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Hello, Namaskar. This is first post and you are watching Vantage with me, Palkishan. The unrest in Bangladesh is getting out of hand. Yesterday we told you about violent protests and clashes in which students were killed.

hʌloʊ, . ðɪs ɪz fɜ˞st poʊst ʌnd ju ɑɹ wɑtʃɪŋ væntʌdʒ wɪð mi, . ðʌ ʌnɹɛst ɪn bæŋlʌdɛʃ ɪz ɡɛtɪŋ aʊt ʌv hænd. jɛstɜ˞deɪ wi toʊld ju ʌbaʊt vaɪʌlʌnt pɹoʊtɛsts ʌnd klæʃɪz ɪn wɪtʃ studʌnts wɜ˞ kɪld.

Today we will tell you about the arrest of a Hindu priest. New Delhi has condemned him. At a time when Hindus are being targeted in Bangladesh, what message is the UNICE government sending with this arrest?

tʌdeɪ wi wɪl tɛl ju ʌbaʊt ðʌ ɜ˞ɛst ʌv ʌ hɪndu pɹist. nu dɛli hæz kʌndɛmd hɪm. æt ʌ taɪm wɛn hɪnduz ɑɹ biɪŋ tɑɹɡʌtɪd ɪn bæŋlʌdɛʃ, wʌt mɛsʌdʒ ɪz ðʌ ɡʌvɜ˞mʌnt sɛndɪŋ wɪð ðɪs ɜ˞ɛst?

China claims jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait with Taipei and Washington dispute that saying the Strait is an international waterway. The former chairman of the Bank of China gets a suspended death sentence for corruption.

tʃaɪnʌ kleɪmz dʒʊɹʌsdɪkʃʌn oʊvɜ˞ ðʌ taɪwɑn stɹeɪt wɪð taɪpeɪ ʌnd wɑʃɪŋtʌn dɪspjut ðæt seɪɪŋ ðʌ stɹeɪt ɪz æn ɪntɜ˞næʃʌnʌl wɔtɜ˞weɪ. ðʌ fɔɹmɜ˞ tʃɛɹmʌn ʌv ðʌ bæŋk ʌv tʃaɪnʌ ɡɛts ʌ sʌspɛndɪd dɛθ sɛntʌns fɔɹ kɜ˞ʌpʃʌn.

That's 214 crores every single month. And that's just the official figure. A lot of people don't even report such crimes. They're either ashamed or they think the police won't help anyway.

ðæts ɛvɜ˞i sɪŋɡʌl mʌnθ. ʌnd ðæts dʒʌst ðʌ ʌfɪʃʌl fɪɡjɜ˞. ʌ lɑt ʌv pipʌl doʊnt ivɪn ɹipɔɹt sʌtʃ kɹaɪmz. ðɛɹ iðɜ˞ ʌʃeɪmd ɔɹ ðeɪ θɪŋk ðʌ pʌlis woʊnt hɛlp ɛniweɪ.

The impeachment voters on Friday if the lawmakers approved the motion it will go to a constitutional court. The bench of nine judges will hear this case. Six of these judges must vote yes

ðʌ ɪmpitʃmʌnt voʊtɜ˞z ɑn fɹaɪdi ɪf ðʌ lɔmeɪkɜ˞z ʌpɹuvd ðʌ moʊʃʌn ɪt wɪl ɡoʊ tu ʌ kɑnstʌtuʃʌnʌl kɔɹt. ðʌ bɛntʃ ʌv naɪn dʒʌdʒɪz wɪl hiɹ ðɪs keɪs. sɪks ʌv ðiz dʒʌdʒɪz mʌst voʊt jɛs

for the impeachment to stand. And if that happens, President Yoon will be removed from office. Although he won't be the first president to face impeachment. But his exit could be the most humiliating one yet.

fɔɹ ðʌ ɪmpitʃmʌnt tu stænd. ʌnd ɪf ðæt hæpʌnz, pɹɛzʌdɛnt jun wɪl bi ɹimuvd fɹʌm ɔfɪs. ɔlðoʊ hi woʊnt bi ðʌ fɜ˞st pɹɛzʌdɛnt tu feɪs ɪmpitʃmʌnt. bʌt hɪz ɛɡzɪt kʊd bi ðʌ moʊst hjumɪlieɪtɪŋ wʌn jɛt.

We've seen a lot of people asking the same questions. Why did this happen? And how in South Korea? Isn't it supposed to be a stable democracy?

wiv sin ʌ lɑt ʌv pipʌl æskɪŋ ðʌ seɪm kwɛstʃʌnz. waɪ dɪd ðɪs hæpʌn? ʌnd haʊ ɪn saʊθ kɔɹiʌ? ɪzʌnt ɪt sʌpoʊzd tu bi ʌ steɪbʌl dɪmɑkɹʌsi?

We'll try to answer both these questions tonight and here's the first thing that you need to know. President Yoon is struggling politically. His approval ratings are low. He does not control the parliament

wil tɹaɪ tu ænsɜ˞ boʊθ ðiz kwɛstʃʌnz tʌnaɪt ʌnd hɪɹz ðʌ fɜ˞st θɪŋ ðæt ju nid tu noʊ. pɹɛzʌdɛnt jun ɪz stɹʌɡʌlɪŋ pʌlɪtɪkʌli. hɪz ʌpɹuvʌl ɹeɪtɪŋz ɑɹ loʊ. hi dʌz nɑt kʌntɹoʊl ðʌ pɑɹlʌmʌnt

and he's mired in corruption scandals. Instead of riding it out, he chose the nuclear option, a risky and amateur move. Let me take you back to the year 2022.

ʌnd hiz maɪɹd ɪn kɜ˞ʌpʃʌn skændʌlz. ɪnstɛd ʌv ɹaɪdɪŋ ɪt aʊt, hi tʃoʊz ðʌ nukliɜ˞ ɑpʃʌn, ʌ ɹɪski ʌnd æmʌtɜ˞ muv. lɛt mi teɪk ju bæk tu ðʌ jɪɹ .

That's when Yoon, Suk-Yul, won the presidential election in South Korea. He came with an ambitious agenda. Just one problem though. His party did not control the parliament.

ðæts wɛn jun, sʌk-jʌl, wʌn ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnʃʌl ɪlɛkʃʌn ɪn saʊθ kɔɹiʌ. hi keɪm wɪð æn æmbɪʃʌs ʌdʒɛndʌ. dʒʌst wʌn pɹɑblʌm ðoʊ. hɪz pɑɹti dɪd nɑt kʌntɹoʊl ðʌ pɑɹlʌmʌnt.

The opposition Democratic party held the majority in parliament, meaning President Yoon could not get work done. His policies and his proposals were shot down in parliament.

ðʌ ɑpʌzɪʃʌn dɛmʌkɹætɪk pɑɹti hɛld ðʌ mʌdʒɔɹʌti ɪn pɑɹlʌmʌnt, minɪŋ pɹɛzʌdɛnt jun kʊd nɑt ɡɛt wɜ˞k dʌn. hɪz pɑlʌsiz ʌnd hɪz pɹʌpoʊzʌlz wɜ˞ ʃɑt daʊn ɪn pɑɹlʌmʌnt.

Elections happened again in 2024. And once again, the opposition got a majority. So Yoon was reduced to a lame duck president. The opposition would pass their own legislations and Yoon would veto them.

ɪlɛkʃʌnz hæpʌnd ʌɡɛn ɪn . ʌnd wʌns ʌɡɛn, ðʌ ɑpʌzɪʃʌn ɡɑt ʌ mʌdʒɔɹʌti. soʊ jun wɑz ɹʌdust tu ʌ leɪm dʌk pɹɛzʌdɛnt. ðʌ ɑpʌzɪʃʌn wʊd pæs ðɛɹ oʊn ʌnd jun wʊd vitoʊ ðɛm.

He used the veto at least 11 times since taking office. Yesterday, he did allude to this problem. Yoon cited policy paralysis in government. Basically, he was frustrated about being powerless.

hi juzd ðʌ vitoʊ æt list taɪmz sɪns teɪkɪŋ ɔfɪs. jɛstɜ˞deɪ, hi dɪd ʌlud tu ðɪs pɹɑblʌm. jun saɪtʌd pɑlʌsi pɜ˞ælʌsʌs ɪn ɡʌvɜ˞mʌnt. beɪsɪkli, hi wɑz fɹʌstɹeɪtʌd ʌbaʊt biɪŋ paʊɜ˞lʌs.

That was the first factor. The second factor was the corruption scandals. Most of them involved his wife. She's accused of stock manipulation, accepting gifts in exchange for favors

ðæt wɑz ðʌ fɜ˞st fæktɜ˞. ðʌ sɛkʌnd fæktɜ˞ wɑz ðʌ kɜ˞ʌpʃʌn skændʌlz. moʊst ʌv ðɛm ɪnvɑlvd hɪz waɪf. ʃiz ʌkjuzd ʌv stɑk mʌnɪpjʌleɪʃʌn, æksɛptɪŋ ɡɪfts ɪn ɪkstʃeɪndʒ fɔɹ feɪvɜ˞z

This issue is so widespread. Even the Prime Minister spoke about it recently. So what exactly is a digital arrest? It's a deceptive tactic used by cyber criminals.

ðɪs ɪʃu ɪz soʊ waɪdspɹɛd. ivɪn ðʌ pɹaɪm mɪnʌstɜ˞ spoʊk ʌbaʊt ɪt ɹisʌntli. soʊ wʌt ɪɡzæktli ɪz ʌ dɪdʒʌtʌl ɜ˞ɛst? ɪts ʌ dɪsɛptɪv tæktɪk juzd baɪ saɪbɜ˞ kɹɪmʌnʌlz.

and of election meddling. All of this has dropped Yoon's approval ratings to 25. It was almost 53% after his inauguration. Now it's 25%.

ʌnd ʌv ɪlɛkʃʌn mɛdʌlɪŋ. ɔl ʌv ðɪs hæz dɹɑpt junɛs ʌpɹuvʌl ɹeɪtɪŋz tu . ɪt wɑz ɔlmoʊst % æftɜ˞ hɪz ɪnɔɡjɜ˞eɪʃʌn. naʊ ɪts %.

So to recap, Yoon was stuck and unpopular. A seasoned leader may have wrote it out, wrote out the storm, or found a tactical solution. But President Yoon is a political novice.

soʊ tu ɹikæp, jun wɑz stʌk ʌnd ʌnpɑpjʌlɜ˞. ʌ sizʌnd lidɜ˞ meɪ hæv ɹoʊt ɪt aʊt, ɹoʊt aʊt ðʌ stɔɹm, ɔɹ faʊnd ʌ tæktɪkʌl sʌluʃʌn. bʌt pɹɛzʌdɛnt jun ɪz ʌ pʌlɪtʌkʌl nɑvʌs.

He was a prosecutor for most of his life. His first foreign to politics was the 2022 presidential election and clearly the inexperienced showed. Which brings us to the second question we are addressing tonight.

hi wɑz ʌ pɹɑsɪkjutɜ˞ fɔɹ moʊst ʌv hɪz laɪf. hɪz fɜ˞st fɔɹʌn tu pɑlʌtɪks wɑz ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnʃʌl ɪlɛkʃʌn ʌnd klɪɹli ðʌ ɪnɪkspɪɹiʌnst ʃoʊd. wɪtʃ bɹɪŋz ʌs tu ðʌ sɛkʌnd kwɛstʃʌn wi ɑɹ ʌdɹɛsɪŋ tʌnaɪt.

How did this happen in South Korea? The democracy is new in this country. Until the late 1980s, it was ruled by dictators and strongmen. They used to impose martial law regularly.

haʊ dɪd ðɪs hæpʌn ɪn saʊθ kɔɹiʌ? ðʌ dɪmɑkɹʌsi ɪz nu ɪn ðɪs kʌntɹi. ʌntɪl ðʌ leɪt , ɪt wɑz ɹuld baɪ dɪkteɪtɜ˞z ʌnd . ðeɪ juzd tu ɪmpoʊz mɑɹʃʌl lɔ ɹɛɡjʌlɜ˞li.

They have been 16 instances since 1948. I know it seems unthinkable in modern days of Korea. But look at their history. It is riddled with takeovers, assassinations and crackdowns.

ðeɪ hæv bɪn ɪnstʌnsʌz sɪns . aɪ noʊ ɪt simz ʌnθɪŋkʌbʌl ɪn mɑdɜ˞n deɪz ʌv kɔɹiʌ. bʌt lʊk æt ðɛɹ hɪstɜ˞i. ɪt ɪz ɹɪdʌld wɪð teɪkoʊvɜ˞z, ʌsæsʌneɪʃʌnz ʌnd kɹækdaʊnz.

The first military coup was in 1961. Army officer Park Chung-hee led soldiers into Seoul. He declared martial law and banned political activities.

ðʌ fɜ˞st mɪlʌtɛɹi ku wɑz ɪn . ɑɹmi ɔfʌsɜ˞ pɑɹk tʃʌŋ-hi lɛd soʊldʒɜ˞z ɪntu soʊl. hi dɪklɛɹd mɑɹʃʌl lɔ ʌnd bænd pʌlɪtʌkʌl æktɪvʌtiz.

Park went on to rule for almost 20 years. The second coup was in 1979. Less than two months after Park's death. Another general led soldiers and tanks into Seoul.

pɑɹk wɛnt ɑn tu ɹul fɔɹ ɔlmoʊst jɪɹz. ðʌ sɛkʌnd ku wɑz ɪn . lɛs ðæn tu mʌnθs æftɜ˞ pɑɹks dɛθ. ʌnʌðɜ˞ dʒɛnɜ˞ʌl lɛd soʊldʒɜ˞z ʌnd tæŋks ɪntu soʊl.

That's two military takeovers in seven decades. Even otherwise South Korea's presidents have had troubled careers. Some have been overthrown, some have been jailed,

ðæts tu mɪlʌtɛɹi teɪkoʊvɜ˞z ɪn sɛvʌn dɛkeɪdz. ivɪn ʌðɜ˞waɪz saʊθ kɔɹiʌz pɹɛzʌdɛnts hæv hæd tɹʌbʌld kɜ˞ɪɹz. sʌm hæv bɪn oʊvɜ˞θɹoʊn, sʌm hæv bɪn dʒeɪld,

a couple have been impeached and one died by suicide. A lot of these presidents turned to martial law. Most of them gave the same reason as President Yoon. A supposed communist threat from North Korea.

ʌ kʌpʌl hæv bɪn ɪmpitʃt ʌnd wʌn daɪd baɪ suʌsaɪd. ʌ lɑt ʌv ðiz pɹɛzʌdɛnts tɜ˞nd tu mɑɹʃʌl lɔ. moʊst ʌv ðɛm ɡeɪv ðʌ seɪm ɹizʌn æz pɹɛzʌdɛnt jun. ʌ sʌpoʊzd kɑmjʌnʌst θɹɛt fɹʌm nɔɹθ kɔɹiʌ.

Now we're not saying that Pyongyang is not a problem. But the last threat we saw was poopful balloons flying over the border. I'm sure that does not merit a martial law.

naʊ wiɹ nɑt seɪɪŋ ðæt pjɔŋjæŋ ɪz nɑt ʌ pɹɑblʌm. bʌt ðʌ læst θɹɛt wi sɔ wɑz bʌlunz flaɪɪŋ oʊvɜ˞ ðʌ bɔɹdɜ˞. aɪm ʃʊɹ ðæt dʌz nɑt mɛɹʌt ʌ mɑɹʃʌl lɔ.

They create a sense of panic and fear and use it to extort money. Here's how it works. The first step is to come up with a good story. The scam begins with an SMS or an email or even a WhatsApp message.

ðeɪ kɹieɪt ʌ sɛns ʌv pænɪk ʌnd fɪɹ ʌnd jus ɪt tu ɛkstɔɹt mʌni. hɪɹz haʊ ɪt wɜ˞ks. ðʌ fɜ˞st stɛp ɪz tu kʌm ʌp wɪð ʌ ɡʊd stɔɹi. ðʌ skæm bɪɡɪnz wɪð æn ɛsɛmɛs ɔɹ æn imeɪl ɔɹ ivɪn ʌ wʌtsɑp mɛsʌdʒ.

They know what comes after martial law is declared. Critics get rounded up. Politicians get arrested. Protesters are brutally silenced. That's what happened in 1960.

ðeɪ noʊ wʌt kʌmz æftɜ˞ mɑɹʃʌl lɔ ɪz dɪklɛɹd. kɹɪtɪks ɡɛt ɹaʊndʌd ʌp. pɑlʌtɪʃʌnz ɡɛt ɜ˞ɛstɪd. pɹoʊtɛstɜ˞z ɑɹ bɹutʌli saɪlʌnst. ðæts wʌt hæpʌnd ɪn .

Korean students were protesting against South Korea's first president. He used martial law to suppress them. More than 180 people were killed in the crack down that followed. The same thing happened in 1980 citizens in the city of Gwanzhu.

kɔɹiʌn studʌnts wɜ˞ pɹʌtɛstɪŋ ʌɡɛnst saʊθ kɔɹiʌz fɜ˞st pɹɛzʌdɛnt. hi juzd mɑɹʃʌl lɔ tu sʌpɹɛs ðɛm. mɔɹ ðæn pipʌl wɜ˞ kɪld ɪn ðʌ kɹæk daʊn ðæt fɑloʊd. ðʌ seɪm θɪŋ hæpʌnd ɪn sɪtʌzʌnz ɪn ðʌ sɪti ʌv .

Protested against the president. In response, martial law was declared and some 200 people were killed. There are very painful memories. Pass out Korean's here and yesterday they briefly relived it.

pɹʌtɛstɪd ʌɡɛnst ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnt. ɪn ɹɪspɑns, mɑɹʃʌl lɔ wɑz dɪklɛɹd ʌnd sʌm pipʌl wɜ˞ kɪld. ðɛɹ ɑɹ vɛɹi peɪnfʌl mɛmɜ˞iz. pæs aʊt kɹiʌnz hiɹ ʌnd jɛstɜ˞deɪ ðeɪ bɹifli ɹilɪvd ɪt.

But credit to them because they fought to protect their freedoms. Even in the dead of the night, they turned up. Protesters blocked military vehicles, opposition parties mobilized. And even Yoon's own lawmakers stood up to him.

bʌt kɹɛdʌt tu ðɛm bɪkɔz ðeɪ fɔt tu pɹʌtɛkt ðɛɹ fɹidʌmz. ivɪn ɪn ðʌ dɛd ʌv ðʌ naɪt, ðeɪ tɜ˞nd ʌp. pɹoʊtɛstɜ˞z blɑkt mɪlʌtɛɹi vihɪkʌlz, ɑpʌzɪʃʌn pɑɹtiz moʊbʌlaɪzd. ʌnd ivɪn junɛs oʊn lɔmeɪkɜ˞z stʊd ʌp tu hɪm.

Martial law could be declared unilaterally. No parliament approval was required. Korean politicians added that clause in the 80s. And that's how this crisis was averted.

mɑɹʃʌl lɔ kʊd bi dɪklɛɹd junʌlætɜ˞ʌli. noʊ pɑɹlʌmʌnt ʌpɹuvʌl wɑz ɹikwaɪɜ˞d. kɔɹiʌn pɑlʌtɪʃʌnz ædʌd ðæt klɔz ɪn ðʌ . ʌnd ðæts haʊ ðɪs kɹaɪsʌs wɑz ʌvɜ˞tɪd.

I wish I could say all's well, that ends well. But this is a warning to South Korea and all other democracies never take your freedoms for granted. And keep strengthening your laws and institutions

aɪ wɪʃ aɪ kʊd seɪ ɔlz wɛl, ðæt ɛndz wɛl. bʌt ðɪs ɪz ʌ wɔɹnɪŋ tu saʊθ kɔɹiʌ ʌnd ɔl ʌðɜ˞ dɪmɑkɹʌsiz nɛvɜ˞ teɪk jɔɹ fɹidʌmz fɔɹ ɡɹæntʌd. ʌnd kip stɹɛŋθʌnɪŋ jɔɹ lɔz ʌnd ɪnstɪtuʃʌnz

because leaders like Yoon will always exist. Our best option is to be alert and build guardrails. Now let's shift our focus to Syria.

bɪkɔz lidɜ˞z laɪk jun wɪl ɔlweɪz ɪɡzɪst. aʊɜ˞ bɛst ɑpʃʌn ɪz tu bi ʌlɜ˞t ʌnd bɪld ɡɑɹdɹeɪlz. naʊ lɛts ʃɪft aʊɜ˞ foʊkʌs tu sɪɹiʌ.

The conflict against the Assad regime has intensified. Today the Syrian army launched a counter attack. They're trying to push back the rebels. We're challenging Bashar al-Assad.

ðʌ kɑnflɪkt ʌɡɛnst ðʌ ʌsɑd ɹʌʒim hæz ɪntɛnsʌfaɪd. tʌdeɪ ðʌ sɪɹiʌn ɑɹmi lɔntʃt ʌ kaʊntɜ˞ ʌtæk. ðɛɹ tɹaɪɪŋ tu pʊʃ bæk ðʌ ɹɛbʌlz. wiɹ tʃælʌndʒɪŋ bʌʃɑɹ æl-ʌsɑd.

He's the president of Syria. His forces are going after rebel groups. And caught in the crossfire as always are civilians. The pictures are from a hospital in Idlib.

hiz ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnt ʌv sɪɹiʌ. hɪz fɔɹsɪz ɑɹ ɡoʊɪŋ æftɜ˞ ɹɛbʌl ɡɹups. ʌnd kɑt ɪn ðʌ kɹɔsfaɪɹ æz ɔlweɪz ɑɹ sʌvɪljʌnz. ðʌ pɪktʃɜ˞z ɑɹ fɹʌm ʌ hɑspɪtʌl ɪn .

It's a city in northwest Syria. A rebel stronghold. Russia has been bombing them. What you saw was the impact of Russian bombs. More than two dozen civilians have died. Reports say the fighting has intensified in the last 24 hours.

ɪts ʌ sɪti ɪn nɔɹθwɛst sɪɹiʌ. ʌ ɹɛbʌl stɹɔŋhoʊld. ɹʌʃʌ hæz bɪn bɑmɪŋ ðɛm. wʌt ju sɔ wɑz ðʌ ɪmpækt ʌv ɹʌʃʌn bɑmz. mɔɹ ðæn tu dʌzʌn sʌvɪljʌnz hæv daɪd. ɹɪpɔɹts seɪ ðʌ faɪtɪŋ hæz ɪntɛnsʌfaɪd ɪn ðʌ læst aʊɜ˞z.

It says that you are linked to some serious crime. Financial embezzlement, drug trafficking, or pornography fraud, they use all kinds of excuses. Now this sends the victim into a state of panic.

ɪt sɛz ðæt ju ɑɹ lɪŋkt tu sʌm sɪɹiʌs kɹaɪm. fʌnænʃʌl ɛmbɛzʌlmʌnt, dɹʌɡ tɹæfɪkɪŋ, ɔɹ pɔɹnɑɡɹʌfi fɹɔd, ðeɪ jus ɔl kaɪndz ʌv ɪkskjusɪz. naʊ ðɪs sɛndz ðʌ vɪktʌm ɪntu ʌ steɪt ʌv pænɪk.

The rebels have captured at least four new towns. They're advancing towards Hamas. A city in central Syria. But taking Hamas going to be difficult because here, Assad's forces are pushing back hard.

ðʌ ɹɛbʌlz hæv kæptʃɜ˞d æt list fɔɹ nu taʊnz. ðɛɹ ʌdvænsɪŋ tʌwɔɹdz hɑmɑs. ʌ sɪti ɪn sɛntɹʌl sɪɹiʌ. bʌt teɪkɪŋ hɑmɑs ɡoʊɪŋ tu bi dɪfʌkʌlt bɪkɔz hiɹ, ʌsɑdz fɔɹsɪz ɑɹ pʊʃɪŋ bæk hɑɹd.

And aiding them is aerial support from allies like Russia. This conflict played up last week. But it has been on for more than 13 years now. The Syrian civil war broke out in the year 2011.

ʌnd eɪdɪŋ ðɛm ɪz ɛɹiʌl sʌpɔɹt fɹʌm ælaɪz laɪk ɹʌʃʌ. ðɪs kɑnflɪkt pleɪd ʌp læst wik. bʌt ɪt hæz bɪn ɑn fɔɹ mɔɹ ðæn jɪɹz naʊ. ðʌ sɪɹiʌn sɪvʌl wɔɹ bɹoʊk aʊt ɪn ðʌ jɪɹ .

It began as an uprising against Assad regime. And most into a complex conflict. That's when ISIS or the Islamic State took shape and captured territory. So, ISIS became enemy number one for Assad.

ɪt bɪɡæn æz æn ʌpɹaɪzɪŋ ʌɡɛnst ʌsɑd ɹʌʒim. ʌnd moʊst ɪntu ʌ kɑmplɛks kɑnflɪkt. ðæts wɛn aɪsʌs ɔɹ ðʌ ɪzlɑmɪk steɪt tʊk ʃeɪp ʌnd kæptʃɜ˞d tɛɹɪtɔɹi. soʊ, aɪsʌs bɪkeɪm ɛnʌmi nʌmbɜ˞ wʌn fɔɹ ʌsɑd.

It hijacked the popular rebellion against the president. And it took five years of fighting to beat the ISIS. But peace was not restored in Syria.

ɪt haɪdʒækt ðʌ pɑpjʌlɜ˞ ɹɪbɛljʌn ʌɡɛnst ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnt. ʌnd ɪt tʊk faɪv jɪɹz ʌv faɪtɪŋ tu bit ðʌ aɪsʌs. bʌt pis wɑz nɑt ɹɪstɔɹd ɪn sɪɹiʌ.

It still remains in a state of turmoil. The government does not control the entire country. There are regions where rebel groups hold sway. And they keep launching offensives against Damascus.

ɪt stɪl ɹɪmeɪnz ɪn ʌ steɪt ʌv tɜ˞mɔɪl. ðʌ ɡʌvɜ˞mʌnt dʌz nɑt kʌntɹoʊl ðʌ ɪntaɪɜ˞ kʌntɹi. ðɛɹ ɑɹ ɹidʒʌnz wɛɹ ɹɛbʌl ɡɹups hoʊld sweɪ. ʌnd ðeɪ kip lɔntʃɪŋ ʌfɛnsɪvz ʌɡɛnst dʌmæskʌs.

The latest offensive was launched by a group called HTS, the Hayat, the Harir, al-Sham. It split from the al-Qaeda in 2016. Since then, it has grown both in resources and numbers.

ðʌ leɪtʌst ʌfɛnsɪv wɑz lɔntʃt baɪ ʌ ɡɹup kɔld , ðʌ , ðʌ , æl-ʃæm. ɪt splɪt fɹʌm ðʌ ɑlkaɪdɑ ɪn . sɪns ðɛn, ɪt hæz ɡɹoʊn boʊθ ɪn ɹisɔɹsɪz ʌnd nʌmbɜ˞z.

The group has recruited other opposition forces. And it is now testing Assad's grip on power. This escalation will draw in regional players like Iran.

ðʌ ɡɹup hæz ɹɪkɹutɪd ʌðɜ˞ ɑpʌzɪʃʌn fɔɹsɪz. ʌnd ɪt ɪz naʊ tɛstɪŋ ʌsɑdz ɡɹɪp ɑn paʊɜ˞. ðɪs ɛskʌleɪʃʌn wɪl dɹɔ ɪn ɹidʒʌnʌl pleɪɜ˞z laɪk ɪɹɑn.

The Iran is a key backer of Bashar al-Assad. When rebels took control of Aleppo earlier this week, the Iran responded swiftly. Their foreign minister flew down to Damascus, the Syrian capital.

ðʌ ɪɹɑn ɪz ʌ ki bækɜ˞ ʌv bʌʃɑɹ æl-ʌsɑd. wɛn ɹɛbʌlz tʊk kʌntɹoʊl ʌv ɜ˞liɜ˞ ðɪs wik, ðʌ ɪɹɑn ɹɪspɑndɪd swɪftli. ðɛɹ fɔɹʌn mɪnʌstɜ˞ flu daʊn tu dʌmæskʌs, ðʌ sɪɹiʌn kæpʌtʌl.

Iran also sent militia forces to support the Assad regime. And now the Iran is considering direct involvement. Iran's art rival is also being pulled into the conflict. I'm talking about the United States of America.

ɪɹɑn ɔlsoʊ sɛnt mʌlɪʃʌ fɔɹsɪz tu sʌpɔɹt ðʌ ʌsɑd ɹʌʒim. ʌnd naʊ ðʌ ɪɹɑn ɪz kʌnsɪdɜ˞ɪŋ dɜ˞ɛkt ɪnvɑlvmʌnt. ɪɹænz ɑɹt ɹaɪvʌl ɪz ɔlsoʊ biɪŋ pʊld ɪntu ðʌ kɑnflɪkt. aɪm tɔkɪŋ ʌbaʊt ðʌ junaɪtɪd steɪts ʌv ʌmɛɹʌkʌ.

The US carried out a strike yesterday. They're calling it, the Americans are calling it, a self-defense strike. They have a military base in eastern Syria. It's called Euphrates, like the river.

ðʌ ʌs kæɹid aʊt ʌ stɹaɪk jɛstɜ˞deɪ. ðɛɹ kɔlɪŋ ɪt, ðʌ ʌmɛɹʌkʌnz ɑɹ kɔlɪŋ ɪt, ʌ sɛlfdɪfɛns stɹaɪk. ðeɪ hæv ʌ mɪlʌtɛɹi beɪs ɪn istɜ˞n sɪɹiʌ. ɪts kɔld jufɹeɪtiz, laɪk ðʌ ɹɪvɜ˞.

Step number two, the victim is already worried. So the scammers ask them to call on a specific number, which is mostly a video call, either through WhatsApp or Skype.

stɛp nʌmbɜ˞ tu, ðʌ vɪktʌm ɪz ɔlɹɛdi wɜ˞id. soʊ ðʌ skæmɜ˞z æsk ðɛm tu kɔl ɑn ʌ spʌsɪfɪk nʌmbɜ˞, wɪtʃ ɪz moʊstli ʌ vɪdioʊ kɔl, iðɜ˞ θɹu wʌtsɑp ɔɹ skaɪp.

Euphrates. American forces say their military base came under attack. Rockets fell near it and mortars were fired at American forces.

jufɹeɪtiz. ʌmɛɹʌkʌn fɔɹsɪz seɪ ðɛɹ mɪlʌtɛɹi beɪs keɪm ʌndɜ˞ ʌtæk. ɹɑkʌts fɛl nɪɹ ɪt ʌnd mɔɹtɜ˞z wɜ˞ faɪɜ˞d æt ʌmɛɹʌkʌn fɔɹsɪz.

So who was operating these weapons? Washington did not say who was behind the attack but both Assad's forces and Iranian fighters operate in this area, so it could have been any of both of them.

soʊ hu wɑz ɑpɜ˞eɪtɪŋ ðiz wɛpʌnz? wɑʃɪŋtʌn dɪd nɑt seɪ hu wɑz bɪhaɪnd ðʌ ʌtæk bʌt boʊθ ʌsɑdz fɔɹsɪz ʌnd ɪɹɑniʌn faɪtɜ˞z ɑpɜ˞eɪt ɪn ðɪs ɛɹiʌ, soʊ ɪt kʊd hæv bɪn ɛni ʌv boʊθ ʌv ðɛm.

The Americans neutralized multiple rocket launchers, mortars, and a military tank deployed near their base. So they're clearly stepping into this conflict. And when the Americans enter, how can the Russians

ðʌ ʌmɛɹʌkʌnz nutɹʌlaɪzd mʌltʌpʌl ɹɑkʌt lɔntʃɜ˞z, mɔɹtɜ˞z, ʌnd ʌ mɪlʌtɛɹi tæŋk dɪplɔɪd nɪɹ ðɛɹ beɪs. soʊ ðɛɹ klɪɹli stɛpɪŋ ɪntu ðɪs kɑnflɪkt. ʌnd wɛn ðʌ ʌmɛɹʌkʌnz ɛntɜ˞, haʊ kæn ðʌ ɹʌʃʌnz

stay on the sidelines? Just like Iran, Russia is a key ally of Assad. It has provided military support to the regime since 2015. Moscow is pledging unconditional support to Assad.

steɪ ɑn ðʌ saɪdlaɪnz? dʒʌst laɪk ɪɹɑn, ɹʌʃʌ ɪz ʌ ki ælaɪ ʌv ʌsɑd. ɪt hæz pɹʌvaɪdɪd mɪlʌtɛɹi sʌpɔɹt tu ðʌ ɹʌʒim sɪns . mɑskoʊ ɪz plɛdʒɪŋ ʌnkʌndɪʃʌnʌl sʌpɔɹt tu ʌsɑd.

It is also using this conflict to gain diplomatic edge. Russia has also made a big claim. It says the Ukrainians are supporting the rebels in Syria.

ɪt ɪz ɔlsoʊ juzɪŋ ðɪs kɑnflɪkt tu ɡeɪn dɪplʌmætɪk ɛdʒ. ɹʌʃʌ hæz ɔlsoʊ meɪd ʌ bɪɡ kleɪm. ɪt sɛz ðʌ jukɹeɪniʌnz ɑɹ sʌpɔɹtɪŋ ðʌ ɹɛbʌlz ɪn sɪɹiʌ.

We cannot independently verify any of these claims but what's undeniable is the rapid escalation of this war. West Asia has been going through a dangerous phase of never-ending conflicts.

wi kænɑt ɪndɪpɛndʌntli vɛɹʌfaɪ ɛni ʌv ðiz kleɪmz bʌt wʌts ʌndɪnaɪʌbʌl ɪz ðʌ ɹæpʌd ɛskʌleɪʃʌn ʌv ðɪs wɔɹ. wɛst eɪʒʌ hæz bɪn ɡoʊɪŋ θɹu ʌ deɪndʒɜ˞ʌs feɪz ʌv nɛvɜ˞ɛndɪŋ kʌnflɪkts.

It started in Gaza, it spread to Lebanon, and now it has spilled into Syria. Where rivals like the US, Russia, and Iran are already locked in a dangerous game.

ɪt stɑɹtɪd ɪn ɡɑzʌ, ɪt spɹɛd tu lɛbʌnʌn, ʌnd naʊ ɪt hæz spɪld ɪntu sɪɹiʌ. wɛɹ ɹaɪvʌlz laɪk ðʌ ʌs, ɹʌʃʌ, ʌnd ɪɹɑn ɑɹ ɔlɹɛdi lɑkt ɪn ʌ deɪndʒɜ˞ʌs ɡeɪm.

West Asia is teetering on the edge. If Syria becomes the epicenter, the consequences could ripple across the region and the already fragile West Asia may not be able to withstand the fallout.

wɛst eɪʒʌ ɪz titɜ˞ɪŋ ɑn ðʌ ɛdʒ. ɪf sɪɹiʌ bɪkʌmz ðʌ ɛpʌsɛntɜ˞, ðʌ kɑnsʌkwɛnsʌz kʊd ɹɪpʌl ʌkɹɔs ðʌ ɹidʒʌn ʌnd ðʌ ɔlɹɛdi fɹædʒʌl wɛst eɪʒʌ meɪ nɑt bi eɪbʌl tu wɪθstænd ðʌ fɔlaʊt.

Yesterday's joke on the show was about Justin Trudeau. On how Trump taunted him, Trudeau was in Florida to meet the president-elect. He wanted to discuss tariffs with Donald Trump.

jɛstɜ˞deɪz dʒoʊk ɑn ðʌ ʃoʊ wɑz ʌbaʊt dʒʌstʌn tɹudoʊ. ɑn haʊ tɹʌmp tɔntɪd hɪm, tɹudoʊ wɑz ɪn flɔɹʌdʌ tu mit ðʌ pɹɛzʌdɛnt-ɪlɛkt. hi wɔntɪd tu dɪskʌs tɛɹʌfs wɪð dɑnʌld tɹʌmp.

But Trump refused to budge. He delivered a joke slash insult to the Canadian Prime Minister. Trump said to Trudeau, if you can't pay the tariff,

bʌt tɹʌmp ɹʌfjuzd tu bʌdʒ. hi dɪlɪvɜ˞d ʌ dʒoʊk slæʃ ɪnsʌlt tu ðʌ kʌneɪdiʌn pɹaɪm mɪnʌstɜ˞. tɹʌmp sɛd tu tɹudoʊ, ɪf ju kænt peɪ ðʌ tɛɹʌf,

On the other side are government officials, your police officers, your CBI agents, narcotics bureau officers. Of course, they're not real. The scammers are just impersonating them. But they go to great lengths to make the act believable.

ɑn ðʌ ʌðɜ˞ saɪd ɑɹ ɡʌvɜ˞mʌnt ʌfɪʃʌlz, jɔɹ pʌlis ɔfʌsɜ˞z, jɔɹ eɪdʒʌnts, nɑɹkɑtɪks bjʊɹoʊ ɔfʌsɜ˞z. ʌv kɔɹs, ðɛɹ nɑt ɹil. ðʌ skæmɜ˞z ɑɹ dʒʌst ɪmpɜ˞sʌneɪtɪŋ ðɛm. bʌt ðeɪ ɡoʊ tu ɡɹeɪt lɛŋkθs tu meɪk ðʌ ækt bʌlivʌbʌl.

just join the United States, become our 51st state. Apparently, Trudeau laughed nervously at this. His ministers also called it a joke.

dʒʌst dʒɔɪn ðʌ junaɪtɪd steɪts, bɪkʌm aʊɜ˞ steɪt. ʌpɛɹʌntli, tɹudoʊ læft nɜ˞vʌsli æt ðɪs. hɪz mɪnʌstɜ˞z ɔlsoʊ kɔld ɪt ʌ dʒoʊk.

But with Donald Trump, who knows? This is a man who tried to buy Greenland from Denmark, who suggested drinking bleach to cure the Wuhan virus. So nothing is off the table.

bʌt wɪð dɑnʌld tɹʌmp, hu noʊz? ðɪs ɪz ʌ mæn hu tɹaɪd tu baɪ ɡɹinlʌnd fɹʌm dɛnmɑɹk, hu sʌdʒɛstɪd dɹɪŋkɪŋ blitʃ tu kjʊɹ ðʌ wuʌn vaɪɹʌs. soʊ nʌθɪŋ ɪz ɔf ðʌ teɪbʌl.

Trump also posted this picture on social media. It's an AI-generated image. It shows him standing over Canadian mountain ranges. And look at the caption, oh Canada, could Donald Trump be hinting at something here?

tɹʌmp ɔlsoʊ poʊstɪd ðɪs pɪktʃɜ˞ ɑn soʊʃʌl midiʌ. ɪts æn aɪ-dʒɛnɜ˞eɪtʌd ɪmʌdʒ. ɪt ʃoʊz hɪm stændɪŋ oʊvɜ˞ kʌneɪdiʌn maʊntʌn ɹeɪndʒʌz. ʌnd lʊk æt ðʌ kæpʃʌn, oʊ kænʌdʌ, kʊd dɑnʌld tɹʌmp bi hɪntɪŋ æt sʌmθɪŋ hiɹ?

Well, his joke does have some history. There's a Wikipedia page on Canada joining the US. A few Canadian parties have pushed for this merger. But none of them really took off.

wɛl, hɪz dʒoʊk dʌz hæv sʌm hɪstɜ˞i. ðɛɹz ʌ wɪkipidiʌ peɪdʒ ɑn kænʌdʌ dʒɔɪnɪŋ ðʌ ʌs. ʌ fju kʌneɪdiʌn pɑɹtiz hæv pʊʃt fɔɹ ðɪs mɜ˞dʒɜ˞. bʌt nʌn ʌv ðɛm ɹɪli tʊk ɔf.

Today, there is no appetite for such a move. The mere suggestion is controversial. And you can see why America is a very powerful neighbor to have. Their economy, their military, their culture,

tʌdeɪ, ðɛɹ ɪz noʊ æpʌtaɪt fɔɹ sʌtʃ ʌ muv. ðʌ mɪɹ sʌdʒɛstʃʌn ɪz kɑntɹʌvɜ˞ʃʌl. ʌnd ju kæn si waɪ ʌmɛɹʌkʌ ɪz ʌ vɛɹi paʊɜ˞fʌl neɪbɜ˞ tu hæv. ðɛɹ ɪkɑnʌmi, ðɛɹ mɪlʌtɛɹi, ðɛɹ kʌltʃɜ˞,

all of it looms large over Canada. And financially, they are dependent on the US. Nearly 75% of Canada's exports go to just one country.

ɔl ʌv ɪt lumz lɑɹdʒ oʊvɜ˞ kænʌdʌ. ʌnd fʌnænʃʌli, ðeɪ ɑɹ dɪpɛndʌnt ɑn ðʌ ʌs. nɪɹli % ʌv kænʌdʌz ɛkspɔɹts ɡoʊ tu dʒʌst wʌn kʌntɹi.

And that is the United States. Even politically, there's alignment on NATO, on West Asia, on Europe, on the Indo-Pacific. Their foreign policies often mirror each other.

ʌnd ðæt ɪz ðʌ junaɪtɪd steɪts. ivɪn pʌlɪtɪkʌli, ðɛɹz ʌlaɪnmʌnt ɑn neɪtoʊ, ɑn wɛst eɪʒʌ, ɑn jʊɹʌp, ɑn ðʌ ɪndoʊ-pʌsɪfɪk. ðɛɹ fɔɹʌn pɑlʌsiz ɔfʌn mɪɹɜ˞ itʃ ʌðɜ˞.

Add to that, a massive border. It's almost 9,000 kilometers long. It's the longest international border in the world, the US and Canada. Most Canadians live near this region.

æd tu ðæt, ʌ mæsɪv bɔɹdɜ˞. ɪts ɔlmoʊst , kʌlɑmʌtɜ˞z lɔŋ. ɪts ðʌ lɔŋɡʌst ɪntɜ˞næʃʌnʌl bɔɹdɜ˞ ɪn ðʌ wɜ˞ld, ðʌ ʌs ʌnd kænʌdʌ. moʊst kʌneɪdiʌnz laɪv nɪɹ ðɪs ɹidʒʌn.

The North is too cold and often uninhabitable. So 80% of all Canadians live within 160 kilometers of the US border. Hence this worry of being gubbled up by the US.

ðʌ nɔɹθ ɪz tu koʊld ʌnd ɔfʌn ʌnɪnhæbʌtʌbʌl. soʊ % ʌv ɔl kʌneɪdiʌnz laɪv wɪðɪn kʌlɑmʌtɜ˞z ʌv ðʌ ʌs bɔɹdɜ˞. hɛns ðɪs wɜ˞i ʌv biɪŋ ʌp baɪ ðʌ ʌs.

And it's not a recent concern. It dates back to the 18th century to the revolutionary war against Britain, sort of like America's war for independence. During this war, the US Army tried to invade Canada.

ʌnd ɪts nɑt ʌ ɹisʌnt kʌnsɜ˞n. ɪt deɪts bæk tu ðʌ sɛntʃɜ˞i tu ðʌ ɹɛvʌluʃʌnɛɹi wɔɹ ʌɡɛnst bɹɪtʌn, sɔɹt ʌv laɪk ʌmɛɹʌkʌz wɔɹ fɔɹ ɪndɪpɛndʌns. dʊɹɪŋ ðɪs wɔɹ, ðʌ ʌs ɑɹmi tɹaɪd tu ɪnveɪd kænʌdʌ.

They wear official uniforms. They use government flags behind them. So people fall for it. Step number three is doubling down. These fake officials accuse the victim. They create an environment of fear.

ðeɪ wɛɹ ʌfɪʃʌl junʌfɔɹmz. ðeɪ jus ɡʌvɜ˞mʌnt flæɡz bɪhaɪnd ðɛm. soʊ pipʌl fɔl fɔɹ ɪt. stɛp nʌmbɜ˞ θɹi ɪz dʌbʌlɪŋ daʊn. ðiz feɪk ʌfɪʃʌlz ʌkjuz ðʌ vɪktʌm. ðeɪ kɹieɪt æn ɪnvaɪɹʌnmʌnt ʌv fɪɹ.

Back then, Canada was occupied by Britain. So British soldiers beat them back. Another attempt was made through America's first constitution. It was adopted in 1777.

bæk ðɛn, kænʌdʌ wɑz ɑkjʌpaɪd baɪ bɹɪtʌn. soʊ bɹɪtɪʃ soʊldʒɜ˞z bit ðɛm bæk. ʌnʌðɜ˞ ʌtɛmpt wɑz meɪd θɹu ʌmɛɹʌkʌz fɜ˞st kɑnstʌtuʃʌn. ɪt wɑz ʌdɑptɪd ɪn .

And it invited Canada to join the United States. No strings attached. But again, the British rulers rejected it. Years later, in 1812, the US invaded again

ʌnd ɪt ɪnvaɪtʌd kænʌdʌ tu dʒɔɪn ðʌ junaɪtɪd steɪts. noʊ stɹɪŋz ʌtætʃt. bʌt ʌɡɛn, ðʌ bɹɪtɪʃ ɹulɜ˞z ɹɪdʒɛktɪd ɪt. jɪɹz leɪtɜ˞, ɪn , ðʌ ʌs ɪnveɪdʌd ʌɡɛn

and once again, the British beat them back. They also burnt the White House for good measure. Which pretty much settled the debate. But in the 1980s, it emerged once again.

ʌnd wʌns ʌɡɛn, ðʌ bɹɪtɪʃ bit ðɛm bæk. ðeɪ ɔlsoʊ bɜ˞nt ðʌ waɪt haʊs fɔɹ ɡʊd mɛʒɜ˞. wɪtʃ pɹɪti mʌtʃ sɛtʌld ðʌ dʌbeɪt. bʌt ɪn ðʌ , ɪt ɪmɜ˞dʒd wʌns ʌɡɛn.

The reason was not an invasion or a political document. It was a free trade agreement. Canada and the US were discussing a trade deal in 1988. Canada's conservative party supported this deal,

ðʌ ɹizʌn wɑz nɑt æn ɪnveɪʒʌn ɔɹ ʌ pʌlɪtʌkʌl dɑkjʌmɛnt. ɪt wɑz ʌ fɹi tɹeɪd ʌɡɹimʌnt. kænʌdʌ ʌnd ðʌ ʌs wɜ˞ dɪskʌsɪŋ ʌ tɹeɪd dil ɪn . kænʌdʌz kʌnsɜ˞vʌtɪv pɑɹti sʌpɔɹtɪd ðɪs dil,

but the liberal party did not. That's the party of the Prime Minister, just in true row. It was led by a politician named John Turner back then. He said a trade deal would dilute Canada's sovereignty.

bʌt ðʌ lɪbɜ˞ʌl pɑɹti dɪd nɑt. ðæts ðʌ pɑɹti ʌv ðʌ pɹaɪm mɪnʌstɜ˞, dʒʌst ɪn tɹu ɹoʊ. ɪt wɑz lɛd baɪ ʌ pɑlʌtɪʃʌn neɪmd dʒɑn tɜ˞nɜ˞ bæk ðɛn. hi sɛd ʌ tɹeɪd dil wʊd daɪlut kænʌdʌz sɑvɹʌnti.

That it would eventually reduce Canada to the 51st state of America. Listen to this. A lot of people shared this view including the new Democrat party,

ðæt ɪt wʊd ɪvɛntʃʌwʌli ɹʌdus kænʌdʌ tu ðʌ steɪt ʌv ʌmɛɹʌkʌ. lɪsʌn tu ðɪs. ʌ lɑt ʌv pipʌl ʃɛɹd ðɪs vju ɪnkludɪŋ ðʌ nu dɛmʌkɹæt pɑɹti,

which is a party of Jagmeet Singh. So did the number of activists and political commentators. But the conservatives prevailed in 1988. They signed that free trade agreement with Washington DC

wɪtʃ ɪz ʌ pɑɹti ʌv sɪŋ. soʊ dɪd ðʌ nʌmbɜ˞ ʌv æktʌvʌsts ʌnd pʌlɪtʌkʌl kɑmʌnteɪtɜ˞z. bʌt ðʌ kʌnsɜ˞vʌtɪvz pɹɪveɪld ɪn . ðeɪ saɪnd ðæt fɹi tɹeɪd ʌɡɹimʌnt wɪð wɑʃɪŋtʌn disi

and as it turned out, Canada is still a country. But let's come to the present day. Donald Trump's joke about Canada is not new. His advisors say that he used the same line

ʌnd æz ɪt tɜ˞nd aʊt, kænʌdʌ ɪz stɪl ʌ kʌntɹi. bʌt lɛts kʌm tu ðʌ pɹɛzʌnt deɪ. dɑnʌld tɹʌmps dʒoʊk ʌbaʊt kænʌdʌ ɪz nɑt nu. hɪz ædvaɪzɜ˞z seɪ ðæt hi juzd ðʌ seɪm laɪn

in his first term as well. He also followed that up with tariffs. Back then, Justin True Rho responded in kind. He imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on US import.

ɪn hɪz fɜ˞st tɜ˞m æz wɛl. hi ɔlsoʊ fɑloʊd ðæt ʌp wɪð tɛɹʌfs. bæk ðɛn, dʒʌstʌn tɹu ɹoʊ ɹɪspɑndɪd ɪn kaɪnd. hi ɪmpoʊzd tɪtfɔɹtæt tɛɹʌfs ɑn ʌs ɪmpɔɹt.

He could have actually stood his ground. I mean, just look at the numbers. The Canadian border made up just 0.08% of all drug seizures by US officials. Only 0.08%.

hi kʊd hæv æktʃuʌli stʊd hɪz ɡɹaʊnd. aɪ min, dʒʌst lʊk æt ðʌ nʌmbɜ˞z. ðʌ kʌneɪdiʌn bɔɹdɜ˞ meɪd ʌp dʒʌst .% ʌv ɔl dɹʌɡ siʒɜ˞z baɪ ʌs ʌfɪʃʌlz. oʊnli .%.

The victim who's already worried, panics, even more. That's when the scammers throw the bait. That is step number four. They put the victim on a so-called digital arrest.

ðʌ vɪktʌm huz ɔlɹɛdi wɜ˞id, pænɪks, ivɪn mɔɹ. ðæts wɛn ðʌ skæmɜ˞z θɹoʊ ðʌ beɪt. ðæt ɪz stɛp nʌmbɜ˞ fɔɹ. ðeɪ pʊt ðʌ vɪktʌm ɑn ʌ soʊkɔld dɪdʒʌtʌl ɜ˞ɛst.

Same with illegal migrants. American officials caught 23,000 migrants at the Canadian border for the entire year. 23,000, which makes up just 1.4% of the total.

seɪm wɪð ɪliɡʌl maɪɡɹʌnts. ʌmɛɹʌkʌn ʌfɪʃʌlz kɑt , maɪɡɹʌnts æt ðʌ kʌneɪdiʌn bɔɹdɜ˞ fɔɹ ðʌ ɪntaɪɜ˞ jɪɹ. ,, wɪtʃ meɪks ʌp dʒʌst .% ʌv ðʌ toʊtʌl.

So the fact is that Trump is exaggerating the threat from Canada. His tariff threat is simply unfair. But to question that, you need strong footing.

soʊ ðʌ fækt ɪz ðæt tɹʌmp ɪz ɪɡzædʒɜ˞eɪtɪŋ ðʌ θɹɛt fɹʌm kænʌdʌ. hɪz tɛɹʌf θɹɛt ɪz sɪmpli ʌnfɛɹ. bʌt tu kwɛstʃʌn ðæt, ju nid stɹɔŋ fʊtɪŋ.

You need a decisive and a popular leader. You also need a diversified economy that can sustain pressure. Canada does not have any of that.

ju nid ʌ dɪsaɪsɪv ʌnd ʌ pɑpjʌlɜ˞ lidɜ˞. ju ɔlsoʊ nid ʌ daɪvɜ˞sʌfaɪd ɪkɑnʌmi ðæt kæn sʌsteɪn pɹɛʃɜ˞. kænʌdʌ dʌz nɑt hæv ɛni ʌv ðæt.

What they do have is Justin True Rho. Unless Canadian exporters start talking about Khalistan, don't bet on him to protect them. Speaking of Khalistanis, they nearly struck again in India.

wʌt ðeɪ du hæv ɪz dʒʌstʌn tɹu ɹoʊ. ʌnlɛs kʌneɪdiʌn ɪkspɔɹtɜ˞z stɑɹt tɔkɪŋ ʌbaʊt , doʊnt bɛt ɑn hɪm tu pɹʌtɛkt ðɛm. spikɪŋ ʌv , ðeɪ nɪɹli stɹʌk ʌɡɛn ɪn ɪndiʌ.

That too, at one of the holiest sites in the country, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the target was Sukpeer Singh Badal. He's a leader of the Shirumania Khalidal, which is a political party in the state of Punjab.

ðæt tu, æt wʌn ʌv ðʌ hoʊliɪst saɪts ɪn ðʌ kʌntɹi, ðʌ ɡoʊldʌn tɛmpʌl ɪn æmɹɪtsɜ˞, ðʌ tɑɹɡʌt wɑz sɪŋ beɪdʌl. hiz ʌ lidɜ˞ ʌv ðʌ , wɪtʃ ɪz ʌ pʌlɪtʌkʌl pɑɹti ɪn ðʌ steɪt ʌv pʌndʒɑb.

He's also a former deputy chief minister of the same state. We'll get to more details in a bit. But first, look at how the attack unfolded. It doesn't get closer than that.

hiz ɔlsoʊ ʌ fɔɹmɜ˞ dɛpjʌti tʃif mɪnʌstɜ˞ ʌv ðʌ seɪm steɪt. wil ɡɛt tu mɔɹ dɪteɪlz ɪn ʌ bɪt. bʌt fɜ˞st, lʊk æt haʊ ðʌ ʌtæk ʌnfoʊldɪd. ɪt dʌzʌnt ɡɛt kloʊsɜ˞ ðæn ðæt.

The attacker managed to take out the gun. He also pointed it at Sukpeer Singh Badal, but his security detail intervened at just the right moment as a result, the gunman could only fire into the air.

ðʌ ʌtækɜ˞ mænʌdʒd tu teɪk aʊt ðʌ ɡʌn. hi ɔlsoʊ pɔɪntɪd ɪt æt sɪŋ beɪdʌl, bʌt hɪz sɪkjʊɹʌti dɪteɪl ɪntɜ˞vind æt dʒʌst ðʌ ɹaɪt moʊmʌnt æz ʌ ɹɪzʌlt, ðʌ ɡʌnmʌn kʊd oʊnli faɪɜ˞ ɪntu ðʌ ɛɹ.

First of all, Kudos to that official. His quick response avoided bloodshed. And what about the gunman? He was apprehended by the crowd. He was handed to the police.

fɜ˞st ʌv ɔl, kudoʊs tu ðæt ʌfɪʃʌl. hɪz kwɪk ɹɪspɑns ʌvɔɪdɪd blʌdʃɛd. ʌnd wʌt ʌbaʊt ðʌ ɡʌnmʌn? hi wɑz æpɹɪhɛndɪd baɪ ðʌ kɹaʊd. hi wɑz hændʌd tu ðʌ pʌlis.

His identity has now been revealed. His name is Narayan Singh Chora, a 68-year-old Khalistani. In the 1970s, he was a student at the Sikh missionary college

hɪz aɪdɛntɪti hæz naʊ bɪn ɹɪvild. hɪz neɪm ɪz nɑɹɑjɑn sɪŋ , ʌ -jɪɹ-oʊld . ɪn ðʌ , hi wɑz ʌ studʌnt æt ðʌ sik mɪʃʌnɛɹi kɑlɪdʒ

in Amritsar. That's where he was reportedly radicalized. In 1982, he founded the Akal Federation, which was a group of Khalistani hardliners.

ɪn æmɹɪtsɜ˞. ðæts wɛɹ hi wɑz ɹɪpɔɹtʌdli ɹædɪkʌlaɪzd. ɪn , hi faʊndɪd ðʌ fɛdɜ˞eɪʃʌn, wɪtʃ wɑz ʌ ɡɹup ʌv hɑɹdlaɪnɜ˞z.

It's basically a video call that does not end. You have to be on that call. So you are under surveillance 24, 7. That's a digital arrest. Now, once the victim takes this bait,

ɪts beɪsɪkli ʌ vɪdioʊ kɔl ðæt dʌz nɑt ɛnd. ju hæv tu bi ɑn ðæt kɔl. soʊ ju ɑɹ ʌndɜ˞ sɜ˞veɪlʌns , . ðæts ʌ dɪdʒʌtʌl ɜ˞ɛst. naʊ, wʌns ðʌ vɪktʌm teɪks ðɪs beɪt,

And in 1984, he traveled to Pakistan. This was after the military operation at the Golden Temple. In the official say, Chora was trained in Pakistan. He went on to form the Khalistani National Army.

ʌnd ɪn , hi tɹævʌld tu pækɪstæn. ðɪs wɑz æftɜ˞ ðʌ mɪlʌtɛɹi ɑpɜ˞eɪʃʌn æt ðʌ ɡoʊldʌn tɛmpʌl. ɪn ðʌ ʌfɪʃʌl seɪ, wɑz tɹeɪnd ɪn pækɪstæn. hi wɛnt ɑn tu fɔɹm ðʌ næʃʌnʌl ɑɹmi.

He was also linked to Babar Khalsa International. Now both of these are terror groups. From Pakistan, he smuggled weapons and explosives into India. And in the 1990s, he returned to Punjab.

hi wɑz ɔlsoʊ lɪŋkt tu bɑbɑɹ kɑlsʌ ɪntɜ˞næʃʌnʌl. naʊ boʊθ ʌv ðiz ɑɹ tɛɹɜ˞ ɡɹups. fɹʌm pækɪstæn, hi smʌɡʌld wɛpʌnz ʌnd ɪksploʊsɪvz ɪntu ɪndiʌ. ʌnd ɪn ðʌ , hi ɹɪtɜ˞nd tu pʌndʒɑb.

From there, he took part in militant activities again. And I know what you're thinking at this point. How was this man not in jail? Well, he was. Chora has served multiple stints in prison.

fɹʌm ðɛɹ, hi tʊk pɑɹt ɪn mɪlʌtʌnt æktɪvʌtiz ʌɡɛn. ʌnd aɪ noʊ wʌt jʊɹ θɪŋkɪŋ æt ðɪs pɔɪnt. haʊ wɑz ðɪs mæn nɑt ɪn dʒeɪl? wɛl, hi wɑz. hæz sɜ˞vd mʌltʌpʌl stɪnts ɪn pɹɪzʌn.

In 1995, in 2004, and then again in 2013, he has faced charges of terrorism and raging war against the state. Yet each time, he was acquitted.

ɪn , ɪn , ʌnd ðɛn ʌɡɛn ɪn , hi hæz feɪst tʃɑɹdʒʌz ʌv tɛɹɜ˞ɪzʌm ʌnd ɹeɪdʒɪŋ wɔɹ ʌɡɛnst ðʌ steɪt. jɛt itʃ taɪm, hi wɑz ʌkwɪtɪd.

Chora does have more cases pending against him, but he was released on bail in 2022. Now this whole episode raises a number of questions. Like, why did the charges against Chora never stick?

dʌz hæv mɔɹ keɪsʌz pɛndɪŋ ʌɡɛnst hɪm, bʌt hi wɑz ɹilist ɑn beɪl ɪn . naʊ ðɪs hoʊl ɛpʌsoʊd ɹeɪzʌz ʌ nʌmbɜ˞ ʌv kwɛstʃʌnz. laɪk, waɪ dɪd ðʌ tʃɑɹdʒʌz ʌɡɛnst nɛvɜ˞ stɪk?

And why wasn't Badaal better protected? This is a leader with Z-plus security cover. That's the highest that India can offer Z-plus. Yet an assassin simply walked up to him.

ʌnd waɪ wɑzʌnt bɛtɜ˞ pɹʌtɛktɪd? ðɪs ɪz ʌ lidɜ˞ wɪð zi-plʌs sɪkjʊɹʌti kʌvɜ˞. ðæts ðʌ haɪʌst ðæt ɪndiʌ kæn ɔfɜ˞ zi-plʌs. jɛt æn ʌsæsʌn sɪmpli wɔkt ʌp tu hɪm.

Plus, Badaal's visit was not out of the blue. He was at the Golden Temple for a religious commitment. Seek authorities had asked him to serve punishment. Punishment for what?

plʌs, ɛs vɪzɪt wɑz nɑt aʊt ʌv ðʌ blu. hi wɑz æt ðʌ ɡoʊldʌn tɛmpʌl fɔɹ ʌ ɹɪlɪdʒʌs kʌmɪtmʌnt. sik ʌθɔɹʌtiz hæd æskt hɪm tu sɜ˞v pʌnɪʃmʌnt. pʌnɪʃmʌnt fɔɹ wʌt?

For mistakes committed when his party was in power. That's from 2007 to 2017. So, so, Basing Badaal had to stand guard outside the temple.

fɔɹ mɪsteɪks kʌmɪtɪd wɛn hɪz pɑɹti wɑz ɪn paʊɜ˞. ðæts fɹʌm tu . soʊ, soʊ, beɪsɪŋ hæd tu stænd ɡɑɹd aʊtsaɪd ðʌ tɛmpʌl.