On going
Israel -
IAF hit PJ sites in Syria in addition to Gaza. PIJ issued statement that revenge attacks for those killed were pending.
This looks to have serious potential to escalate quickly. However PIJ has not inflicted much damage to Israel but has taken serious damage
Thanks.
BREAKING - Rocket attacks resume in Israel
Wuhan Virus -
Global panic levels have jumped up a notch with serious outbreaks developing in S Korea, Italy and Iran. The outbreak in S. Korea is centered around a cult who’s leader claims to be the immortal reincarnation of Jesus. Italy, many cities now quarantined. In Iran, cultural centers and schools have been closed and reportedly 50 have already died. Fear of the infection drove voting numbers to their lowest level (in addition to general ma laze that the vote means nothing).
Fear of pandemic and the weeks worth of interrupted manufacturing in China is reported to be driving stock markets around the world to go into a tailspin this week. Chinese firms, reportedly in the millions, are facing collapse because of the economic disaster the virus has wrought.
Iran -
Hardliners won the election by a landslide, but that was expected. Record low turnout of 42.6%.
With the killing of Soleimani, follow on analysis indicates that the IRGC is still in turmoil. His successor, Ismail Qaani is underwhelming and doesn’t have the same level of power Soleimani did. Part of this is the impression that the IRGC under Soleimani posed a threat to the ruling imans and they want to reign them in. As a result, the current threat posed by the IRGC and Qods force has been diminished for the time being.
Israel/Gaza/Syria -
The IDF attacked terror targets in the Gaza Strip in response to over 21 rockets were fired towards southern Israel communities on Sunday in several rocket barrages after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) threatened to avenge the death of a terrorist by the IDF after he tried to plant explosives along the Gaza border fence. PIJ promised more attacks in response to members killed in the Syrian attacks.
Breaking - more rockets are being fired out of Gaza as night starts to fall in the middle east. Israeli army units being deployed to the border, word from the Israeli defense minister suggests that a ground assault is not out of the question. IAF and army artillery counterstikes already being reported. Public is fed up with continued attacks from Gaza and generally have support for a ground assault to deal with the terrorists.
CW2 -
Following Sander’s win in Nevada, Salon mag published an article calling for “revolutionary change” to replace capitalism with socialism. While not openly calling for violence, it warned its readers to prepare for violence.