Weekend evaluations while the rest of the country/world fixated on the impeachment circus . . . . .
Hong Kong
Reuters reported that China has quietly increased its security police stationed in HK from 3000 to 12000. This while protests continue. Warning - Tuesday is the 70 anniversary of communist china. Any protests could result in these forces (and those prepositioned on the mainland adjacent to HK) to take action.
Saudi Arabia/Iran
Saudi Crown prince indicates that SA has blinked following the Iranian attack on its oil facilities. Over the weekend he stated that SA is not planning any military response but trying to work out other pressures on Iran.
SA militarily is a soft country. Its citizens get oodles of money from oil and have no desire to get their fingernails dirty doing anything. To engage in a regional war with Iran would force them to put up and the crown prince knows they are too soft to carry out such a war without extensive support from others to do the heavy lifting.
Somalia
US and EU forces were attacked in the Lower Shebelli Region.
Israel
Netanyahu is struggling to put together a coalition government with his chief opponent. This is a perilous time that Hezbollah/Iran and Hamas could potentially exploit if a vacuum of leadership occurs. If they are unable to put a coalition together, the chances increase that a third election will occur, a possibility that the electorate finds unsatisfactory.
Venezuela
Maduro maintains control because he still has the support of his military who are on the top of the list to obtain benefits. Indicators are that Russia is influencing him to loosen up on economic controls to permit some capitalism and Madro was also advised to let anyone leave the country if they wanted to, but to strictly control who could get back in.
Seems he is trying to pilot the country back to supporting him over Juan Guaidó, the last legally elected Venezuelan official. At best his efforts will result in a Cuban style government and economy. South American countries are not thrilled with the potential of an oil rich Cuba clone on their front door. However, Madro shows no signs of being smart enough to restore the oil economy without substantial assistance (read Russia and/or China).
Trying to sort out stuff -
N Korea
Nk television playing the threat to ring Guam with rockets again. This represents a serious change in rhetoric by Kim and potential indicates they aren’t getting their way with recent short range rocket launches. US is still poised to intercept any attempts but trump could see this as an act of war. Rocket transjectory would have them passing over SK and Japan.
Iraq unrest
Nationwide unrest just doesn’t happen spontaneously. Current Iraqi govt is corrupt - but when hasn’t it. Iranian supported militias seem to be lying low but bet they are pushing things behind the scenes.
India/Pakistan
Lots on news on the potential loss of life in a nuclear exchange but I don’t see current conditions supporting that level let alone a conventional war.