Saturday☕️

08 Mar 2025 — 5 min read

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Today, March 8, 2025, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on March 6, 2025, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by CENTCOM, conducted a successful raid in the vicinity of Shahil, Syria, capturing Salah Mohammad Al-Abdullah, an ISIS cell leader. During the operation, SDF forces seized a 12.7mm (.50 cal) sniper rifle, an AK-47, hand grenades, and various other weapons and ammunition. This mission is part of the ongoing Defeat-ISIS campaign, aimed at dismantling ISIS networks and preventing their resurgence. CENTCOM provided intelligence and technical support to facilitate the operation.

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) emerged from the remnants of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and gained global attention in 2014 when it rapidly seized territory across Iraq and Syria, declaring itself a caliphate. The U.S. designated ISIS as a terrorist organization in 2014, and under the Trump administration, a military coalition, including the U.S. and allied forces, successfully weakened ISIS, culminating in the fall of its last stronghold in Baghouz, Syria, in 2019. However, following a reduction in U.S. presence in the region and shifting global priorities, ISIS has attempted to rebuild its networks, particularly during the Biden administration. The U.S. has since maintained military pressure, supporting partner forces like the SDF and Iraqi security forces in counterterrorism operations to prevent ISIS from regaining significant power. This latest raid reflects America’s ongoing efforts to combat ISIS both directly and by aiding allied forces in the region.

Environment & Weather:

Japan is currently battling its worst wildfire in over 50 years, primarily affecting Ōfunato in Iwate Prefecture. The fire, which started on February 26, 2025, has burned over 2,100 hectares (5,190 acres) of forest and destroyed at least 84 homes. More than 3,600 people were forced to evacuate as strong winds and dry conditions fueled the flames. However, recent rainfall and ongoing firefighting efforts have helped slow the spread, allowing authorities to partially lift evacuation orders in some areas.

The fire has been difficult to contain due to steep terrain and an unusually dry winter, the driest since records began in 1946. Over 2,000 personnel, including firefighters and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, have been deployed to battle the blaze. While the situation is improving, authorities remain on high alert as strong winds could still reignite fires. Residents are being advised to stay cautious as emergency teams continue working to fully control the situation.

Space:

On March 7, 2025, at 2:22 a.m. Eastern Time, the U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) successfully de-orbited and landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, after spending 434 days in orbit. The unmanned, reusable spaceplane, developed by Boeing, is designed for long-duration missions in low Earth orbit, testing new technologies and conducting experiments in space environments. Its latest mission focused on advanced maneuvering techniques, including aerobraking—using atmospheric drag to adjust its orbit more efficiently, which could have future applications for space operations.

The X-37B, often described as a miniature space shuttle, measures about 29 feet in length with a 15-foot wingspan. It operates using deployable solar arrays, allowing it to stay in orbit for extended periods, with previous missions lasting up to 908 days. While many of its missions remain classified, it is believed to play a role in testing next-generation satellite and reconnaissance technologies, reusable spacecraft advancements, and other military and civilian aerospace applications. The success of OTV-7 highlights the growing role of autonomous spaceplanes in advancing U.S. space capabilities.

Science & Technology:

United Airlines is integrating SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet to improve in-flight connectivity. The rollout began with a successful installation on an Embraer E175 operated by SkyWest. United plans to equip over 300 regional aircraft with Starlink by the end of 2025, with installation efforts accelerating to around 40 aircraft per month starting in May. Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellite network provides high-speed, low-latency internet, enabling passengers to stream content, make video calls, and browse the web with greater reliability compared to traditional in-flight Wi-Fi. The move aligns with broader industry trends, as other airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines and JSX, have also announced plans to adopt Starlink for their fleets.

The rapid adoption of Starlink in the aviation industry is driven by its unmatched satellite network, which consists of over 7,000 low-Earth orbit satellites—far more than any other provider. Traditional in-flight internet relies on either ground-based towers, which limit coverage, or geostationary satellites that operate at much higher altitudes, introducing significant latency and performance constraints. In contrast, Starlink’s dense network of LEO satellites provides consistent, broadband-quality connectivity worldwide, making it the first provider capable of delivering reliable, high-speed internet at cruising altitudes. This technological advantage is not only disrupting the airline industry but also transforming telecommunications, maritime industries, and military applications, as companies increasingly pivot to Starlink for its superior coverage, speed, and scalability. With no other provider currently matching its infrastructure or network capacity, Starlink is the most dominant force in satellite-based connectivity.

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