Posted on 01/01/2023 6:02:12 AM PST by Godzilla
And the vile DC 'elites' wonder why American citizens are losing faith in the institutions... The 'elties' need to clean up their act - NOT dream of grinding their boots into our faces.
Posting will be wonky over the next couple weeks as family is coming and my time will be directed to wards them.
Globalism / Great Reset –
There is some backpedaling over the reported gold standard based BRICS currency, with some in the movement saying that it is a medium to long term objective, and not one to be announced in August.
Economy –
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced a potential copper ore export ban for mid-2023. Indonesia is the world’s third largest exporter of copper ore, making up 26% of Taiwan’s Copper ore imports, 16% of India’s, 13% of Japan’s and South Korea’s, and 2% of China’s.
OBSERVATION - With South American copper mines in turmoil and new mines in the US struggling to get approval, this loss of copper to the world market will spike prices higher and dampen a lot of the green energy goals as copper is essential to an electrical / battery market.
**
More ills coming from the housing sector over concerns of 2008-2009 conditions where home buyers found their property and mortgages to be suddenly underwater as housing prices dropped.
Zackary Smigel, founder of Real Estate License Wizard, told DailyMail.com: ‘The decline in property values across the US is posing significant challenges to homeowners – and it’s becoming a bigger issue in the real estate sector.
‘We are indeed witnessing some worrying signs of negative equity, especially in certain regions.’
OBSERVATION - In the event of a severe depression, these homeowners will be stuck, unable to sell their homes or refinance. This could result in mortgage failures and increased bankruptcies.
**
Market is getting their hopes up that the Fed will be ending its rate raising run.
**
The U.S. national debt has increased by $1 trillion in the five weeks since President Biden signed a bill into law that effectively turns off the debt ceiling until 2025.
According to Treasury Department data, the total national debt stood at $32.47 trillion on July 6, $1 trillion more than the $31.47 trillion level last seen on June 2. The national debt had been stuck at or near that June 2 level for months because the government had hit the debt ceiling and was legally prohibited from borrowing any more money.
On June 3, however, Biden signed legislation reflecting negotiations with House Republicans that requires a small spending cut next year and allows unlimited federal borrowing until 2025. With no debt ceiling in effect, federal borrowing jumped more than $350 billion in a single day and crossed the $32 trillion mark in less than two weeks. (Fox)
OBSERVATION - Color me shocked. Who’d have thunk that the regime would blow the budget so quickly.
**
Average credit card interest rate hits new record high 22.2%
Biden / Harris watch –
Videos of biden with king charles inspection the troops is something you will not see on the MSM nightly news. biden looked like a complete dotard, clearly confused and totally out of touch. The king embarrassingly had to assist biden in order to get through the ceremony.
**
The Great Cocaine Caper may be close to being solved, as initial reports are that a WH staffer was the source. NOTE - If further reports are lacking, that ‘staffer’ may be closely associated with hunter.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Moms for Liberty has received countless death threats, but the messages spiked after the Southern Poverty Law Center put the parental rights group on its “hate map,” its cofounders say.Moms for Liberty has received countless death threats, but the messages spiked after the Southern Poverty Law Center put the parental rights group on its “hate map,” its cofounders say.
“It gave people permission to treat us as subhuman,” Tiffany Justice, one of the group’s cofounders, told The Daily Signal. She accused Moms for Liberty’s critics of trying “to whip people up into such a frenzy that they end up sending death threats to me and to the members and our children.”
“Designating us as a hate group gives people permission to dehumanize us, and the SPLC knows it,” Justice added.
OBSERVATION - Leftist justification for violence based on subhuman categorization of its opponents is on the rise. This is key to the mantra of the left that all on the right are “Nazis”, thus can be targeted for violence.
**
Judge Doughty has denied the Biden Administration’s request for permission to keep blocking the 1st Amendment rights of Americans.
From the ruling: “Violation of a First Amendment Constitutional right, even for a short period of time, is always irreparable injury.”
OBSERVATION - the regime will continue to try to find ways around this.
POLITICAL FRONT –
A fight is brewing over the renewal of the National Defense Authorization Act. Republican amendments to the NDAA may torpedo congresses efforts to get the bill renewed by Dec 31 as the House takes on budget maters as well as trimming back DEI and other military socialist programs.
**
Democrats are getting worried about a third party candidate undermining their election theft campaign. A third-party run by a candidate like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would strip millions of democrat voters who are dissatisfied with the current biden regime and want another candidate. If this becomes reality, Trump-level attacks on that candidate will be expected.
**
Biden DOJ announces charges against Gal Luft, a think tank official who provided the FBI with info on the Biden family’s dealings w/ China in 2019.
U.S. Attorney announces charges against co-director of think tank for acting as an unregistered foreign agent, trafficking in arms, violating U.S. sanctions against Iran, and making false statements to federal agents
OBSERVATION- While these charges may be legit, there is no doubt that the timing is one designed to quickly shut down Luft’s charges against biden crime family.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
********
Russian Personnel Issues –-
According to preliminary information, Russian Lieutenant General Oleg Tsokov was eliminated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Berdiansk. Last night, the Duna Hotel in Berdiansk, where the enemy’s military leadership, including Lieutenant General Tsokov, lived, was attacked. Local residents report that almost nothing remains of the hotel.
NOTE - Suspected HIMARS strike. Imagine what ATACMS will do to Russian command facilities located deeper into occupied Ukraine.
A joint investigation carried out by two media organizations and a professor at a German university has offered what may be the most accurate estimate yet of the number of Russians killed and injured in the first 15 months of the war in Ukraine.
Analyzing existing reports about published obituaries, mortality data from the Federal State Statistics Service, and extensive records from the National Probate Registry, we estimate that between 40,000 and 55,000 Russian men under the age of 50 died fighting in Ukraine by May 27, 2023. When factoring in the number of men wounded so seriously that they did not return to military service, Russia’s total casualty count rises to at least 125,000 soldiers, based on our calculations. (This figure does not include missing or captured soldiers or Ukrainian nationals fighting with Russian proxy forces based in Donetsk and Luhansk.)
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 70’s to 80’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukraine continued to make gains across their several fronts.
Bakhmut Axis -
Ukraine has gained a tactical surround of Bakhmut, having gained control of the high ground north and south of the city. It now has eyes (and more importantly crosshairs) on all the resupply routes Russia is relying on to sustain its forces in the city. Ukraine also continued to press eastward on the city’s north and south flanks, continuing to regain more territory.
Crimean front ———
Explosions from a large ammo dump were reported overnight in Novooleksiivka in Russian occupied Kherson Oblast
2 Shahed drones attacked naval port infrastructure in Odesa region
Russian Territory –
Former commander of Improved Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar, deputy head of Krasnodar mobilisation office Stanislav Rzhytsky was shot dead in Krasnodar.
NOTE - No mention of suspects in this case, but the submarine is one of ship in the Black Sea fleet that has been firing missiles into Ukraine.
OUTLOOK –
I expect things to continue as they have - Ukraine making slow but steady gains. As Ukraine gets longer range weapons, expect the Kerch Bridge to come under real attack and destroyed. Such a move will strike hard at Russian logistical support to occupied southern Ukraine. It would also cause considerable panic if it occurs during Russian tourist season. Russia would likely have to use its landing craft to ferry civilians out of the way.
I’m also looking at how long the Russians will try to hold out at Bakhmut. They have been out maneuvered and with other morale and leadership issues, this could turn into a route.
Europe / NATO General –
Erdogan has agreed to send Sweden’s NATO membership application to parliament for ratification. This removes the last hurdle for Sweden’s membership.
Turkey –
See Europe / NATO General above on Sweden NATO membership.
Armenia/Azerbaijan –
Things continue to remain warm in this region, though over the past months the potential for greater conflict between the two countries remains high.
Azerbaijan has temporarily shut the only road linking its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region with Armenia, accusing the Armenian branch of the Red Cross of smuggling.
The Armenian-populated region has been at the centre of a decades-long territorial dispute between the Caucasus arch-foes, which have fought several wars over the mountainous territory.
OBSERVATION - This conflict is between Russian backed Armenia and Turkish backed Azerbaijan. Weakness by Russia bolsters Azeri aggressiveness.
Misc of Note –
As expected, a volcanic eruption has sent lava and smoke pouring out of the side of Mount Fagradalsfjall, near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. Impacts to Britain and western Europe are not expected due to the highly fluid nature of the lava making for low explosive events and large ash falls.
My hiatus is about at an end, I’ll be summarizing the chaos on key fronts later this week.
OK, thanks!
Life happening is good... that said, nice to have you back.
At least 140 people on terror screening list tried to cross so far this year between ports of entry, compared to just 16 in all of 2021.
Hope you had a grand time!
Posting will be wonky over the next couple weeks as family is coming and my time will be directed to wards them.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Flying under the radar was yesterday’s announcement that FedNow is live, and we can all transfer money to our heart’s content via the Federal Reserve. So far, 35 banks have signed up as early adopters of FedNow, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, but notably not including Citigroup or Bank of America. That number is rather lower than the Fed led us to believe as recently as recently as June.
OBSERVATION - The first step in the establishment of CBDC is here.
Economy –
After pausing in June, the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to hike interest rates again on Wednesday, adopting its most restrictive monetary stance for 22 years despite recent signs of slowing inflation.
After 10 consecutive hikes in just over a year, the Fed halted its aggressive campaign of monetary tightening last month to give policymakers more time to assess the health of the US economy, and the impact of recent banking stresses on lending conditions.
In the weeks since, positive upgrades to economic growth and cooler inflation data have reinforced the likelihood that the Fed’s rate-setting committee will vote for a quarter percentage-point hike on July 25-26.
OBSERVATION - After this small pause, the squeezing of the economy will continue.
**
The latest U.S. employment data is some of the strongest reported in decades. 80.9% of Americans 25-54 years old, the prime-age working population, are employed – the highest number since 2001. In June, half of U.S. states posted either record-low unemployment or within 0.1% of a record low.
OBSERVATION - Possible driver of the anticipated Fed rate increase. Good jobs market tends to drive some inflation factors.
**
Videos and reports shared on social media over the weekend show Indian-Americans standing in long lines or panic-buying rice in Texas, Michigan, New Jersey Alabama, Ohio, Illinois and California after India put a ban on exporting rice. India accounts for approximately 40 percent of all global rice exports.
OBSERVATION -
Remember, actions in one part of the world impact other parts very quickly. Cattle, sugar and other grains prices are becoming volatile and what was once thought to be a secure harvest, becoming less so. Corn and soybeans are getting hammered but the drought and high temperatures. Best get your food stocks trimmed out sooner than later.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
The left is increasingly embracing the authoritarian language and logic of segregationists in calling for defiance and radical measures against the Supreme Court. This, combined with the biden regime’s issuing numerous environmental ‘decrees’ to by pass congress to force green agenda items on the country is only adding fuel to the flames of a rogue, tyrannical govt. As noted in previous, biden et al have no qualms over disobeying lower court orders, dragging out their policies to the USSC, then tweaking them enough to reinstate them while claiming ‘compliance’. If the regime openly declares the USSC to no longer be valid, how much more will the American Patriot and Red States take before separation starts in full force?
I’m going to note the full court kangaroo court press against Trump here. Third world tin pot dictatorship in full display. So far they’ve avoided jailing Trump these bogus charges, but for how much longer? With biden’s health and ever growing revelations of his crime family syndicate actions being carried by the MSM, his days could be numbered without a distraction. However, so far blow back from the accusations against Trump have only reinforce his support, while biden’s approval is close to removing Carter from the top of the dumpster list.
Carefully note - the deep swamp / fed alphabet agencies have time an again listed your basic conservative American as a domestic terrorist. Through all of the legal assaults on Trump as well as citizens, they are trying to provoke an action on the right that they can exploit to execute some kind of crackdown. Short of that, eventually force compliance via increasing unconstitutional actions. We are likely not far from a false flag that biden will use to declare a national emergency - cancelling the constitutional right and making the overt grab of america’s guns. Don’t know when the final straw will hit, but that is what they are maneuvering towards.
POLITICAL FRONT –
See CW2 / Domestic violence commentary above
**
Trump may be indicted in Jack Smith’s January 6 investigation as early as tomorrow according to CBS News. Indictments based on creative reinterpretation of Civil War KKK related laws.
**
Speaker McCarthy says the United States House of Representatives is getting ready to impeach biden.
OBSERVATION - Don’t hold your breath.
**
The end of the FY means funding for govt agencies is coming to an end and necessities some sort of budget resolution to keep the govt rolling along.
**
Biden’s health and growing criminal activities of hunter being linked to him are growing to the point that the MSM is no longer able to ignore them.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
********
Russia’s game of thrones over the past couple weeks has seen many generals get canned and others shuffled around as the Kremlin attempts to reestablish its authority in the wake of the Wagner rebellion.
Speaking of Wagner, they are attempting to reconstitute forces within Belarus, allegedly to “train” Belarus forces. More on this under Belarus. Just what their true purpose is is still up in the air.
Kerch Bridge update –
Very limited use of the vehicle bridge damaged by the sea drones. Essentially shut down military use.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Another high-ranking Russian officer was killed in Ukraine. Commander of the 129th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment Yevgeny Vashunin is dead. He died in battle 10 days ago.
Economic Impact –
Growing evidence that Russia has managed to bypass many of the sanctions placed upon it and is growing its military weapon production efforts. Largely in the arena of munitions and drones.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Well more like a roundup of nearly a couple weeks worth of stuff. Following the damage to the Kerch bridge, Russia has unleashed one of its largest missile campaigns against Ukraine’s grain shipping infrastructure in the Odessa region. Russia also allowed the grain shipment deal to expire and declared any ship headed to a Ukraine port as a combatant. A couple days ago, Russia also struck a smaller Ukraine port within a few hundred meters of Romania .
No evidence yet that Turkey will uphold its earlier statement to protect grain shipments.
One the southern and eastern fronts, Ukraine is doggedly pursuing its offensive and increasing causing fractures in the Russian defenses. This in part to the Ukraine effort at hitting key logistics / ammo facilities, artillery units , command posts and out maneuvering dug in Russian forces. Russia has been forced to commit operational reserves over the past few weeks while reportedly Ukraine still has a substantial offensive force in reserve.
The slow pace is evidence of the lack of Ukraine air power and the reliance by both sides on artillery - reminiscent of WW1 trench warfare. Russia is still able to mass a lot of artillery in key sectors, but that opens those units up to Ukraine’s well developed counter battery fire.
Russia has taken great strides in using loitering drones to hit Ukraine armor/vehicles. The ‘Lancets” have become the bane of many Ukraine units. Ukraine front line drones still have an advantage and they continue to improve performance and targeting capabilities.
There is a lot of talk about the Russians advancing in the Svatove-Karmazynivka area. This is where I noted estimates of 180K russian troops being assembled. So far the “counter offensive’ while having gained some ground is not going very well due reportedly to uncoordinated attacks.
Tokmak Axis -
Slow, but significant gains made in this region.
Velyka Novosilka Axis-
Slow but significant gains made in this region.
Bakhmut Axis -
Russia keeps losing the northern and southern flanks around the city, further isolating Russian forces in Bakhmut. This has caused Russian to commit more reserves to the sector. Recent rumors of Klishchiivka and Andriivka (southern Bakhmut flank) being liberated. This will really stress the logistics of maintaining a force in Bakhmut.
Crimean front ———
Massive Ukraine hits on ammo dumps throughout the occupied territory. Damage to the Kerch Bridge has caused confusing as vacationing Russians either wait hours/days to cross or clog supply routes by taking the ‘land bridge’ through southern/southeastern Ukraine.
OUTLOOK –
While things have been moving relatively slowly on the ground, there are some features that suggest that the situation is dangerously close to drawing NATO directly into the mix. Wagner’s intentions along with Russian threats towards Ukrainian grain and any cargo ships willing to haul it to markets are top of the list. Striking just across the Danube river from Romania is just the latest example.
Ukraine is more willing to go after targets in Russia, further risking a greater response from putin. But putin has few options except to focus is strategic missile assets on largely civilian targets.
OTOH, Russian ground forces continue to show evidence of further cracking as Ukraine is able to out maneuver them and gain suppression of locally superior Russian artillery concentrations. Russia is facing serious logistic attrition as stockpiles and supply routes come under intense pressures.
Increasing possibility that things may blow open soon.
Belarus -
There are already at least 3500 - 4000 Wagner mercenaries in Belarus, with numbers growing. They allegedly do not have their heavy weapon systems, leaving them behind. They are reportedly training Belarus forces, though there are many rumors that they will be used in a more unconventional effort - perhaps to try to physical cut off the Ukraine supply chain from Poland.
OBSERVATION - Should the ultimate plan be to invade Ukraine/Poland, these Wagner forces could take armor and tanks from the Belarus army as it own. The strength of the Wagner element may be sufficient from preventing or countering military push back in such an instance.
Poland –
Poland has deployed significant forces to the Belarus border region in response to increased Wagner group forces in the area.
Israel –
Legislation that will limit the supreme court from intervening in the government decision has passed in the Israeli knesset.
OBSERVATION - Currently, the Israeli supreme court is very liberal and Israel doesn’t have the separation of powers clauses the US has. Recently, the Israeli SC has set itself up as the ruler of the country in many ways, giving the liberals in Israel a veto over the more conservative govt. They don’t want to give up their power, like most progressive liberals. Expect large pro and con protests over the next weeks.
Will Hezbollah and Hama exploit this disruption - most likely.
**
In the midst of all this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker overnight between Saturday and Sunday, after which he was said to be in good condition.
Syria -
Along with increased push back against Iranian and Hezbollah buildup across from US lead anti-ISIS elements in eastern Syria, internal problems are growing across the country. Protesters are reportedly rampaging across Jaramana in Damascus, protesting against the collapse of Syria’s Pound & the Assad regime’s failure to respond. Like Lebanon, its currency has been in a freewill and in Assad’s case, Russia isn’t there to bolster it back up. Such turmoil may gain Iran/Hezbollah a window of time to gain support of more radical elements.
Prayers you and yours will have a joyous family time
Globalism / Great Reset –
The Los Angeles Times says that blackouts have to increase in order to combat climate change, while stunningly acknowledging the policy may cost people’s lives. The newspaper has asked its dwindling audience to consider “a larger conversation” in which people become more accustomed to changing their expectations, including the idea of living without electricity for large parts of their lives so as to prevent “climate catastrophe.”
OBSERVATION - Aligned with the WEF’s overall attack on energy, extended power outages have a far greater impact on society than just reducing carbon emissions. First is the spoilage of frozen foods in store - outages in Kalifornia a few years back hammered stores to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars losses. Second is the direct threat to human life. Loss of power yields loss of life to those dependent on power for life support functions, hospitals hit and depending on the season cold/heat related deaths. The callousness of the writer displays that humans are unimportant and disposable. I wonder just how his views may change without power for a week?
Economy –
Consumers reportedly are viewing the current economy more favorably due to the drop in the inflation rate over last summer. However, real earnings have actually declined over the same period. The housing market continues to collapse in addition to the commercial property market.
Many seem to think that the recession many forecast to hit this summer may be pushed off to 2024. Mixed indicators are growing to support such an interpretation.
**
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline could rise five to 10 cents this week, with increases of 10 to 25 cents a gallon in some states, Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, tweeted Monday.
Currently, the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.58 for the week ending July 20, three cents higher from the previous week. Still, it is 88 cents less than a year ago, according to the latest report by AAA.
OBSERVATION - Food and fuel are two of the greatest hitters to the family budget. Will gasoline prices take off in a greater manner. I don’t see it too likely as OPEC+ while dropping production to stabilize higher prices has the capability to increase to profit even more off what may be increased demand.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Trust in the govt and once favored alphabet agencies like the FBI have crashed over the past few years, accelerated in the face of a two-tiered justice system and exposure of gross civil rights violations from spying on US citizens without warrant or cause. Such violations drives a wedge between the citizenry and the govt, making further causes against the govt more justified. History repeats itself and there are growing parallels IMHO to the same tyrannical govt/ citizen revolt as what triggered the War of Independence. Many parallels.
- Govt censorship of news, development of alternative media
- Govt attmpting to restrict arms/ammunition
- Govt declaring narrative opponents as domestic terrorists.
- Increasing police powers
- Growing split in citizenry (Tory’s vs Patriots, Red vs Blue)
Wuhan Plandemic –
Recent deaths and cardiac episodes of high profile individuals like most recently LeBron James’ son, has rekindled the spot light on the danger of the nMRA jab to the general population. I see more studies floating around out there that continue to justify initial warnings of the dangers jab. Just isn’t hitting the news like it once was.
In response to these high visibility casualities, government health officials in the United States and the United Kingdom have declared that the “explosion” of soaring deaths and disabilities in the aftermath of the Covid mRNA vaccine rollout is just a “coincidence.”
Official government data shows a staggering spike in disabilities, autism, blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and related deaths since early 2021.
POLITICAL FRONT –
DeSantis laid off one-third of his campaign staff after recent filings revealed the campaign was not raising enough money to sustain operations. His campaign is increasingly showing signs of faltering and may well fold by the end of the year.
**
RFK Jr is creating serious waves in the democrat primary. So much so the marxists are trying to censor him on many matters and ways to challenge the narrative.
Opposing RFK is the snot nosed kalifornian gov Newsome, who is apparently running for office without running for the office.
**
More questions than answers concerning the drowning at 0bama’s global warming endangered estate at Martha’ vineyard.
**
Hunter’s plea deal is in jeopardy following the revelation that his lawyers posed as plaintiff lawyers to have evidence removed from the docket prior to his plea bargain hearing. In addition to the possibility that the plea agreement may be tossed, his lawyers face serious sanctions.
Biden Watch –
Biden: “I said I’d cure cancer they looked at me like, why cancer? Because we can. We ended cancer as we know it.”
OBSERVATION - Early in his reign, his handlers carefully sculpted his press time. Now it appears that they are letting his dementia display itself more and more. Part of laying the foundation for his removal from the 2024 campaign?
Illegal Immigration –
The regime is playing numbers games claiming that illegal immigrant border crossings are down, while Republicans point out border authorities are sending illegals to ports of entry and aren’t included in the illegal crossing numbers.
**
Texas is saying ‘see you in court’ over the barriers they installed in the Rio Grande River to block crossings by illegals. As the court day approaches, will Texas actually stand up in a rebellious manner to the cabal in DC.
**
The Biden administration was dealt a major blow in its efforts to control the ongoing border crisis on Tuesday when a federal judge blocked a rule introduced in May that makes migrants ineligible for asylum if they have entered illegally and failed to take advantage of expanded lawful pathways set up by the federal government.
Judge Jon Tigar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California blocked the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule in response to a lawsuit from a coalition of left-wing immigration groups, which claimed the rule was similar to a Trump-era transit ban that was similarly blocked. He found the rule is “both substantively and procedurally invalid” and has delayed his ruling from taking effect for 14 days to give the administration time to appeal
OBSERVATION - Like most of the legal decisions against biden, his regime will likely tweak the now illegal program to still keep the same standards but enough to meet the requirements of the decision. Delay , delay, delay scheme to work around the courts.
North/South Korea –
A Russian delegation led by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has arrived in North Korea, to be joined by a Chinese delegation later on Wednesday.
They will attend Pyongyang’s celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, marked typically by massive military parades.
The visits are the first of their kind to the North since it shut its borders to try to keep out the pandemic.
OBSERVATION - NK has mouthed support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. Rumors that NK has even supplied munitions. Russia may be trying to rebuild support from allies as its other ‘allies’ have refused to materially support the war.
NK has very little to offer except a potential source of labor and some munitions (rated at very low quality).
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
********
See Shoigu NK visit above under North/South Korea
Kerch Bridge update –
The Russian government has extended the deadline for rebuilding the Crimean bridge until December 31, 2023 Earlier it was reported that the bridge will be rebuilt within a month, later they revised the terms and announced November, now the new deadline is the end of 2023.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Russian parliament has raised the conscription age for compulsory service in Russia. Now it will be from 18 to 30 years old (previously it used to be 21 to 27 years old).
NOTE - Evidence that Russia is digging in to the thought of an extended war with Ukraine.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
No significant changes from the previous post.
Tokmak Axis -
Ukraine forces are reportedly cracking Russian defenses in the push to seize the village of Robotyne.
Velyka Novosilka Axis-
Ukraine is reportedly making gains and on the verge of a breakout in the vicinity of Staromayorske.
Bakhmut Axis -
Around the northern and southern flanks of Bakhmut, Ukraine has seized key terrain and in the past 6 weeks recaptured more terrain than Russia did in 6 months.
OUTLOOK –
Reported Ukraine breakthroughs in various fronts will likely yield limited gains - just like other breakthroughs have over the past few weeks. I don’t expect a Kharkiv style breakout like last fall. That may come in time however, as Ukraine continues to hammer Russian logistics and C3.
Belarus -
Wagner elements have started showing up with limited armor vehicle capability, but no heavy armor/tanks.
Iran –
While on hiatus, the US has expanded its force presence in the Persian Gulf in response to the increase in Iranian seizures of cargo and oil vessels in the region. Presence of power is of limited deterrence unless the US is willing to use the force associated with it.
Syria -
Russian fighter jets ‘severely damaged’ a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone that was conducting counter-ISIS operations over Syria. -CENTCOM
The Russian jet dropped/fired flares in front of the Reaper, one of which hit the propeller damaging it. Russia has been playing this kind of game for several months now and a dangerous one it is.
Mexico -
Tension between Mexico and the United States continues to escalate as Mexico urges the U.S. to enact legal proceedings, calling on a U.S. court to pursue a $10 billion lawsuit against gun manufacturers.
This week, Mexico called on a U.S. appeals court to pursue a $10 billion lawsuit that would hold U.S. gun manufacturers responsible for facilitating the trafficking of guns to drug cartels across the U.S. – Mexico border. The request comes as the topic of drug cartels has drawn the ire of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), Mexico’s president.
The request stems from a three-judge panel from the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston that had questioned if a lower-court had wrongly concluded that a U.S. law prevented Mexico from suing Smith & Wesson Brands, Ruger & Co., Sturm, and the like. The law in question is the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which provides broad protection to the firearms industry from lawsuits over the misuse of their products.
OBSERVATION - Leftist govt in Mexico doing the dirty work for the leftists regime in DC.
Misc of Note –
I always had an interest in UFOs, ever since the 60s and the major flaps of the decade. They were never considered seriously by most until suddenly the last few years when the infamous “Tic Tac” videos came out. Now there is a significant fixation on ufos, not only at the govt level, but acceptance a the MSM level as well. What is this being a cover for? Or perhaps, what is this all preparing us for? This is one of the major tinfoil hat conspiracy theories that is still up in the air. However given the track record of other conspiracy theories coming up true, one must wonder.
**
Drought emergencies are being declared many areas of the northwest and northern Rockies because of early snowmelt, a lack of spring rain and low-flowing streams. These conditions, as well as drying conditions in Kalifornia, have prompted me to start monitoring the national fire situation daily.
Black Swans
Alaska’s Trident volcano has seen a significant increase in seismic activity and ground uplift over the past five months, leading to concerns about a potential volcanic eruption. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has confirmed that this unrest is the result of magma intrusion beneath the volcano. The rising magma, which can trigger an eruption, has also caused increased seismic activity in the neighboring volcanoes of the Katmai volcanic cluster, including Katmai, Martin, Mageik, and the Novarupta vent.
The largest eruption of the 20th century occurred in June 1912 near the base of the Trident volcano. The eruption occurred at a location known as Novarupta, close to a group of late Quaternary stratocones and domes that have released an estimated 140 km3 (33.6 mi3) of magma over the past 150 000 years. Despite the eruption occurring closest to the Trident volcano group and other nearby volcanoes, it was Mount Katmai, 10 km (6.2 miles) east of Novarupta, that experienced a significant collapse, forming a 5.5 km3 (1.3 mi3) caldera.
The eruption was accompanied by many earthquakes, including 14 ranging from magnitude 6 to 7, which released 250 times more seismic energy than the 1991 caldera-forming eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines.
Around 13 km3 (3.1 mi3) of magma erupted in 1912, which included a significant amount of high-silica rhyolite and crystal-rich dacite. The Katmai caldera only compensated for 40% of the erupted magma.
OBSERVATION - Mega volcanic eruptions cause significant climate altering effects and a 1912 repeat may well have great impact.
Cuba willing to accept russian missilery. Imho the missiles have been in cuba for a minimum of one year.
Globalism / Great Reset –
A top World Economic Forum (WEF) official has called for so-called ‘conspiracy theorists’ to be banned from accessing the internet due to their ‘dangerous’ belief that a global cabal of elites control the world.
Yuval Noah Harari, who is Klaus Schwab’s right hand man, condemned the theory that a shadowy elite of billionaires and globalists control the world as “anti-Semitic” and “dangerous.”
During an appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast, Harari pointed out that the world is “too complex” for powerful people to control it.
“The global cabal theory has many variations, but basically, there is a small group of people, a cabal, that secretly controls everything that is happening in the world,” Harari declared.
“All the wars, all the revolutions, all the epidemics, everything that is happening is controlled by this very small group of people, who are of course evil and have bad intentions.”
OBSERVATION - Harari is by far the most dangerous person on the WEF’s inner circle of power. He is simply an expression of true evil. As we have seen in the wuhan information crackdown as well as other govt actions to silence speech against the narrative, squashing and controlling speech is an essential component of their plans to rule.
Economy –
Availability of money is a key indicator of future economic activity This is tracked in part by the money supply. Annualized, non-seasonally adjusted M2 money supply growth went from -7.4% in early June to -5.8% in early July. Although improving, money supply growth is at the lowest in decades and still at Great Depression levels.
When money supply growth falls below 0%, a stock market crash, financial crisis, or recession follows. This year was no different – money supply growth fell to -2% right before Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in March. (FO)
OBSERVATION - Still contains a threat of later recession, so the SVB crash is only a foreshock.
**
The Federal Reserve resumed its aggressive rate hikes to tackle inflation, raising the interest rate by a quarter-point today. This raises the rate to a range of 5.25% – 5.5%, the highest in 22 years.
**
(Bloomberg) — A strong majority of business economists now say the odds of the US entering a recession in the next 12 months are 50% or less, according to a National Association for Business Economics survey.
Some 71% of respondents reported such an outlook in results of the poll, published Monday. That marks a sharp turnaround from NABE’s previous survey in April, which showed an almost even split between those forecasting a downturn and those who were not.
More than one in four respondents in the July survey put the chance of a recession in the next year at 25% or less.
Ongoing strength in the labor market and a pullback in key consumer price metrics have helped fuel the shift in sentiment. While economists have in recent months repeatedly altered their forecasts for when a potential recession may begin, the NABE survey results suggest many may now be changing their minds altogether on the inevitability of one.
OBSERVATION - Having been calling for a recession for a year now, the strength of many of the sectors of the economy may be enough to prevent a crash. But we are in no ways out of the woods yet.
IN RELATED - U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday Fed staff are no longer forecasting a U.S. recession, and “we do have a shot” for inflation to return to target without high levels of job losses.
Powell told a news conference after the Fed’s latest interest-rate hike that there was “a lot left to go to” see such a soft landing.
IN MORE RELATED - Sales of new single-family houses in the U.S. fell by far more than expected in June.
The Commerce Department said that new home sales fell 2.5 percent in June compared to the previous month. New homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 697,000, according to Commerce Department data released Wednesday.
OBSERVATION - Fed rate hikes and still soft economic footing of most americans is still dragging on the economy. Historical marker of economic pull out from recessions has been the housing market and with the outrageously high costs combined with near record interest rates there is no light at the end of the tunnel to be seen yet.
All this economic ‘news’ (propaganda) hasn’t really reached the masses pocket books. According to a new Rasmussen poll a 51% majority of likely U.S. voters give Biden a poor rating on his handling of the economy, compared to 37% who rate the president’s handling of the economy as good or excellent. In April, 42% gave Biden a good or excellent rating on the economy
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Public support for the use of force to coerce members of Congress grew sharply among Democrats, according to a University of Chicago study.
Support for the use of force grew from nine percent to 17 percent between January 2023 to June 2023, effectively doubling, according to the study.
A graph in the study showed that Democrats’ support for the use of force grew from seven percent in January 2023 to 16 percent in June 2023 — a growth of nine percent.
“This growing anger parallels the Republican rise to power and proceedings in the House of Representatives,” the study said.
Meanwhile, support for the use of force among Republicans grew by six percent and Independents by eight percent.
Related. A new poll from Pew Research shows that a growing number of Americans, mostly people on the left, no longer support First Amendment protections for free speech.
A majority of Americans – and an overwhelming number of Democrats – no longer support First Amendment protections for free speech.
The government should restrict “false” information online, even if doing so blocks people from “publishing or accessing information,” 55 percent of Americans said in a large poll released Thursday. Only 42 percent disagreed.
OBSERVATION - Been tracking this for a while. As the left continues to try to dehumanize the right via propaganda (IE ‘White nationalists’, domestic terrorists, etc), the natural barriers to violence are being stepped away and the left now feels more justified in violent actions. Continued tyrannical actions by the govt against the right combined with the incessant drum beats against conservatives will only grow and sharpen the divide between Red and Blue.
Wuhan Plandemic –
More of “we knew this all along”. A study done in Basel Switzerland indicates that the rate of subclinical myocarditis after the COVID vaccine is hardly rare at all.
In fact, in a study with only 777 participants with a median age of 37—all medical professionals getting the COVID vaccine–the incidence of elevated cardiac enzymes 3 days after injection was pretty substantial, at almost 3%.
The CDC did a study and from that, they claimed the rate was 0.001%, or one out of 100,000.
2.8% is a lot higher than 0.001%. Another 0.3% had “probable myocarditis,” putting the total at over 3%. That is 3000 times higher than the US government claimed.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The proposed plea deal between Hunter Biden and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on alleged tax crimes fell apart in court yesterday after prosecutors told the judge the plea bargain would not immunize Hunter from future prosecution of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. I’ll defer to the FR threads covering this in greater detail, but it was UGLY for both biden’s defense team as well as the DOJ.
BTW, the judge’s conditions of release rules for hunter’s behavior are epic.
**
Increasing rumors that January 6 charges against Trump drop soon in order to draw attention away from the Biden scandal and DOJ’s corruption!
**
McConnell just froze at a press conference, some feel he may have had a type of stroke. He later tried to laugh it off, but the video shows something serious hit him at the podium.
**
Drumbeats over impeaching biden as well as many of his cronies in DoJ and DHS are growing. But lets be real about this. Absent a real Republican controlled Senate, a House impeachment will only be symbolism. The scurvy rats will retain their jobs and little will change.
Illegal Immigration –
Mayorkas in congressional testimony claimed the border was closed. Not only have historically high illegal border crossings under the Biden administration prove the border has been opened, but Border Patrol agents themselves have characterized the border as open.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
Economic Impact –
Putin is trying to set him self up as the savior to Africa by offering to replace Ukrainian grain he is destroying with higher cost Russian grain (some of which has been stolen from Ukraine).
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Various western news agencies are declaring that the main part of Ukraine’s counteroffensive has begun in the country’s southeast.
One map depicts potential directions and objectives below:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2BPWVvXoAAMMED?format=jpg&name=large
The figure shows the main thrust developing along the Tokmak Axis with the likely goal of driving to the Azov Sea, splitting Russian forces in half and cutting off the ‘land bridge’ to Crimea. So far it appears that Ukraine has committed a brigade of its operational reserves (equivalent to a US size division) to the fight in the Robotyne area. Ukraine’s multi pronged attacks have forced Russian to essentially commit their operational reserves and their forces are stretched out across the southern and eastern fronts, creating an opportunity. for Ukraine.
Russian drones/missiles continue their extended assault on grain facilities on the Black sea coast. Close to 40 drones/missiles have been fired in the past 24 hours, with nearly all but a few being shot down.
Russian fleet is preparing for military operations in the Black Sea - UK intelligence and reportedly redeployed some of its assets after the Russian Federation withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, preparing for actions to potentially attempt to blockade Ukraine.
Russia continues to lose Russian KA-52 attack helicopter in the south. Once a key player in Russian defense against Ukraine’s offensive, they have been suffering significant losses and have become more vulnerable to Ukraine AD and now are far less of a threat to Ukraine armor.
Tokmak Axis -
Both Ukraine and Russian sources confirm heavy fighting in the area of Robotyne.
Velyka Novosilka Axis-
Ukraine is continuing to pressure Russians in vicinity of Staromayorske.
Bakhmut Axis -
Russian continues to be forced back on the north and south flanks of Bakhmut. Ukraine drones hitting everything Russian trying to resupply Russian forces in the area.
Western / Central Ukraine ——
Russia has attempted striking western Ukraine sites by skirting along the Moldovan border in an effort to hit areas not well protected by ADA assets.
Russian Territory –
OUTLOOK –
Russia continues to play dangerous with its movement to shut down Black Sea shipping. One false move (and Russia is fully capable of such a screwup) of hitting a NATO flagged vessel and all heck can break out. Poland and Romania have their swords sharpened and at the ready. Still waiting to see if Turkey is going to uphold its promise to Ukraine to escort ships. Against NATO, Russia’s small Black Sea fleet wouldn’t fare very well, nor would any Russian air cover - as NATO would hold the edge there as well.
Have to wait and see if Ukraine’s latest push succeeds in finally breaking Russian defenses in the south. The indicators are all there, but can they deal with the massive minefields quickly enough and hit with cluster bombs to counter lack of air support?
Moldova/Transnistria -
Moldova’s government is expelling 18 Russian diplomats & 27 technical staff from the Russian Embassy in Chișinău.
Europe / NATO General –
NATO / EU is condemning Russian attacks on Ukraine grain facilities.
Central / South America General-
Cuba - Russia making moves to place missiles on the island in a reprise of the Cuban Missile crisis.
.
Africa general –
Soldiers in Niger claim to have overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum
Group of soldiers appear on national television to announce the toppling of Bazoum’s government as US calls for the president’s ‘immediate release’.
OBSERVATION - Another day, another coup.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Beginning in 2024, the European Union will require visitors to get pre-approval via the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — and that goes for summer jet-setters from the US.
OBSERVATION - Tinfoil hat? Visa requirements could foretell the implication of the 15 minute city mindset - controlling movement in this case globally.
Economy –
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) – which includes new manufacturing orders, new building permits, and eight other components – forecasts that the U.S. economy is already in a recession that will last through Q1 2024.
IN RELATED - The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter as labor market resilience underpinned consumer spending, while businesses boosted investment in equipment, potentially keeping a much-feared recession at bay.
Gross domestic product increased at a 2.4% annualized rate last quarter, the Commerce Department in its advance estimate of second-quarter GDP on Thursday. The economy grew at a 2.0% pace in the January-March quarter. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast GDP rising at a 1.8% rate.
Outside the housing market and manufacturing, the economy has largely weathered the 525 basis points in interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve since March 2022 as the U.S. central bank battled inflation.
OBSERVATION - Continued high fed rates are seen as a boat anchor for any continued growth.
**
A measure of consumer prices that is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve fell last month to its lowest level since March 2021, the latest sign that inflation in the United States is steadily cooling from its once-painful highs.
Prices rose just 3% in June from 12 months earlier, down from a 3.8% annual increase in May, though still above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.2% from May to June, up slightly from 0.1% the previous month.
OBSERVATION - Concern among economists that the raise in the already record high fed rate will start to reverse the trend and that another wave on inflation - due to off shore issues - may be building.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Over all, activity in this category has hit low levels as Antifa et al has not had a good mobilizing event to jump on. Even the Transtifa wing is at a lower level of operation, facing public pushback following their overt public sex displays and successful efforts of parents to shut them down in schools and other public arenas.
Strategic Activity / Deployments –
Additional F-35s being deployed to the middle east to support Naval freedom of navigation operations in the Persian Gulf region as well as to provide CAP for US forces anti ISIS operations in eastern Syria.
Wuhan Plandemic –
More from the swiss study - Moderna’s Covid jab injured the hearts of about 3 percent of people who received it.
The vaccinated people did not show obvious signs of heart damage. But when researchers ran blood tests three days after the jabs, they found high levels of troponin, a protein the heart releases when it is injured, in many recipients.
“Subclinical mRNA vaccine-associated myocardial injury is much more common than estimated based on passive surveillance,” the researchers concluded. The paper was published last week in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Heart Failure.
Over 1 billion people have received mRNA jabs. The study suggests tens of millions of them may have suffered heart damage – and don’t even know they’ve been hurt.
OBSERVATION - This is beyond incompetence, it was and is a deliberate attack on the global population. Making the mRNA jabs fatal, combined with the Remdesivir / respirator protocol that killed nearly all it was used on, show this was deliberate.
**
Speaking of wuhan, a banner popped up on my phone concerning an article about the summer time ‘bump’ in wuhan cases. Just cant leave it alone can they?
POLITICAL FRONT –
biden regime publicly rules out a pardon for Hunter . . . . That should make dinner table conversation a little stressed in the WH.
**
Congress breaking for its August vacay. No forward movement on any of the numbers impeachment claims as well as tying up a federal budget.
North/South Korea –
First images of North Korea’s July 27 military parade show new drones (These mimic the USAF MQ-9 & RQ-4.) conducting flyovers and on trailers rolling through the parade square, as well as new ‘Haeil’ underwater drones and the country’s largest nuclear missiles.
OBSERVATION - The drones are reverse engineered from US models. A larger surprise is the display of a large underwater drone.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
********
putin continues to try to woo African nations at the meeting in St Petersburg. Latest is an offer of free grain and free shipping - grain likely that stolen from Ukraine. Russia faces an uphill battle against Chinese influence on the continent because the Ukraine war has exposed Russia as weak and financially strapped, while China is willing to flash money to countries to fund projects.
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Rumors that Russia has actually placed some tactical nukes in bunkers in Belarus.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian defenses have cracked on two of the Ukrainian axes of attack. Ukraine flanked russian forces in Tobotyne, and punched through to the “dragon teeth’ line south of Staromayorske. Both have placed Russian forces in an untenable position which will likely result in withdrawals over the next couple days.
Russian milbloggers report chaos as commander are unable to direct forces to counter the Ukraine forces.
Significant note - Artillery fire that has been sporatic and scattered along the Kharkiv - Sumy border has suddenly died down. Could be a reporting blip or Russia is desperately trying to redirect ammo to the eastern and southern fronts.
Tokmak Axis -
Robotyne has been flanked to the east and is endanger now of being cut off.
Rumint. General Staff of the RF Armed Forces have given a order to withdraw from Robotyne and Urozaine
Velyka Novosilka Axis-
Ukrainian Defense Forces have liberated Staromayorske village near Velyka Novosilka
Russian Territory –
Drone was reportedly shot down in Moscow overnight.
Explosive device exploded at Kuybishevsky refinery in Samara.
Partisan Resistance ——
Explosions and fire at oil depot in Shakhtarsk
OUTLOOK –
Yesterday’s actions suggest that Russia’s lines are buckling and that they have little left to rely on. Ukraine’s biggest hinderance has been the plethora of mines Russia has laid out. Ukraine appears to be close to sealing a method of mine removal consisting of concentrated artillery fire and specialized equipment to clear lanes.
The recent breakthroughs will challenge Russia’s ability to make an orderly pull back to deeper defensive lines. Fixed defenses can be maneuvered around and Russia cannot man the whole line at the same time. Russian units are also reportedly wore our, no reserves or replacements for forces while Ukraine cycles in fresh and well trained/armed units.
Ukraine may well make substantial gains over the next few days, and the areas they are pushing through will give them tactical advantages as they press further southward.
Israel –
Leftists continue protesting bill that will being judicial reforms in the country.
Iran –
A number of European intelligence reports recently translated and published by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) revealed a growing concern that Iran could soon be ready to test an atomic bomb. The Netherlands General Intelligence and Security Service examined Iran’s fast-tracking of its weapons grade uranium manufacturing and concluded that it “brings the option of a possible [Iranian] first nuclear test closer.” AVID went on to say, “Iran is further ignoring the agreements that were made within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). And by deploying increasingly more sophisticated uranium enrichment centrifuges, it is enlarging its enrichment capacity.”
OBSERVATION - Iran crosses this red line, Israel will be forced to attack - and things will become very ugly in the region.
Globalism / Great Reset –
UN - “The era of global warming has ended. The era of global boiling has arrived. The air is unbreathable, the heat is unbearable, and the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable.”
OBSERVATION - I noted at least a year ago that the next global crisis will be that of global warming and that the ‘crisis’ will be used to generate a lockdown similar to that used for wuhan. The compliance of the sheeple in that plandemic formed the template for future actions by the global elite. Already the hype is in overdrive -
- Hottest July in tens of thousands of years
- Hottest ocean temperatures ever
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2023/07/28/how-to-push-a-climate-crisis-hoax-floridas-record-ocean-temperature/
- ocean currents are at the point of collapse.
There are some key hurdles that have to be cleared before such a global emergency can not only be declared but enforced. First is the subjugation of the sheeple burned by the wuhan hoax to once again submit to the global/govt overlords. Second, political situations in the US and other nations have to shift to an even more totalitarian footing where rule by executive order is largely unchallenged by opposition parties/elements. Third, the huge PR/propaganda play has to cow enough sheeple to provide social cover for the totalitarian laws/rules to go into place.
No clue as to how soon these and other pieces will come together, but the increased fervor of the effort belies the fact that they want it sooner than later.
Economy –
The U.S. rig count is down by 13% over the last year, according to figures from the Baker Hughes rig count posted on Friday.
The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by five to 664, according to the last count held on July 28. As compared to totals from last year, there are now 103 fewer rigs than on July 29, 2022.
OBSERVATION - This will only get worse as new fees and royalties get slammed onto exploration - all in the effort to kill the petroleum industry. This will in the long term, create potential fuel shortage disasters should our off shore sources cease (combined with an essentially empty oil reserve). The consequences to the overall economy are at a nuclear level disaster should our enemies stop the flow of foreign oil.
IN RELATED - Gasoline prices have risen for the past 8 weeks.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Nearly half of millennials believe that misgendering a transgender person should be considered a crime, according to a new poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek.
According to Newsweek, “44 percent of those aged 25-34 think ‘referring to someone by the wrong gender pronoun (he/him, she/her) should be a criminal offense.’”
Thirty-one percent (31%) of millennials surveyed disagreed with the notion that it should be a crime and the remainder reported they “neither agree nor disagree” or “don’t know.”
Newsweek also stated, “[t]his view remains popular for those aged 35-44, among whom 38 percent think misgendering should be illegal, whilst 35 percent disagree and 26 percent either don’t know or didn’t express an opinion.”
It was quite a contrast to the population at large, where 65% of Americans said it should not be considered a crime, only 19% thought it should be, and the remainder were unwilling to give a definitive answer.
OBSERVATION - Of note, most of the supporters / foot soldiers of Antifa and other violent leftist outfits are in the sub 34 yr old category. This is further evidence of growing willingness by the left to use violence as a means to obtain its ends.
Strategic Activity / Deployments –
The B-21 Raider accomplished its first “power on” test in recent months, moving it another step closer to a first flight that is still scheduled to take place before the end of 2023, Northrop Grumman officials announced July 27.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Just more chest beating by republicans and democrats alike. Things will get real hot when they get back from August recess and have to deal with the budget.
North/South Korea –
Ukrainian soldiers were observed using North Korean rockets that they said were seized by a “friendly” country before being delivered to Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Ukraine’s defense ministry suggested the arms were captured from the Russians, the newspaper said.
Ukraine were reportedly saying these rockets had “unusual” ballistic pattern (IE, they were not very accurate).
NK has repeatedly said they have not supplied munitions to Russia.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
New rumors concerning another military callus of 500K to be ready for way by fall. Recently, the conscription age was raised from 18-27 to 18-30.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
News from the front is relatively quiet from reporters on both sides overnight as opposed to yesterday. Observers note that when Ukraine is up to something, they do a good job at OPSEC in the interwebs. Russian milbloggers are noted to go quiet when things are going really bad.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged missiles, each striking targets. Russian missiles however continued to strike civilian targets while Ukraine missiles are believed to have hit miilitary ones (OPSEC).
OUTLOOK –
I expect that Ukraine is in the process of exploiting the break through of Russian defenses and mop up operations. Russia is believed to have committed most of its operational reserves to stop the initial Ukraine offensive, so they may have very little left to block any breakthroughs.. With the attempted Russian counter offensive in the Kharkiv region quickly stalling out, and continued Ukraine pressure around Bakhmut, pulling forces from the west to the south are problematical.
Combined with deep command and logistical interdiction by Ukraine assets, Ukraine ground forces so far have out maneuvered the more fixed Russian defensive lines and the threat of encirclement may cause Russian resistance to crumble. Depending on how good the Russian command and leadership is will determine how orderly these Russian forces will pull back.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ukraine is swinging for the fence, knowing that the summer season is coming to a close and they need to reach Crimea (or at least cut off the ‘land bridge’) as soon as possible.
Belarus -
See Poland below on Wagner presence
Poland –
Poland’s interior minister says around 1k-1,2k Wagner mercenaries currently at the Osipovichi military camp in Belarus plus dozens of wagnerists at the Brest military training range with no heavy military equipment with them.
**
Army to be doubled in Poland - Deputy Prime Minister Kaczynski
Today, the Polish army has 172 thousand soldiers, but in the future there will be 300 thousand, and the number of divisions will increase from 3 to 6.
**
Polish officials suspect some Wagner mercenaries will dress as Belarus Border guards and attempt to destabilize Poland through the allowance of illegal migrants to cross the border, while other Wagner war criminals will enter Poland in disguise for later terrorist acts.
Israel –
Leftists continue protesting bill that will being judicial reforms in the country.
Central / South America General-
Haiti - The embassy further warned that the U.S. government could only offer “extremely limited” assistance and that remaining government personnel were prohibited from leaving the area around the embassy.
The U.S. State Department ordered all government personnel to evacuate the Caribbean nation of Haiti amid a significant rise in gang violence and domestic turmoil.
The embassy in Port-au-Prince announced a “Do Not Travel” order, citing heightened risk of kidnapping. Non-emergency government personnel were also ordered to leave the country.
“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure,” the warning reads. “On July 27, 2023, the Department of State ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency U.S. government employees.”
“U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible by commercial or other privately available transportation options, in light of the current security situation and infrastructure challenges. U.S. citizens wishing to depart Port-au-Prince should monitor local news and only do so when considered safe,” it continued.
The embassy further warned that the U.S. government could only offer “extremely limited” assistance and that remaining government personnel were prohibited from leaving the area around the embassy. They further may not use public transportation or taxis, visit banks or use ATMs, drive at night, or travel anywhere without authorization.
OBSERVATION - The perennial hell-hole of a ‘country’ continues to fall apart under anarchy and violence. Political corruption is rampant and power is in the hands of gangs. Hate to be too dystopian, but in some ways Haiti can serve as a warning to what might happen in our densely populated urban areas in the event that things go very sideways.here.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Another push forward by the globalists. Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is coming online this August. The DSA aims to curtail illegal online activity and restrict targeted advertising. The largest companies, those with over 45 million European users, will face fines of up to 6% of their annual turnover if they fail to comply with the new rules.
However, the DSA also contains provisions for combating disinformation, which means that it can be used to police online speech. It contain a crisis mechanism that will grant the European Commission much more power to restrict speech in times of crisis. In the law, “crisis” has been given the broad definition of extraordinary circumstances that can lead to a “serious threat to public security or public health.”
OBSERVATION - Control of information is critical to a tyrannical global government - and we continue to see how the biden regime utilized censorship across social media to curtail contrary - and often very correct - information to the public.
**
New on the scene is Worldcoin — a new financial system connected to sensitive biometric information - primarily eye scans for biometric ID. One of the goals of Worldcoin is -
“The goal is simple and modest: To create a system that will, eventually, freely distribute tokens to all eight billion people on the planet, as a form of universal basic income (UBI). But because the rise of AI will make it tricky to figure out who is human and who’s a digital fake, Worldcoin first needs to create a system that lets people — all people, across the globe — prove that they are in fact human beings.”
They claim that they will keep the biometric data “safe”, but even Stevie Wonder can see where this is heading. This is just another effort to condition sheeple into acceptance of biometric identification that later can be merged with your social credit / financial rating and control your purchases and freedoms.
**
On Thursday, Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen announced the appointment of a climate czar charged with using the “full force of the Treasury Department” to inflict climate component of the Biden Administration’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda on the U.S. financial system.
Ethan Zindler, appointed to serve as the new Climate Counselor, comes to the Treasury Department from BloombergNEF (BNEF) - a provider of data, research and analysis used to rate how well companies have succumbed to ESG goals, such as eliminating carbon (“net-zero”) – where he served as Head of the Americas.
Sec. Yellen says Zindler will “take decisive action to fight climate change” and use the “full force of the Treasury Department on domestic and international policymaking.”
Yellen promises that, as climate czar, Zindler will “develop and advance a robust climate finance agenda” and “further spur on historic clean energy investments across the United States.”
OBSERVATION - The regime is pushing this agenda absent congressional support or even that of the citizens of this county. Of particular note is the desired enforcement of “international policymaking”. States have been fighting the ESG efforts of financial titans like BlackRock with some success, but this brings the push to a whole higher level. You will kill the economy to force ‘clean’ energy investments.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
There appears to be a new kid on the block. A group calling itself “Blood Tribe” and carrying flags in Watertown Wisconsin protesting a Pride event. Many are indicating that this is likely another fed based false flag group as they note similar Fed uniform clothing and masks to those used by Patriot Front, another group believed to be a Fed false flag outfit as well.
OBSERVATION - NAZI - real NAZI elements may well carry over the eugenic thoughts of Hitler, and in doing so tightly screen its membership to meet those standard. Ditto to uniforms. Coincidences in appearances do not necessarily mean feds. The hard left turn of the regime and deep swamp - in some ways trying to trigger a race war of sorts - becomes fertile ground for extremists on the right. Further actions of this new group warrant close monitoring.
**
Chicago residents finally realize what it means to vote Democrat as their city is being overran by illegals. Some residents are even threatening violence.
“They got one more time to deal with it ‘cause otherwise… they’re gonna deal with it from the streets. We’re gonna take over it. Nobody’s gonna be able to stop us from what we’re gonna do to ‘em.”
OBSERVATION - Entitlement class vs entitlement class. This has the potential of becoming a resource based ‘war’. The black community is seeing benefits and priorities shifted away from them to illegals. This conflict of the entitled has the potential to spread to other major metro areas.
Terrorism -
Fresno County authorities discovered an “unlicensed laboratory” inside a warehouse in Reedley, California. The secret lab was owned by Prestige BioTech – a company registered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prestige BioTech claimed it moved assets to the warehouse from the now-defunct Universal Meditech Inc.
Over 900 mice were located at the facility. Court documents identify Wang Zhaolin as the Prestige representative onsite during the investigation. Zhaolin informed the investigators that “these mice were genetically engineered to catch and carry the COVID-19 virus.” Court documents describe the conditions under which the mice were housed as “inhumane.”
CDC found potentially infectious agents at the location. These included both bacterial and viral agents, including chlamydia, E. Coli, streptococcus pneumonia, hepatitis B and C, herpes 1 and 5 and rubella. The CDC also found samples of malaria.
Officials reportedly could not find any California-based address for Prestige BioTech or Universal Meditech.
“The other addresses provided for identified authorized agents were either empty offices or addresses in China that could not be verified,” court documents declared, acording to NBC News.
OBSERVATION - Think back to the unusual numbers of Chinese males coming across the border. A bio-attack against the US would be well within the plans and designs of China (same as cyber attacks - see below). There is no reason a legitimate company would do such illegal undercover research unless there was something nefarious being planned.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The paddle board ‘death’ of 0bama’s chef has raised even more questions. New information from police report says Tafari Campbell was on the water with another woman at the time of his death.
This has raised questions of what he was doing on the water with another ‘woman’ as he is married and has kids
Also why would they not reveal the name of the other paddle border? To protect her? And who is this ‘her’. 0bama’s daughters left the mansion and flew out of state immediately after the death was reported and now some are suggesting he may have been doing something with one of them.
0bama meanwhile, has been pictured at a golf course with bandaged injures to his fingers and what appears to be a black eye.
Is the the reason Michelle and Barack being so quiet?
**
On Friday, James O’Keefe published his interview with Democratic presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, Jr. The two luminaries discussed lawsuits, Anthony Fauci, Fear as a political tool, the FBI, the presidency and more. Shortly thereafter Youtube deleted the video posting stating, “This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.” Can you say “election interference”.
Cyber attacks/warfare –
The Biden administration believes China has implanted malware in key US power and communications networks in a “ticking time bomb” that could disrupt the military in event of a conflict, The New York Times reported Saturday.
The Times, quoting US military, intelligence and security officials, said the malware potentially gave China’s People’s Liberation Army the ability to disrupt US military operations if Beijing were to move against Taiwan at some point.
The systems affected, the Times said, could allow China not only to cut off water, power and communications to US military bases, but also to homes and businesses across the United States.
The report comes two months after Microsoft warned that state-sponsored Chinese hackers had infiltrated critical US infrastructure networks.
Authorities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain warned at the same time that Chinese hacking was likely taking place globally, affecting an extensive range of infrastructure.
OBSERVATION - The hunt for malware has been ongoing under the radar. If present, this software would cause intermediate length disruptions across the spectrum of targets. An attack would force agencies to manually control some aspects of infrastructure - manually turning water valves on/off for instance. It would create enough chaos in the short term to allow them a degree of strategic advantage in the event of a conflict. This malware / cyber warfare has long been part of China’s total war philosophy.
One additional note - the intrusions were originally detected against Guam - HQ for many Pacific forces that would be among the first to respond to Chinese aggression against Taiwan among other areas.
**
Still sorting the news on this tidbit out, but it seems to be a combination between cyber warfare and potential terrorism.
The Pentagon is investigating what it has called a “critical compromise” of communications across 17 Air Force facilities by one of its engineers, according to a search warrant obtained by Forbes. The document also details evidence of a possible breach of FBI communications by the same employee, who worked at the Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee.
The government had been tipped off by a base contractor that the 48-year-old engineer had taken government radio technologies home, effectively stealing them for his own use, according to the warrant, which alleged the amount of pilfered equipment was worth nearly $90,000.
When law enforcement raided his home, they found he had “unauthorized administrator access” to radio communications tech used by the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), “affecting 17 DoD installations,” according to the warrant. The AETC is one of nine “major commands,” defined by the Pentagon as “interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements” to Air Force HQ.
During the raid, investigators also discovered an open computer screen showing the suspect was running a Motorola radio programming software, “which contained the entire Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB) communications system,” according to the warrant.
They also claimed to have found evidence the suspect had possible access to communications of the FBI and various Tennessee state agencies, though authorities did not provide more information on what data he had obtained.
OBSERVATION - Gaining access to national level secure comms- much of which travel the electronic freeway -is a grave national security breach. Not sure how far along this individual got, or his background (indicating potential consumers of the data access) but it is very concerning.
Illegal Immigration –
See Chicago pushback above under CW2 / Domestic violence
**
Ten thousand migrants were apprehended in just one week, in just the Tucson Sector of America’s southern border alone, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector John Modlin reported Friday:
OBSERVATION - The summer heat generally leads to a slowing down of illegal crossings. However, the rate continues to be high and more illegals are reportedly pushing thru Mexico to reach the border.
China –
US dependency on Chinese made electrical transformers has resurfaced in the interwebs. A grave concern in the event of an attack on the electrical grid via malware or and nuclear EMP strike, as most of the massive transformers on the nations grid are custom made and none are just sitting around in a warehouse to serve as replacements. This strangle hold by China is just another facet of their total war strategy.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who has sometimes raised the specter of a nuclear conflict over Ukraine, said on Sunday that Moscow would have to use a nuclear weapon if Kyiv’s ongoing counter-offensive was a success.
NOTE - Medvedev has been threatening nukes since before the war started. This does not suggest that we should take the threat unseriously - there is evidence of enough instability in Moscow and with putin to realize such a desperate act cannot be ruled out.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Rumors that construction workers in Melitipol have been commandeered and forced into the military and sent to the front.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Warm with some highs in the upper 60s to 90’s with mid week forecast of thunderstorms.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
More tight OPSEC from the fronts overnight. Could be reporting issues on the intel streams I monitor. RUMIT suggests that Ukraine has made some serious advances past the Russian ‘first’ line of defense and is something like 7 km from the second line - after which things open up.
Big news is that two Ukraine drones hit Moscow overnight. One was shot down and exploded on the ground. The second found its target - a secret Ministry of Economic Development office on the 10th floor of this skyscraper. At least 6 government ministries occupy this building. The offices are guarded by Putin’s Federal Protective Service (FSO).
Things got more difficult for Russian tourists in Crimea. Following the serious damage to the Kersch Strait Bridge, Ukraine struck the Chonhar bridge which connects Crimea to temporarily-occupied Khersonshchyna. This is the ‘land bridge’ route back to Russia many tourists have been force to use. Now, crowded with tourists, the way out of Crimea has been made worse and they will be clogging roads - delaying Russian supply and troop movements.
OUTLOOK –
Its clear that the Ukraine offensive is pushing onward and that its strategy of command and logistical interdiction appears to be paying off. It is coming at a cost but it seems the cost is currently higher for the Russians who are suffering from lack of reserves and supplies. The extent of the recent actions may become more apparent in the next few days as news continues to be on a tight hold.
Ukraine UAV attacks on Moscow overnight has sent shockwaves through the locals who largely have been isolated from the war except the scripted propaganda. Russia has taken great steps to avoid mandates conscription of those around Moscow to avoid creating turmoil the mobilizations have created in other parts of Russia. Now the war has come to them and it will be interesting to see Russia’s response.
Belarus -
See Poland below on Wagner elements
IN RELATED - The new ‘base camp’ for Wagner is noted to be closer to Moscow than its push towards that city during the uprising.
Poland –
A group of a hundred soldiers from the Russian Wagner group have moved closer to the Belarusian city of Grodno near the Polish border, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Saturday. “The situation is getting increasingly dangerous… Most likely they (the Wagner personnel) will be disguised as the Belarusian border guard and help illegal migrants get to the Polish territory (and) destabilize Poland,”
OBSERVATION - The concern is the Suwalki Gap - a strip of land that connects Poland to Lithuania and isolates Kaliningrad from Belarus. Russian would very much like another land bridge to this territory and Poland is concerned that Wagner antics may trigger a war with Belarus and Russia (Kaliningrad). See map of region below
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2NlHucXAAAb7KC?format=jpg&name=small
Syria -
Growing evidence that Iran and its militias are mustering in eastern Syria in an effort to try to force US/allied elements there for anti-ISIS operations out of the region.
The Ministry of Truth Outlets are starting early ...
Somewhere there is a paparazzi who has been video recording the goings on 24/7 and has a recording of the events surrounding Tafari Campbell's demise.
This paparazzi is in immediate mortal peril of his life.
Especially if he gives a copy to...
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