Posted on 01/01/2023 6:02:12 AM PST by Godzilla
Threats surround us on a daily basis. Being able to recognize them and react are essential. This is ongoing commentary of those threats
Ping above and sorry for the double clutch - darn mouse!
OMG - I hope rumors aren't true - the last thing we need is large banks going under. Curious - from your point of view - what's the safest and strongest bank?
It cannot be said enough: Thank you very much for your time and effort in posting the information. Events like these do have a definite effect on our lives. Forewarned is forearmed.
I can’t name one. They are all in bad shape due to tres bonds going high, loan stresses and the like.
The strongest bank may be a local credit union.
Economy –
(FO) California, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, and Nebraska will raise minimum wages by 13% or more in 2024, which will challenge these states’ small businesses and consumers dealing with inflation. California will increase the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour on 01 April 2024 – a 23% pay hike compared to last year’s average hourly wage for California fast food employees.
OBSERVATION - Those with a lick of common sense know exactly where this is going. Increase wages this much and the companies have few choice in order to remain in business. Pass increased costs to customers, layoff workers, increase automation and reduce other benefits. Increase costs will decrease sales proportionately, cutting deep into a company’s profits, forcing even more actions to cut overhead costs.
Even here in the Redoubt, I can’t take my grandkids out to McD’s for a happy meal for anything less than $30 anymore. Far cheaper to take them home and heat up some chicken nuggets and fries purchased at wally world. And I’m of the generation that remembers getting a burger, fries and a drink for under a dollar in the Before Years.
***
Inflation is putting the “Bah! Humbug!” into the holidays this year - especially when it comes to Christmas presents - a new survey of Americans’ spending expectations reveals.
Half (50%) of all Americans say “Santa won’t be as generous this year due to inflation,” according to a national survey conducted by WalletHub. And, one in three (34%) say they’re “foregoing gifts this year due to inflation.”
More than one in four (28%) say they’ll spend less than last year on holiday shopping.
What’s more, a quarter (24%) say they still haven’t paid off all of their holiday debt from last year, and half (47%) don’t expect to pay off this year’s credit card charges on time.In fact, one in five (19%) plan to apply for a new credit card, so they can charge this year’s holiday expenses.
U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of 2% less than last year on holiday-related items, The Conference Board reports. About six in ten cite inflation as a reason, as 59% expect the cost of gifts to rise and 55% think the cost of food will be higher.
Indeed, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show the cost of traditional holiday-food items, such as treats and turkey dinners, is already much higher than it was a year ago:
Cookies up 6.6%
Sugar and sugar substitutes up 7.7%
Candy and chewing gum up 7.5%
Poultry, such as turkey up 6.7%
Sauces and gravies up 6.7%
Bread up 6.1%
Crackers, bread, and cracker products up 6.9%
Making matters even worse, Americans’ earnings haven’t kept pace with inflation. Real average weekly earnings have fallen 0.1% over the past year, according to the latest BLS data (Sept. 2022 to Sept. 2023).
OBSERVATION - The local wally world is already advertising pre-Black Friday sales in an effort to get a jump on the Christmas shopping season. The combination of increased debt and fewer sales is a harbinger of bad news for the economy, especially smaller businesses that have traditionally relied on the season to pull them into the black for the year. The big stores like walmart and target have the resources to rough a bad season out, small businesses not to.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
The weekend produced more large marches/protests in support of Hamas. However, it seems that some of the edge has worn off of them. However, the fight in Gaza will last for a considerable time, so there is more opportunity for future violence.
****
MIT takes it to another level. The administration promised to suspend students who continued to violate their policies because “a line had been crossed, “ this in regards to violence and intimidation of Jewish students. Yesterday, the administration backed down from their promise. They have shown that actions against Jews at MIT do not have consequences.
“Because we later heard serious concerns about collateral consequences for the students, such as visa issues, we have decided, as an interim action, that the students who remained after the deadline will be suspended from non-academic campus activities. The students will remain enrolled at MIT and will be able to attend academic classes and labs.”
This “serious consequences” essentially were that foreign students faced deportation if suspended for their protests.
RELATED - A letter signed by more than 300 UCLA faculty members demanded that the school administration denounce pro-Hamas protests that incite violence against Jewish students and teachers.
The letter said that the Hamas’ massacre “should be condemned irrespective of political views,” that the administration must “make the strongest possible statements” condemning the attacks, and that there is no room for moral equivalence, “both-sideism,” or ambiguity.
“[W]hile we all cherish the First Amendment and its guarantees of freedom of speech and assembly, UCLA must ensure that any hate speeches and celebrations of the Hamas massacre by students and faculty on our campus are prevented from crossing the line from protected speech to unlawful incitement,” the letter reads. “We were horrified to see Pro-Palestinian rallies on campus in which the massacres by Hamas were celebrated, including explicit calls for violence (including chanting ‘Intifada’ or event advertisements featuring images of weapons/violence).”
***
Stephen Dettelbach, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, stated his wish to reimpose a ban on assault weapons. He made these comments during an interview at Harvard Kennedy School this week.
During the Q&A at Harvard, Dettelbach was asked about gun control measures on his wish list.
He responded, “I think that it would be helpful if we had universal background checks in this country. I think that’s something that seems to make some sense. I agree that we ought to consider actually reinstating a ban on certain types of assault weapons.”
OBSERVATION - The regime wants a disarmed populace and they will try what ever means of go-around to the laws and congress that they can find. Already they’ve been stopped with their bump stock and ‘ghost’ gun ban efforts as overstepping their regulatory authority. They are cracking down on licensed dealers and hobbyists and are supportive of the current Ammo ban/restriction legislation currently in congress. The regime desperately wants an unarmed population - but I’m convinced that they will try to go forward with some kind of extra-legal effort. Martial law before the elections maybe? The thought of the chaos that would cause horrifies me because that action would cause so many secondary effects - economic collapse, open fighting and potential separation of red from blue states (and perhaps internal separate between red and blue counties ).
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
U.S. reinforcements are reportedly heading from the Rumailan base in Hasakah to the Al-Omar and Conico bases.
***
Observers monitoring carrier related aircraft flights suggest that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG arrived in the northern Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman, on November 12.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Speaker Johnson confirmed internally he never said he wouldn’t move forward w/Biden impeachment. He is reported to have said it was a rumor was put out by McCarthy proxies trying to weaken him. Speaker Johnson likely putting out statement early this week clarifying his position.
OBSERVATION - If true, the daggers are coming out within the republican caucus. Will have to monitor to see if there is any validity to this claim.
RELATED - House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) said the Judiciary Committee will finish interviews and depositions by the end of the year and make a decision on impeaching President Joe Biden in early 2024.
Illegal Immigration –
Illegals brought to the massive tent city constructed by NY have apparently turned their noses up at it and went back to Brooklyn (?) from whence they were bussed.
China –
China and Pakistan kicked off their largest-ever iteration of the Sea Guardian exercise on Saturday, which aims to practice guarding critical sea lanes.
OBSERVATION - While on the cover swing it is to “protect” sea lanes, it is far more likely that these exercises are in preparation to close these lanes in the event of a war - particularly Taiwan.
***
Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels continued harass Philippine Navy resupply missions to the Second Thomas Shoal. These harassments have the potential to increase to a more serious and lethal incident.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
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NUCLEAR THREATS –
By the end of this year the seventh of ten Russian Borei-class SSBN (ballistic missile carrying) nuclear submarines enters service. Three more are in various stages of completion and expected to enter service between 2024 and 2028. These may be the last SSBNs Russia can afford for a long time.
The Boreis are essential to replace the aging Delta IVs. Russia had already built a class of subs to replace the Deltas, and these were the enormous 24,000-ton Typhoon/Akula class SSBNs. These proved too expensive to build and operate. Six of them entered service between 1981 and 1989, and to save money, all were retired or scrapped by 2009. One Typhoon was still around until early 2023, to test new SLBM designs. That’s because the missile tubes on the Typhoon are so large that they can easily be modified to handle any new SLBM design. The last Typhoon retired in early 2023.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20231113.aspx
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Relatively quiet along the fronts. Action is subdued most likely due to heavy mud in the fields. This is forcing much of the fighting to be by light infantry in dismounted attacks.
Kherson Axis -
Interesting actions by the Russian media. In a series of three alerts on Monday, the RIA state news agency said that the command of Russia’s Dnepr group of forces had decided to relocate troops to “more favorable positions” east of the Dnipro.
It said that, after the regrouping, the Dnepr force would release some troops to be deployed in offensives on other fronts.
RIA said the Russian military command had agreed with the Dnepr leadership’s conclusions and ordered the relocation of troops to start.
Minutes later, RIA withdrew all three alerts without explanation.
Another state agency, TASS, published just one alert on troops regrouping to more favorable positions, and then withdrew it, saying it had been released in error.
NOTE - Such pull back would support reports that Ukraine is expanding its beachheads on the left side of the Dniper River - a move that could eventually place the Russian flank defenses against the Ukraine assault on the Tokmak front in danger. Intelligence takes all info like this, cross references to other info in order to gain a truer picture of the situation thru the fog of war. In this instance, Russia has commonly used the excuse of “relocate troops to “more favorable positions”” as soft speak for a forced retreat.
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Russia desiring to get an offensive underway in the eastern front area as well as resume operations to capture Adviivka.
I expect no significant ground action by either side for the near future.
Europe / NATO General –
Spanish Unrest -
Millions of people across 42 cities in Spain have taken to the streets in response to the socialist government’s plan to stay in power by offering amnesty to Catalan separatists. The turnout in Madrid was particularly stunning.
The uprising was sparked by socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s promise of amnesty to violent Catalan separatists who participated in the illegal and failed push for Catalan independence in 2017 in exchange for their delegates supporting his coalition in parliament.
OBSERVATION - Reporters are shocked at the size of the turnout across Spain. So far violence has been limited and legal challenges to Sanchez’s amnesty proposal are going forward. Spain is set for automatic new elections later this month should no side gain enough seats. Sanchez and the socialists are scrambling to overcome this resistance to the amnesty switch over of support before the revote mandate hits. With the across the board rejection, something like over 70% oppose the amnesty, the socialists could take a blood bath at the polls.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Rumors of a hostage deal were in effect, but Hamas later cancelled any deal.
- Continued fighting around Shifa Hospital with reporters of as many as 2000 taking shelter in the facilitiy.
- The Islamic Resistance group intensified their attacks on US bases in eastern Syria and western Iraq. Unconfirmed reports of 4 US persons (soldiers?) being killed. US airstrikes in retaliation.
GENERAL ——————————-
The Israeli army has released a statement giving an update about its continuing operation in the Gaza Strip, along with some pictures.
The army said it has conducted 4300 air strikes during its campaign against Hamas, targeting tunnel shafts and Hamas command and control centers, hitting “3,000 terrorist infrastructure sites”, according to the statement.
****
In large part due to Hamas using hospitals as human shields and in particular the Shifa hospital, the media mouth pieces have upped their claims over death and destruction at Gaza hospitals. In part, Hamas counted on the historical reluctance of Israel to go after them when they hid in such facilities. That assumption has turned out to be deadly for Hamas this time around.
RELATED - The European Union on Sunday condemned Hamas for using “hospitals and civilians as human shields” in Gaza, while also urging Israel to show “maximum restraint” to protect civilians.
***
Hamas has also reportedly chased Gazans away from trucks carrying food and other relief supplies - taking them for themselves. These actions have been recorded on video and placed on social media sites.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Link below to one of the general maps showing the extent of the operation in Gaza
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-qyXikWUAA8yuR?format=jpg&name=4096x4096
Fighting continues to be intense around the Shifa hospital. IDF delivered some gasoline to the hospital overnight, but Hamas reportedly either stole or otherwise prevented the hospital from receiving it. Israel has also offered to evacuate those in critical care - an offer once again rejected by Hamas. Gaza’s Hamas-run (ie propaganda mouthpiece) health ministry says more than 2,000 people are inside Al-Shifa, including patients, medical staff and displaced people
***
IDF continued search and clearing operations in other portions of N Gaza, reportedly flushing out, fixing and killing pockets of Hamas terrorists, as well as locating arms caches and tunnel entrances. Overnight, Israel claimed to have captured the Port of Gaza.
***
Hamas et al still managed to shoot some rockets at Israel, but recently, they’ve tuned to trying to target Israeli forces within Gaza. these attacks are generally ineffective and have hit their own positions instead.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari: “The IDF has operational plans to change the security situation in the north. The security situation will not remain in a way where residents of the north will not feel safe to return to their homes.” Dropped leaflets warn Lebanese to stay away from Hezbollah sites immediately.
Per N12, the IDF is preparing to launch extensive strikes on Hezbollah in response to recent attacks. Strikes are expected to be significant so steps are underway to prepare for the possibility of rocket fire from Lebanon towards north and central Israel. Already, Israeli warplanes attacked a truck in Zahrani, in the south of Lebanon, 40 kilometers from the border, breaking all “red lines” in Lebanon.
Overall, the IDF estimates that war in the north is inevitable.
Israeli warnings come after Hezbollah / Hamas forces significantly increased their attacks in N Israel. In response, the IDF struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon
— Rockets were fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, with some intercepted by the Iron Dome
— Border skirmishes have resulted in civilian and military casualties on both sides
The IDF admitted to over 20 casualties, one of the worst days since the war began
Israel also warned Hezbollah of an imminent attack in response to today’s casualties, with an Israeli military analyst saying that a war with Hezbollah is ‘inevitable’
Hezbollah launched an anti-tank missile attack from Lebanon, injuring at least 14 civilians and seven soldiers near Menara
The missile hit vehicles near Dovev, with some victims being Israel Electric Corporation employees. Hezbollah claiming it targeted soldiers installing surveillance equipment
SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Resistance strikes on US positions in E Syria - see below.
WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli raids to arrest Hamas and other terror elements continue.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Overnight, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (a front for Iran-backed militias) claimed it carried out an attack against the Green Village, a US outpost in eastern Syria. Iranian militia also attacked U.S. Conico base with advanced Grad missiles. Unconfirmed reports of 4 US dead.
Senior U.S. defense official - 6-7 Iranian proxy fighters were killed at one of the 2 locations struck by U.S. warplanes in E Syria tonight. IRGC HQ/safe house. 2 hours of secondary explosions seen at second location suggesting large weapons and ammo storage
“Today, in response to continued provocations by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and their affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Central Command (USCENTOM) conducted air strikes against facilities near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.
U.S. airstrikes have targeted one of the largest Iranian militia headquarters in Al-Siyal town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, resulting in casualties and injuries among the militia forces stationed at the military base.
***
Not a lot of word from the Houthi’s overnight.
INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
The pro-Hamas protests in London over the weekend were among the largest ever.
In France, very large pro-Israeli marches.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals as IDF continues to close in and prepares to seize them. IDF is facilitating evacuations from those hospitals by opening safe routes, while Hamas continues to try to keep patents and refugees in place. This will be THE defining battle of the war and won’t be resolved in a quick or clean manner.
The situation in the north is deteriorating and escalating. Israel is warning Lebanese in the border regions to get away from Hezbollah munitions storage sites, rocket launching sites, personnel facilities, etc. Mossad has for years now been cultivating intelligence sources within southern Lebanon to identify these mostly underground bunkers with rockets and other munitions with the help of locals who are disaffected with Hezbollah’s actions. Israel has maintained the bulk of their ground and air forces in a posture ready to strike Hezbollah should the need arise.
Action in eastern Syria / western Iraq is heating up quickly. “Resistance” forces have significantly upped their attacks while the US has very gradually upped its response as well. Failure to strike at these Iranian backed militias with any significant, overwhelming power is encouraging more and more attacks. Now it appears that they may have drawn US blood. Granted, targeting these militias is a challenge as they operate in a dispersed manner, we have a ton of assets in the region that can be used to overcome that advantage. Escalation in this aspect of the war may end up drawing Iran directly into the mix sooner than later.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
Oh swell, the devil’s post. . . ..
I suspect I'm not the only one who fails to see a problem here.
Indeed, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data show the cost of traditional holiday-food items, such as treats and turkey dinners, is already much higher than it was a year ago:
Cookies up 6.6%
Sugar and sugar substitutes up 7.7%
Candy and chewing gum up 7.5%
Poultry, such as turkey up 6.7%
Sauces and gravies up 6.7%
Bread up 6.1%
Crackers, bread, and cracker products up 6.9%
Biden is soooooo proud of Bidenomics.... what a fool.
Globalism / Great Reset –
lazmataz has a thought provoking post here -
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4196358/posts
A couple key excerpts
“The Social Credit Score system is fundamentally oppressive, especially when wielded by a government. When a government implements this sort of system, any deviation from any official government narrative results in a lower score and is a form of punishment. A person with a low Social Credit Score can be (and is) denied essential services and products.”
“How can this oppressive constraint on thought, speech, and action be enforced? George Orwell, author of the dystopian novel 1984, envisioned a world with cameras virtually everywhere. One never knew whether they were being watched or not and had to assume that they were being watched. Yet, even in Orwell’s novel, there was not enough manpower to oversee all people at all times.
Enter Artificial Intelligence. I foresee a day in which every person is assigned a slice of the processor time in a series of AI Oversight and Monitoring programs, and who’s every action and utterance is closely monitored. The emergence of Natural Language Processor programming informs us that such an ability is very near, and nearly every government – even the formerly-free Constitutional Republic of America – would be keen to implement such a framework. This would allow governments to closely monitor any forms of resistance and squash any attempts to deviate from official government wishes.”
OBSERVATION - The advent of AI has greatly accelerated the capabilities of the globalists to eventually establish controls via digital ID and currency. China is already implementing such a system. One additional aspect I would add is the advent of quantum computing - a simple raw power in the speed at which computers can run. Combined with AI, the potential for trouble increases substantially.
***
In an attempt to address the escalating incidents of hate crimes and harassment, New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul has announced an intensification of surveillance efforts on Americans targeting hate speech on social media.
A questionable aspect of this initiative is the focus on monitoring social media platforms for hate speech. The Governor emphasized the increased efforts of the media analysis and social media analysis units in detecting incitements to violence and direct threats.
Throughout history, several communist regimes have employed extensive surveillance systems. Notable examples include the Stasi in East Germany and the KGB in the Soviet Union. These organizations were infamous for their widespread networks of informants and advanced surveillance techniques, which they used to monitor virtually every aspect of citizens’ lives. Now, the Democrat Party is the modern Stasi and KGB.
OBSERVATION - What this also brings up is the amorphous definition of “hate speech”.
We’ve already seen how that phrase is used to censor / silence those on the right. Now will anyone who speaks ill of the NY gov be accused of “hate” and receive a visit from the state police? The answer is yes, most likely. This kind of action goes hand in hand with the constant efforts to keep ‘misinformation’ off the interwebs. As we’ve seen from the plandemic, truth was commonly designated ‘misinformation’ and those voices were silenced and efforts taken to discredit them and remove their employment. Now we see that they were right all along and the true purveyors of misinformation was the various mouthpieces of government.
Under the new global order / dictatorship, such censoring and surveillance will increase astronomically as a vehicle to control the masses.
Economy –
(FO) Jeffrey Gundlach, founder and CEO of DoubleLine Capital, predicts that the U.S. economy will be in a recession by the second quarter of 2024, and rising rates and deficits will further hurt the economy.
“We have a lot of major indicators that have been in recessionary signaling for a year-plus,” Gundlach said.
OBSERVATION - More focus (refocus) on 2024 recession. Such would be a big player in the 2024 elections.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Antifa et al managed to rally some violent protests at the underconstruction police facility and training site in Atlanta. The “Stop Cop City” protestors attempted to force their way onto the construction site. Police responded with flash bangs, and pepper spray.
***
Today is the The “March for Israel,” backed by the Jewish Federations of North America. The “March for Israel,” is backed by the Jewish Federations of North America, has requested a permit for up to 60,000 attendees, but some groups expect 100,000 to show up.
D.C. National Guard is mobilizing in support of police as the city braces for disruption between pro-Israel and pro-Hamas factions. Additionally, there will be “heightened security and an increased police presence” at the Capitol complex according to a House Sergeant-at-arms.
OBSERVATION - Will Antifa et al with pro-Hamas show up today? Likely, but what isn’t certain is the size of the turnout. This is believed to be the largest planed pro-Israel march since Oct 7th. It is hard to believe anti-Israel groups will not try to disrupt it.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
The USS Eisenhower CSG has officially reached the Gulf of Oman. With it is reported to be an Italian Frigate. Also reported, U.S. Navy Task Force 52 Minesweepers, and Royal Navy Operation Kipion minesweepers are associated with the Ike. This array of minesweepers is to address one of the major responses that Iran may take against the west should it get in a direct shooting war with Israel or the US - mining the Straits of Hormuz. These preparations suggest that readiness for a much larger conflict are being put into place.
POLITICAL FRONT –
More discussions on another CR for the FY 2024 budget. What is bothering is that Chucky Schumer is happy about Speaker Johnson’s plan.
Biden / Harris Watch –
There are rumors that biden will unfreeze another $10 billion to Iran on top of the $100 billion they already released.
Illegal Immigration –
Eight Republicans joined with Democrats on Monday to block articles of impeachment filed from advancing against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, was referred back to the House Homeland Security Committee, effectively stalling out the effort.
A dozen other Republicans didn’t vote at all. Including three republicans from Texas!
OBSERVATION - The republicans in congress are mostly worthless. If anyone, besides biden, deserved to be impeaches, it is Mayorkas. They’ve aided and abetted the eventual illegal overthrow of this country.
***
Media reports that some illegals have become disenchanted with the so called opportunities here in the US that they are voluntarily retiring to their county of origin. Sadly this is just a small portion of the over 8 million that have flooded into the country since the biden regime opened the southern doors.
Also great horror from the left over Trump comments indicating that he was in favor of large internment camps and massive deportations.
China –
Foreign businesses have been pulling money out of China at a faster rate than they have been putting it in, official data shows. The country’s slowing economy, low interest rates and a geopolitical tussle with the US have sparked doubt about its economic potential.
China recorded a deficit of $11.8bn (£9.6bn) in foreign investment in the three months to the end of September - the first time since records began in 1998. This suggests that foreign companies are not reinvesting their profits in China, rather they are moving the money out of the country.
OBSERVATION - China is a dedicated communist country that has dabbled at trying to tap capitalism to bolster its economy as one facet of its effort to exert power on the global stage. Its current economic woes have accomplished that in a way - creating tremors across global economies as China struggles to come out of its wuhan woes.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 7 of 9 Shahed drones overnight.
Targets were mostly in eastern and southern Ukraine with one reported shot down in western Ukraine.
Russia continued its attacks to seize Avdiivka with no reported successes. Russia also launched attacks to regain lost ground south of Bakhmut.
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Russia desiring to get an offensive underway in the eastern front area as well as resume operations to capture Adviivka.
I expect no significant ground action by either side for the near future.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF has virtually sealed off the area around the Shifa Hospital
- Fierce fighting reported in more central areas of Gaza City
- Unconfirmed reports that a hostage exchange is being negotiated for 80 hostages - women. One woman hostage reported dead.
- Hamas demands any hostage release to be linked to a 5 day ceasefire
GENERAL ——————————-
The Israeli Army has captured the Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza & found Hamas tunnels below the hospital. They found areas down there in which there were baby cups, ropes, improved toilets and other evidence of hostages having been held. Notably, the access shaft was 20 meters deep.
IDF has also issued videos showing Hamas fighters entering another hospital, one of which was carrying an RPG-7.
***
Israel and the Hamas terror group are allegedly close to closing a deal to free some of the civilians held by the Hamas terror group, alongside female and minor convicted terrorists, according to a report by David Ignatius on the Washington Post.
The Post article follows a Saturday report by Al Arabiya that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a “humanitarian” prisoner swap under which Hamas would release 100 Israeli hostages, in exchange for Israel releasing female and minor terrorists.
In addition to the release of convicted terrorists, the deal would see Israel agree to a temporary ceasefire, possibly five days long, allegedly to allow “safe travel” for the Israeli hostages and allow additional aid to reach Gazans.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
IDF forces have pushed into the governmental sector of Gaza City and photographed in the legislative chambers.
IDF continues to press from the south, west and north into Gaza City, seizing more terrain and forcing Hamas forces into a smaller area.
Hamas mustered a rocket attack on central Israel.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Continued harassing attacks by Hezbollah and Hamas affiliated terror groups with Israeli artillery and airstrike replies. Seems that the increase in conflict over the past couple days has slowed.
SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Resistance strikes on US positions in E Syria - see below.
WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli raids to arrest Hamas and other terror elements continue.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Last night Al-Omar oil field base east of Deir ez-Zur located west of the Euphrates River
was targeted by Iranian militias. At least 6 explosions are said to have been heard in the direction of the base.
The White House: If Iranian proxies continue to target U.S. forces, we will respond
NOTE - Islamic terrorists don’t respond to talk, but to power. US has only launched two retaliatory air strikes versus the 50 ish attacks by these jihad groups.
INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
The pro-Hamas protests from the weekend have wound down. The British govt has taken a turn for the worse in some measures by approvingly showing support for the pro-hamas elements to the disrespect of britain’s who were offended by the moslem acts and memorial vandalism.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals as IDF continues to close in and prepares to seize them. IDF is facilitating evacuations from those hospitals by opening safe routes, while Hamas continues to try to keep patents and refugees in place. This will be THE defining battle of the war and won’t be resolved in a quick or clean manner.
Israel has provided substantial proof that Hamas is using facilities like hospitals to cover/protect underground command and munition centers. The fierceness of the defense of the Shifa Hospital and the corresponding shrieking of the propaganda media over how conditions there are degrading - endangering patents is further evidence that it overlies a major, if not THE major underground center in N Gaza.
A limited hostage exchange / ceasefire is not in the best interests of the current military operation and political goals of eliminating Hamas. The fact that Hamas has allegedly increased the proposed numbers of hostages to be exchanged is evidence that they are against the ropes and their level of desperation increasing. Reports for the battle lines indicate that Hamas has virtually lost all ability to conduct a coordinated defense with commands and units being cut off and decimated. Five day cease fire would give them enough time to regroup and reorganize their defenses.
I respect the increased desires to free the hostages, but to fail to eliminate Hamas will only guarantee that future terror and hostage taking will continue through another generation. Looking at the source - The WaPo, it is likely that they are relaying propaganda as last look indicates that Israel officially still isn’t accepting by an means any ceasefire that doesn’t result in the release of all hostages.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
Misc of Note –
A large series of fissures / cracks have opened up in the ground along a SW-NE line that also cuts through the northwest corner of Grindavík, Iceland. The link below depicts the approximate location of the dike being created by the intrusive mass of magma. The Icelandic meteorological office estimates that currently the magma is 800m from breaking ground, and as a result the likelihood of an eruption is “high” and could happen in the coming days.
Quakes and inflation have repeatedly slowed for the moment, but an eruption is still anticipated.
Again, why is this important other than to keep the fancy of this old grumpy geologist happy? There is still the potential of an explosive ash cloud that could shut down air traffic in the N Atlantic / Great Britain region. In April 2010, the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption, caused the largest closure of European airspace since World War II, as a result of an extensive ash cloud, with losses estimated at between 1.5bn and 2.5bn euros (£1.3-2.2bn).
The circumstances of this volcanic activity are very different and therefore such an extensive impact is not expected. But it still warrants monitoring.
Black Swans
You’ll like this - from a different thread this morning - for an old geologist:
Economy –
(FO) Michael Barr, the Federal Reserve’s Vice Chair for Supervision, told the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday that supervisory officials are focused on banking risks that could spread to the broader economy.
OBSERVATION - These pronouncements are designed to maintain calm on the markets and economy in general. Banks, and regional banks in particular, are still at serious risk as treasury bonds keep high along with the fed prime rate. Concerns are that another serious hit to the economy will trigger more failures and potentially even a broader disaster that envelopes even the big banks.
***
Seasonally-adjusted inflation in October was unchanged from September, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Tuesday. Over the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items is up 3.2%, before seasonal adjustment.
A 0.3% increase in the cost of shelter offset a 5.0% decline in the cost of gasoline, compared to September. The cost of other energy products rose, holding the overall energy index decline to 2.5% over the month.
The food index increased 0.3% in October, up from September’s 0.2% month-to-month rise.
The so-called “core” CPI index (excluding food and energy) rose 0.2% in October, following the previous month’s 0.3% increase. Indexes that increased in October include:
Rent: up 0.3%
Owners’ equivalent rent, up 0.4%
Motor vehicle insurance, up 1.9%
Medical care, up 0.4%
Recreation, up 0.1%
Personal care, up 0.4%
Indexes that declined include:
Lodging away from home, down 2.5%
Used cars and trucks, down 0.8%
Communications, down 1.3%
Airline fares, down 0.9%
While the all items index rose 3.2% for the 12 months ending October, the core CPI index rose 4.0% over the same time. Seasonally-adjusted inflation in October was unchanged from September, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Tuesday. Over the last 12 months, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items is up 3.2%, before seasonal adjustment.
A 0.3% increase in the cost of shelter offset a 5.0% decline in the cost of gasoline, compared to September. The cost of other energy products rose, holding the overall energy index decline to 2.5% over the month.
The food index increased 0.3% in October, up from September’s 0.2% month-to-month rise.
The so-called “core” CPI index (excluding food and energy) rose 0.2% in October, following the previous month’s 0.3% increase. Indexes that increased in October include:
Rent: up 0.3%
Owners’ equivalent rent, up 0.4%
Motor vehicle insurance, up 1.9%
Medical care, up 0.4%
Recreation, up 0.1%
Personal care, up 0.4%
Indexes that declined include:
Lodging away from home, down 2.5%
Used cars and trucks, down 0.8%
Communications, down 1.3%
Airline fares, down 0.9%
While the all items index rose 3.2% for the 12 months ending October, the core CPI index rose 4.0% over the same time.
https://mrctv.org/blog/craig-bannister/october-inflation-unchanged-september-12-months-earlier
OBSERVATION - Pending next month’s ‘adjustments’ this will tend to have the fed maintain the current freeze on raising prime rates higher. The govt will tout this as evidence of success for the biden economy, but when cross checked to overall loss of wages and layoffs, even this level of inflation is devastating. It wouldn’t take much to tip these categories if the economy takes a hit from some unsuspected source.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
NOTE - Several of the items below reflect the deep state / marxist regime’s efforts to prepare the playing field for govt tyrannical actions to suppress opposition. Govts don’t do these things unless they are planning and willing to do them. This is another realm of ‘conspiracy’ that is beginning to come out of its hidy-hole and into reality - very quickly.
Whistleblowers are saying that leaders inside the FBI are labeling Marine Corps Veterans as “disloyal to the United States”. The whistleblower disclosures say Deputy Assistant Director Jeffrey Veltri and Section Chief Dena Perkins either declared or attempted to declare the Marine and other veterans as “disloyal to the United States of America.”
OBSERVATION - Those with ears to hear will note that ever since 0bama the exmilitary has been targeted as being “domestic terrorists” by the DoJ/FBI. These leaks are just further proof of the anti-American bias of the FBI. Folks, the narrative foundation to support actions against veterans is continuing to grow and has leadership within the FBI - and likely higher. They are just waiting the ‘go’ order.
***
Nearly 300K attended the Pro-Israeli Rally today in our Nations Capital of Washington, D.C. Opposition pro-Hamas and Antifa elements were largely absent with the exception of a few small pockets that police were able to keep cornered off and away from the rally. The lack of a more substantial anti-Israel counter protest is a little surprising and I don’t have an answer for that.
***
One of the Senate investigators whose personal phone and emails records were seized by the Justice Department as he was conducting congressional oversight of the agency tells Just the News he has confirmed that the government successfully asked a federal court to hide its spying on Congress for five consecutive years.
Jason Foster is now the head of the Empower Oversight whistleblower center. In 2017 at the time of the secret surveillance, he was the chief investigative counsel for Sen. Chuck Grassley on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
OBSERVATION - Spying on congressional staffers is a very bold move that strikes at the heart of congressional oversight granted by the constitution. Would the regime be as bold as to cancel congress or at the least, seize congressional republicans, in order to stay in power
***
Pro-Hamas students in the Arizona State U student government demanded an Anti-Israel BDS Resolution tonight at ASU. The Student Body President and Senate President refused to let it be heard and the SJP/Pro-Hamas students began throwing rocks at windows in the ASU building. Police surrounded the situation and meeting was cut short.
OBSERVATION - Universities and colleges have been the points of pro-Hamas efforts against Israelis . IN RELATED Jewish groups are now suing these colleges and universities for allowing a hostile environment to be established and dictated by these pro-Hamas radicals. These colleges/universities are slowly moving to address the levels of physical violence and other intimidation, but pressure from wealthy alumni and jewish groups (with growing lawsuits) threatening the bottom line will probably get more response.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
POLITICAL FRONT –
House passed a 2 month CR that maintained current spending levels and priorities.
***
KA gov Newscum managed to clean the streets of San Fran for attendees of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group’s annual meeting. Openly admitting he didn’t care about Kalifornia citizens, only making a good show for Xi. His arrival came down streets lined with Communist Chinese flags.
Meanwhile, an increased police presence has also been added , but that didn’t stop criminals from robbing a Chech TV crew
IN RELATED - Biden and China’s Xi Jinping will meet at a historic country house and museum with lavish gardens for one-on-one talks aimed at improving relations between the two superpowers.
The two leaders will meet Wednesday at Filoli, a secluded estate along Northern California’s coastal range. It was built in 1917 as a private residence and later became a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. The estate is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco, where leaders are gathering for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ conference this week.
Biden / Harris Watch –
The US has renewed a 120-day waiver allowing Iraq to pay Iran for electricity, US officials said on Tuesday, adding Iran could only use the funds for humanitarian trade. These new waivers can give Iran access to $10 billion in frozen funds.
OBSERVATION - Iranian proxy terror organization Hamas is holding 20 American citizens (as well as over 180 other innocent civilians - including babies and others) hostage while other Iranian proxy forces are attacking US forces in Iraq/Syria and biden allows them to get their hands on another $10 Billion. This goes far beyond perverted.
Cyber attacks/warfare – HEIGHTENED ALERT
Illegal Immigration –
The disaster on the border continues: 240,988 illegal aliens were encountered at the southern border in October — the highest number EVER recorded for the month.
China –
President Biden and Mr. Xi are among the senior officials set to visit San Francisco, California this week for the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group’s annual meeting.
North/South Korea –
North Korea announced that they have developed and tested a new high-thrust solid fuel engine for intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMS).
OBSERVATION - Currently, NK’s strategic missile force is liquid fueled. This means it takes longer for them to get off the ground and offers a window of vulnerability. Solid fuel is much, much quicker to get them in the air.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Action increasing in the Kherson sector that is causing concern from the Russian milblogger sources. Same region that Russian news initially reported, then pulled, a story that Russians were falling back to better positions.
Cross strikes with Russia sending modified S300s at Ukraine and Ukraine sending drones into the Moscow region.
Avdiivka -
Russia continues its costly push to seize Avdiivka and in the process Ukrainian Defense Forces have shot down Russian Su-25
Kherson Axis -
Speaker of South Operation command Humenyuk says Ukrainian troops attempting to push Russian troops 3-8 kms from the Dnipro river all along Kherson region. Ukrainian Army is now freely traversing the Dnipro River in Kherson Region. A Russian assault on Krynky was broken up by Ukrainian forces today, pushing Russian forces back with significant losses.
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Russia desiring to get an offensive underway in the eastern front area as well as resume operations to capture Adviivka.
Developing action in the Kherson front continues to be the most significant action. The Ukraine build up on the east bank of the Dniper River will be slow, having to rely on ferrying troops, equipment and supplies, absent any bridges. Russian inability to stop the operation is only going to become worse for them as they progressively get pushed further away and their artillery can no longer impact crossing sites. If Ukraine can muster a sizable force quickly enough, access to/from Crimea for Russia will be seriously endangered.
Analysis of the impacts to the Black Sea fleet operations -
The Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces explained the pause in the Russians’ use of Kalibr cruise missiles to strike targets in Ukraine.
“The enemy was forced to relocate its cruise missile carriers to Novorossiysk, but the logistics that service these carriers remained in Sevastopol. That’s why you are seeing such a big pause in the use of missiles, because now the enemy is faced with the problem of lack of logistics,” explained the speaker of the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Dmitry Pletenchuk.
However, not addressed is the similar absence of Russian strategic bombers carrying cruise missiles to attack Ukraine. The combined slow down has left Russia with some relatively minor attacks using S300s and drones. It is strongly suspected that Russia is holding these other missiles back to hit Ukraine power grid later in the winter with massive attacks that can overwhelm their air defenses.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF entered Shifa Hospital, operation ongoing
- Reports of another hostage for ceasefire being offered.
- IDF estimates: 30% of tunnels/shafts in northern & central Gaza destroyed so far; Israeli forces cleared thousands of roadside bombs
GENERAL ——————————-
Reuters: A Qatari-sponsored agreement includes 50 hostages held by Hamas and prisoners in Israel, with a truce for 3 days. Hamas allegedly has agreed to the general outlines of this deal, but Israel has not.
***
Even with evidence that the Shifa hospital compound was being used by Hamas as a military facility, many nations and globalist organizations are condemning the ongoing Israeli operation.
***
47 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground operation into Gaza began. NOTE These numbers may be understated as from an Israeli source. How much understated is not certain. But there are indicators that this may not be by much as Israeli news sources are not challenging it. If true, this suggests that Hamas resistance has collapsed under the pre-ground assault aerial assault combined with better trained and ready IDF troops.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
IDF entered the Shifa Hospital compound last night and by this morning has confirmed that they have operational control of the above ground portions. The met stiff resistance from Hamas forces. Special forces are now working to get into and through the 20 stories of tunnels beneath the facility. Further details are being masked due to operational concerns. IDF does report that initial findings of weapons and other Hamas infrastructure were found in Al-Shifa Hospital.
A senior Israeli official said that the purpose of the Israeli army operation at the al-Shifa hospital wasn’t to rescue hostages but to locate and expose a Hamas tunnels hub that connects the hospital with other parts of the Gaza strip.
When IDF entered the compound, the allegedly powerless hospital was fully lit up by electric lights.
Hospital ‘sources’ claim there are no Hamas in the facility - yet some one is putting up pockets of stiff resistance and shooting at IDF forces.
This morning, IDF is working to evacuate patients and bringing necessary supplies for the patients.
IDF spokesman Hagari announced that -
“Today, the evacuation of Al-Quds Hospital was completed.
We proposed to the management of Shifa Hospital to transfer incubators and equipment for premature babies - the equipment is prepared and ready for delivery.
We call on the Hamas operatives who are hiding in the hospitals to surrender so as not to endanger those staying in the hospitals.”
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Overnight, there were reports of mortar fire and ATGM launches along the Lebanon border as well as retaliatory Israeli army artillery fire and air strikes in southern Lebanon
SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Two launches detected from Syria towards the Golan, they reportedly failed. Israeli army retaliating against the source of the fire.
WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli raids to arrest Hamas and other terror elements continue.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Another multi-rocket attack targeted US forces at MSS Euphrates in Syria today; 1 came within ~0.5km of base. No casualties or damage, a defense official tells VOA.
Houthi continues to lob missiles and drones at southern Israel, with interceptors taking them down in the vicinity of Eilat, Israel. Houthi’s have also announced that Israeli-owned ships in the Red Sea will be targeted.
INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Egyptian Foreign Minister: The two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict.
OBSERVATION - Let me rant about this ‘two-state’ solution. It hasn’t worked for Gaza, it won’t work for any future agreement either. 2005 Israel totally pulled out of Gaza, leaving behind state of the art facilities that the Gazans could have used to better their lives. They instead, immediately upon Israeli withdrawal, destroyed those facilities and elected Hamas to lead their state. Hamas immediately chose to do what the arabs have been doing since 1947 - launch war against Israel to kill all the jews. In fact, the 1947 act that established Israel, also established a palestinian state of TransJordan. There is nothing in the two state proposal that hasn’t been offered and rejected by arabs since 1947 - at least 5 two state solution - rejected outright. They are designed to weaken the defensive posture of Israel to enable the arabs - once again - to attempt to destroy the nation.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of as many as 18 levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza. The simple fact that such a complex will likely suck a lot of the air out of anti-Israeli propaganda for attacking a hospital. The other key item is seeking evidence of hostages. They may already be dead or shuffled off to other areas via tunnel network. Any evidence that hostages were held there could cause the Shifa hospital administrators to be arrested under war crimes as it would be impossible for them NOT to know of the presence of hostages as the bare minimum.
I see Qatar (Hamas friendly ) tossing out larger hostage release numbers in an apparent effort to derail the Israeli offensive. It is not in Israel’s best interest to go into any kind of cease fire. They have the momentum and initiative - and with the confirmation of claims that Hamas has been using hospitals as human shields - the moral high ground (if there ever is such a thing in a war).
Fully expect IDF to continue to press in to Gaza City from all sides to eliminate Hamas and all its tunnels/facilities. This will take weeks.
With the US paying off Iran - its potential involvement in the war may have been temporary stopped, but only for as long as it takes to re-man and rearm its proxies.
I’m also wondering how long before Israel takes a swipe at the Houthi’s.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted final rules to prevent digital discrimination of access to broadband services based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the FCC is required to adopt rules to ensure that all Americans have equal access to reliable, high-speed broadband services without discrimination based on the characteristics listed in the statute.
Under the new rules, the Commission can investigate possible instances of discrimination of broadband access, work with companies to solve problems, facilitate mediation, and, when necessary, penalize companies for violating the rules.
The rule would give the FCC power to micromanage the industry. Marketing materials that feature too many white people could be ruled discriminatory. Companies could be forced to scrap credit checks that cause more minorities to be rejected for smartphone leasing plans.
Providers could even be punished for charging the same prices to all customers since their rates might have a disparate financial impact on minorities. The FCC could likewise prohibit low-cost wireless plans that include data caps because these are selected more often by people with lower incomes. If you think these are unlikely, you haven’t been watching the left.
OBSERVATION - Though this is not the end of the free internet, it is another brick in censorship desired by the global elites and the deep state here in the US. Will this result in lawsuits that get this expansion stopped because it exceeds its regulatory authority? Perhaps, that remains to be seen. What is evident is that this becomes another tool of the CRT crowd that can be used to force censorship and skew policy for alleged impacts on minorities.
Economy –
Janet Yellen is dealing with a situation where she has $8 trillion in US debt maturing in the next 12 months that needs to roll over and be refinanced at the new higher interest rates. Add in a deficit is about $2 trillion to $3 trillion and the US needs to find buyers for all those fresh new US Treasury bonds.
All of the traditional big buyers of US govt debt are on the sidelines, including China.
OBSERVATION - In fact, China has been leading a global sell off of US debt bought over the course of the past decade. No buyers means interest offered will have to increase until it reaches a level that buyers want - at the same time further increasing national debt.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Within hours of the very peaceful, pro-Israeli rally in DC, Pro-Palestinian and Hamas supporters are began rioting at the Headquarters for the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. trapping dozens inside. The demonstrators attempted to force their way into the main entrance of the building and blocked adjacent streets. Capital Police and Metro Police resorted to tear gas and physically pulling rioters away from the building.
Reports that at least 6 police officers were injured, no count of arrests that I’ve seen yet.
OBSERVATION - The radicalized left is furious that the Democrats have not gone totally against Israel and are venting that anger towards them in an effort to intimidate them into withdrawing support for Israel’s military operation to eliminate Hamas. This appears to be a phase in the internal war in the democrat party between the moderates/pro-Israel establishment and the marxist DSA wing.
***
Palestinian Arab American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mi) is a member of a secret Facebook group that glorified the Hamas terrorist organization following the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on October 7, Fox News reported.
According to the report, Tlaib is a member of the Palestinian American Congress group on Facebook, a group that is hidden from non-members. The group was founded by Maher Abdel-qader, an activist with ties to Tlaib and other left-wing politicians in the US who has a history of antisemitic social media posts, including Holocaust denial.
One post on the group’s page on October 12, five days after the massacre, read: “We don’t want to throw you in the sea…we want you to ride it back from where you came.” The post included a photograph of an elderly woman kidnapped by Hamas with one of her captors.
Another post from October 19 extolled the “achievements” of Hamas in killing IDF soldiers and wounding of Israeli civilians.
OBSERVATION - To say she is in conflict with the oath she took as a congresswoman is an understatement. Placing this here because it demonstrates a new front being developed in the growing confusion that will be CW2. For years now, the influence of radical islam in the US has been papered over by leftist apologists. Heck, even the WH press liar when asked about anti-Israel attacks went down the road of decrying ‘islamophobia’ - totally side stepping the question. Islamic population in portions of the US have reached a level where various aspects of shriah law are being forced on Americans. Further, they carry over the willingness to rely on violence to get their way - strength over compromise/appeasement. While currently affiliated with the marxist left, that can quickly change as religion/ideology between the two are not really compatible .
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics –
Canadian research published last month continues to expose the deliberately hidden contamination in the mRNA jabs created by Pfizer and Moderna.
All the vaccines in this study contained billions to hundreds of billions of DNA fragments, and they each exceeded the DNA adulteration standard of 10 nano-grams per dose set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, these batches exceeded FDA standards by 188 to 509 times that limit.
Govt agencies aided and abetted these companies. The FDA, Health Canada and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have all acknowledged that plasmid DNA adulteration does occur, but all these agencies refuse to enforce labeling requirements for DNA fragments, effectively forfeiting informed consent and deceiving public health officials, physicians and patients.
OBSERVATION - I think I may have touched on this particular study earlier last month, but it is worth repeating. It builds the case of fraud by the companies and knowing participation to cover it up by the govt. More and more, conspiracy theories that this was a deliberate effort to reduce the population are now appearing to be factually based. From the study, these contaminations are believed to enhance the rapid development of cancers. Additionally, this DNA contamination could cross the placenta and concentrate in ovarian tissue, increasing the likelihood of birth defects. Once again - reproductive effects being brought forward in addition to infertility and miscarriage hazards.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Senate passed the CR to prevent govt shutdown, punting the can down range for 2 months.
Biden / Harris Watch –
(FO) The Biden-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in San Francisco resulted in.
- Military-to-military emergency communication lines will be reopened.
- The Sunnylands Statement, a joint statement that promises a partnership on climate change, includes a return to the Paris Agreement.
- Xi demanded the U.S. stop arming Taiwan and stop encouraging Taiwan Independence.
- The two sides said they would co-operate to fight drug trafficking, and China agreed to crack down on chemical companies in order to stem the tide of illegal fentanyl into the US which has contributed to a rise in overdose deaths.
OBSERVATION - Observers noted that overall, biden appeared physically weak and mentally checked out. The ‘results’ above are very minor and inconsequential. For instance, China can agree to the Paris Agreement on climate change since it allowed it to continue to pollute on a massive scale, while the US has to impose economy damaging reductions.
China –
See Biden/Harris above
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Russia’s rocket forces loaded an intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the nuclear-capable “Avangard” hypersonic glide vehicle into a launch silo in southern Russia, according to a defense ministry TV channel broadcast on Thursday.
President Vladimir Putin announced the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle in 2018, saying it was a response to U.S. development of a new generation of weapons and a U.S. missile defense system that it could penetrate.
As it approaches its target, the Avangard glide vehicle detaches from the rocket and is able to maneuver sharply outside the trajectory of the rocket at hypersonic speeds of up to 27 times the speed of sound (about 21,000 miles per hour or 34,000 kilometers per hour).
OBSERVATION - Technically, all ballistic missiles are ‘hypersonic’. What is the issue here are warheads being able to maneuver at hypersonic speeds. Such maneuverability can make the development of anti-ballistic missile systems very difficult to create. One solution may well be to go back to some of the Cold War systems that were designed to launch a nuke at the incoming warhead, detonating and causing the warheads to detonate as well or be torn apart by the nuclear blast. Other solutions would be mid flight targeting - hitting the warhead clusters before separation. Development of effective countermeasures is many years down the road.
Logistics –
See “Europe / NATO General” below on potential closure of the Finnish sea to Russian oil tankers.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
An almost routine, Ukrainian air defense shot down 16 of 18 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight.
If the Ukrainian military estimate is correct, in the last 24 hours Russia has lost nearly double the personnel reported lost on a daily basis, along with a whole snoot full of armor, tanks and artillery. They don’t report where these losses were concentrated.
Avdiivka -
Russia continues its costly push to seize Avdiivka
Kherson Axis -
The flurry of activity on this front is creating a great deal of discomfort among Russian milbloggers and commentators. A true breakthrough here would place Russia on the horns of a dilemma.
Crimean front —
Loud explosions reported in Sevastopol, earlier Russian Ministry of Defense claims intercepting 3 drones over Black Sea.
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Russia desiring to get an offensive underway in the eastern front area as well as resume operations to capture Adviivka.
More developing on the bridgehead in Kherson Oblast as more Ukraine equipment and men move onto the left bank of the Dipner River and towards the Crimean peninsula.
Europe / NATO General –
Not officially confirmed yet, but it’s reported Denmark will be tasked with inspecting and potentially blocking tankers carrying Russian oil through the Danish Straits under new EU plans. Russia sends around a third of its seaborne oil exports, through the Danish straits. Denmark would target tankers carrying Russian oil that did not have western insurance.
OBSERVATION - Definite step of escalation over the enforcement of international sanctions on Russia and oil in particular. Russia has been relatively successful in getting its oil sold, and taking 1/3 of its export capacity down will be a serious hit.
***
Finland is reportedly in the process of closing its border with Russia. This follows the actions of other NATO border nations. Finland has also become the target of Russian directed / supported passage of migrants seeking to get into Europe.
***
Pro-Hamas demonstrations broke out again in London, with protestors vandalizing war memorials. London police quickly secured the Cenotaph but essentially let rioters have their way with other memorials. The parliament voted to call for a cease fire in the Gaza war.
Pakistan –
Pakistan’s recent missile technology advancement, shown by the Ababeel medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) test launch with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) capabilities, signifies a pivotal development in South Asia’s strategic balance and defense capabilities.
The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) reports that Pakistan last month conducted its second test launch of the Ababeel MRBM designed to carry MIRVs, moving a step closer to achieving the enhanced capability to penetrate India’s nascent missile defenses.
IISS says that the recent test at Sakhi Sarwar range in Punjab province followed the 2005 India-Pakistan agreement on pre-notification for ballistic-missile tests, which included seven Notice to Air Missions issued by Pakistan. It mentions the test was conducted to revalidate various design and technical parameters and evaluate the performance of different subsystems.
IISS notes that the Ababeel is one of two nuclear-capable MRBMs that Pakistan is developing, with the main difference being its MIRV capability, which increases deterrence by increasing the chances of penetrating India’s emergent ballistic-missile defenses.
The institute says that India is also preparing its own MIRV capability, linked to its Agni VI intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is designed primarily to penetrate Chinese missile defenses and not for use against Pakistan.
https://asiatimes.com/2023/11/pakistan-mirv-test-heats-up-south-asias-arms-race/
OBSERVATION - Pakistan is a very politically unstable country that is also dealing with a Taliban - based insurgency. Currently, the country is expelling 1.7 million resident Afghans as a result. In recent years, the country has drifted more and more towards the more militant islamic circle. With on going tensions with India, if Pakistan destabilizes further, chances of a regional nuclear war increase.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF begins operations to clear the subterranean bunker network at Shifa Hospital
- IDF taking over control of operations at Shifa Hospital, bringing supples and equipment in.
- IDF has dropped leaflets over Khan Yunis warning residents to flee the town.
GENERAL ——————————-
Reuters: Iran will not fight Israel on the side of Hamas. Iranian leader Ali Khamenei made this clear to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during their meeting in Tehran.
OBSERVATION - Pretty much stick a fork in it, Iran has tossed Hamas under the bus. I noted in a previous post that some believe that Hamas prematurely triggered the attacks and that they were supposed to be done in conjunction with Hezbollah. This is why Israeli quick response units initially went north - expecting Hezbollah invasion, thus delaying the response to Hamas. However, Hamas leadership wanted to get the glory and started on their own.
Iran reportedly stated that they would only get involved if Israel / US or some other third party nation attacks it.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Several stockpiles of weapons and munitions have been discovered inside of the MRI Center of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City. IDF states this is the tip of the iceberg as the operation at the hospital shifts to finding and exploiting the underground bunkers beneath the hospital and compound. The tunnel complex is understood to have been laced with all kinds of traps prior to Israel seizing the compound.
IDF is bringing in heavy construction equipment - excavators and bull dozers - to start digging access to the tunnels beneath the hospital complex. Possible reasoning is that the hospital entrances have been damaged or mined by Hamas, making them unsafe to enter so effort is to bypass and gain access to upper levels via excavation.
***
In leaflets distributed by the Air Force, the IDF calls on the residents of the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Yunis:
“For your safety, you must evacuate your place of residence immediately and evacuate to one of the known shelters
OBSERVATION - This suggests that Israel is beginning to move on its next phase of the surface war. Khan Yunis is one of Hamas’ secondary zones of control. This suggests an increased aerial bombardment similar to N Gaza to prepare for an eventual ground campaign.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Continued attacks and counter attacks along the border. Two main area of fighting are being better defined. First (and largest) is in the northern most tip of Israel around the town of Kiryat Shmona. The other center on the western most border area near the Med Sea.
WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli raids to arrest Hamas and other terror elements continue. Local pockets of fierce fighting develop during such raids.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
On November 15th, while transiting the international waters of the Red Sea, the crew of the USS Thomas Hudner engaged a drone that originated from Yemen and was heading in the direction of the ship. The Hudner’s crew engaged and shot down the drone to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel. There were no U.S. casualties or any damage to the ship.
***
Reports USAF CAPs yesterday targeted and destroyed a truck in Anbar preparing to target the Ain Alasad Airbase with rockets. A number of rockets were also reportedly intercepted. Coalition forces continue to be based here and targeted by IRGC backed militia factions.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of as many as 18 levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza.
Keep this in mind as the pro-Hamas propaganda machine, aided and abetted by major news outlets, tries to capitalize on the current lack of photos, etc of the bunkers beneath the hospital. In conjunction with this media full court press, expect more from Qatar on hostage releases. Remember, Qatar is a sanctuary for Hamas leadership, who have over 11 Billion dollars in assets - skimmed off international aid to Gaza.
Iran’s essential abandonment of Hamas confirms what I noted from nearly the very beginning of the conflict - Iran and its attack dog Hezbollah are reluctant to commit to supporting Hamas in a meaningful way. Even the “Islamic Resistance” is basically a token effort, hoping to get a lucky shot in, but doing enough to let their followers believe they are great supporters of Hamas.
The shift in attention to the southern half of Gaza is not totally unexpected but seems kind of early. However, if IDF takes a couple weeks to soften up the targets like they did up north, then the search and clearing of N Gaza can continue to its conclusion. I cannot see Israel starting a massive ground effort in the south before enough strings are tied up in the north. Nor can i see Israel settling for cleansing Hamas in the north without dealing with the stragglers and secondly command facilities in the south that could provide the nucleus for a restored Hamas. Keep in mind, hamas soldiers dropped their uniforms for civilian wear - a violation (gasp) of the rules of war and likely scampers south, mixing in with the other refugees, leaving the hard cord fighters to try to delay and disrupt Israeli operations.
The big issue will be what to do with the hundreds of thousands of N Gazans that fled south - Egypt and Jordan have refused to take them in - under threat of war.
Iran –
See Israel above - tossing Hamas under the bus.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
Turkey –
Turkish president tells Israel “YOUR END is near.”
“Hey Israel, you have a nuclear bomb and you are threatening with this. We know this. YOUR END IS NEAR…whether you have nuclear weapons or not. You’re on your way out.”
OBSERVATION - Erodgen has shifted the Turkish politics further and further to the radical islam level in his move to be the next Caliphate. The Gaza war and Turkey’s response pretty much kills any effort that was being made to reconcile differences between the two countries.
Central / South America General-
Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets today to protest against Lula government and in repudiation of its non-support for Israel.
OBSERVATION - The Gaza war is bringing out some stark contrasts. Leftist Brazil is one of these moments, where pro-Israeli elements are taking a stand.
Misc of Note –
Tomorrow morning the launch window opens (8 AM eastern) for Musk’s Starship rocket - the largest and most powerful one ever made - for the second test flight. Should be spectacular and the way his technical team has overcome previous engineering challenges with the Falcon program, there is a pretty good reason to expect some degree of success. Will be watching closely.
IMHO - This is how the US space program should have proceeded but instead got mired down in big buck mega US contractors and lack of vision by leadership. The current NASA effort to build a rocket/capsule system to reach the moon again is multiple years behind schedule and over twice the original budget. Musk is showing just how terrible that model is.
Israel knew they had to move quickly - and that type of insight is what's been keeping them safe all these years. Hamas is evil, but luckily also stupid...and vain.
Very abbreviated post today as I have other pressing matters to take care of today. Tomorrows post likely to be more extensive.
Economy –
Prices at the gas pump have been bucking the forecasted trend this past month by dropping significantly. Led in part to decreased demand as global economies slow due to the approaching recession. Also earlier, high demand periods now have oil companies sitting on excess they need to move. Now futures are starting to factor in the reintroduction of Iranian crude to the market - increasing the supply side of the equation.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
More pro-Hamas protests, some blocking highways and bridges. Protestors overnight approached the WH, but not in the numbers of previous and without the same level of violence.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
***
Concern at a recent pro-football game when drones made two appearances over the stadium - causing pauses to the game.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics –
Studies on data from the VAERS database indicate that post-wuhan jab era, cancers have increased something of the magnitude of 1000+%. This correlates to the medical community alerting to what is being called “turbo” cancers and links to the jab as well.
Biden / Harris Watch –
A year-long probe into the management of classified documents by President Joe Biden and his staff will likely not result in charges, according to two people close to the investigation. Special Counsel Robert Hur, along with his team, have been investigating the discovery of classified documents from Biden’s Vice Presidential tenure at his former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, DC, and at his home in Delaware. The Wall Street Journal initially noted that a criminal case was not anticipated, an analysis echoed by CNN.
OBSERVATION - Two tiered justice system.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
RUMINT- Rumors persist that putin died and that his appearances are by a body double. A rumor that really hasn’t gotten much traction given the very limited evidence for and the more substantial evidence against.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Same old, same old. Exceptions being the Ukraine effort in Kherson Oblast. Reports confirming that Ukraine has joined all the crossing sites on the left bank of the Dniper River and are pushing to the southwest.
Russians continuing to face staggering losses in the Avdiivka effort. Causalities (killed/wounded) are reaching 1000 / day and are the primary source for all casualties. Similar spike with armor / tanks losses.
Avdiivka -
Russia continues its costly push to seize Avdiivka
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Uncertain just how much longer Russia can sustain the losses at Adviivka. They have given it an almost Bakhmut level of priority and are losing a lot of troops and equipment. As weather conditions continue to cause the effectiveness of offensive actions to decline (muddy fields degrade maneuver necessary to defeat defensive positions) Russia has to expose more infantry to Ukrainian artillery fire.
Still very slow - Ukraine efforts in Kherson Oblast continue to grow and could accelerate if they are able to construct a temporary bridge to speed the crossing of vehicles, equipment and ammo.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- The body of a second hostage in as many days, has been found in a building adjacent to the Shifa hospital compound.
- Excavation at the Shifa Hospital complex has revealed upper level of the underground bunker complex - and the storage of a considerable amount of munitions and weapons.
- IDF also finding that some tunnels were recently sealed off to give the impression that they ended and went no further.
- IDF focusing further now on S Gaza concentrations of Hamas facilities.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of as many as 18 levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza.
IMHO - The directors and staff at these hospitals should be sweating bullets since it is increasing apparent that Hamas has used these facilities to conduct war against Israel. What did they know and how much. Cooperation with the military use is clear. What is also becoming clear is that they had a hand in the retention of hostages in these ‘hospitals’ as well.
Continued methodical search and clearing operations in N Gaza with intensity of combat declining as Hamas forces are eliminated. Expect increased aerial bombing of terror facilities in S Gaza to increase.
With Iran saying that they will not enter the war, the likely hood that Hezbollah will enter it has declined significantly. They will provide limited support to the Hamas and related terror cells in S Lebanon to continue to harass IDF, but there are no precursors to suggest anything bigger.
Very abbreviated post today as I have other pressing matters to take care of today. Tomorrows post likely to be more extensive.
Economy –
Prices at the gas pump have been bucking the forecasted trend this past month by dropping significantly. Led in part to decreased demand as global economies slow due to the approaching recession. Also earlier, high demand periods now have oil companies sitting on excess they need to move. Now futures are starting to factor in the reintroduction of Iranian crude to the market - increasing the supply side of the equation.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
More pro-Hamas protests, some blocking highways and bridges. Protestors overnight approached the WH, but not in the numbers of previous and without the same level of violence.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Lone wolf attacks on Jewish related targets is the primary concern. Assassination attempts on politicians - particularly those on the right is an increasing concern as well.
***
Concern at a recent pro-football game when drones made two appearances over the stadium - causing pauses to the game.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics –
Studies on data from the VAERS database indicate that post-wuhan jab era, cancers have increased something of the magnitude of 1000+%. This correlates to the medical community alerting to what is being called “turbo” cancers and links to the jab as well.
Biden / Harris Watch –
A year-long probe into the management of classified documents by President Joe Biden and his staff will likely not result in charges, according to two people close to the investigation. Special Counsel Robert Hur, along with his team, have been investigating the discovery of classified documents from Biden’s Vice Presidential tenure at his former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, DC, and at his home in Delaware. The Wall Street Journal initially noted that a criminal case was not anticipated, an analysis echoed by CNN.
OBSERVATION - Two tiered justice system.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
RUMINT- Rumors persist that putin died and that his appearances are by a body double. A rumor that really hasn’t gotten much traction given the very limited evidence for and the more substantial evidence against.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Same old, same old. Exceptions being the Ukraine effort in Kherson Oblast. Reports confirming that Ukraine has joined all the crossing sites on the left bank of the Dniper River and are pushing to the southwest.
Russians continuing to face staggering losses in the Avdiivka effort. Causalities (killed/wounded) are reaching 1000 / day and are the primary source for all casualties. Similar spike with armor / tanks losses.
Avdiivka -
Russia continues its costly push to seize Avdiivka
Outlook —-
Both sides in essentially an operational pause. Uncertain just how much longer Russia can sustain the losses at Adviivka. They have given it an almost Bakhmut level of priority and are losing a lot of troops and equipment. As weather conditions continue to cause the effectiveness of offensive actions to decline (muddy fields degrade maneuver necessary to defeat defensive positions) Russia has to expose more infantry to Ukrainian artillery fire.
Still very slow - Ukraine efforts in Kherson Oblast continue to grow and could accelerate if they are able to construct a temporary bridge to speed the crossing of vehicles, equipment and ammo.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- The body of a second hostage in as many days, has been found in a building adjacent to the Shifa hospital compound.
- Excavation at the Shifa Hospital complex has revealed upper level of the underground bunker complex - and the storage of a considerable amount of munitions and weapons.
- IDF also finding that some tunnels were recently sealed off to give the impression that they ended and went no further.
- IDF focusing further now on S Gaza concentrations of Hamas facilities.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of as many as 18 levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza.
IMHO - The directors and staff at these hospitals should be sweating bullets since it is increasing apparent that Hamas has used these facilities to conduct war against Israel. What did they know and how much. Cooperation with the military use is clear. What is also becoming clear is that they had a hand in the retention of hostages in these ‘hospitals’ as well.
Continued methodical search and clearing operations in N Gaza with intensity of combat declining as Hamas forces are eliminated. Expect increased aerial bombing of terror facilities in S Gaza to increase.
With Iran saying that they will not enter the war, the likely hood that Hezbollah will enter it has declined significantly. They will provide limited support to the Hamas and related terror cells in S Lebanon to continue to harass IDF, but there are no precursors to suggest anything bigger.
Thanks for your work and information.
Todays launch of the Musk Starship was spectacular. A couple of my observations in comparison to the first test
- All first stage Raptor engines performed nominally - in comparison to the many that failed on the first due on large part to launch pad design that allowed back pressures to damage them
- The “hot” separation went well. The first stage did fail during rotation maneuvers, very possibly due to damage from the second stage separation. SpaceX was expecting damage and this will provide critical data on how to reinforce for future tests.
- The six Raptor engines on the second stage performed flawlessly. An unknown situation caused the auto destruct to kick in at / near the moment of engine shut down.
I’ve not been this excited about the space program since the 60’s. Incredibly impressive and shows the incompetence of NASA in getting its heavy off the ground. Musk has some seriously smart people working for this project and it shows.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Macquarie Bank, Australia’s fifth-largest bank, announced it will phase out cash, cheque and phone payments in 2024 as it transitions to digital-only transactions.
The bank told customers they’ll be unable to write or deposit cheques and withdrawal or deposit cash over the counter by November 2024.
“Between January 2024 and November 2024, we’ll be phasing out our cash and cheque services across all Macquarie banking and wealth management products, including pension and super accounts,” the bank told customers, according to news.com.au.
The outlet noted Macquarie Bank’s announcement sparked criticism as another move towards a cashless society.
OBSERVATION - Australia has been one of the willing ‘test beds’ for globalist intentions, ranging from draconian wuhan restrictions to now attempts to drive the digital “cash less’ society. Something tells me that this abrupt move by the bank will generate considerable backlash. How severe? Depends on a lot of factors, one being just how kowtowed the Australian people are. Other banks in Australia as well as around the world will be watching closely.
Economy –
Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins said Friday that more interest rate hikes could yet be needed to bring down inflation. Inflation reports this week showed a slowing pace in both consumer and producer prices. However, Collins said recent data has been “noisy.”
“We need to look holistically at the data,” she said. “So [there has been] promising news, which is great. But I remain focused on really looking at the kind of full complement of information that we’re getting and making assessments in real time about the right thing to do.”
OBSERVATION - Forecast of continued high fed rates with a stronger likelihood of increasing them further. Not good news for the economy as it struggles to stablize under the current, relatively stable record high rates.
***
The cost of many items on Americans’ traditional Thanksgiving holiday grocery list have been rising faster than the increase of inflation for all items, in general, and this year is no different.
Over past year, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items is up 3.2%, before seasonal adjustment, CNSNews reported Tuesday following the release of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data comparing October 2023 to October 2022. Some of the Thanksgiving meal items experiencing price hikes surpassing the nation’s CPI increase include:
- Uncooked Poultry, such as turkey: up 7.2%
- Sauces and gravies: up 7.5%
- Bread: up 6.3%
- Crackers, bread, and cracker products up: 6.0%
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Pro-Palestine protesters stormed a campus building at U Mich chanting support for terrorism, referencing the intifadas that slaughtered Israeli civilians.
OBSERVATION - Pro - Hamas demonstrations / riots appear to be trying to gain their second wind. An interesting feature that has been identified is the pre-positioning of signs and other riot/protest related materials in a very similar manner last seen during the BLM/Antifa riots of 2020 - indicating a wealthy and coordinated effort going on.
Also, different target zone. BLM/Antifa hit urban business centers. The current pro-hamas riots have a big target centering on colege/university campus as well as political sites off campus.
***
A pro-Palestinian activist group shared a frightening map of New York City newsrooms, businesses and landmark buildings — and called for “direct action” to “globalize intifada.”
In addition to news buildings, Within Our Lifetime, which describes itself as a Palestinian-led community organization, also called for followers to target the offices of technology companies
“Each of the locations on this map reflects the location of an office of an enemy of both the Palestinian people and colonized people all over the world. Today and beyond, these locations will be sites for popular mobilization in defense of our people,” the sickening Wednesday night post read.
“May this map serve as a call for every struggle to act in their own interest. As we do so, we uplift one another’s struggles and free Palestine from the river to the sea,” it continued, repeating the Palestine Liberation Organization mantra adopted by Hamas that calls for the eradication of Israel.
The controversial post has since been deleted.
https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-6/
OBSERVATION - This map still resides on parts of the interwebs. It clearly serves to layout future options to strike areas, building upon momentum in the pro-Hamas elements. Could also cross reference with Terrorism.
***
There have been at least 234 pro-Hamas rallies on U.S. college campuses since the October terrorist attacks against Israel, the Anti-Defamation League told Congress on Wednesday.
The large number of protests highlights the growing influence of pro-terrorist and anti-Semitic groups at American universities, a trend that has drawn condemnation from lawmakers and calls for banning Hamas-supporting groups on college campuses.
“We tracked 234 anti-Israel and pro-Hamas rallies on U.S. campuses,” said ADL director Jonathan Greenblatt during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Wednesday. “Not calls for a two-state solution, not calls for a one-state solution. These were calls for a final solution.”
OBSERVATION - There are some serious issues with the ADL and Shapiro notes some of them in the X link under POLITICAL FRONT below. Some of these issues are linked to the internal political civil war brewing within the democrat party. However, their message and tracking of pro-Hamas/anti-Israel events is a reasonable good assessment - so don’t kill the report due to the messenger at this stage. Clearly universities/colleges have skyrocketed to the forefront of anti-Israel action.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Two men on the FBI’s terrorist watch list are in custody after a burglary and pursuit that happened earlier this month in Granite Bay, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office said deputies were alerted on Nov. 10, around 7:10 p.m., that two masked people were caught by security cameras trying to break into a Granite Bay home.
Arrested were 27-year-old Placido Lopez-Vargas and 23-year-old Angel Emmanuel, both are connected to what the FBI has deemed a South American Theft Group (SATG). Both individuals arrested this weekend were on an FBI terrorist watch list for being involved in transnational organized crime.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
U.S. Navy has missed its recruiting goals for fiscal year 2023 by a wide mark, according to Navy Recruiting Command. On Tuesday, the command said that it brought in 30,200 enlisted active duty sailors this year, about 7,500 people (20 percent) short of its goal. It also missed its target for Navy Reserve enlisted recruits by 1,000 people.
For active-duty and reserve officers, recruitment fell short by 500 and 800 people respectively.
OBSERVATION - I’m not shocked at this. Woke military polices across all branches have demonized the primary demographic that historically has volunteered for service - red state Americans, who are predominantly white, heterosexual males. I can see how this trend could well be manufactured in order to justify the left’s desire to reintroduce the draft for “equality” purposes - further watering down our military readiness and permitting expansion of the military ‘woke’ agenda.
POLITICAL FRONT –
A number of major corporations have simultaneously launched a boycott of X, suspiciously within hours of their CEO/Leadership meeting with Xi in San Fran yesterday. They are claiming that X is now anti-semitic, while ignoring that they are maintaining presence on Meta/Fakebook, instagram and other social sites that have openly supported anti-Israeli actions.
A lot of this boycott effort appears to be coordinated via the leftist group Media Matters, and Musk is not going to let that go unopposed. Musk promised early Saturday morning to go “thermonuclear” against Media Matters.
“The split second court opens on Monday, X Corp will be filing a thermonuclear lawsuit against Media Matters and ALL those who colluded in this fraudulent attack on our company”
Musk also shared a video of Ben Shapiro, someone who ain’t afraid to call out antisemitism if he sees it, explaining the situation.
***
Speaker Johnson has fulfilled his promise to release the thousands of hours of J6 videos and boy are they ever condemning of pelosi and the faux tribunal. One video that stands out is the fake arrest of a FED infiltrator who is taken down a side hall, unhand cuffed and fists bumps a police officer. Another frame shows 4 photographers standing behind a police officer getting ready to open the door to the protestors - raising the question, how did these photographers get into the building and imbed with the police before all this got started? Remember also pelosi had a video team following her around as well that day - coincidence? I think not.
A public ‘online viewing room’ has been developed for watching Jan. 6 security video, but individual clips released to media or others will have faces blurred.
***
Democrats in Chicago planning the 2024 Democratic National Convention next summer are getting worried following a pro-Palestinian protest at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
The fear comes from the recent increasing protests due to the events in Israel and Gaza, reminding Democrats of the infamous 1968 DNC convention in Chicago that saw massive anti-Vietnam War riots during the August event, CBS News reported.
OBSERVATION - The Gaza has already opened a rift in the democrat party between the moderate who support Israel and the marxist leftists (like the Squad) that support the annihilation of Israel. The only bright spot for the dems is that the convention is still many months away and that could give time for the Gaza situation to cool enough to draw away pro-Hamas supporters.
Biden / Harris Watch –
U.S. energy experts are warning of the economic and national security implications of Biden’s pact with China this week to move towards shutting down fossil fuel production in favor of green energy.
OBSERVATION - The Paris accords punish the low polluting nations and favor continued/extended pollution by China. This seems to be biden’s intention to force the conversion to ‘green’ energy and further kill the fossil fuel industry.
Illegal Immigration –
NYT reports NYC Mayor Eric Adams has announced that due to the financial impact of ongoing migrant arrivals, the city will have to make budget cuts that will reduce NYPD officers to below 30,000 & slash the Education Department by $1 billion, amongst other cuts. He warns more cuts will be necessary unless the city receives more federal money to help with migrant arrivals.
OBSERVATION - Poorly designed response will expose the city to even more crime from ‘locals’ as well as the illegals. This appears to be a typical response to cut those areas that will hurt the civilians to the point where they will be willing to shell out more tax dollars to restore those services - and come under greater control of the city.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Continued cool, 40’s- 50’s with rain throughout the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
About 10 drones were shot down near Kyiv overnight. A total of 29 of 38 Shahed drones launched by Russia were shot down. An Oil depot was damaged in Odesa region as result of drone attack overnight.
Ukraine forces expanded the salient in the Tokmak front to the east and west.
Russian forces appeared to be shifting their attack axis at Avdiivka, trying to directly attack the city via an industrial area instead of attacking from the flanks.
Outlook —-
Minor dynamics changes but the situation is remaining relative static across the fronts.
Interesting to note that in addition to ceasing naval missile attacks against Ukraine, the strategic bombers have also been silent. All the more evidence that they are trying to conserve limited cruise missiles for a later blitz on the Ukraine power grid.
Europe / NATO General –
Finnish border guards are forced to use tear gas as a large group of illegal migrants from Syria and Iraq are trying to force its way into Finland from Russia at the Niirila border crossing. Other Baltic countries facing similar surges in illegals being facilitated by Russia. Observers suggest this is a form of weaponized migration being used as a tool of hybrid warfare
Postimees media reports that Estonia has brought anti-tank “dragon teeth” barriers to the border with Russia in Narva.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- The bodys of hostages being found mostly adjacent to the Shifa Hospital complex.
- IDF forces now pushing west to east across N Gaza, continuing to systematically capture and clear of Hamas et al forces
- Significant rocket attack from Lebanon with retaliation by IDF
GENERAL ——————————-
I haven’t noted a lot of these, but just about every day Israel announces the termination of key Hamas et al leadership. The key leaders, however, are embedded ‘safely’ in their multimillion dollar mansions in Qatar, far away from the war they inflicted on Gaza.
***
US President Joe Biden’s top adviser on the Middle East said on Saturday the release of hostages held by the Palestinian terror group Hamas would lead to a surge in the delivery of humanitarian aid and a significant pause in fighting in Gaza.
“The hostages are released, you will see a significant, significant change,” Brett McGurk said at the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain.
Bahrain’s crown prince, speaking at the summit on Friday, called on Hamas to release Israeli women and children held hostage and for Israel in exchange to release from its prisons Palestinian women and children who he claimed were non-combatants.
US President Joe Biden’s top adviser on the Middle East said on Saturday the release of hostages held by the Palestinian terror group Hamas would lead to a surge in the delivery of humanitarian aid and a significant pause in fighting in Gaza.
“The hostages are released, you will see a significant, significant change,” Brett McGurk said at the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain.
Bahrain’s crown prince, speaking at the summit on Friday, called on Hamas to release Israeli women and children held hostage and for Israel in exchange to release from its prisons Palestinian women and children who he claimed were non-combatants.
OBSERVATION - Interesting how these non-Israelis like to speak for Israel. Israeli policies and goals have been pretty clearly stated - Hamas will be eliminated no matter what. A “pause” (euphemism for cease fire) would be a victory for Hamas and undercut the operational momentum Israel currently has. This proposal may be a regurgitation of an earlier, similar one that was flat out rejected by Israel.
***
Commanding Officer of the Southern Command in the Shifa Hospital: “We see the presence of Hamas in all the hospitals, it is a definite, clear presence. They are cynically using these hospitals as we can see here in the heart of Shifa”
***
According to a November 14 poll by the Arab World for Research and Development, Palestinians living in the West Bank overwhelmingly answered that they supported the attack to either an extreme or “somewhat” extent (83.1%.) Only 6.9% answered that they were “extremely” or “somewhat” against the attack, and 8.4% expressed that they had no opinion either way.
Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip show a little less consensus but the overall majority supported the attack. A mass of 63.6% said that they supported the attack “extremely” or to a “somewhat” extent. A further 14.4% answered that they did not oppose or support the attack. Showing a greater rift than that of the West Bank, 20.9% of Palestinians living in Gaza opposed the attack to some degree.
A total of 75% of respondents agreed with the October 7 attack to any extent.
OBSERVATION - They brought this upon their own heads. They are not the ‘innocents’ the pro-hamas media mouth pieces make them out to be.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
The IDF says that over the past day it carried out strikes against dozens of targets and Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip. The sites included command rooms, rocket launch sites, and weapons production labs, it says.
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Friday evening that IDF troops located additional underground infrastructure in Shifa Hospital in Gaza, and continue to work in order to “collect all information about the hostages”.
Hamas or affiliated group managed a rocket barrage against Tel Aviv overnight. This shows elements still present in the areas of N Gaza not under the control of IDF ground forces.
IDF continues to shift its attention to S Gaza with IAF airstrikes in the vicinity of Hamad Towers, west of Khan Yunis.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
More than 20 shells and missiles were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israeli settlements overnight. IDF responding with artillery and air strikes. In one instance, hitting an aluminum plant.
SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Israeli airstrikes early Friday targeted several sites near Syria’s capital city of Damascus, aiming at sites with militia units reportedly backed by Iran and pointing to a widening war in the region.
The airstrikes reportedly killed two pro-Iranian fighters at the city of Sayyidah Zaynab, located on the southern outskirts of Damascus while conducting raids targeting a Hezbollah arms depot and other sites, reports The Times of Israel.
Syria’s state news agency SANA, citing sources in the military, earlier reported “material damage” from the strikes.
WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli raids to arrest Hamas and other terror elements continue. Multiple arrests made.
“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
A defense official tells there have been multiple attacks against US forces in Syria today that have resulted in multiple minor injuries. We’re now at more than SIXTY attacks on US forces in Iraq & Syria in one month
Israeli Air Force Commander, Tomer Bar, says the Israeli Air Force has plans to strike in Yemen.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of multiple levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza.
Israel will continue to methodically search and clear sections of Gaza city as its forces now move eastward. IAF will also increase targeting of Hamas et al elements in S Gaza.
With the pulling of Iranian support, i suspect that much of the “resistance” movement will not grow very much, other than to try to keep Israeli forces harassed, hoping for a lucky shot. One cannot rule out a possible deception by Iran, and they have the capability to launch, with Hezbollah, a major attack. But currently that doesn’t seem likely but must be watched closely anyway.
Iran –
See Israel above - tossing Hamas under the bus.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
Central / South America General-
Brazil’s economy, governed by socialist leader Lula da Silva, entered negative territory in Q3, 2023.
OBSERVATION - Being true to form, leftist govts in Central/south America will have their economies severely damaged under their rule. Since many have just recently completed their presidential/parliamentary election cycles, this means multiple years of economic hits for the people.
A crash of the Brazilian economy could cause added pressure on the US border from economic refugees.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Biden’s pompous jet-setting ‘climate envoy’ John Kerry spoke at the 2023 APEC summit.
Elon Musk was bumped as a keynote speaker at this year’s APEC summit at the last minute and was replaced by John Kerry.
Kerry continued his war on farmers this week at the APEC summit and complained that many farmers use highly effective tile drainage to improve their yields.
“I learned all this, actually, when I was running for president back in 2004 [in Iowa]!” John Kerry said.
OBSERVATION - You can bet that the switch removing Musk was an indicator that the fix for major corporations to pull ads from “X” was in the works. Meanwhile kerry didn’t reveal anything new other than his hate of farms and farmers. Remember - control of the food equals control of the people.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Police in San Diego have now had to evacuate Jewish students at University of California San Diego after they held a meeting to discuss antisemitic threats. The pro-Hamas crowd heard about it and organized a mob in front of the building.
A violent pro-Palestine protest is occurring in Chicago. The militant leftist protesters have shut down eight lanes of traffic on Lake Shore Drive.
The pro-Hamas mob brought their performance activism to San Francisco and shut down the Bay Bridge.
Supporters of Hamas/Palestine shut down all entrances to Penn Station station - they have also seized control of 8th Ave.
OBSERVATION - The primary strategy of the mob appears to be annoying the hell out of commuters. It doesn’t take a lot of people to shut down streets/intersections and even at that it takes a lot of effort by LEO’s to get them cleared.
Attacks on Jews on college/university campuses are growing as the administrations of those institutions refuse to take actions to protect all students.
***
Liberal TikTok users are cheering Osama bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to America” . The 2002 letter had originally been posted on The Guardian, which was removed this week after the letter sparked the latest criticism and controversy. Its text has been since been posted elsewhere, including in an article published Friday in Newsweek.
Now having been removed, the sudden interest and support of OBL’s attack on America just goes to show how far our education of history has fallen.
OBSERVATION - America has forgotten 9/11.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier returned to its home port of Yokosuka, Japan on November 19, 2023
***
Soldiers who were forced out of the U.S. Army because they refused to follow the Biden Administration’s draconian COVID-19 mandates are being asked to come back as a potential war looms.
OBSERVATION - Numbers I’ve see is that only 4% of those that left have opted to go back in. Not said, but likely are those who were short timers ready to retire. They are not having much other luck - and are too stupid / politically blinded to see why - the military leadership stabbed these soldiers in the back by forcing an illegal version of the jab and blanket rejecting religious exemptions (again, in violation of the law). Now they likely see how the regime continues to demonize them as anti-American domestic terrorists, racists, bigots, you name it.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The release of the J6 videos has ignited a level of anger on the right - fully confirming what was already suspected, that this was a set up from the beginning.
Todd Starnes “X” post states it pretty well-
“The new J6 videos show federal agents wearing red MAGA hats, opening doors for the so-called “insurrectionists,” exchanging high-fives with protesters and escorting them into the building. To this day, the FBI refuses to say how many of their agents were involved in the planning and execution of whatever happened on that day. The videos clearly show U.S. Capitol Police and federal agents “colluding” with the “rioters.” So, why weren’t the police prosecuted alongside the “insurrectionists”? Unless, of course, they were following orders from congressional leadership. Why did Nancy and Liz conceal these videos from the public? We need answers. We need hearings. Did congressional leadership collude with the FBI and Justice Dept. to stage an insurrection and blame it on “
Also seen now is an individual dressed up with a MAGA hat, flashing a badge.
OBSERVATION - Though I hope and pray the organizers of this false flag event get brought to justice, I just don’t see it happening even if Trump returns to office. The weight of the Deep State will clog the gears of justice up so much that nothing will essentially happen. We would need a completely new DoJ and FBI to accomplish anything -and that isn’t happening. Best case is that these suppressed and hidden videos will initially enable the convicted to successfully appeal their political based charges and set Trump up to pardon others.
We would also need to replace a boat load of “republican” who’ve already demonstrated a total lack of spine by refusing to impeach Mayorkos and other administration goons.
***
Elon Musk has revealed that X Corp will be filing a “thermonuclear lawsuit” against Media Matters for America after the infamous leftist organization published a story that attempted to undermine freedom of speech as well as deceive advertisers, according to Musk.
“The split second court opens on Monday, X Corp will be filing a thermonuclear lawsuit against Media Matters and ALL those who colluded in this fraudulent attack on our company,” Musk posted on X, attaching a document entitled, “Stand with X to protect free speech.”
OBSERVATION - This is going to be huge, and X has the receipts to back their charges. Media Matters is a Soros funded political arm of his that it the attack dog for his globalist adventures in media. Get out the popcorn, this should be great to see MM go down. Oh and by ‘nuclear’ I hope the claim for damages is in the 44 Billion range.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Numerous liberal commentators noting how physically weak and mentally distracted biden appeared to be at public functions.
Illegal Immigration –
Big blue metro cities are now trying to bus illegals to other parts of the country as they are being overwhelmed by the numbers of Illegals coming and draining their budgets.
North/South Korea –
South Korea and the United States have detected movements at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station which indicate that preparations are underway for a military reconnaissance satellite launch. South Korea’s defense minister stated that the launch may take place within a week or so per Yonhap.
South Korea is considering partially suspending the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement if a third military reconnaissance satellite launch is attempted.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
Russian Personnel Issues –-
A former Russian commander who once critizised President Putin for running a “third-rate” air force, has been found dead alongside his wife at their home in the village of Adzhievsky in Stavropol region.”
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Much of eastern Ukraine will see their first accumulating snowfall of the season next week.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian drones targeted Kyiv principally overnight with Ukrainian air defense shooting down 15 of 20 Shahed drones. Ukraine returned the favor launching drones at Moscow.
UK Defense Intel reports intense ground combat in three Ukranian areas – Kupiansk, Avdiivka and on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson. It reports Russia has sustained “particularly heavy casualties” around Avdiivka.
Kherson Axis -
Two axes of advance are developing. One towards the south east from the vicinity of Kherson, and a second upstream in the vicinity of Krynky. Both are connected by Ukrainian controlled territory. Both are seeing slow but persistent advances by Ukraine.
Outlook —-
Things are developing on the Kherson axis. Question remains is just how much armor and supplies can Ukraine get across the river.
Otherwise, no significant changes are anticipated. Weather taking an even more dominant role in combat.
Belarus -
Haven’t’ touched on this area for a while. Reports continue that military actions by the Belarus army are relatively routine training for new recruits.
Europe / NATO General –
Spanish unrest -
Mass protest continue against socialist PM Sánchez in Madrid, Spain going into their 15th day. More than 1 million people have gathered in Madrid to protest against PM Sanchez decision to issue and amnesty to the separatist and form a government with their help. Protesters were seen with signs that read “Sanchez traitor” and “Don’t sell Spain.”
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF moving deeper into N Gaza / Gaza city.
- IDF working its way slowly through the tunnels beneath Shifa Hospital, due to booby traps.
- Qatar claims that an agreement is close on a hostage release / prisoner exchange and operational pause of up to 5 days.
GENERAL ——————————-
Qatar spokesman claims that there is an imminent deal being made for Hamas to release some of the hostages in exchange for a 5 day pause in fighting. Netanyahu says that there is no deal.
Hamas’ military spokesperson Abu Ubaida says the group has lost contact with a number of groups charged with guarding Israeli hostages, and that their fate is unknown
***
Israeli estimate - Hamas terror chiefs Sinwar & Deif fled Gaza City, hiding in Khan Younis area in southern Gaza; Defense Minister Gallant says IDF forces will operate there soon. This manhunt is one of Israel’s top priorities.
***
Politico reports that US President Joe Biden directed officials in his administration to prepare visa bans and sanctions for Israelis who attack Palestinian Arabs.
A memo to aides like Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday, orders their agencies “to develop policy options for expeditious action against those responsible for the conduct of violence in the West Bank.”
Parts of the memo became known after President Biden’s op-ed in The Washington Post revealing his intentions for such a move. “The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank,” he wrote in the op-ed.
The Biden administration has defended Israel’s operation in Gaza, but has also pushed for Israel to take a stronger stance against Israeli civilians attacking Palestinians. Recently, some of Biden’s party have called.for restrictions or conditions on US aid to Israel.
The targets for reprimands are broadly defined in the memo. They include people or entities that “have directly or indirectly engaged in actions or policies that threaten the security or stability of the West Bank,” take “actions that intimidate civilians in the West Bank with the purpose or effect of forcing displacement actions in the West Bank,” or make moves “that constitute human rights abuses or violations and actions that significantly obstruct, disrupt or prevent efforts to achieve a two-state solution.”
https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-7/
OBSERVATION - This is a first - sanctioning Israeli civilians.
***
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant vowed Saturday night that all Hamas operatives would be killed — including those outside Gaza, sheltering in comfortable exile in Arab states like Qatar.
GAZA FRONT ———————————-
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says troops are still operating at the tunnel shaft in the Shifa Hospital complex, and the military will issue new footage soon. He says the IDF is operating at Shifa Hospital to obtain information on the Hamas-held hostages, to locate weapons and command rooms, to locate Hamas operatives in the area, and to uncover Hamas’s underground infrastructure.
Israeli forces are expanding offensive operations into Gaza City. Israel forces provided humanitarian aid to al Shifa Hospital as civilians evacuated the medical complex.
LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
At least 10 mortars fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, setting off sirens in Shlomi. All landed in open areas, causing no injuries. The Israeli army says it is responding with artillery shelling. The Israeli army also says fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon
WEST BANK——————————-
Continuing clashes between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces in Jenin camp
INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Hundreds of Māori men and women gathered in Brisbane to ‘Haka for Israel’ forcing a pre-planned-pro-Hamas rally to change location for their hatefest.
FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - The drama continues to center on the Al-Shifa and Qods hospitals now that IDF has entered and is in the process of securing them. The topside battle for Shifa is pretty much done, the underreported action is in the underground realm and it may be days before news is released on that battle. The Hamas command bunker below the hospital is reportedly as deep as 200 feet and consists of multiple levels with deep tunnels reaching out to other areas in N Gaza.
The PR war in the information battlefield is still going to be fierce. Israel’s methodically slow entrance into the maze of tunnels under Shifa is allowing anti-Israeli misinformation on the complex to ride to high visibility. This results in growing anti-Israeli sentiment. The longer this goes on, the more the cry for a ceasefire will be on the forefront.
The pro-hamas rallys/ protests around the world has worked to alert some that the millions of islamic migrants allowed into their country is about to bite them in the rear unless they do something and fast. And the numbers of these radical moslems have started to reach the threshold where they start controlling and censoring the culture that they have moved into - replacing it with koranic / shria based laws and customs. Much of Europe is lost and the move is growing here in the US as well. Expect continued riots/protests in support of Hamas et al.
Lebanon -
See Israel above.
Syria -
See Israel above on latest.
America has learned from 9/11. We've learned that "Our dear friends, the Saudis" and all their coreligionists are the good guys.
The president himself used every available opportunity to tell us the Saudis were our dear friends, ad nauseam
If the Saudis are the good guys, we must be the bad guys...
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