Short and sweet.
Wuhan virus -
Don’t have good “official” numbers today other than confirmed cases and deaths continue to grow. A mile marker being watched for is the expansion of infections currently hidden due to the 10-14 days before symptoms appear and asymtomatic transmission.
Social media appears to be submitting to Chinese censorship. Twitter has deleted accounts and Facebook announced it will censor false reports based off chinesse complaints.
Israel /PA peace plan -
Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab league. He isn’t finding much support. Abbas also announced the PA is cutting off all contacts and agreements with Israel and the US.
Analysis. He can cut things off, but when the pinch hits the people’s pocket books he’ll be pushed back. The Palestinians in the West Bank have been doing well over the past few years having stopped serious attacks against Israel. That is the biggest gorilla in the room Abbas has to face.
Israel/Gaza -
Rocket / mortar attacks increased overnight with a corresponding increase in Israeli air strikes. Israel holding Hamas responsible for attacks by any group.
CWW -
Impeachment winding down but Antifa rioting in New York provides clues to components of leftist violence potential in urban strong holds. Directed against the police and subway ops they overwhelmed police. Imagine if they start targeting conservatives or Jews in the same manner. Urban environment allows them to mass, attack and melt back into the city. That tactic will be less successful in suburban areas and definitely not rural areas since they will be exposed more. This is why many think any “war” will be fought at the urban/suburban interface.
For the start of your Monday
Wuhan Coronovirus -
Reported infections more than doubled over the weekend with 21,558 cases reported in China (BNO News). Death numbers have doubled as well. Again, this relies upon China accuately reporting the numbers and has been the hardest issue to crack. This sizeable jump is an ill harbenger of potential pandemic.
Confirmed cases are increasing globally and in the Phillipines is the first reported death. Concern is the potential infection of others during asymptomatic development in the now confirmed cases. Because of the low numbers, medical facilities are able to isolate and treat the infected, something that isn’t available to those in China where the system is overwhelmed, even with the new hospitals built short order. The epidemic has also infected stock markets around the world, causing massive sell offs and increased volitality.
BTW, three animal viruses are hitting china hard as well. Two different diseases killing pigs and a new avain influensa killing poultry.
Israel-
PIJ is looking over its shoulder much more as it and other terror groups are increasingly concerned that Israel may launch some ‘assassination’ strikes in retalitation for continued rocket and mortar attacks over the weekend. The PIJ in particular is in the cross hairs, given that it has shot off most of the rockets for the past two weeks. Israel has also blocked shipments of cement into Gaza, knowing full well that Hamas and other terror groups will hijack most of it to rebuild the bunkers/facilities that Israel has blown to smithernes, and not to civilians.
Palistianian protests over the proposed Trump peace plan have not influenced any of its arab allies. Those allies are tired of sending the PA money and getting nothing in return.
Iran -
Iran announced that it will launch a satellite by the end of the week. US and other nations link such to illicit program to design nuclear capable ballistic missiles. OSINT sources are scanning commercial satellite imagry for clues, but cloudy weather has been hampering the efforts.
Iraq -
Anti govt protests continued over the weekend in Bagdad and throughout the country in response to the appointment by President Barham Salih’s appointment of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as prime minister-designate. Anti-government protesters in Iraq have been quick to dismiss President Barham Salih’s appointment of Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as prime minister-designate. Allawi tried reaching out to the protestors by stating solidarity with their greivences, but the protestors are not convinced. They threaten to escalate protests. Sadr supporters (pro-Iranian) fought with anti-govt protestors in numerous cities over the week end as well. Expect continued rioting as I doubt that Iran (and its Iraqi proxies) will permit a pro-sunni leader to fill the seat.
Syria -
Turkish and Syrian forces exchanged serious artillery fire overnight as Syrian elements push on towards Idib. The most serious clash of the two forces in a long time.