Latest overseas news on May 22 regarding the Russia-Ukraine, U.S.-Iran, and Israel-Palestine conflicts

【Answer 1】 Thunderous Old Rabbit 17:21:34 A new development has emerged in the scandal involving the brutal detention of activists from the Gaza humanitarian aid flotilla by Israel. Volunteers evacuated to Istanbul arrived with serious injuries—including fractures—after suffering abuse by Israeli security forces. Thunderous Old Rabbit 17:38:19 Bloomberg: The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger an economic recession comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. Thunderous Old Rabbit 17:47:11 The U.S. will deploy the Typhon medium-range missile system in Japan. Thunderous Old Rabbit 17:54:19 The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a nighttime strike using four drones. A student dormitory at a teachers’ college in Luhansk was hit, resulting in dozens of casualties. Thunderous Old Rabbit 18:02:49 U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that NATO countries cannot produce ammunition at the pace required for future needs. Thunderous Old Rabbit 18:17:01 The Economist: If the U.S. refuses to provide assistance, EU countries are preparing to fight without NATO. Thunderous Old Rabbit 18:28:08 Russian forces have captured Verkhnyaya Tersa in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Thunderous Old Rabbit 18:35:08 American Thinker: Europe has transformed from a blooming garden into a jungle—blamed entirely on foolish governments that welcomed uncontrolled immigration. Thunderous Old Rabbit 18:51:04 Kremlin spokesperson Peskov stated that Ukraine’s armed forces attacked a college and a student dormitory in Starobilsk, and that the Ukrainian regime must be punished. Thunderous Old Rabbit 19:10:07 Politico: NATO Secretary General Rutte pleaded with Europe to purchase American weapons to retain U.S. commitment. Thunderous Old Rabbit 19:25:52 Politico: Meloni plans to restart nuclear power in Italy—ending a forty-year ban on nuclear energy. Thunderous Old Rabbit 19:43:27 Fico said European politicians have been calling him repeatedly to inquire about the content of his phone call with Putin. Thunderous Old Rabbit 20:02:13 Birmingham’s newly elected mayor struggled with English during his swearing-in ceremony and opened the event with a Muslim prayer. Thunderous Old Rabbit 20:21:22 The Venezuelan government announced it would permit U.S. military aircraft to fly directly over Caracas—the Venezuelan capital—under the pretext of “emergency missions,” and allow helicopters to take off and land directly at the U.S. Embassy. Thunderous Old Rabbit 20:36:47 The New York Times: After nearly two decades of absence from Venezuela’s oil market, ExxonMobil is poised to return; negotiations are underway for production contracts across at least six oil fields. Thunderous Old Rabbit 20:55:31 The New York Times: Encouraged by Trump, U.S. companies whose assets were seized during the Cuban Revolution have begun suing other firms cooperating with the Cuban government. Thunderous Old Rabbit 21:14:13 London’s population growth rate has fallen below that of most other UK regions—even immigrants are reluctant to live there. Rapid surges in rents and housing prices, alongside sharply rising crime rates, are cited as key reasons. Thunderous Old Rabbit 21:32:55

The U.S. 'openly seizes' Venezuela’s oil fields; the Pentagon seeks a '35% stake'; media describe it as 'a reenactment of colonial history'

【Answer 2】 Although officially packaged as a win-win agreement, its aggressive transactional structure has triggered strong concerns within the industry regarding legality and political risk. Analysts warn that bypassing Venezuela’s constitutional restrictions and tying the deal to private companies not only increases the future risk of expropriation but has also drawn sharp criticism from media and academia accusing the U.S. of reviving 'neo-colonialism' in Latin America. Transaction Structure: The Pentagon acquires equity in a private company via 'penny warrants' According to reports, the deal underwent months of secret negotiations led by the U.S. Department of State, with the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital brought in late in the process to identify viable financing mechanisms. Structurally, the U.S. government deliberately chose to participate as a shareholder of a private company—not as a direct counterparty to the Venezuelan government. The Pentagon plans to acquire equity in NABEP through 'penny warrants', enabling it to hold shares with virtually no large-scale capital investment. Legally, the Office of Strategic Capital possesses limited authority—typically extending loans and guarantees to industries aligned with U.S. national security interests—and its equity-based involvement here is widely viewed as a significant expansion of its mandate. NABEP is led by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt. Reports indicate Betancourt maintains close ties with Venezuela’s interim president Rodríguez and has faced criminal investigations for money laundering in Spain and Switzerland—though no formal charges were ever filed. His company has become Venezuela’s second-largest private oil producer over the past two years, trailing only Chevron. According to reports, the Trump administration selected Betancourt because his firm was already operating locally and maintained deep connections with senior Venezuelan officials. Secretary of State Rubio hailed the agreement as a 'major victory', claiming it would secure low-cost oil for Americans and suppress domestic fuel prices. Rodríguez, meanwhile, asserted the deal would bring over $100 billion in investment, more than $209 billion in tax revenue, and substantial job creation to Venezuela—while emphasizing that 'Venezuela retains full ownership and sovereignty over its resources.' Strategic Rationale: Tightening Iranian supply compels U.S. action Reportedly, the urgency behind this deal stems from the convergence of multiple pressures. Iran’s ongoing restrictions on oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz have kept global energy prices elevated, prompting the Trump administration to urgently lock in a long-term, stable crude source in the Western Hemisphere. Simultaneously, after Trump repeatedly declared that the U.S. had already 'acquired' Venezuelan oil—but encountered resistance from major oil firms like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips in rapidly entering the Venezuelan market—the administration opted for direct equity participation to fulfill that pledge. According to reports, structuring the deal around a private company was partly intended to bind future Venezuelan governments, making the agreement difficult to overturn—policymakers reasoned that a new government would be unlikely to expropriate a private entity. However, Schreiner Parker, partner at energy consultancy Rystad Energy, pointed out the vast uncertainty between proven reserves and actual production: 'If this deal survives successive Venezuelan governments, Trump will have secured for the U.S. a strategic oil-and-gas reserve surpassing even the shale revolution.'

Exxon Is in Talks to Return to Venezuela as Deals Accelerate

Sep 16, 2026

ExxonMobil is negotiating with Venezuela's government to re-enter the market and regain control of major heavy oil fields previously nationalized, aligning with US efforts to revive the nation's oil sector despite ongoing political and investment risks.

bloomberg

2026-01-26

ExxonMobil, Formosa Shut Plants in Texas Due to Extreme Cold Weather

2026-02-02

ExxonMobil starts up third Baytown advanced recycling unit

2026-02-06

ExxonMobil Shuts Mossmorran Cracker Earlier Than Expected

2026-04-14

ExxonMobil, Energean to sign contract for first test gas drilling off Greece in years

2026-06-30

ExxonMobil, QatarEnergy declare Cyprus gas marketable in deal with Nicosia