Globally things seem quiet, but like the duck sitting calmly on the surface, its legs are paddling furiously under the surface
Wuhan Coronovirus -
Numbers of new cases are starting to grow substantially in China and around the world. China alone reported 3235 new cases, with globally recognized cases over 20,000. The chart of these numbers is starting to show signs of exponential growth. It has only taken about 4 days to go from 10K to 20K cases whereas it took 14+ days to get the first 10K. Another number gaining closer scrutiney is the estimate that about 25% of the infections require hospitalization for intensive treatment. Still a lot of mixed information coming out of China with continued charges of fudged numbers.
Europe/ISIS -
There have been three knife attacks in europe in the past two days. Two in Britain and now one in France. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks. In response to the attacks in Britain, the parliment has introduced emergency legislation to end early release of terror offenders. Both attackers in Britain were recently released from prison before their attacks. I can see this trend continuing in the near term.
Iraq -
No surprise here, Iran welcomes the appointment Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as prime minister-designate. Protests against the govt continue.
Syria -
Things are heating up in Syria. Turkish and Syrian forces continue to slug it out with Turkey reportely hitting Syrian forces with airstrikes. Reports coming out now suggest that the Turks have shelled Russian military positions in the Afrin region. Erodgan issued a statement that Turkey will not allow Syrian govt forces to advance in Idib. Meanwhile, near the eastern end of Turkey’s buffer zone, US forces blocked passage of a Russian patrol near the town of Tel-Tamr. This is about the third US blockage of Russian movements in the past week.
May have missed a few items this busy morning for me. If so please post to thread.
Wuhan Virus -
Infected jumped to over 24,500 with even more deaths. This indicates that the Ro is still in the 3 - 4 range and the mortality rate at least 2%. More infections have been reported outside of china overnight. Rampant rumors of gross under reporting by China.
Overnight two chartered aircraft brought US citizens to Travis AFB for screening and monitoring.
Israel -
A near typical night. IED balloons and a few rockets launched at Israel who responds with more airstrikes against Hamas related facilities. Hamas announced that the Friday “return to the land” protest marches will officially resume the end of March. They stopped endorsing them as part of an olive branch offering to Israel. The threat to resume is designed for leverage to gain concessions from Israel.
CW2 -
Last nights 4 yr old temper tantrums by congressional democrats and the speaker in particular are evidence of the disgust the left holds for Americans. In this case, overall the polled 79% of viewer who watched and approved of the SOTU address. If optics mean anything - we got an eyeful last night. All this points to the fact that the political leadership of the democrat party condones this attitude against America. Radical leftists will gain traction seeing their ‘leadership’ support and likely increase their violence and intimidation tactics against the right as the election season moves on. Expect the envelope to be pushed severely. Today the President will be acquitted of the bogus impeachment charges, an act that will further enrage the mental cases on the left. Be prepared for increasing violence and have a plan.