Heavy emphasis on the republican infighting ongoing in congress. The swamp rats are thinking its ok to come out of their holes. Bad enough having to fight the democrats, but these rino’s as well . . . .
Globalism / Great Reset –
One of the big things coming out of the COP27 is the renewed push for net zero carbon by 2050. Twenty eight years to eliminate the current fossil fuel based economy. However, these intellectual lightweights are totally ignorant on the vast impacts no more fossil fuels will have. Starvation on a massive scale, massive sickness and death. But remember, they want the population of the earth to be paired down to 500,000 million.
Economy –
Households increased debt during the third quarter at the fastest pace in 15 years due to hefty increases in credit card usage and mortgage balances, the Federal Reserve reported Tuesday.
Total debt jumped by $351 billion for the July-to-September period, the largest nominal quarterly increase since 2007, bringing the collective household IOU in the U.S. to a fresh record $16.5 trillion. That’s an increase of 2.2% from the previous quarter and 8.3% from a year ago.
The increase follows a $310 billion jump in the second quarter and represents a $1.27 trillion annual increase.
OBSERVATION – Massive debt grows to eventually kill economic growth as lines of credit eventually run out. While the biggest contributors to that debt load came from mortgage an unprecedented amount comes trying to maintain the essentials of living – unprecedented in modern times IRC. People putting food, medical etc on credit instead of ‘toys’ and other items.
Invasion of Illegals –
From October 22 to November 4, the ICE conducted an operation that rounded up 138 “unlawfully present noncitizens convicted of sex offenses” — that is, illegal immigrants who’d already committed sex crimes against Americans — many of whom already had orders for removal from the United States.
OBSERVATION – Must it be asked? With over 5 million illegals pouring into this country - how many more vermin like this are prowling around our neighborhoods.
A handful of Senate Republicans reportedly started talks with illegal aliens enrolled in and eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as House and Senate Democrats, along with corporate special interest allies, hope to pass an amnesty in the lame-duck Congress.
This week, DACA illegal aliens and open borders activists descended on Washington, DC, in their efforts to lobby ten Senate Republicans to join Democrats in passing an amnesty — before the GOP takes control of the House — that would secure them green cards and, eventually, naturalized American citizenship.
OBSERVATION – Right now it is clear there are 12 Republicans willing to vote with the democrats. Schumer has already called for blanket amnesty for ALL illegals in the country. With the 12, schumer could potentially work past the filibuster limits and move an amnesty package forward to the house while in lame duck session. There are not enough republicans in the house to block it.
CW2/Domestic violence –
More examination of the “Respect for Marriage Act” shows powers given to the state/govt is focused on silencing religious opposition under the force of law and punishment. Liberals intend to redefine the right of religious expression and practice so as to exclude from the public square all of those whose sincere faith requires them to reject same-sex marriage.
With that redefinition, the liberals are saying to millions of Americans that they have no right to disagree in the public square with same-sex marriage and the state can and indeed soon will take their property via taxes and use them to support the enforcement of same-sex marriage as a political right.
That enforcement is the second element of this law commands attention. The bill includes provisions that authorize the IRS to jerk the tax exemption of any church or non-profit that opposes same-sex marriage. The bill also encourages litigation to be brought against those same institutions in the court system to enforce the right to same-sex marriage.
OBSERVATION – The Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision in 2015 made same-sex marriage legal across the nation. What we are facing here is a broad elimination of rights to silence further opposition to the LGBT / Progressive tyrants because Christian conservative views are a threat that need to be destroyed by any means necessary. Instead of our rights being guaranteed from intrusion by the govt – as outlined in the Constitution – govt becomes the provider of rights. A concept that has constantly and continually been shown to be used by tyrannical govts around the world throughout history.
CANCEL CULTURE FRONT
Twitterverse meltdown continues as the twits think the end of the world has arrived. The cry who’s going to protect them from the opposing views they’ve pushed off platform over the years.
POLITICAL FRONT –
SUMMARY –
We all knew this was coming. U.S. Attorney General Garland has appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to determine if Donald Trump should be charged in the January 6th and Mar-a-Lago probes. In 2018 he was named Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court in The Hague where he investigated war crimes in Kosovo.
On the flip side, indicators that the republican house will investigate hunter biden and biden’s associations with his shady dealings. WH has already established a war room to counter republican efforts.
OBSERVATION – Of course the deck is stacked. It is a given that Trump will be charged with something and taken to court. Biden investigations OTOH have the republicans already behind since biden/demoncrats hold the home field advantage and the DoJ will not prosecute even if there is a smoking gun. Biden also has most of the media on his side as well.
The republican party in congress is seeing a growing internal civil war between the ‘moderates’ (read eGOP/Rinos) and the more conservative MAGA inclined branch. Already the eGOP have maneuvered to keep MAGA out of the senate and house leadership. These rinos have showed us their allegiance boldly with the recent votes on the disastrous “Respect for Marriage Act” - 12 Republican senators and something like 57 representatives voting for it. The 12 in the senate in a flip could help democrat bills beat the filibuster. In the House, those turncoats could flip and support democrat minority bills.
Of course the biggest target of the republican never-trumpers is Trump himself. These rinos will not stand up to the blatant abuse of power the biden DoJ is beginning to use against Trump (as well as anyone on the right – all you domestic terrorists).
Democrats in congress are already beginning to smell the blood and will do all they can to help their fellow republicans in their squabble.
Even more concerning that is bubbling in the background are the reports that McCarthy used FTX cash to defeat conservatives in 2022, as the corrupt, globalist-tied crypto exchange funded the establishment wings of both parties. The Washington Post, reported that McCarthy was using left-wing oligarch money to “sway” the GOP field in favor of his establishment agenda.
McCarthy apparently wasn’t alone in this. Documents show McConnell’s Senate Leadership Fund received $2,500,000 from someone at FTX. Again, monies linked to undercutting MAGA friendly republican senate candidates and campaigns.
OBSERVATION – Republican civil war is pretty obvious but If the FTX stories are true this has reached a more sinister level. Infected with liberal, illicit money it wont matter who the republican candidate for president is – he’s already been sold out. The American people - sold out. How this civil war and FTX debacle will go has yet to be seen, but isn’t looking good.
SEE ALSO sell outs for DACA under illegals.
Strategic Activity / Deployments –
US B-1B bomber was redeployed on Korean peninsula for joint air drill according to South Korean military spokeman.
The American X-37B space finally landed on November 12th after a record breaking 908 days in orbit. This was the sixth orbital mission for the X-37B and it began on May 17, 2020. The previous mission was 780 days and the ones before that 718, 675, 469, and 225.
U.S. aircraft carriers USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) will exercise with aircraft carriers from France, Italy and the United Kingdom as part of a joint operation across Europe meant to show NATO interoperability, the Pentagon announced Thursday.
The two American carrier strike groups, their embarked air wings and escorts will be operating in the North Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea along with the U.K. Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08), Italian carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) and the French FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91), Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, told reporters Thursday.
OBSERVATION – This is the first exercise deployment for the USS Ford, the problem plagued supercarrier.
North/South Korea –
NK’s recent rocket test involved the Hwasong-17 ICBM. The weapon is thought to be North Korea’s longest-range missile (15,000 km) , reportedly capable of striking the entire US mainland. Analysts also believe it could carry three to five nuclear warheads.
OBSERVATION - Said this before, the next big step for NK is the development of a warhead to ride on these rockets and then with that the development of a reentry capability for said warheads. These tests may have in part been to test reentry systems for an eventual warhead.
Japan –
Russia -
WAR WATCH - Russia is now in its ninth month of the “three days to conquer Ukraine” since fighting starting on Feb 24th.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Russian forces continue in a state of disarray following the defeats in the east and west
Russia is incapable of launching any significant offense against any of the fronts in Ukraine due to personnel issues (losses and untrained conscripts), severe logistical shortages and lack of armor/tanks. They are only capable of launching limited attacks – primarily in the east.
********
Russia continues to press the war while its economy struggles.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Lots of rain and snow in the 10-day forecast period. First major snowstorm has hit a lot of the country.
RUMINT –
Indications that a Ukraine ‘maritime drone’ attacked Novorossiysk´s Sheskharis oil terminal last night. Video shows an explosion against a ship – no details on type of ship or damages.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian forces made minor gains east of Bakhmut the last 24hrs. Further Russian reinforcements arrived east of Bakhmut yesterday as it relocates further forces from Kherson into this region to try to break through Ukrainian defenses. This region continues to see fierce fighting.
Russian reinforcements were also reported West of Kreminna where fighting intensified in the last 24hrs.
Russian air/missile strikes continued yesterday and overnight, but were significantly less than
Ukrainian forces continue to successfully target Russian command and control, force concentrations, weapons systems, resupplies and resupply mechanisms with artillery, missiles, airstrikes and sabotage attacks.
Eastern (Kharkiv) front ——
Russian sources continue to report localized Ukranian attacks towards the Savtove – Kreminna line.
Donetsk Oblast ——
Bakhmut attacks continue.
Zaporizhizhia Front ———
Scattered Russian artillery attacks.
Russian occupation officials and military leadership are seemingly increasingly concerned about subsequent Ukrainian counteroffensive operations in southern Ukraine. Based on increased evidence of more extensive defensive lines being constructed Zaporizhia and Kherson Oblasts as well as in Crimea itself.
Crimean front ———
Russian forces continued to conduct defensive operations on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast on November 18 while Ukrainian forces continued to strike Russian military assets and concentration areas south of the Dnipro River.
Ukrainian forces continued targeting Russian forces and logistics nodes in the rear areas of Zaporizhia Oblast and Kherson Oblast.
Western / Central Ukraine ——
NSR
Russian Territory -—
NSR
Partisan Resistance ——
NSR - but don’t let that fool you, there are plenty of unconfirmed reports of rear area attacks crossed Russian occupied territory. Russian forces have increased ‘filtration’ – an effort to identify and capture probable insurgents throughout occupied southern Ukraine.
OUTLOOK ——
Little change from previous postings. It appears that Russian is hurrying the redeployment of forces from Kherson to the eastern front. Given the history of the war so far, integration of these units into any kind of an effective fighting force in such short notice pretty much guarantees that Russia will not be able to effectively gain much, if any, territory in its renewed Donbas campaign. Loss of Kherson has also elevated fears of a Ukrainian push on Crimea. Those fears will cause Russia to commit a sizeable portion of its forces to defend against a Ukrainian offensive from either Kherson (not likely) or Zaporizhia (more likely) pushing to Crimea.
Morale of Russian soldiers is also reportedly deteriorating, as if it could get much worse. New conscripts bring serious issues with them and the onset of winter is making life on the front even more miserable. Reports of ‘second’ defensive lines – Russians shooting any soldiers retreating from the front (tactic used in WW2) as well as numerous jail’s holding those trying to get out of the battle zone.
As a result, there are few units that appear capable of bringing the fight – mainly Wagner Group mercenaries and the few remaining ‘elite’ Russian forces like their airborne units. These have been heavily attritted and to incorporate new soldiers into these units very difficult to say the least.
Poland -
Warsaw has decided to bar the entry of the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov to Poland for the OSCE ministerial meeting in Lodz on 1-2 Dec. Russia has responded with a furious letter to OSCE.
Israel –
Airstrikes in Syria – see below
Iran -
I’ve mentioned how the murderous response by the regime is only throwing gasoline on the protest fires. Here are some snippets of protest actions depicting that –
iran protesters set fire to ancestral home of islamic republic founder Khomeini
Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province. - An IRGC-affiliated Basij building was captured by the protestors.
Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province. - “Imam of Friday prayers, ‘Jalal Moradi’ was set on fire by the protestors”
Tehran, Tehran Province - Behesht E Zahra cemetery. Burial of “Hamid Reza Roohi” who was killed by the regime. Chanting “Whoever gets killed, a thousand more will avenge them”
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly warned on Saturday that the threat from Iran’s nuclear program is “more advanced than ever before”. “Britain is determined to work alongside our friends to counter the Iranian threat,” he said, addressing the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain
Iraq -
A senior Iranian military official visiting Baghdad this week threatened Iraq with a ground military operation in the country’s north if the Iraqi army does not fortify the countries’ shared border against Kurdish opposition groups.
The US Consulate General in Erbil has warned US citizens about possible Turkish military action in northern Syria and northern Iraq, based on “open source reports”. US citizens have been asked to stay away from border areas and crowds.
OBSERVATION – Turkey is ticked at the Kurds over a recent bombing. Iran is blaming Kurds for the continued violent protests against the regime. Both countries have no qualms about territorial ‘integrity’ and have struck at Kurds in both countries. Their ability to do so without consequences shows the weakness of the current Iraqi govt – and Muslims feast upon those who show weakness.
Syria -
US Consulate General in Erbil has warned US citizens about possible Turkish military action in northern Syria
See Iraq above for more.
Israeli strikes on Saturday morning killed four Syrian soldiers in central and western districts, Syrian state media said. SOHR reported that the strikes targeted pro-Iranian groups in Homs and Hama provinces, and a Syrian air defense battery in Latakia - via @AFP
They [the Elites ] could not care less about Starvation, sickness, or death. In their minds, this happens to the serfs and peons, not to them. They give not one whit if the peons and serfs die. If the serfs and peons get sick. That is their tough luck.
Last night, Tucker had an individual who called "Kancel Kulture" exactualy what it is :
The guest defined it as what it is :" SOCIAL TERRORISM " !
Took the day off yesterday. Will catch up today as not too eventful weekend.
Globalism / Great Reset –
“We need a single world order,” Macron told the audience at the ongoing Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok, Thailand. “Are you on the U.S. side or the China side?” Macron asked rhetorically. “Because now, progressively, a lot of people would like to see that there are two orders in this world.”
“A dynamic balance is the best way for nations to avoid being forced to choose between superpowers. Countries have to pursue inclusive, sustainable development to address inequality and instability,” he said. “You compete, all of us want to win. But you have to respect the sovereignty of the other one.”
“I am sure that the only way to have a win-win game is to cooperate and to accept that all the members of the different regions of this world, will make their life easier and better at the end of the day,” he added.
OBSERVATION- Macron is a known WEF/GGR adherent. Here he calls for a global rulership.
A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies points out that over $10 billion in arms has been sent to Ukraine, yet only $1.2 billion in funding has been allocated to the Department of Defense to replace those weapons. In fact, the CSIS report adds that moving the U.S. from peacetime arms production to wartime mobilization would take years and that weapons sent to Ukraine may take a decade to replace.
OBSERVATION – Why is this important under GGR? Just like the draining of the strategic oil reserve, this weakens our ability to respond to any direct threat. The delay in shifting to a wartime production may give China the incentive to forcefully retake Taiwan.
Biden says the US will sign-up to a UN-backed fund to pay reparations to developing countries worst-affected by climate change.
The creation of the fund was announced Saturday. It was negotiated at the United Nations’ COP27 Summit in Egypt, was originally known as a ‘loss and damage’ fund and had been blocked by previous American administrations.
The nations who’ll benefit from the funds are largely from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. They say they’re set to be worst-affected by rising sea levels and other weather extremes blamed on carbon emissions created by wealthier countries.
OBSERVATION – We all recognize this as another vehicle of wealth redistribution that will eventually be reinforced by a global cabal to even a greater extent.
Die Welt, citing the German Meat Industry Association (VDF), reported this week that within the next four to six months Germany will face a meat shortage, and prices will skyrocket.
Hubert Kelliger, a VDF board member and head of group sales at meat seller Westfleisch said, “In four, five, six months we will have gaps on the shelves.”
Pork is expected to experience the worst shortages. The issues in meat supply are due to Berlin insisting on reducing the numbers of livestock by 50% to reduce global warming emissions. Experts are warning this policy will result in mass shutdown of meat-producing companies, and that will produce a 40% rise in the price of meat.
OBSERVATION – levels of starvation are fast approaching as methods of enforcing so called “green” emission controls. Germany is following Netherland’s lead by forcefully reducing herds/flocks. German markets will have to rely more heavily on imported meat, driving costs up further, not only in Germany, but other countries as well as cattle ranching has been hit in other parts of the world – like the US for example. SEE ALSO Economy below.
Economy –
The U.S. government estimates that food prices have increased by 9.5% to 10.5% this year. Cargill CEO David MacLennan predicted that food prices would decline in 2023 but that one bad crop in North or South America could send food prices higher.
OBSERVATION – I’ve been noting a lot here about the multiple threats to the US food supply. Currently the biggest ones are next year’s crops. Lack of fertilizer, questionable rain, continued high fuel prices and the expensive efforts to restore flocks and herds that have been hard hit over the past couple years are just a few of the items that can blow up and continued food inflation.
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley predicted a prolonged shortage of legacy chips necessary for vehicle manufacturing. A constrained supply of these chips has cost Ford 1.3 million vehicles in lost production. Farley said that growth in demand from carmakers is double the growth of manufacturing capacity by chip makers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung Electronics Company have worked to fill demand from carmakers, but both companies have focused on more profitable advanced chips.
OBSERVATION – High tech is still suffering and manufacturers are slow to bring those processes home - hoping to keep overseas high profits for as long as possible. Semiconductors are necessary across a broad spectrum of products today, not just cars.
NOTE – See China below on semiconductors.
Invasion of Illegals –
Warnings of an illegal tsunami following the suspension of Title 42.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Arizona’s AG Mark Brnovich’s election integrity unit has demanded a full report of well-publicized irregularities, and what he claims is evidence of “statutory violations.” The letter, sent late Saturday by Assistant AG Jennifer Wright to the county’s top civil division attorney, Thomas Liddy, is a major escalation over widespread problems with voting tabulators and printers, which delayed the declaration of a winner in razor-thin races in the attorney general’s race and the gubernatorial race.
OBSERVATION- Will this finally be the moment the democrats are caught with their hand in the cookie jar?
China –
See GGR above.
Some analysts view China as taking an intermediate path to the capture of Taiwan now that the US midterms are over. With a split decision in the congress - with the minimal majority of republicans in the house, they think China has gained some breathing space. However, that is forecast to be short lived as Taiwan as well as Japan are working fiercely to ramp up their military preparations for a China conflict. I’ve stated that China, playing a longer game, will at first use non-lethal coercion to gain control, and progressively ramp up the pressure via blockades and if necessary, an actual attack. The risk of an attack is the risk that China will severely damage/destroy much of the coveted microchip industry of Taiwan – technology China is desperate to get their hands on. But China may not be able to wait much past the 2024 election before taking that level of action.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - Russia is now in its ninth month of the “three days to conquer Ukraine” since fighting starting on Feb 24th.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Russian forces continue in a state of disarray following the defeats in the east and west
Russia is incapable of launching any significant offense against any of the fronts in Ukraine due to personnel issues (losses and untrained conscripts), severe logistical shortages and lack of armor/tanks. They are only capable of launching limited attacks – primarily in the east.
********
RUMINT –
“Russian “milbloggers” are circulating claims that general mobilization will begin in December or January, adding that ‘it is evident that Russian authorities never fully halted mobilization efforts.’”
Logistics –
- Moscow has quietly reached an agreement with Tehran to begin manufacturing hundreds of unmanned weaponized aircraft on Russian soil, according to new intelligence.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Lots of rain and snow in the 10-day forecast period. First major snowstorm has hit a lot of the country.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Fighting continued to be fierce around Bakhmut, Soledar and northwest of Donetsk, but the poor weather is now impacting fighting.
Poor weather is also decreasing Russian shelling , now reportedly mostly more sporadic in the impacted regions yesterday. Some intensive barrages continue around Bakhmut and Svatove
Russian air/missile strikes yesterday and overnight were far more limited and mostly in the southeast.
It is estimated that Ukraine’s electrical grid has lost nearly 50% capacity as a result of recent Russian missile/drone strikes.
Eastern (Kharkiv) front ——
Russian sources continue to report localized Ukranian attacks towards the Savtove – Kreminna line. Minor gains being noted.
Donetsk Oblast ——
Bakhmut attacks continue.
Zaporizhizhia Front ———
Scattered Russian artillery attacks.
Crimean front ———
Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces continued to transfer some forces from the east bank of the Dnipro River to other operational areas, but still maintain a significant force presence in southern Kherson Oblast.
Western / Central Ukraine ——
NSR
Russian Territory -—
NSR
Partisan Resistance ——
NSR - but don’t let that fool you, there are plenty of unconfirmed reports of rear area attacks crossed Russian occupied territory.
Oil depot caught fire in Makiivka overnight
OUTLOOK ——
Deteriorating weather conditions are turning soil into a quagmire, negatively affecting both sides. This results in essentially foot soldier attacks, denying fast armor strikes. Not until the soils freeze will we see the potential for more maneuver warfare.
The assumption that the winter will favor Ukraine still holds.
More waves of Russian airstrikes with missiles and drones targeting energy infrastructure, military installations and weapons movements, and even the political apparatus are still possible and anticipated. However, Russia is running out of stocks and it is taking longer to accumulate the numbers of missiles/droned necessary to overwhelm the Ukrainian air defenses.
Belarus -
According to Ukraine’s main intelligence directorate, Russia is planning on conducting terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure in Belarus in order to bring Belarus deeper into the conflict, and blame NATO/Ukraine for the attack.
OBSERVATION - This rumor has been floating around out there for a while. General consensus is that the military leaders of Belarus’ army do not want to get involved in Ukraine directly.
Belarus’ Border Guard claimed that a Ukrainian serviceman “illegally crossed the border, took photos and videos of the area, and also searched for or installed something in the snow” on Nov. 19.
Russian and Belarus troops continue to conduct exercises in established training areas in central and western Belarus.
Poland -
Poland announces the acceptance of a German proposal to deploy Patriot missile batteries on its soil
Europe / NATO General –
In a publicized statement, Swedish Prosecution Authority Officials confirmed the Nord Stream Gas pipeline leaks were the result of deliberate “gross sabotage.” Saying the investigation was still ongoing, lead prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said an analysis conducted on objects recovered from the blast site had found traces of explosives.
Israel –
Head of Israeli army Military Intelligence Maj.-Gen.Aharon Haliva at INSS conference - “Iran is considering disrupting the World Cup games in Qatar. The only thing preventing them: how the Qataris will react”
Iran –
Reports of an Iranian ballistic missile attack overnight against Kurdish forces in Koysinjaq, Iraq. Air Raid Sirens have also been heard from the U.S Consulate in the City of Erbil. Headquarters of the Kurdish Democratic Party is in the City of Erbil.
Protests continued throughout Iran on Sunday, over nine weeks after Mahsa Amini was killed by Tehran “morality police.” Iranian protesters conducted demonstrations and strikes across Iran on Sunday after regime forces violently cracked down on Kurdish cities in western Iran overnight,
- Iranian security forces firing live ammunition at protesters in Javanrud.
- IRGC SOF forces went into Kurdish areas of western-northwestern Iran and raided homes, killing the occupants in the latest heavy handed attempt to put down protests that have gone on for nearly 60 days now.
- Iranian security forces open fire on protesters in the town of Piranshahr in West Azerbaijan province
OBSERVATION – Iran is focusing on the Kurdish faction of its citizenry for the brunt of its repressive attacks. This continues to set up a spiraling level of violence by the protestors. Kurds have a history of being pretty stout hearted against this action. Other than trying to misdirect other elements in Iran to support the govt against the outside ‘threat’ ie Kurdish nationalists outside Iran, attacks in Iraq are likely to have little effect on stopping the ongoing protests.
Iraq -
Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Shakhwan Abdullah: “The Iranian attacks are an unacceptable transgression and a violation of sovereignty”
Syria -
The Turkish army bombarded with rockets and artillery sites of the Pro-Assad forces forces and the SDF in several areas in the countryside of Kobane and the countryside of Manbij, east of Aleppo.
Turkish warplanes targeted the positions of the SDF militia in the village of Zour Maghara and Jabal al-Shuyukh, east of the Euphrates River, opposite the city of Jarabulus.
OBSERVATION – Kurds facing attacks by both Turkey and Iran.
Turkey -
See Syria above.
Erdogan – “Turkish operations in northern Syria and Iraq are not limited to aerial bombardment, and we are having discussions about ground operations”
Agence France-Presse, quoting a Turkish official: two dead and 6 wounded as a result of missile strikes on the Turkish border from Syria
Central / South America General-
Brazilian federal highway police issued a bulletin indicating protestors had blocked six highways after President Jair Bolsonaro posted a cryptic video of himself driving a truck, bus, and tractor to social media. The video references the agricultural, transport, and public service industries that form Bolsonaro’s support base and has been viewed as encouraging ongoing protests by supporters. Bolsonaro has yet to concede to Lula’s victory in the elections but has largely remained out of public view and refrained from public comment.
This gets uglier – Reports that Brazilian Justice Inspector, Minister Luis Felipe Salomao. who was appointed as a minister by then-President Lula da Silva back in 2008, signed an order allowing child services to take children away from election protesters.
OBSERVATION - It doesn’t appear that these continued protests will gain much more traction. The military is staying out of the mix for now.
Black Swans -
According to NASA’s calculations, asteroid 2005 ED224 could impact the Earth on March 11, 2023. It is estimated to be 54-meters in diameter and normally, an asteroid this size would burn up or explode in the atmosphere. But ED 224 is traveling at 61,000mph and if it maintains this speed, the asteroid could penetrate the atmosphere and reach the ground.
Such an impact would create a crater 1,000 meters wide and release enough explosive energy to destroy an entire city.
If ED 224 misses in March, it is still on track to have four more potential impacts in 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2064. Though it only has a 1 in 500,000 chance of impact, ED 224 has been listed in NASA’s Sentry Earth impact monitoring database that tracks all known asteroids possessing even a slim chance of Earth collisions. To date, NASA has tracked only an estimated 40% of the larger asteroids and there have been several cases in which an undetected asteroid impacted Earth.
OBSERVATION – Over the weekend a sub-meter rock was detected hours before it entered the atmosphere above Lake Ontario. An Asteroid strike, though rare, is possible and ED 224 could carry the punch of a nuclear weapon. With all the other problems in the world, if it hit a critical area, the economic repercussions could be substantial, physical damage significant.