CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Pro-Hamas protests have spread to more campuses, now approaching a couple dozen. In some instances, police have moved in the same day to clear the encampments. This has sparked cries of police brutality and abuse. In at least two instances, universities have turned on lawn irrigation systems in the middle of the night, soaking protestors and not only driving some away, but denying lawn areas sought by other protestors. In one instance, sprinkler systems at Harvard turned on at 4 in the morning flooding tents on a 32 degree morning.
Far-left extremists stormed the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan to try to occupy it for Gaza. Security later blocked supporters from delivering pizza to protestors.
Emory University saw police clashed with violent Marxists, whose disruptive protest spiraled into anarchy.
Meanwhile, the flagship protest at Colombia continues while “negotiations” are on going, though there are reports that the university is looking to go to the police to have the protests stopped,
These protests are morphing more and more into a dangerous hybrid of potentially violent intent. Over the past few days, the BLM / white racist aspect has clamped on by saying that not only should Jews be killed, but all whites as well (Khymani James, Colombia protest leader ) hinting of a growing BLM aspect. Antifa elements taking charge to with training and tactics seen before. One example I saw was the characteristic umbrella shield at the front lines as police moved to clear out an area. More and more, these protest movements are shifting to an anti-American, anti white foundation with a covering of pro-hamas, even pro Hezbollah front.
So far the protests have largely been limited to college campuses. If allowed to continue, these will grow and eventually spill out onto the streets in a greater manner. Lots of outside money is being poured into supporting these protests and out side agitators flocking in as in 2020 for the hopes of more chaos. These campus bases could serve as safe havens for the leaders of outside protest and riots.
Greater demands will be placed on political parties and candidates over support to Israel and this may be the initial form of violent actions against political events in the coming months. I can also expect expanded April 15 style road blockages as this movement attempts to grow.
As of right now, this ‘movement’ does not appear to be losing traction and weak kneed campus presidents in some cases are only facilitating the furtherance of these protests.
In my mind, still too early to discern the path these protests will take prior to the Nov elections. I think the ultimate goal of the puppet masters is to generate 2020 Floyd style riots but may need an incident to spark it. For you oldies, something like a Kent State incident - false flag - could provide the trigger necessary for massive, extensive riots. Events at both party conventions could also be used as triggers.
Economy-
The latest GDP numbers released Thursday sent shock waves among economist and traders with the data indicating the economy is seriously slowing.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that U.S. gross domestic product in the first quarter rose just an anemic 1.6%, while analysts had predicted GDP of 2.4% for the first quarter — a miss of 64% from the estimate.
The GDP contraction suggests a recession could be in the offing. A traditional recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of growth below 2%.
Meanwhile, inflation is still higher than expected.
Personal consumption expenditure inflation for the first three months came in at 3.4%, and core PCE, excluding food and fuel, was 3.7% — far above the Fed’s 2% target.
“This report was the worst of both worlds: Economic growth is slowing and inflationary pressures are persisting,” Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer of Independent Advisor Alliance, told Bloomberg.
OBSERVATION - These numbers show no sign of improving in the near term, meaning that biden is headed into the election with a weakening economy and rising inflation. Economic concerns are one of the top, if not THE top concerns of voters this cycle.
***
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has issued a grim warning for the direction of the U.S. economy, saying he sees the odds of a “soft landing” as far lower than markets are pricing in while sounding the alarm on a possible bout of 1970s’ style stagflation fueled in part by the Biden administration’s massive deficit spending.
“Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security because today looks okay, tomorrow is going to be okay,” he said. “So just try to separate the two.
OBSERVATION - It looks like the economy is reaching the end of its cycle. Many (including myself) thought it would reach it a lot sooner. This summer could become a lot more bumpy that originally thought.
***
Top American automaker Ford hemorrhaged over a billion dollars on electric vehicles (EV) in the first quarter, leading to massive losses per vehicle.
Ford sold 10,000 vehicles in its EV Model e unit in the first three months of the year, losing $1.3 billion on the line altogether, equating to a loss of $130,000 per vehicle sold, according to data from the company’s first quarter earnings report. Despite the loss on EVs, Ford’s net income was $1.3 billion, selling over a million vehicles with $42.8 billion in revenue in the quarter.
https://dailycaller.com/2024/04/25/ford-loses-1-3-billion-electric-vehicle-line/
OBSERVATION - Ford wisely rejected the 0bama bailouts and profited well. However today isn’t what it was then in the “Before Years” and have been shoved into the bogus climate change wars. Harsh economic realities causing Ford and other auto makers to reassess their plans.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics –
The evil that was wroth to the world via the Pfizer / Moderna mRNA ‘jab’ continues to become more apparent.
A senior Health Canada official says pharma giant Pfizer made a conscious decision not to advise regulators that its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine contained a DNA sequence from the Simian Virus 40 (SV40).
Health Canada had obtained confirmation two weeks earlier from Pfizer that SV40 DNA sequences were present in its COVID-19 vaccine.
“I understand that there have been internal discussions at CBER [Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research] regarding the presents [sic] of an SV40 enhancer/promoter sequence, noting that its presence is unrelated to the purpose of the Pfizer’s plasmid as a transcription template for their mRNA COVID-19 vaccine,” wrote Dr. Smith.
“Pfizer has communicated to us recently, that they apparently chose not to mention this information to EMA, FDA or HC at the time of their initial or subsequent submissions.”
Mr. McKernan, a genomics expert, had found quantities of DNA in the mRNA shots above the regulatory threshold set out by the health agencies. Dr. Smith wrote that the study had resulted in “questions coming to agencies.”
https://www.globalresearch.ca/pfizer-sv40-sequence-covid-shots-health-canada/5855583
OBSERVATION - Some of the discussion in the article also refers to the growing link between the jab, possibly due to this DNA contamination, and the rapid growth in cancers, particularly the “turbo” cancers of today.
The evil brought to the world by the jab just keeps getting worse and worse and the so called medical ‘experts’ knew full well of the potential side effects.
POLITICAL FRONT –
July 15 RNC convention in Milwaukee, WI
August 19 DNC convention in Chicago, IL
***
Yesterday, SCOTUS heard oral arguments on former President Donald Trump’s presidential immunity claim. General impression is that it went well for Trump.
Illegal Immigration –
A 51 percent majority of Americans, including 42 percent of Democrats, are in favor of mass deportations of illegal immigrants. Former President Donald Trump has promised to bring such policies in the US should he be elected to a second term in office.
68 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of Independents are also in favor of mass deportations, according to the poll reported on by the outlet.
32 percent of respondents in the survey said that Biden’s administration is the “most responsible” for the influx of illegal immigrants.
Additionally, 30 percent of Democrats and 46 percent of Republicans say they would end birthright citizenship in the country altogether, a right that has its foundation in the 14th Amendment.
OBSERVATION - Could equally post this under “Political Front”. Along with the economy, illegals in the country is near the top of many citizen’s concerns. In many instances it appears that biden has over played his hand on this issue, potentially losing some dark blue areas of the country to Trump. Poll numbers maybe being taken seriously by the regime given the recent pivots to project a more coherent and proactive border ‘policy’, since repetitive claims of no border problem have crashed and burned in the public spotlight.
***
In February, the Tucson, Ariz., sector was the busiest border sector for illegal migrant crossings. As of the first half of April, however, the San Diego Sector has reportedly taken that unenviable top spot from Tucson. And considering how thoroughly woke and destructive Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) is, the migrants can be pretty sure that the state government will do nothing about the crisis.
In 2023, the Rio Grande Valley and Del Rio Sectors were alternating for the sectors with the highest numbers of apprehensions, Breitbart explained. But when Texas and Mexico both began to take action on the border, the never-ending flood of illegals moved west. First, the Tucson Sector took the top spot, as noted above, and now it’s San Diego.
OBSERVATION - Now the numbers are starting to show the success of border fence construction and enforcement. This shift also reduces the pressure on the TX border, a further help to enforcement.
China –
US Sec State Blinken met with Xi yesterday. China was frigidly cold in its reception for such a diplomatic visit - no one met him at the airport. A disrespect of the highest order that China could given. Xi tolerated the visit.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the third year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Mar 21, 2024.
Russia has taken advantage of Ukrainian ammo shortages, forcing them into primary defensive operations, and has seized the initiative following the fall of Avdiivka. Russia has reportedly concentrated 40,000 troops to sustain this offensive. The attacks are scattered along the front, concentrating on five axises of attack -
- Avdiivka,
- Maryinka,
- Robotyne,
- Kremenka and
- Bakhmut.
Russia has been able to gradually enlarge the number of soldiers in the theatre to the 400,000 range. Training and equipping of these forces is still rated very poor. Russia has drawn heavily upon ‘volunteers’ from penal colonies for their “Z” shock troops- the primary element of their meat attack (human wave) assaults against Ukraine defenses. It has been documented that ‘enforcement’ squads follow behind these ‘shock troops’ with orders to shoot any who attempt to retreat.
With the exception of Avdiivka, initial Russia attacks along the other axises have had poor results and exceptionally heavy losses. Russia continues to suffer heavy tank and APC losses. Old, cold war era tanks and APCs are becoming more and more common sights in battle fields. (formerly) Elite units like the Russian marines are routinely seen with T54/55 series tanks instead of the T72/80/90 series they were commonly equipped with. In some cases, over 70% of these newer tanks have been destroyed or captured by Ukraine.
In these other attacks, Russia continues to make poor use of fire and maneuver, preferring tank/armor ‘charges’ across open areas and down roads. This brings them into prepared kill zones where these forces are stopped and destroyed.
The most significant change in Russian tactics is on the Avdiivka front, where Russian is doing a much better job of launching what one could consider combined arms attacks.
When Ukraine lacks the artillery, Russian forces are able to penetrate in mass and overwhelm the fewer Ukrainian defenders.
Russian organization and capabilities make it unlikely that they will be able to quickly take advantage of penetrations into Ukrainian defenses. Poor training and lack of leadership at all levels, combined with poor logistic trains, will prevent any major breakouts beyond initial penetration of lines.
Shortages of Ukraine artillery ammo has permitted Russia to regain some degree of local superiority on the battlefield. Some estimates give Russia a 3:1 advantage. This is down substantially from the start of the war where it had a 10:1 advantage. Russia is relying heavily on N Korean artillery rounds and Iranian drone/missiles.
Russian appears to be continuing to shepherd its stockpile of missiles/drones for a potential effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as they did winter 2022./23 This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage. Ammo shortages are starting to impact Ukraine ADA defenses.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. In the latest, large missile / drone attack, the Black Sea fleet was noticeably out of action. Ukraine continues to engage and destroy Russian naval vessels..
While the Russia air force has taken significant losses at the hands of Ukraine, early in this winter/spring offensive, Russian has more aggressively conducted CAS in support of ground troops, reflecting ADA shortages. As a result, Russia has been able to locally seize air superiority at key locations along the front - the first time in two years of fighting. This has been at a cost, with a number Su-34/35 aircraft being lost in the last part of February alone as well as critical A50 AWAC systems.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace. putin is struggling to place his economy on wartime footing to accomplish this goal.
Unknowns at this time are how soon ammo supples will start hitting Ukrainian units. Long range ATACMS and German Taurus cruise missiles may be coming on line soon for Ukraine as well as F-16s (now reportedly due in late spring/early summer). But the most critical item is artillery ammo.
*****
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Russia will make NATO nuclear weapons in Poland one of its primary targets if they are deployed there, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov declared today in the latest escalation of tensions between Moscow and Europe.
The comments came after Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday said his nation would be ready to host Western nukes, given Russia’s decision to station intercontinental ballistic missiles in neighbouring Belarus late last year.
‘Our patience is not limitless,’ Ryabkov said. ‘If Poland takes the path of further escalation - these verbal games with nuclear weapons - then it means there will be a further round of tension.
Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov also responded to Duda’s declaration, stating that Russia’s defence ministry will ‘analyse the situation... and take all the necessary retaliatory steps to guarantee our safety’.
Amid the rising tensions, Russian ally Belarus moved combat-ready troops closer to the border with Poland on Thursday ‘with a readiness of three hours’, according to President Lukashenko - who warned exchanging blows could lead to ‘apocalypse’.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures highs continue in the 60-70 range with some local highs into the 80s. Mostly dry thru the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Brutal fighting continues on the eastern Ukraine front. Russian forces are pressing to secure its northern and southern flanks at the Ocheretyne break thru. The penetration is dangerously extended for Russia. However, Russian forces are making progress there particularly due to the lack of Ukraine artillery fire.
In addition to the fight at Ocheretyne, Russia continues to make small gains along the Bakhmut and Avdiivka fronts.
The lack of Ukraine artillery is particularly noticeable in the drop in the number of artillery attacks on Russia occupied Donetsk.
Outlook —
The Ocheretyne break thru continues to cause problems for Ukraine as Russia is expanding the shoulders. Combined with Avdiivka and Bakhmut, still a tight situation they’ve gotten themselves into.
So far it seems Russia has learned some important lessons and leadership has improved to be able to take advantage of Ukraine’s mistakes on the front lines. Big turn around from when Russia was continually screwing things up.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- The floating dock was attacked.
- Israeli preparation for the Rafah operation are accelerating.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Lest we forget - there are still hostages being held in Gaza.
***
Construction on the US military pier off the coast of Gaza has begun according to the Pentagon. While being inspected by UN officials, the pier was attacked by terrorists causing damage and minor injuries.
Hamas has stated it will attack any outside forces on land or in the sea off shore of Gaza.
***
Leaders of 18 nations issued a joint call for Hamas to release all hostages.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Tent city with medical facilities are being set up in a safe are for Rafah civilians. Israel continues to position combat units in jump off points for the operation.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Overnight, Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon’s Kafrchouba, as well as additional sites in Markaba, the military says. The strikes came after two anti-tank missiles were launched from Lebanon at the Mount Dov area on the border. The IDF says it shelled the launch sites with artillery and tank shelling. It adds that a rocket launcher in Chebaa was also hit by tank shelling.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces continues to raid numerous areas, arresting terrorism suspects.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
The Jordanian King - We warn of the danger of the Rafah invasion and stress the necessity of reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Marked increase in combat along the Lebanese border. Israel using it go conduct deep strikes against Hezbollah command and logistics centers.
Movement towards the Rafah operation continues, most likely will kick off in the next couple of weeks.
This alte kaker remembers Kent State, where the people shot were behind the cannon fodder, back where the organizers were.
Suddenly no one wanted to be an REMF organizer, safe, well back from the front!
College campus protests pretty much died that day...
Is my memory flawed?
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Activists with the UW Progressive Student Union (UWPSU) announced they are postponing Thursday’s “UW Palestine encampment” because there were too many white students involved. The group received criticism for not including Muslim and Arab students in the organizing. And now you have warring factions of extremists quibbling over who will get credit for demonizing Jews and Israel.
Andy Ngo reports via ‘X’ -
At a far-left rally for Gaza at George Washington U @GWtweets, an extremist on the microphone says: “There’s only one solution, intifada revolution. We must have a revolution so we can have a socialist reconstruction of the United States of America.”
Also he reports that - Columbia University said it has barred encampment leader Khymani James from returning to campus after it re-emerged that he had recently said that “Zionists, white supremacists” should all be killed. The university is ambiguous over whether he was temporarily suspended or expelled. James says he is being targeted for being black and queer.
OBSERVATION - Over the past few days, the shift in a lot of the rhetoric coming out of these pro-hamas camps is one of marxist revolution with a coating of pro-Hamas glaze. Proportionately, Antifa elements are taking more and more charge of the protest operations. This is particularly true in Antifa strongholds and the protests at Portland U and Washington U. Leftist redefining of terms and words of the Hamas / Hezbollah bleat against Israel and jews are now reflecting the marxist takeovers of the protests. In one instance the call for intifada in the US to over throw it and replace it with a socialist govt.
At the pro-Hamas encampment at Humboldt / Cal Poly, extremists are expanding their Antifa-style occupation by building barricades and checkpoints, like at CHAZ of 2020. Similar barriers and physical blocking / removal of non-protest sanctioned journalists and reporters from protest areas have become more aggressive. These tactics are equivalent to those at the CHAZ in Seattle in 2020.
Observers such as Forward Observer are noting that internet channels that have been quiet pretty much since the end of the Floyd riots have surged in activity, listing how to defend protest sites, methods of resistance and numerous related tactics seen during the BLM/Antifa riots of 2020. With it are recruiting efforts for the hard leftist affiliated groups.
Mixing in are increasing elements of BLM, as noted above with the George Washington U cancelation - due to not enough black participation. Calls for violence against whites are being placed next to genocidal calls for the elimination of Israel - essentially saying they are one in the same.
The corrupting of these college protests by elements of the Antifa related left indicates that the ultimate effort may well be to replicate the Floyd style riots of 2020. How much traction the effort will gain using the cover of pro-hamas protests is still uncertain at this moment. It does seem these hard leftist/Antifa elements are seeking an event - like Floyd - to trigger violence on a much broader, national level and may see some way to use these pro-hamas actions to facilitate that.
There is still a couple months before the Democrat convention - that is the important event that may mark even greater efforts to generate a riot provoking event to take things to the next level.
POLITICAL FRONT –
July 15 RNC convention in Milwaukee, WI
August 19 DNC convention in Chicago, IL
***
Trump’s NYC trial continues to dominate much of the MSM’s attention.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Biden claims he “got arrested standing on the porch with a Black family” during the civil rights movement
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the third year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Mar 21, 2024.
Russia has taken advantage of Ukrainian ammo shortages, forcing them into primary defensive operations, and has seized the initiative following the fall of Avdiivka. Russia has reportedly concentrated 40,000 troops to sustain this offensive. The attacks are scattered along the front, concentrating on five axises of attack -
- Avdiivka,
- Maryinka,
- Robotyne,
- Kremenka and
- Bakhmut.
Russia has been able to gradually enlarge the number of soldiers in the theatre to the 400,000 range. Training and equipping of these forces is still rated very poor. Russia has drawn heavily upon ‘volunteers’ from penal colonies for their “Z” shock troops- the primary element of their meat attack (human wave) assaults against Ukraine defenses. It has been documented that ‘enforcement’ squads follow behind these ‘shock troops’ with orders to shoot any who attempt to retreat.
With the exception of Avdiivka, initial Russia attacks along the other axises have had poor results and exceptionally heavy losses. Russia continues to suffer heavy tank and APC losses. Old, cold war era tanks and APCs are becoming more and more common sights in battle fields. (formerly) Elite units like the Russian marines are routinely seen with T54/55 series tanks instead of the T72/80/90 series they were commonly equipped with. In some cases, over 70% of these newer tanks have been destroyed or captured by Ukraine.
In these other attacks, Russia continues to make poor use of fire and maneuver, preferring tank/armor ‘charges’ across open areas and down roads. This brings them into prepared kill zones where these forces are stopped and destroyed.
The most significant change in Russian tactics is on the Avdiivka front, where Russian is doing a much better job of launching what one could consider combined arms attacks.
When Ukraine lacks the artillery, Russian forces are able to penetrate in mass and overwhelm the fewer Ukrainian defenders.
Russian organization and capabilities make it unlikely that they will be able to quickly take advantage of penetrations into Ukrainian defenses. Poor training and lack of leadership at all levels, combined with poor logistic trains, will prevent any major breakouts beyond initial penetration of lines.
Shortages of Ukraine artillery ammo has permitted Russia to regain some degree of local superiority on the battlefield. Some estimates give Russia a 3:1 advantage. This is down substantially from the start of the war where it had a 10:1 advantage. Russia is relying heavily on N Korean artillery rounds and Iranian drone/missiles.
Russian appears to be continuing to shepherd its stockpile of missiles/drones for a potential effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as they did winter 2022./23 This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage. Ammo shortages are starting to impact Ukraine ADA defenses.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. In the latest, large missile / drone attack, the Black Sea fleet was noticeably out of action. Ukraine continues to engage and destroy Russian naval vessels..
While the Russia air force has taken significant losses at the hands of Ukraine, early in this winter/spring offensive, Russian has more aggressively conducted CAS in support of ground troops, reflecting ADA shortages. As a result, Russia has been able to locally seize air superiority at key locations along the front - the first time in two years of fighting. This has been at a cost, with a number Su-34/35 aircraft being lost in the last part of February alone as well as critical A50 AWAC systems.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace. putin is struggling to place his economy on wartime footing to accomplish this goal.
Unknowns at this time are how soon ammo supples will start hitting Ukrainian units. Long range ATACMS and German Taurus cruise missiles may be coming on line soon for Ukraine as well as F-16s (now reportedly due in late spring/early summer). But the most critical item is artillery ammo.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures highs continue in the 60-70 range with some local highs into the 80s. Mostly dry thru the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 6 of 9 Kh-101 cruise missiles, 8 of 9 Kh-59/Kh-69 cruise missiles, 1 of 2 Iskander-K cruise missiles, 6 of 8 Kaliber cruise missiles. Russia also launched 2 S-300 missiles and 4 Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles. Three Kalibr missiles were reportedly launched from a submarine in the Black Sea.. Logistical / rail road targets in central and western Ukraine were reportedly one of the major target sets.
Ukrainian Energy company DTEK says 4 DTEK power stations in central and western Ukraine were attacked overnight by Russia, there are casualties and damage
Explosions were reported at the refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani of Krasnodar Krai. Main processing unit damaged as result of drone attack at Ilskiy refinery in Slavyansk-na-Kubani and airfield in Kuschevskaya town.
Kamikaze drones hit a warehouse of control and correction modules for aerial bombs at the military airfield in the town of Kuschevskaya of Krasnodar Krai
Outlook —
The Ocheretyne break thru north of Avdiivka continues to press Ukraine defenses. Some analysts suggest that it may force shifting of some of the Ukraine forces from the south to confront the break thru.
Russia’s unleashing a mixed attack overnight, utilizing various missiles, seizing a moment when Ukraine’s air defense is lacking. Ukraine striking Russian oil refineries and storage, keeping the pressure on a large weak area of Russia economy and war support. I expect Russia to potentially step up its missile campaign to extract the most damage before Ukraine can significantly reconstitute their air defense network.
The Adviivka - Ocheretyne area will continue to be a key battle along with Russian efforts to capture Chazvi Yar near Bakhmut. Russian forces are maintaining the initiative in both areas.
ISRAEL –
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Lest we forget - there are still hostages being held in Gaza.
***
“Axios” reports that Israel made clear to the Egyptian security delegation that it is ready to give a final chance to reach a deal regarding the detainees before the Rafah operations kicks off.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
The Israeli army reports that it eliminated the leader of the Islamic Group in Lebanon, Musab Khalaf, in an air strike when his vehicle was targeted in the Beqaa Valley. The strike is deeper inside Lebanon than the usual Israeli attacks on Hezbollah.
Israeli Army Radio reports that 30 missiles were launched from Lebanon towards Mount Hermon and the Shebaa Farms
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces continues to raid numerous areas, arresting terrorism suspects.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
U.S. Central Command has confirmed that the Panamanian-Flagged and British-Owned Oil Tanker, M/T Andromeda Star was struck earlier today by at least 1 Houthi launched anti-ship ballistic missile, while the ship was transiting the Southern Red Sea; the ship suffered damage, though it doesn’t seem to be severe with the Andromeda Star continuing her Journey.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Turkish President Erdogan - “The butcher Netanyahu has to be brought to justice.” “Right now our people are engaged in a joint effort with South Africa at the International Court of Justice.”
——— FORECAST ————————-
Israel’s promise to try one more time to negotiate a ceasefire/hostage release agreement is more a PR move to fill-in the reporting gap to cover Israeli efforts to have non-combatants evacuate Rafah. It is doubtful that Hamas will engage in any honest negotiations as it appears they are falling back on the old ploy of further threatening the lives of the few hostages they still control to deter Israeli operations. More armor and other equipment continue into staging areas opposite Rafah,i ndicating that time is running out for Hamas in Rafah.
Israel continues to surgically strike and take out senior Hezbollah and other terror leaders. The skills to provide actionable intel on these leaders in civilian cars is of the highest order, and shows just how deeply and throughly the Israeli intel network in Lebanon is. Seems that every couple of days lately Hezbollah are losing one or more. These kind of attacks disrupt the elements they are in charge of as secondary leaders have to work to reestablish their credibility to the underlings and operations. This also leaves less experienced leaders in charge, more likely to make major mistakes when under pressure.
Mexico -
Reports that the Mexican president is trying to work our a deal with some of the cartels to reduce levels of violence.
Venezuela -
Establishment and enlargement of bases near Guyana is showing rapid success, creating additional fears that Venezuela may soon move to capture the western half of Guyana.
Black Swans -
Yesterday’s massive tornado outburst should serve as warning to be prepared for other threats to the country. If you live in tornado country- get your ducks in a row now.
The implications of a massive natural disaster superimposed on the current political and economic situation in our country pose a great, undefined threat. Two target areas of an disaster that could severely affect the security of our country would be if the “big one” hit kalifornia or if the Cascadia fault zone triggers. The majority of the population west of the Mississippi River are concentrated in urban areas that quakes from these two sources would devastate. The loss of life from the immediate shock and from later conditions would be staggering. Destruction of infrastructure immense and the costs of rebuild would bankrupt insurance companies and govt at all levels.
Try as we may, we cannot forecast when the next big one will occur. We can identify potential regions from history and current geological data, but that is the best one can do. The thoughts of the impact of such an event is concerning beyond measure. So if you live in the left coast region in one of these zones make sure your preparations are ready now - you won’t get a warning.