Threat Matrix 2020

Established in 2001 after the 9/11 attack on America, this thread is designed to identify threats to America, both internal and external, and evaluate the probability of those threats occurring and the extent of potential damage. Discussions may stray into ‘tinfoil’ territory, but the goal is to peel back and confirm information so we can make founded decisions and actions.

Great Coronavirus Panic of 2020 -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. Check numerous FR threads for more specific corona virus threads. On the good side, daily cases and deaths have clearly been decreasing since April 2, 2020.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3856271/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Increased severe quarantine measures being used in Beijing over the outbreak there. China is blaming “European Salmon” as the cause for this outbreak. (Are they re-labeling bat?)

Nationally, media fear mongering is starting to kick back into gear with the pull back of Marxist BLM/Antifa rioting. Claims of ‘spikes’ however are not supported by daily numbers posted by DoughtyOne - see link above.

CW2 -
A protester was shot at Tiguex Park Monday evening during a demonstration that called for the removal of a Juan de Oñate statue, “La Jornada”, outside the Albuquerque Museum. Video now shows the shooter was acting in self defense after being attacked by several others, one particularly using a skate board (the one that got shot). I’ve noted several times now, skate boards seem to have become the weapon of preference. In 2016, antifa used 2x2’s with flags as their primary weapon - until law enforcement fully stopped the practice. skate boards have become another matter altogether.

(Fox) The city of Seattle and protesters occupying the “Capitol Hill Organized Protest” have reached an agreement that will remove temporary roadblocks and replace them with concrete barriers, Fox News has been told. The Seattle Department of Transportation is installing concrete barriers in the middle of Pine Street, running East and West, which will split the road for both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. This will allow for emergency service vehicles to pass through the area. The agreement will reduce the area protesters previously called Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, or CHAZ, from about six or seven city blocks to just three. This is the first time in weeks traffic will be able to pass by the shuttered East Police Precinct.

Rasmussen Reports survey finds that one in three (34%) likely U.S. voters believe that a second Civil War is likely. Nearly one in ten (9%) said that it’s “very likely” that the U.S. will experience a second Civil War sometime in the next five years, while another 25% said that it’s “somewhat likely,” according to the survey conducted June 11 and 14, 2020.

Economy -
Retail sales jumped 17.7% in May, exceeding expectations of economists. While the rebound was generally across the board, there was a concentration in the hard hit sectors of clothing, furniture, electronics and vehicles. Sales in restaurants and bars saw a 29% rebound.

(AFP) - Despite some recent positive signs, “significant uncertainty” remains about the recovery of the US economy from the coronavirus pandemic, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday. And unless consumers feel confident COVID-19 has been defeated, “a full recovery is unlikely,” Powell warned in his semi-annual testimony before the Senate Banking Committee.

Iraq -
Almost every day since June 8, there have been rocket attacks in Iraq targeting US forces, the US embassy in the Green Zone or the airport in Baghdad. No causalities and minor damages reported. Attacks like this tend to say two things. 1) We can still shoot at you and 2) You have to keep at an extended alert status. The last causes crisis fatigue and over time degrades readiness by not allowing people to relax. This is the result of hormones flushing into the body to keep it ‘ready’, but the body is only designed for this to occur for short periods of time before suffering negative impacts.

N Korea -
In response to additional threats and the destruction of the North-South liaison building, United States has urged N.Korea to avoid further counterproductive actions. S Korea has shut off power to the destroyed liaison office and in doing so Kaeson. NK has stated it is going to resume stationing soldiers in Kaeson region as resuming military training in the near border areas. BTW, new footage of the destruction of the liaison building shows they didn’t care about any collateral damage to nearby buildings, in fact the explosion half tore down an adjacent building.

Reports of South Korea moving tanks and other assets into position in the event of further North Korea action after North Korea destroyed the Inter-Korean Liaison Office. It is also reported that S Koreans living in joint agreement border communities have been evacuated.

MY OBSERVATIONS: War is not imminent, but seriously close. Kim’s sister is pushing the rhetoric, without a single word from Kim himself. This is rather concerning to say the least. NK is pushing things to a hair trigger and can only do so with China’s blessing. If the Koreas go hot, it will distract US military forces and potentially create breathing room for Chinese military adventurism.

China/India -
More information has come out about the border clash between these two nuclear powers. Combatants were armed with clubs, rocks and nail-studded bamboo sticks. At least 20 Indian deaths and as many as 40 Chinese. “In the fight, some soldiers either fell or were pushed into the river, officers said. Some bodies were recovered from the river while others had signs of being brutalized. A few soldiers died of hypothermia.” They did not carry fire arms as per negotiations to defuse the tension. The battle site was a narrow road on top a cliff with a river at its base and an adjacent steep ridge.

MY OBSERVATIONS: China is going to push this for all its worth. So far, build up on both sides is significantly limited due to the rugged terrain, making any military conflict one bases largely upon leg infantry, artillery duels and a fight in the sky for air superiority.

Israel -
King of Jordan has remarked that Israel’s move to annex lands in the West Bank threatens stability in the Middle East.

Lebanon -
As the economic crisis in Lebanon worsens, Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah warned that if the situation becomes one of starvation versus weapons, the terrorist movement will keep its weapons. Speaking Tuesday evening, Nasrallah said, “Our weapons will remain in our hands and we will not starve; we will kill you.” Lebanon has seen protests/riots over the past week over the economic shambles brought on in large part to Hezbollah control of the country’s government and economy. A protest that took place earlier this month called on the Lebanese government to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1559 and disarm Hezbollah.

Syria -
New economic sanctions aimed at deterring foreign business activity with Syria’s government have been imposed by the United States. The measures in the Caesar Act seek to compel the government to “halt its murderous attacks” on civilians and accept a peaceful political transition. Syrian economy is already on the rocks and this will put the squeeze on even more making Syria even more dependent upon similarly economically shattered Iran.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3856606/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Dr Fauci admitted that he lied to Americans not to wear face masks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic at least partially to ensure health care workers had an adequate supply, Dr. Anthony Fauci admitted, despite telling the public that masks wouldn’t be effective in stopping the spread of the virus. What else has he lied about to the American people.

CW2 -
With Juneteenth arriving Friday, there are reports of more protests being organized across the nation for the period 19-21. Uncertain if Antifa is going to jump in again to coax more violence. I think the so far aggressive DOJ hunting down of antifa’s that came in across state lines may have some of the leadership looking backwards in case the DOJ is got their number. Most likely, the national level Antifa will stand down and some violent BLM and local antifa may act up. Right now I suspect the national organizers and their backers are reviewing the damage caused from the last month of riots and planning for the next round. Some observers are thinking that July 4th could be a potential target date for new action. Currently the activity has shifted to monument removal/vandalism and media shaming.

Atlanta police responded to the murder indictment in a big way last night, with as many as 5 of 7 precincts essentially non-functional. Blue flu and resignations hit hard as even the Mayor was calling for outside help. Sheriff and surrounding citys would only respond to officer in need calls. One of the biggest portions of the complaint is that the DA two weeks ago called a tazer a “lethal weapon”, and reversed his position in this case where the deceased took and began to point the officer’s tazer at him before the officer fired. Additionally, the murder charges came BEFORE the investigation was completed. The response of the officers of the Atlanta police department are a part of a growing push back by police in democrat controlled urban areas across the nation. Democrats set police policy and then stab the police in the back when the police are trying to maintain order within those policies.

After action review of the destruction in Minneapolis carried on the following link. Many other urban areas hit by the rioting probably have similar results.

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/tyler-o-neil/2020/06/17/map-see-the-destruction-the-george-floyd-riots-wreaked-all-over-minneapolis-n544103

Economy -
Markets are still nervous over claims of increasing corona virus infections.

Iraq -
Turkey launched attacks on 500 positions held by PKK Kurdish forces in N Iraq over the past few days. This parallels similar airstrikes in N Syria over the same period.

N Korea -
US extends sanctions on N.Korea for another year citing “unusual and extraordinary” threat posed by the country.
N Korean troops have been observed reoccupying guard posts along sections of the DMZ. Reports that NK is reinforcing border artillery units across the sector from Seoul.

Some analysts have reviewed the latest rhetoric from NK and are concerned that NK would do something to interfere with the election in November. The North Korean Foreign Ministry recently warned the Trump administration that “the U.S. had better hold its tongue and mind its internal affairs first if it doesn’t want to experience [a] horrible thing. It would be good not only for the U.S. interests but also for the easy holding of [the] upcoming presidential election.” The exact nature of this threat is still being assessed and could range from an ICBM test, to a new nuke test to even a limited border skirmish with SK. What ever it takes, in NK eyes to embarrass the US.

China/India -
Indian Armed Forces went on their highest state of alert along the 3,488-km Line of Control as well as the eastern seaboard. Indian Navy conducted a surge deployment in the Indian Ocean Region after alert was raised. Indian Air Force has also deployed some of its fighter jets and other crucial assets at forward locations.

Talks to diffuse the situation are not going well. China is now claiming Indian territory as its own and refuses any demand to pull back. There are some yet to be verified reports that China has brought in several hundred soldiers and heavy construction equipment into the Galwan valley. Additional troops were also deployed inside Indian territory near Patrol Point 14. PLA also deployed at least 12 artillery guns on its side of the border. Looks like China is in the process of fortifying its positions.

MY OBSERVATIONS: This situation continues to creep closer to becoming hot. Both sides digging in both figuratively and literally. Tactically, China has the advantage both in terrain and combat support. Any war would be an infantry slugging match, with limited armor but abundant artillery and rocket support. India has shorter supply lines and can get more forces and supplies to the site while China must rely on rail to bring stuff in.

Libya -
France has accused Turkey of repeated violations of the U.N. arms embargo on conflict-torn Libya and says Ankara is an obstacle to securing a ceasefire there. The European Union has a naval operation in the Mediterranean aimed helping to enforce the arms embargo, but Turkey, a NATO member whose efforts to join the EU have stalled, suspects that it is too one-sided, focusing on the internationally recognized Libyan administration in Tripoli, which Turkey supports. “The main obstacle to the establishment of peace and stability in Libya today lies in the systematic violation of the U.N. arms embargo, in particular by Turkey, despite the commitments made in Berlin” talks early this year, the French foreign ministry said. (AP)

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3856958/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is considering a statewide order to require the use of masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to officials in several counties in contact with the state. The discussions are occurring as many counties contemplate their own mask rules in response to spikes in coronavirus cases as businesses reopen. The Democratic governor said at a Monday news conference that California’s hospitalizations, ICU admissions and positive test rates are stable. But the state is still closely monitoring counties whose numbers are more troubling than the statewide averages. (Sacbee) Newsom’s edic includes no enforcement provisions, leaving local governments to figure that aspect for themselves.

More than 1,200 flights going in and out of Beijing have been canceled as a new coronavirus outbreak in China’s capital grows. The number of confirmed cases of the illness in Beijing reached at least 137 this week, a dramatic increase after months of no reported cases. Beijing metro area has a population of 22 million - incredible potential for spread. Chinese investigators also claim corona virus heavily present in sea food and meats sold at the market suspected of being the source of the current outbreak. Yesterday it released genome sequencing data for the coronavirus responsible for a recent outbreak in Beijing, with officials saying on Friday it identified a European strain based on preliminary studies. Credability and reliabilty of releases from China are dubious at best as they will likely try to make the latest outbreak the fault of Europeans.

CW2 -
A New Mexico prosecutor on Wednesday dropped a shooting charge against an Albuquerque man suspected of shooting a protester and called for further investigations after allegations the protester was armed at the time he was shot. Apparently, the abundant social media posted videos are documenting the fact that it was a legitimate self defense. The once loud media has clammed up suddenly.

(Fox) Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, a Republican, declared a civil emergency Thursday and announced a curfew near the arena where Trump plans to hold a campaign rally on Saturday. Bynum cited recent “civil unrest,” expected “crowds in excess of 100,000” in the vicinity of the rally and opposition protests in his decision to place a federal exclusion zone for a six-block radius near the arena. “I have received information from the Tulsa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that shows that individuals from organized groups who have been involved in destructive and violent behavior in other States are planning to travel to the city of Tulsa for purposes of causing unrest in and around the rally,” Bynum wrote in the executive order.
OBSERVATION: I consider the threat aspect very real. Having that many Trump supporters concentrated in a area - unarmed - is a very enticing target for Antifa et al who are totally unrestrained from the use of weapons. Just go back to 2016 to see how they targeted Trump events. However, OK is deep red and the locals who didn’t attend the rally may take unkindly to outside troublemakers. Monitoring.

Economy -
30% of Americans missed their housing payments in June, according to a survey by Apartment List, an online rental platform. That’s up from 24% who missed their payment just two months earlier in April and about on par with the 31% who missed payments in May.

New home construction in May rose 4.3 percent compared to April, according to the Commerce Department Wednesday. This was below what was expected for the month and 23.2 percent below May 2019.

Another 1.5 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, raising the total number of claims to 45.7 million since coronavirus lockdowns began

MY OBSERVATION: These reports indicate that the impact from the shutdown is significant and that reopening the economy will still be facing challenges - barring any black swan event.

Strategic Deployments -
Australia has launched six warships into the Indo-Pacific for training operations ahead of huge show of force in the region with the US Navy. HMA Ships Canberra, Hobart, Stuart, Anzac, Ballarat and Arunta all left their base in Sydney Harbour on Monday. They will conduct ‘task group training’ before taking part in a warfare training exercise with the US and other allies known as the Rim of the Pacific in August.
MY OBSERVATION: This year’s exercise will be focused on controlling the western Pacific and South China Sea regions against Chinease aggression. China will not be amused.

Iran -
Iran showed the test of at least 3 anti-ship missiles today. They claim to be the latest development, but some observers are skeptical.
Member states from the United Nations atomic agency board voted Friday to condemn Iran for failing to cooperate with its probe of Tehran’s nuclear activities, a move that gives Washington fresh ammunition in its push to kill the Iranian nuclear deal. Most likely through the imposition of more sanctions which have resulted in huge hits to the Iranian economy and their ability to fund terror in the region.

N Korea -
S K news reporting “No signs have been detected yet that suggest North Korea is following through with a threat to beef up military presence near the border with South Korea, a military official said Friday.” Some NK troops have been observed at formerly abandoned observation posts, but no large scale troop movements into those same areas.

China/India -
Indian Army has intensified deployment of mechanized and artillery forces to the Line of Actual Control. PM Modi having an all party meeting to solidify Indian response to China’s actions. Russia has openly expressed support for India over China.

Domestically, the situation has changed significantly from virus to riots/insurrection.

Wuhan Virus -

DoughtyOne post as of yesterday

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3857267/posts

More and more flutter about a surge in infections across the country. Surge now showing up on DoughtyOne’s data set.

Study of Italian sewage suggests the corona virus was present in Italy as early as Dec 2019, two months before the first public cases were detected.

Economy -
Major cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises have voluntarily extended their suspension of voyages out of U.S. ports from July 24 until September 15, the Cruise Lines International Association announced on Friday. Shares in cruise lines have dropped between 50-70% this year and with the extended suspension , will likely lose more.

CW2/Civil Unrest -
What we’re seeing now is not democracy. It’s anarchy.

Top of my list today is the Trump Tulsa rally and local concerns are outsiders coming in to commit violence on attendees. A Craigslist ad for corona virus infected individuals to infiltrate the event was present on-line. Again, this is deep dark red territory and antifa et al could face not only push back but a beat back if they try to incite violence. They will be trying to operate in unfriendly territory.

Moderate (relative to the past month) violence flared up overnight following “Juneteenth” observances. Most energy lately has been directed to tearing down any and all monuments/statues in arms reach - regardless of their history. Expect more protests and minor violence through the rest of the weekend

Atlanta policed department is hemorrhaging blue following the start of blue flu and resignations. Contrary to the mayors claims, the interim police chief has admitted police are enraged over the corrupt DA’s decision to press murder charges against Officer Garrett Rolfe. Still rumors of a July 4th NYPD walk off/flu.

China/India -
China and India have added firepower in Galwan River valley on their border. Talks to avoid further conflict appear to be failing as China is stalling and trying to solidify its territorial gains. At this stage the situation could go hot within a month with real guns and not clubs and rocks.

Hong Kong -
Relative quiet due to China working forward with its new imposed security law. China’s director of legal affairs commission detailed the new national security laws in Hong Kong, signalling the loss of final adjudication in trials regarding violation of such crimes in the city. Beijing says it will only exercise jurisdiction over an “extremely small number”of cases and that the Hong Kong govt reserves the jurisdiction over most crimes concerning this law. However, it hasn’t elaborated under what circumstances will Beijing get involved.

China -
A lot of discussions this week that China has developed a number of EMP weapons and could execute a “Pearl Harbor” like surprise attack. According to the report from the independent EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security, China has built a network of satellites, high-speed missiles, and “super-electromagnetic pulse” weapons that could melt down the U.S. electric network, fry critical communications, and stifle aircraft carrier groups. Probably the greatest concern is how susceptible modern electronics and electrical systems would be in the face of a major EMP type attack.

Turkey -
Evidence of a 2014 proposed invasion of Greece and Armenia by the Turks has recently been uncovered. It is believed that the plans were prepared as a contingency regarding developments in Syria, in order to maintain offensive and deterrence capabilities on the Western front while moving troops. The plans

Libya -
Reports that earlier this month Turkish warships targeted a French warship’s attempt to enforce the blockade of Libya by stopping and searching a Turkish flagged cargo ship. Turkey is supporting the ‘official’ Tripoli government, while France is predisposed towards the rebels.

Happy Father’s Day

Domestically, the situation has changed significantly from virus to riots/insurrection now back to virus.

Wuhan Virus -

DoughtyOne post as of yesterday

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3857623/posts

Brazil topped 1 million cases of the coronavirus, the only nation other than the US to pass the grim milestone (unless China fesses up to its real numbers )

Economy -
Many doubt the restaurant industry will make any substantial recovery.
Incase you haven’t noticed, oil prices have restabalized at the upper $30/barrel level. Stability is good, but there is still a substantial glut in the market that has to be worked through the system yet.

CW2/Civil Unrest -
What we’re seeing now is not democracy. It’s anarchy.

Trouble in paradise, one shot another wounded in shooting in CHAZ/CHOP. Seattle Councilmember Kshama Sawant released a statement Saturday afternoon about the shooting. “of the killing, there are indications that this may have been a right-wing attack.” The CHOP warlord posted a vile complaint that first responders didn’t come promptly to the rescue, but his own security were the ones making conditions unsafe for them. Police are being prohibited from investigating the incident.

Oklahoma NG deployed in force yesterday to deter any potential violence during the president’s campaign rally. So far, disruptions have been minor and kept under control by law enforcement. BLM protestors did take control of at least one of the entrances to the venue. Post rally incidents also reported to be minor. Mostly BLM shouting insults and threats. OF NOTE: Both sides had armed supporters present. I expect to see this in greater numbers as the election cycle goes on.

Not necessarily fully under the CW2 topic, but this is an out come from events. One man is dead and 11 others wounded in Minneapolis shooting after ‘individuals on foot fired 80 rounds’ leaving store front windows shot out. No reports of who is ‘responsible’. Area is approximately three miles west of the Floyd riot zone. 90 have been shot since the riots. Police are starting to warn people away from these down town areas due to the increase in violence.

(Justice.gov) “At a press conference held this morning at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, the Department of Justice announced that murder and attempted murder charges have been filed against Steven Carrillo, the alleged gunman in the May 29, 2020, drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of Protective Security Officer David Patrick Underwood and injuries to a second security officer. The Department of Justice also announced aiding and abetting charges against Robert Alvin Justus Jr., the driver of the vehicle from which Carrillo is alleged to have attacked the guards.”
NOTE: These individuals murdered two law enforcement personnel early on during the Floyd riots. They self identify as members of the “boogaloos “, participants who generally identify as a libertarian citizen-militia and say they are preparing for, or seek to incite, the “boogaloo”: a second American Civil War that will overthrow the United States government. Media has since tried to associate them with all right-center or patriot groups to brand them as extremists. They have a potential to incite violence, though not yet approaching that of Antifa. Their association with patriot groups/militas paints targets on the backs of those groups, not a good thing.

China/India -
Indian jets patrolled over the region as tensions remained high. China appears to be digging in portions of the valley they’ve taken from India.

Syria -
Ongoing action in Idlib province with Russia bombing anti Assad targets in the south and Turkey bombing pro Assad targets in the north. This level of activity is pretty much the normal, constant day to day activity, so I don’t normally post here about it. Collation forces reportedly destroyed three ISIS bases in Syria.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3857872/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

WHO reports largest 24-hour increase in coronavirus cases announcing 183,000 new cases, with Brazil and the US reporting the most new infections.

Media sources continue to cite a spike in the number of new infections. See DoughtyOne for analysis.

CW2 -
More details about unrest in CHOP. On Saturday night, a brawl appeared to take place between drunk rival factions within the CHOP - BLM’rs vs Antifa. Apparently the Antifer’s got the snot kicked out of them, left and came back gunning (John Brown Gun Club components) and shot up the BLM. Lord of the Flies scenario continues. . . .

In other cities ravaged by the recent rioting, murder and other violent crime has skyrocketed. In part due to exhausted police, demoralized by the liberal governments knives into the back just not willing to get out there as aggressively as before. Resignations and retirements (as well as blue flu) have cut into the number of beat officers available. Also, these crimes hit areas openly hostile to police and response requires an inordinate number of officers just to protect themselves.

At least four organizers of recent protests in South Carolina have tested positive for coronavirus, prompting one of the main organizers to urge others to get tested. Look to more infections to spring up within the protest community.

Juneteenth observances were generally beguine with little relative violence.

MY OBSERVATION: Expect continued monument / statue removal and vandalism. Expect the numbers targeted to increase far beyond the ‘Confederate’ ones. The embedded goal is not racism but a pulling down of all western history/influence to the country. “Racism” is just the initial vehicle being used.

Economy -
Frustration continues with the jerky and unorganized methods being used to open up the economy. Time is running out for many businesses before they will be forced to roll up and close down for good.

Libya -
Egypt is threatening to send in troops into Libya if the Turks continue to advance along the coast towards the city of Sirte. Sirte, a coastal city 500 kilometers east of Tripoli and 560 kilometers west of Benghazi, unexpectedly fell to LNA (the HoR Libyan National Army) forces in early January. The LNA has been trying to subdue Sirte for years. The LNA eliminated the Islamic terror groups that had, since 2016, operated south of the city. Until the LNA took over, most of the Sirte militias were loyal to the GNA. The GNA has made a lot of enemies by signing agreements with Turkey and allowing Turkish troops and mercenaries to enter the country and take control of areas GNA forces had lost control of or had never controlled. In early 2017 officials from the Arab League and AU (African Union) met in neighboring Tunisia and signed an agreement to not send military forces into Libya and instead seek a political solution inside Libya. Most Arab League members support or favor the HoR as do all the neighbors of Libya. At that point Iran, Qatar and Sudan were supplying the GNA with weapons while the HoR/LNA were receiving aid from Egypt, the UAE and Russia. None of these foreign supporters had sent in substantial combat forces. In late 2019 Turkey changed that. Turkey also has little respect for the Arab League or African Union. The official GNA position has now changed to align with Turkish attitudes. Since 2000 Turkey has sought to displace the Arab League as the forum for Arab leaders to meet and decide what is in their best interest. Turkey wants to make those decisions, just like in the good old days of the (Ottoman) empire. Arabs generally oppose that sort of thing, unless the Turks are the only way out of a bad situation. (Strategypage.com)

Iran -
Announced recently the addition of over 100 speed boats to boost their naval assets. These boats have about a 50 mph max speed and often equipped with a single, small anti-ship missile with IR guidance. Good against tankers, not so against a ready and waiting combat vessel.

N Korea -
N.Korea has begun reinstalling propaganda loudspeakers at the border. (Yonhap) The north is also believed to be planning a parade to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the countries party according to SK military. Date of this anniversary is October 25th.

China/India -
Morning news reports indicate that Indian forces have been given the go-ahead to use full array of weapons in the event of further Chinese aggression. No more rocks and clubs.

Great Coronavirus Panic of 2020 -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. Check numerous FR threads for more specific corona virus threads. On the good side, deaths have clearly been decreasing since April 2, 2020.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne 6/22/20

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3858179/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Increased detections in California and other states, however, there is a reluctance to regress to the shut down due to the obvious destruction to the economy that occurred last time. China starting to close down non-official reports of its latest outbreak.

CW2 -
CHOP has had its second shooting in as many days. Who ya gonna call when living in a cop-free zone. This has prompted the mayor of Seattle to announce that they will be dismantling CHOP/CHAZ soon. How this will be accomplished has not been made known. The mayor did not give an immediate timeline for clearing out the occupation but said “additional steps” would be examined if people don’t leave voluntarily. With scores of people camping in a park in the protest zone, Durkan said peaceful demonstrations could continue, but nighttime disorder had to stop. So far the mayor has bent over backwards to support the rioters and police are skeptical of any support they would get if called on to clear out the approximately three square block compound that has been locally fortified and contains many armed individuals.

In DC, a double pronged attack tried to gain traction but failed. Prong one was an attempt to pull down the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Park directly across from the White House. The second prong was an attempt to set up another CHAZ - like compound (Black House Autonomous Zone - BHAZ) a few miles away. Some damage was sustained to the monument as protesters tried to force their way back into the park overnight. Twitter video feeds showed rioters walking to the park carrying relatively well made and uniform in design “shields”, while the BHAZ element showed up with fences and barricade materials, indicating that last nights action was preplanned.

The National Capital Region Threat Intelligence Consortium issued a warning that D.C. “is likely an attractive target for violent adherents of the Boogaloo ideology due to the significant presence of US law enforcement entities, and the wide range of First Amendment-Protected events hosted here.” Their report continued with “recent events indicate violent adherents of the Boogaloo ideology likely reside in the National Capital Region, and others may be willing to travel far distances to incite civil unrest or conduct violence encouraged in online forums associated with the movement.” The Department of Homeland Security issued a broader statement on Friday that said Boogaloo proponents “very likely will take advantage of any regional or national situation involving heightened fear and tensions to promote their violent extremist ideology and call supporters to action.” Boog members are identified by their Hawaiian shirts at events. The left/media has associated the movement with the conservative right, though it acts independent of the right. Some have claimed it was Boog and not Antifa that instigated some of the Floyd riot destruction.

Hackers have broken into over 200 police departments and leaked personal information on officers in those departments. Also releases information developed in various fusion centers, reports and bulletins. Even as early as the initial riots in Minneapolis, police officer personal information and addresses were doxxed and some protesters sought out their homes for further protests.

There is a ‘flyer’ floating around the interwebs announcing an Antifa flag burning day at Gettysburg. This is a piece of drivel that is designed to get and keep people worked up and distracted. This is similar to the alleged bikers coming to Placerville CA and Bikers riding to Seattle to clean out CHAZ. Common sense needs to be applied when seeing these things - and believe me we will see more and more of products like this.

Economy -
Market expressing jitters due to comments that the trade deal with China may be headed to the trash pit over the corona virus.

Iraq -
6th rocket attack in two weeks targeted the Baghdad airport, near a area housing US soldiers and civilians. No significant damage or injuries.

N Korea -
North Korea economy is expected to shrink 6 per cent this year, according to Fitch Solutions. That would be its worst contraction since 1997, when the country was stricken by famine. Blowing up buildings designed to relieve tensions between NK and the rest of the world is not going to help matters very much. Sanctions were hurting NK before the corona virus and now Pyongyang getting backed into a corner as trade has further been shut off. Also over the weekend NK warned of a “sensational event” leading to the destruction of the United States. Over the years, NK has threatened numerous nuclear attacks against the US. Their ability to organize and launch such an effort is still questionable to a degree. This follows an established pattern by NK, particularly when bad economic new is outed - verbally threaten the US and SK to deflect attention.

China/India -
High level talks held yesterday with little or no progress. Both sides now warn that the next encounter will not be fought with clubs and rocks. There is a lot of propaganda from both sides surrounding the actions of forces from the last clash, but filtering things out, it appears that the Chinese were caught off balance by the intensity of the Indian counter attack to their ambush.
Indian AF has been running a 24/7 combat patrols over the disputed areas.

Yemen/Saudi Arabia -
Riyadh, SA was attacked with rockets and drones yesterday - all were shot down. This may be a signal of renewed action against SA by the Houthis. Propaganda from Houthis sources states that an important statement from the Armed Forces spokesman will be broadcast in the coming hours announcing a “broad operation” in Saudi Arabia.

Great Coronavirus Panic of 2020 -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. Check numerous FR threads for more specific corona virus threads. On the good side, deaths have clearly been decreasing since April 2, 2020.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne 6/23/20

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3858533/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Senior Scholar Dr. Eric Toner claims that concerns of a second wave of COVID-19 in the fall are mistaken, as we are already in the midst of a second wave of infections.

White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci told Congress Tuesday that some parts of the U.S. are seeing a “disturbing surge” of infections and he’s concerned about the increased community spread.

CW2 -
Another day, another shooting in the CHOP.

Armed “protesters” have taken over the area surrounding the burned out Wendy’s in Atlanta where Rayshard Brooks was shot by an Atlanta police officer, died earlier this month. Citizens report threats and blockages of passage by the site. Atlanta police have so far done nothing about the take-over.

DOJ and other law enforcement agencies have been busy identifying rioter/looters, charging and arresting them. The task is huge given the hundreds of thousands involved across the country. For example, in Bellevue WA, 23 have been arrested for looting during the riots there. Many are desiring more arrests and I’m pretty sure there will be. But so far, none of the real ‘leaders’ and outside agitators have been identified or arrested, just the useful idiots.

Protests went violent overnight in Madison WI, as rioters tore down statues and assaulted a state senator. More protests were seen in DC attempting to reclaim Lafayette Square, but ended up staying back.

In what appears to have been a fake police call reporting a shooting, two Tampa police officers were injured when they arrived on scene to investigate the shooting and were set upon by hundreds of rioters. Police were not expecting trouble and had to call support from the entire city - 100 officers - to respond and extricate the two officers. One person was arrested.

MY OUTLOOK: I expect to see more of the same thru the 4th of July - relatively small level protests/riots and more statues/monuments attacked. The 4th being an important holiday to the majority of Americans is a juicy target for the Marxist radicals playing the pied piper to the useful idiots. It is another symbol that needs to be destroyed. There is a lot of RUMINT out there that radicals are purchasing large quantities of fireworks for mischief and attacks. Some are claiming that they are buying commercial grade fireworks (used in the big events). However, you need to be licensed to do so as they are classified as explosives and are controlled. But plenty of small scale fireworks that can be modified/used as weapons (as seen in recent riots). I said before, the event at Gettysburg is a bogus flier designed to rile things up.

Economy -
Some experts see the housing market to come back strongly and expect to see house prices rise 3.0 percent this year and 2021. This is in contrast to existing home sales that fell in May by 26.6 percent year-over-year, the biggest annual drop since 1982.

Roughly 14% of business owners who received a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program expect to lay off workers once they deplete their funds, according to a survey published by the National Federation of Independent Business. About half of small businesses surveyed indicated that they will need further assistance to survive to the end of the year. Any regression back to the lock downs we are coming out of will put the nail in the coffin of thousands of businesses.

Syria -
Another day, another airstrike on an Iranian weapons shipment in Al-Suweida. Deaths reported following the airstrike. Israel attacked Iranian bases in southern, central and eastern Syria in which two soldiers were killed.

N Korea -
Kim Jong-un announced via state media that the decision was taken to suspend military action following weeks of increased rhetoric and tensions with the south. The North also began to dismantle loudspeakers it had erected only last week, traditionally used to blast anti-South Korean messages over the border. So what is going on here? Some analysts suggest Kim might be playing good cop to his sister’s bad cop ahead of future talks. Remember, plans for military action have been suspended - not cancelled - so they remain a possibility. BTW, no images of Kim accompanied the announcement. . . . .

China/India -
Indian forces continue to flow to the disputed region as talks continue to go nowhere.

Libya -
France and Turkey are engaging in an escalating war of words over the Libyan civil war. France supports the rebels and Turkey the established government. Earlier this month Turkish warships fixed targeting radar on French ships serving smuggling intercept duty as they approached a Turkish vessel suspected of carrying forbidden armaments. France may just shot back next time.

Great Coronavirus Panic of 2020 -
Many of the various categories I’m following have now integrated effects from this pandemic, but I’m keeping them separate for clarity. Check numerous FR threads for more specific corona virus threads. On the good side, deaths have clearly been decreasing since April 2, 2020.

Yesterday’s data dump from DoughtyOne 6/24/20

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3858908/posts

We are entering uncharted waters as far as this pandemic goes. . . . . .

Daily infection numbers in the US have jumped to levels not seen since April. California reports a 40% jump in infections in just 24 hours.

Houston ICU’s are reportedly at 97% capacity due to the corona virus. Texas governor acknowledges an increase in infections.

Washington State has made it a misdemeanor for failure to wear a mask beginning June 26th. Other states like NY are looking at instituting 14 day quarantines for visitors.

CW2 -
I know this will irritate many, it does me. Hundreds of troops with the Washington, D.C., National Guard have mobilized to protect monuments in the nation’s capital, a Pentagon spokesperson has confirmed. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt requested the action earlier this week, as protesters target statues and other historical markers during ongoing demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s police custody death in Minneapolis at the end of May. “They remain on standby at the DC Armory at this time. They will support U.S. Park Police at key monuments to prevent any defacing or destruction.” MY ANSWER - get them out there now.

Wisconsin NG activated to support police attempts to control rioting outbreak in Madison. Other areas are seeing an uptick in violence. News reports that BLM is pushing protests and activism into less urban areas through intimidating local officials and marches. So far it seems that they’ve had the most effect in deep blue states like Oregon and Washington. It is part of their stated plan to take it to more rural, red America.

BLM leader Hawk Newsome states that if the US doesn’t acquiesce and give BLM what they want, they will “burn the system down”. When asked that was figurative or literal, he dodged the answer.

(FO)The Socialist Rifle Association announced 7,000 members this week. According to the latest announcement, SRA membership has more than doubled since March. SRA chapters across the country hold regular range days where a cadre of instructors, some of whom are U.S. military veterans, teach firearms safety and basic rifle marksmanship.
Another leftist gun group “Redneck Revolt” has apparently had an internal falling out, with some chapters being forced out or leaving on their own. Many have reformed under the Coalition of Armed Labor. Redneck Revolt formed as a rural leftist answer to rural conservative gun cultures. More closely aligned with Antifa, it was in essence their armed faction. They have participated in many rallies, many in smaller more rural communities. It is uncertain if the organization will regroup and be able to maintain their national level presence on the left.

Economy -
IMF is expecting a very bleak global economy, projecting it will shrink this year by 4.9%.

Strategic Deployments -
Three carrier strike groups continue to exercise in the Western Pacific where they can project military power in the South China Sea. The Roosevelt and Nimitz are conducting dual carrier ops in the Philippine Sea while the Reagan operates in the Philippine Sea as well, but nearer the Luzon Strait - a key passage way into the South China Sea.

Israel/West Bank -
Annexation process is still expected to begin July 1st. President Trump is expected to make an announcement in that regards soon. It is anticipated that it will be supportive of Israel.
Abbas is threatening to dissolve the PA and leave the West Bank under Israeli controls as an occupied territory IAW the Fourth Geneva Convention if Israel goes forward with annexation of portions of the West Bank. Disbanding the PA would also result in the cancellation of all agreements with Israel that have allowed the area to have relative peace for the past couple decades. This has allowed a level of prosperity to the West Bankers that have kept the radicals like Hamas at bay. He also announced that he was working with the EU and some sympathetic Arab states to thwart any annexation.

Iraq -
Observers are noting that Iran’s replacement for Soleimani (Esmail Ghaani) hasn’t been able to gain traction with the Quds supported Iraqi militias. Some reasons appear to be he doesn’t pass-out cash but passed out cheap jewelry instead. For many of the Iranian supported militia members - no pay, no play. Iraqi PMF forces low morale has allowed anti-Iranian media to project a different narrative without fear, countering Iranian propaganda. In-spite of all the bluster to force the US out of the country, only about 40 attacks have been carried out since October 2019 with virtually no causalities and very little damage.

Afghanistan -
Out of the news generally but still important. The Afghan government accused the Taliban of carrying out 422 attacks over just seven days, leaving 291 Afghan National Defense and Security forces dead and 550 more wounded. In the same period, the insurgents are accused of killing 42 civilians, including women and children, and wounding 105 others. Taliban are taking steps to restore their rulership interrupted in 2001.

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