Breaking from impeachment soap opera.
N Korea
Sources stating that there are signs that it has already moved a three-stage rocket from a missile factory in Sanum-dong in Pyongyang to an assembly facility at Tongchang-ri. Many believe this to be a version of the Hwasong-15 that may be equipped with the type of engine recently tested. Resumption of ICBM tests has been the “gift” many have thought Kim has been planning to give and is the next logical step. Weather conditions are being monitored by some to evaluate potential launch windows. 11-14 December currently has favorable conditions. That is provided the rocket is assembled and ready to launch now.
Thread also on this in FR here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3800023/posts
Turkey
Two items. First, rumored threats that Turkey will cut off US access to key airbases if US applies sanctions for Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 Antiaircraft missiles.
Second - Turkey is contemplating increased involvement in the Libyan civil war. Turkey supports the UN sponsored/approved GNA, which granted Turkey the right to explore for natural gas in Libyan offshore waters. It has not been going well for the GNA as it appears that LNA would take control of Tripoli by the end of the year and then hold national elections in mid-2020. LNA disapproves of Turkish involvement. To stave this off it is being reported that Turkey is considering the deployment of combat units to shore up the GNA. This would put them across from some French Special forces supporting LNA as well as Russian technicians and military advisors supporting LNA as well. Turkey’s involvement reflects its alliance with Iran and Qatar against other Islamic countries.
Jersey City
Still a lot of mixed reporting. What has come out includes two items
1) The shooters were apparently part of a Black Hebrews group, with a historic reputation of violence
2) The kosher market that became the focus of the fight may have been their target.
Couple additional items I realized I left out
Pensacola terror
Military has pulled all Saudi trainees from courses pending additional investigation. Saudi Arabia is not being fully cooperative in the investigation either.
Jersey City
Not on the front page, but a potential motive may exist in that if I heard correctly, there was a Hebrew School in the space above the Jewish store. Seizing children hostage and killing them is a viable motive imho. Nothing else much makes any further sense than an anti-Semitic attack on a store.