gig from the U.S. Navy. Their mission? Crafting a dozen AH-1Z attack helicopters destined for Nigeria, complete with all the bells, whistles, and logistical support. Set to unfold mostly in the Texan turf of Fort Worth and Amarillo, this aerial ballet is funded by a cool $82.3 million from Nigeria's military pocket, greenlighted by the State Department in a billion-dollar FMS deal dance with General Electric.

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📰 THE WORLD TODAY

• 🇺🇸 United States: In a cosmic alliance, BlackSky has secured a stellar $2 million U.S. defense contract from Axient, the space maestro representing the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This celestial deal involves harnessing BlackSky’s satellite imagery to train AI models, helping AFRL track moving objects from space.

• 🇷🇺 Russia: In his latest episode of nuclear name-dropping, Vladimir Putin has casually mentioned he's "ready” to unleash the nukes if Western troops decide to Ukraine-hop. This marks Putin's 11th nuclear warning since the Ukrainian invasion, showcasing a consistency rivaled only by his geopolitical chess moves. 

• 🇨🇳 China: In the ongoing TikTok tango with US lawmakers, the app finds itself on the dance floor again, facing potential eviction or a sale. While the bill may moonwalk through the House, its fate in the Senate is uncertain, as some lawmakers hesitate to mute a wildly popular app, turning the issue into a bipartisan 'tough on China' shuffle.

• 🇮🇱 Israel: The Israeli Air Force pirouetted into action, targeting two military strongholds on the Syrian front where Hezbollah had set up camp. Israel blamed the Syrian regime for the latest shenanigans within its borders and vowed to keep Hezbollah's tent-pitching antics at bay.

• 🇮🇳 India: India is speedily exiting the Maldives, evacuating military personnel operating in the atolls. President Muizzu, displaying a pro-China stance, orchestrates the phased exit, fulfilling an election vow to see Indian troops off the coral stage by May. 

  TOP STORY

Ariel Henry's Resignation Amidst Mounting Chaos

Background:

• Prime Minister Ariel Henry agrees to resign amid escalating violence and mounting pressure in Haiti.

• Regional leaders convened in Jamaica to discuss a political transition in the country.

• Henry is stranded in Puerto Rico due to armed gangs preventing his return, calling for the installation of a transition council.

Key Takeaways:

• Long-standing Political Turmoil: Ariel Henry assumed interim leadership in July 2021 after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

• Gang Control and Unrest: Heavily armed gangs tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince, demanding Henry's resignation.

• State of Emergency and Displacement: Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas under a month-long state of emergency, with an extended curfew.

🌏 ON ANOTHER NOTE…

• 🇲🇲 Myanmar: India's deportation of Myanmar refugees sparks concern as the military junta continues its brutal hold on the nation after the 2021 coup. Activists urge India to cease sending people back into the turmoil, emphasizing the dangers faced by those fleeing the violent chaos. 

• 🇷🇴 Romania: Romanian Military's Hikvision and Dahua Dilemma - A NATO Base, Uyghur Ties, and Surveillance Suspicions. Despite Romania's Defense Ministry insisting it's all legal and offline, experts warn of potential hacks and security risks lurking in the lens of these partially state-owned Chinese cameras.

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