N Korea
Wednesday the U.N. condemned NK for human rights abuses. Overnight the US redesignated NK as a violator of religious freedom and imposed additional sanctions. NK said sanctions would further aggravate the situation between NK and the world.
Meanwhile the watch is on for what NK may do for its “present”. Additional surveillance aircraft are in the sky’s and yesterday Japan deployed two Aegis equipped warships into the area between the two countries.
Unnamed sources report US intelligence doesn’t see a long range missile test until next year and currently assess another short range or engine test as being more likely.
The unusual NK party plenum begins today (Dec 21) and there is a lot of speculation as to what may come out of it. What is expected is a major policy (s) change such as resumption of nuclear testing, cancellations of inter Korean accords etc. It is possible that the gift may be linked to the results of this meeting.
NK
Kim presided over the Workers’ Party’s Central Military Commission meeting this weekend - the much anticipated results still pending. CNN (weeks late) suggest the big story will be taking denuclearization off the table. What is certain is that NK is switching hard to the dark side. Meeting still ongoing.
OSINT observers note that launch sites for solid fuel rockets are ready. The liquid fuel facilities show some activity but not at a level indicating imminent launch.
Other reports, satellite imagery shows the March 16 Factory, which is involved in the development and production of ICBM launchers having been significantly enlarged.
Libya
Things are getting very tangled there as the battle for Tripoli heats up. Greece along with other supporters of the ruling GNA are laying the groundwork for essentially a blockade of any vessels bringing support to the LNA forces - specifically Turkey. The increasing involvement of Turkey in Libya combined with increased aggression around cypress and n Syria brings increasing threat of a regional war.
Israel
Overnight IAF struck the T-4 air base and Damascus airport. Most likely targeting Iranian/Hezbollah storage sites. One of the biggest rumors is that a senior Iranian general in the IRGC was targeted and killed.