THE BRIEFING 

Here’s what’s happening in geopolitics today.

Israel will pause military operations daily in Gaza to allow aid, amid rising malnutrition deaths and global pressure. Trump called for a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, but border clashes persist. He also meets von der Leyen in Scotland to finalise a trade deal and avert EU tariffs.

In Congo, IS-linked militants killed 21 in a church attack. Meanwhile, Sudan’s RSF declared a rival government, escalating the country’s internal fragmentation.

In todays deep dive, we explore how Klaus Schwab’s empire unraveled, and what it means for the future of the World Economic Forum.

THE LAST 24 HOURS IN GEOPOLITICS 

1. Israel to implement daily 10-hour military pause for humanitarian aid
Israel will implement daily 10-hour pauses in military activity across key areas of Gaza, including Deir al-Balah and Gaza City, to facilitate aid delivery amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Secure corridors for food and medical convoys will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aid agencies report mass starvation, with over 120 confirmed malnutrition-related deaths. The move follows international pressure, including Macron’s pledge to recognise a Palestinian state, as Israel faces criticism over restricted aid access.
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2. Trump calls both Cambodia and Thailand, but shelling continues on the border
Donald Trump held separate calls with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, urging an immediate ceasefire following renewed border clashes. Both governments thanked him and expressed general support, though shelling continued overnight. Cambodia had already proposed a ceasefire due to its weaker military position. Thailand reiterated its stance that talks must precede any ceasefire. At least 33 people have died since 24 July. Trump linked peace to resumed trade talks, as new US tariffs on both countries take effect on 1 August.
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3. Trump and Ursula meet in Scotland to prevent trade war
U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet on Sunday in Scotland to finalise a trade deal that would impose a 15% baseline tariff on most EU exports. The agreement aims to prevent a trade war, as 30% tariffs on EU goods are set to take effect on 1 August. While not matching Europe’s original goal of zero tariffs, the deal would reduce uncertainty and stabilise transatlantic trade. Final negotiations are ongoing.
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4. 21 killed in attack on Church in East Congo by Islamic-State linked terror group
At least 21 civilians were killed in a church attack in Komanda, eastern Congo, by the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces. The assault took place around 1 a.m. and involved gunfire and arson, with several houses and shops also destroyed. Civil society leaders reported over 20 fatalities, while the Congolese army confirmed at least 10 deaths. The ADF, active in the Congo-Uganda border region, has a long history of targeting civilians and religious sites.
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5. Sudan’s RSF announce parallel government as they aim for legitimacy
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups have announced a parallel government in Sudan, appointing RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as head of a new presidential council. Abdel Aziz al-Hilu was named deputy, and Mohamed Hassan al-Taishi was selected as prime minister. The Sudanese army, which controls much of central Sudan, rejected the move and vowed to continue fighting. Both groups have begun consolidating control over key regions. Previously, the conflict was dispersed across multiple cities and areas, but both sides are now aiming to centralise authority within more clearly defined territorial zones.
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DAILY DEEP DIVE

THE FALL OF THE KING OF DAVOS

How Klaus Schwab’s empire unraveled, and what it means for the future of the World Economic Forum

For over half a century, Klaus Schwab was the undisputed face of globalism. As founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Schwab turned Davos into a symbol of elite power and global influence - a place where presidents, billionaires, and business leaders mingled to shape the world’s future. But in the span of just a few months, that legacy has crumbled under the weight of scandal, internal revolt, and a damning series of investigations.

MISUSE OF FUNDS AND WORKPLACE SCANDALS

Schwab’s downfall came fast. In April, after over 50 years at the helm, he was forced out amid allegations of misusing WEF funds, political manipulation of research, and inappropriate behavior with staff. A whistleblower complaint accused Schwab and his wife Hilde of using WEF resources for personal gain, such as spending $50 million on a villa overlooking Lake Geneva, submitting over £800,000 in loosely justified expenses, and using staff to orchestrate a personal campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize.

The complaints didn’t end with finances. Staff reported a toxic workplace culture, particularly for women and minorities. One former staffer said Schwab once placed his crotch near her face and made suggestive comments. Others alleged that attractive female staff were routinely selected to meet visiting VIPs. A WhatsApp group of former employees (“WEFugees”) reportedly became a hub for sharing horror stories from inside the organisation.

The Wall Street Journal’s 2024 investigation had already flagged the WEF’s culture as exclusionary and discriminatory, but it wasn’t until the internal audit committee launched a second probe in 2025 that Schwab’s grip on the organisation began to slip for good.

THE POWER PLAY AND SUDDEN EXIT

Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Schwab resisted calls to resign. According to WEF bylaws, he alone had the right to choose his successor, and he had long planned a phased transition and retiring slowly while moving to a non-executive chairman role. But when trustees were alerted via a letter alleging egregious personal use of WEF funds and an increasingly autocratic leadership style, the board took action.

Schwab’s attempt to quash the investigation with a fiery email backfired spectacularly. Within 48 hours, he was out. A two-hour emergency meeting of trustees ended his reign, replacing him with former Nestlé CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe.

DAVOS WITHOUT SCHWAB - WHAT NOW?

Schwab’s exit leaves the WEF without its towering figurehead and facing an existential moment. With his credibility in ruins and rival summits like China’s Boao Forum and Saudi Arabia’s “Davos in the Desert” gaining traction, the once-mighty forum is now on shaky ground.

The man who built Davos into a global brand has denied all wrongdoing. But his dramatic fall reflects deeper cracks in the global order he once helped shape and raises the question: can the WEF survive without its king?

Sources:
The Telegraph London

TWEET OF THE DAY

TODAY IN HISTORY

(July 27, 1953): The armistice agreement ending the Korean War was signed at P’anmunjŏm in central Korea on July 27, 1953, by military representatives from the United Nations Command, North Korea, and China. While it halted active fighting, it did not result in a formal peace treaty, meaning the Korean Peninsula remains technically at war.