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
Thank You for each informative post. I applaud your efforts.
Globalism / Great Reset –
From Fox News:
The ongoing United Nations COP28 climate summit in Dubai is offering a wide variety of gourmet food options from vendors who serve beef, even as it prepares a report that is expected to call for the West to reduce consumption of beef.
According to the summit’s online portal, its food offerings include “juicy beef,” “slabs of succulent meat,” smoked wagyu burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and “melt-in-your-mouth BBQ” in addition to African street BBQ, fast casual Mexican fare and an Asian option that has a “touch of French flair.” The revelation comes as the U.N. faces criticism for preparing a first-of-its-kind report that is expected to be published at the summit and call for lower meat consumption.
OBSERVATION - Remember - you only get to eat bugs. . . .
***
China’s Social Credit Scoring System Is getting a CBDC upgrade.
Now, China’s digital wallet app WeChat (or Alipay) only allows people will a 550 or higher social credit score to recharge their electric cars.
OBSERVATION - China’s system has been considered for years to be the prototype design of the eventual WEF system. Biometric ID, programmed CBDC and social credit score. The system is growing in China, and is demonstrating what is coming our way.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
Independent evaluations of new data published by the UK government has indicate that one million Covid mRNA vaccinated citizens have died suddenly in the past year.
The fact that there were only 61,000 unvaccinated deaths compared to one million vaccinated deaths based on the 1:3 ratio of vaccinated versus unvaccinated across English society shows that the fully jabbed are dying at a significantly higher rate than the unvaccinated.
OBSERVATION - Note, these numbers have not been fully validated. The results do run parallel to other studies (also not fully vetted as well) that indicate much the same. The jab has created a high death count of its own.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Trump fraud trial in NYC due to start wrapping up by tomorrow. Kangaroo court with a fully expected guilty verdict in one of the most biased DA/Judge combinations seen in national politics.
In other legal assaults, Special prosecutor Smith has accused Trump of “stochastic terrorism “
Stochastic terrorism is “the public demonization of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.”
The word stochastic, in everyday language, means “random.” Terrorism, here, refers to “violence motivated by ideology.”
Here’s the idea behind stochastic terrorism:
A leader or organization uses rhetoric in the mass media against a group of people.
This rhetoric, while hostile or hateful, doesn’t explicitly tell someone to carry out an act of violence against that group, but a person, feeling threatened, is motivated to do so as a result.
That individual act of political violence can’t be predicted as such, but that violence will happen is much more probable thanks to the rhetoric.
This rhetoric is thus called stochastic terrorism because of the way it incites random violence.
https://www.dictionary.com/e/what-is-stochastic-terrorism/
OBSERVATION - Basically, if you say just about anything - they believe you can be prosecuted for this because it might just trigger someone into actions.
China –
Tighter social credit controls - See “Globalism / Great Reset” 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.
Economic Impact –
External review of Russia’s oil exporting indicates that it has successfully worked around the sanctions put in place by the Ukraine war and now results in higher income than before the war started.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 18 of 18 Shahed drones and 8 of 8 ballistic missiles. Odesa and Kyiv were primary target areas.
Russia launched new wave of ground attacks all along the fronts. Concentrated in the Avdiivka and Bakhmut areas.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Russia has taken the initiative in the Avdiivka region. It is estimated that over the past several months Russian has captured about 11 sq km of Ukraine territory. The cost to Russian has been in the tens of thousands dead and even more wounded, hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles destroyed. Ukraine losses not published, have to be high as well.
The effectiveness of Russia’s renewed pushes along the eastern and southern fronts elsewhere is minimal. It does serve to wear down Ukraine defenders, but then Russian losses come into play. They may be successful in pushing Ukraine back in some instances, but lack follow on to exploit.
Ukraine is very soon to be certified to handle the F-16 and receive them for combat use. How aggressively they will employ them is yet to be seen.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF continues to strike Hamas et al infrastructure across Gaza, locating and destroying weapons caches, and underground terror tunnel shafts.
- Israel has given Hezbollah a deadline to withdraw from the northern border or they will launch an operation against them.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
A Hamas spokesman suggested Sunday that the terror organization could kill all of the presumed 137 hostages in its custody if Israel does not accede to its demands.
“Neither the fascist enemy and its arrogant leadership… nor its supporters… can take their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance,” he said, according to the Times of Israel.
Part of the demands are further prisoner exchanges.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Pockets of fierce fighting continue in the Gaza city and Khan Younis.
***
Still largely RUMINT combined with a heavy dose of propaganda. Arab news outlets are reporting that the Islamic Jihad in Gaza is calling out to Hamas for help saying that they have run out of all the rockets and combat equipment and ammunition depots.
The Israeli security sources believe the Islamic Jihad in Gaza has completely collapsed, following the Air Force’s surgical strikes in Gaza and the ground maneuver that mainly neutralized the Islamic Jihad’s rockets.
These unconfirmed reports are supported in part by the massive surrendering of Hamas and affiliated forces throughout Gaza, reporting in part that they’ve had no commotion with higher command for instructions.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
There are reports that Israel has given the Lebanese Government and Military a “48-Hour Ultimatum” to begin negotiations on an agreement to return Hezbollah to their positions which were agreed upon by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, or else the IDF will launch a military operation to destroy any and all Hezbollah infrastructure in Southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.
Link below to map showing the area.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBAilbOWYAA4c1K?format=jpg&name=large
***
Hezbollah and Israel continue to trade fire across the border.
***
Hezbollah has named another two members killed by Israeli strikes, bringing the total toll since the beginning of the war to 100 (both in southern Lebanon and Syria). Israeli defense officials estimate that this number is higher
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Overnight, Israel struck Hezbollah facilities in and around Damascus.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces storm the outskirts of Balata camp, east of Nablus.
An armed clash between Palestinian fighters and Israeli security forces at Mount Gerizim point in Nablus.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Speaker of the Turkish Parliament: Whoever rejected the ceasefire resolution in the Security Council is ultimately responsible for crimes against humanity in Gaza.
The European Union woke up and put Hamas leaders Yahya Sanwar, Mohammed Deif and Marwan Issa on the list of wanted terrorist operatives.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza.
How soon will Israel begin full scale operations against Hezbollah? Back on the 7th I posted initial warnings that Israel was shifting its attention to Hezbollah and Resolution 1701. At that time I figured that it would be several months before action would occur. The issue of a 48 hour ultimatum indicates that Israel believes it has matters in Gaza under adequate control that assets could be diverted against Hezbollah. Hezbollah has always been the greater threat to Israel. A demilitarized Gaza is only as good as a demilitarized Lebanese border. Israel still has the majority of the 300,000 reserves available for any fight. Hezbollah has an estimate 50,000 man force.
According to reports, this 48 hour warning is only for the initiation of ‘negotiations’ with Lebanese govt and military to uphold their portions of 1701. My guess is that these ‘negotiations’ will take some time - giving Israel to complete the Gaza operation and focus north.
An expansion of the war into Lebanon and Hezbollah would likely force Iran to join in. Iran has too much invested in Hezbollah and S Lebanon to throw it under the bus like they did Hamas. This would also place the Lebanese govt and army into a tight fix as Hezbollah dominates both but there is tension resulting from the belief that Hezbollah is the cause for much of the economic instability of the country. Hezbollah abuses have also turned a sizable portion of the population against them.
Watching the 48 (now 24 ) hour countdown. Watch any spin up of Reservists put on standby and movement towards the border. Will the Lebanese govt and military balk at the demand? And will Hezbollah heed any order to withdraw. My several month window seems initially intact, giving time for ‘negotiations’ which gives time for Israel to set its units in place to act when these ‘negotiatons’ effectively and expectantly fail.
Lebanon -
See Israel above - 48 hour warning.
Syria -
See Israel above - airstrikes around Damascus hitting Hezbollah related targets.
Venezuela - Increasing potential for war
Continuing reports that Venezuela is expanding border military bases.
.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Chaos has broken out at the COP28 as any solid agreement on reducing / eliminating use of fossil fuels has fallen on hard time. One source of the consternation is that of the oracle - nefarious algore who posted on X the following -
“COP28 is now on the verge of complete failure. The world desperately needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible, but this obsequious draft reads as if OPEC dictated it word for word. It is even worse than many had feared. It is “Of the Petrostates, By the Petrostates and For the Petrostates.” It is deeply offensive to all who have taken this process seriously. There are 24 hours left to show whose side the world is on: the side that wants to protect humanity’s future by kickstarting the orderly phase out of fossil fuels or the side of the petrostates and the leaders of the oil and gas companies that are fueling the historic climate catastrophe. In order to prevent COP28 from being the most embarrassing and dismal failure in 28 years of international climate negotiations, the final text must include clear language on phasing out fossil fuels. Anything else is a massive step backwards from where the world needs to be to truly address the climate crisis and make sure the 1.5°C goal doesn’t die in Dubai.”
What has algore, so tweaked? After two weeks of tepid negotiations at COP28, the publication of a draft agreement today lit a fire of fury under this conference.
Gone were the expected words about the “phase out” of fossil fuels, and in their place a menu of options that countries “could” choose from – no shall, should or will – with no obligation on anyone to phase out or even phase down coal, oil or gas.
To say it didn’t land well with a large number of delegates is probably the understatement of the COP so far.
OBSERVATION - Realities have hit many countries. OPEC for a BIG example would totally wither with the complete phase out of fossil fuels. These countries have established their countries on the wealth that oil has provided to them. Imagine the chaos in Saudi Arabia should any petro money end? No more fancy cars, no more power for AC units to keep the buildings and homes cool, etc. The society would face a total breakdown. Just like when countries jumped off the Paris accords for their own interests, there isn’t currently enough consolidation of power at the globalist level to force compliance among all elements. Hence the need for a “global emergency” of some sort to force the issue.
***
Call it what you want, Deep State, powers that be, globalists etc, the war against free speech has been stepped up recently. Ranging from prison for a meme, to Ireland’s draconian anti-speech laws, Britain’s protection of hamas/anti-israeli speech as the expense of British patriotism, to New Zealand’s crackdown on any speech that contradicts the ‘narrative’. And here in the US, the growing revelations of multiple branches of the govt deeply embedded into social media to silence opposition. The development of a ‘1984’ style thought machine tyranny is picking up speed as the globalist entities realize that they must silence opposition as quickly as possible so the sheeple don’t get ideas.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
The growing religious gap’s widening has significantly increased in recent days. Seen very evidently in the democrat infighting between pro and anti Israel, it is not being contained to just democrats any more. James Carville said on CNN that Christians like Johnson are a “fundamental threat to the United States,” and added: “Mike Johnson and what he believes is one of the greatest threats we have today to the United States…”This is a bigger threat than al-Qaeda to this country.”
Johnson responded to Carville’s attack, saying, “It’s twisted and shameful that a leading Democrat strategist says millions of Christians in America are a greater threat than foreign terrorists who murdered more than 3,000 Americans, …The Democratic Party should condemn this. But they won’t.”
The militant left - Antifa, Transtifa and pro-islam factions are jumping into the fray to widen the gap as doing so, the perceive, helps further their cause. Judeo-Christian conservatism is the enemy. As mouth pieces like Carville spew their venom, the foundation for dehumanizing the right is added to - a foundation that has already given some the ‘moral’ authority to physically attack those on the right and in a growing fashion build towards a far more violent and lethal movement. Will American culture be sufficient to hold this back? History and current global events suggest that the answer is no. With the 2024 elections looming, the fear on the left of a Trump victory has already stimulated increased called for assassination, an act that would shatter the election process and likely trigger the greater, kinetic war.
***
There are two bills to modify the FISA702 reauthorization in the House. (1) HR 6611 from the House Intel Committee and (2) HR 6570 from the House Judiciary Committee. The intel committee bill expands domestic surveillance authority under the modifications; the judiciary committee bill requires the DOJ to get a search warrant before they can look at the incidental collection of American citizens.
The House Intel Committee bill organized by Chairman Mike Turner is absolutely horrible. It expands FISA702 surveillance and makes things much worse. The House Judiciary Bill organized by Chairman Jim Jordan is not structurally that much better, but it does put strong curtailments on the 702 surveillance authority by forcing the DOJ to get actual court approved search warrants on American citizens.
OBSERVATION - FISA needs strong restrictions but the current bills just paper over much of the abuse the DoJ/FBI have used to justify domestic surveillance of US Citizens (and a US president). Documented as going as far as LYING without consequence to the FISA judges that were suppose to be a safeguard against abuse of the system. Once again, the deep state is registering its desire to wage war against US citizens in the arena of surveillance, against the 4th Amendment protections.
***
The Soros backed U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) took credit for the illegal protest flooded the lobby of a Senate office building, boasting in a Monday morning social media post that “100+” of its activists “have TAKEN OVER the Senate atrium for Palestine, singing ‘Ceasefire Now” and ‘Stop Weapons Now.’” Protesters spilled red-stained money—which they said symbolized U.S. aid to Israel—on the floors of the Hart Senate Office Building and unveiled banners that said “’Aid’ to Israel = bombing Palestinians.” Capitol Police arrested more than 40 protesters, two of whom were charged with resisting arrest.
Additional pro-Hamas protests continue to be scheduled across the nation - in large part targeting Christmas related shopping and events.
Economy-
WSJ analysis of the housing market:
Average monthly new home payment
when Biden took office: $1,787
Average monthly new home payment
today: $3,322
***
The latest GDP figures show that the eurozone contracted in the third quarter and looks like it will do the same in the last three months of the year falling into a continent-wide recession, Oxford Economics said in a note on December 8.
“Final figures confirmed eurozone GDP contracted 0.1% in the third quarter. What’s more, the detailed breakdown showed the European economy has no engines of growth at the moment. Although private consumption posted a small gain over the previous quarter, the near-term outlook still looks dire, and with both investment and exports unlikely to provide much momentum, the economy looks set to slide into recession in the fourth quarter,” Oxford Economics said.
OBSERVATION - Our economies are interlinked and what happens in the EU reflects what is in progress here. The US is not isolated from economic shocks in other places.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
An Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle, developed by Raytheon, successfully destroyed an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile during a recent test of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System. The test was conducted today in the Pacific region by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Northern Command.
This was the 13th intercept for the program, which protects the U.S. by destroying incoming ballistic missiles while they are outside the Earth’s atmosphere.
“This test demonstrates that the U.S. ballistic missile defense system is operational, reliable and ready to protect the country,” said Wes Kremer, president of Raytheon. “Raytheon kill vehicles have now successfully completed nearly 50 space intercepts, which underscores our expertise and ability to design and develop these systems to defeat the evolving threat.”
OBSERVATION - This should be perceived as an anti-hypervelocity warhead interceptor. Being designed to intercept in space, it negates the concept of a maneuverable warhead that is the big sale item against an atmospheric intercept.
People that scoffed at Reagans Star Wars defense ideas should feel pretty dumb at how anti-missile defenses have grown.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
December 11, 2023: Today is the 3-year anniversary of the FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer’s COVID-19 mRNA injections. On this day three years ago, Pfizer issued a press statement:
“We (Pfizer & BioNTech) believe that today’s Emergency Use Authorization, and the subsequent distribution of our vaccine that has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 95% and a favorable safety profile, will help to save lives across the United States and could accelerate a return to normality.” - December 11, 2020, Pfizer Press Release
OBSERVATION - Now three years later we know that the statement was a flat out lie supported by Fauci and the CDC elites and global powers that be. Increasing evidence that the jab was deliberately developed to cause harmful aftereffects are becoming more exposed every day and millions of deaths are now being linked to it.
***
A study conducted by top scientists at the world-renowned Cambridge University in England has concluded that 25 percent of all people vaccinated with Covid mRNA shots now have Vaccine-Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (VAIDS).
According to the study, one in four people who received a Covid mRNA injection suffered an “unintended immune response.”
However, the scientists note in their paper that the “unintended immune response” was “created by a glitch.”
https://archive.is/9OWsy#selection-2367.0-2367.163
POLITICAL FRONT –
Special counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to say if President Trump can be prosecuted for “crimes committed while in office”
OBSERVATION - Note - not “alleged” crimes but a declaration that Trump is already guilty of crimes. I’m not sure how the USSC will take that accusation. The reason Smith is making such a gamble is clearly political - he wants Trump found guilty and not have the decision held up by appeals which would likely over turn any lower court decision. The USSC has initially said they wanted a reply by Trump’s attorneys. This could blow up in Smith’s face big time.
***
On Monday, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey informed the left-wing watchdog organization Media Matters for America that his office has opened an investigation into the group over alleged violations of the state’s consumer protection laws.
“As you are no doubt aware, a federal lawsuit has been filed against Media Matters, raising serious allegations that your firm falsely and deceptively manipulated the algorithm on X (formerly known as Twitter) through coordinated, inauthentic behavior and that you did so in an attempt to defame the organization and cause advertisers to pull their support from the platform, thus harming free speech,” the letter began.
“The lawsuit alleges that you lied to the public, falsely suggested that fringe, extremist content regularly appears next to content from corporate advertisers when in fact the opposite is true,” Bailey added. “At the same time, you appear to have used this coordinated, inauthentic activity to solicit charitable donations from consumers across the country.”
Bailey wrote that he has reason to believe Media Matters’ alleged actions have violated Missouri consumer protection laws, “including laws that prohibit nonprofit entities from soliciting funds under false pretenses.”
RELATED - News publishers have been demonetized and shadow-banned for reporting dissenting views and the bureaucratic means for enforcing this form of control are under increasing scrutiny. NewsGuard, a for-profit company that scores news websites on trust and works closely with government agencies and major corporate advertisers, exemplifies the problem. Editors who have engaged with NewsGuard have found that the company has made bizarre demands that unfairly tarnish an entire site as untrustworthy for straying from the official narrative.
https://nypost.com/2023/12/10/opinion/newsguard-extorts-sites-to-follow-the-government-narrative/
MORE RELATED - In its obsession to smear Justice Clarence Thomas, the left-wing billionaire-funded website ProPublica is expected to publish another dishonest hit piece to justify its previous dishonest hit pieces on Justice Thomas’ vacations with his friends. But this new hit job does nothing to change the fact that Thomas acted consistent with the law and the governing legal body’s 2012 ruling that Thomas acted properly.
OBSERVATION - This can be cross referenced to CW2. These three organizations - MediaMatters, NewsGuard and ProPublica - are the elements stepping up in the current vacuum of the fed govt being forced out of censoring and controlling social media. MediaMatters is facing big guns not only by state AG’s but Musk himself. NewsGuard is coming under similar scrutiny for its dealings. One can expect similar of ProPublica. Theirs is an all out attack via demonstrably false claims against the right and are placing stress on businesses and media outlets should they cross the line and allow anything counter to the narrative. They are preparing the information ‘battlefield’ for the coming election and in part helping to establish the ‘legitimacy’ of physical action against the right.
Cyber attacks/warfare – HEIGHTENED ALERT
Chinese-affiliated hacking groups infiltrated critical American infrastructure, including Hawaii water utility and at least one oil and gas pipeline, US officials say
More than two dozen high-value targets have been attacked in the last year alone as China seeks to inflict ‘societal chaos’ in the event of war
Beijing is by-passing hi-tech firewalls by targeting ordinary employees
Related
Rumble and their supporting project, Locals, that have been targeted. China is currently being blamed for the attack by some, but there are those who believe it is an attack by other elements who want free speech quashed.
Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski states -
“I can confirm that this attack has been unprecedented and has been happening since this weekend.
I also suspect it is political, coming from activists and/or organizations who want to censor our creators, and related to J6 videos being posted on Rumble.”
China –
The Taiwan general election is scheduled for 13 January 2024. China placing more pressure against the pro-independence party which currently is in the lead.
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 – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
RUMINT – Talks increasing to pressure Ukraine to settle for a cease fire which allows Russia to claim more territory than they have currently captured.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Another busy night with Ukrainian air defense shooting down 9 of 15 Shahed drones and 2 Kh-59 missiles that targeted sites all over the country.
Russia increasingly relying on Storm troopers made up of prisoners to force their way into Ukraine defenses. These units still take horrific losses but have taken over for Wagner in that they have developed a better control and tactics lacking in regular Russian units.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Limited operations across most fronts.
Poland –
New leftist govt taking over scheduled to overturn the nationalist stance against the flood of predominantly islamic migrants entering the country.
OTOH, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk is taking a stronger stance against Russia and calling for a larger European mobilization in support of Ukraine.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Continued operations in N and S Gaza closing in on more Hamas and affiliated strongholds.
- More mass surrenders being reported.
- Houthi attacked another cargo ship in the Red Sea.
- Israel making more demands on Lebanon to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Continual reports of Hamas et al hijacking trucks containing relief supplies designated for civilians.
While the Hamas leaders remain hidden in tunnels, above-ground residents face significant destruction and a lack of basic necessities, including food and water. These supplies are stored in UNRWA warehouses but fail to reach the people. Photos circulating show enraged residents looting one of the warehouses in Khan Yunis. One resident wrote in a local Telegram group, “What corruption! We are a family of four with refugees among us, struggling to find or buy food.
“A UNRWA representative denied us aid. The police informed the representative that distributing aid was prohibited.” Another resident expressed, “UNRWA is ruining our lives just like the Jews.”
https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-777031
***
(NOTE - there is a degree of propaganda and PSYOPS in this statement, but it is based on a core of established evidenced) Israel is encircling Hamas’s last two strongholds in Sajaiyya and Jabalia in northern Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday.
Hamas considered these areas to be held by “unwinnable battalions,” stated Gallant, adding, “and I’m telling you, they are on the verge of being dismantled. The number of those surrendering in these areas teach us what is happening.”
“Those surrendering and leaving their bunkers and tunnels have been telling the Israel Defense Forces that they lack ammunition and food, and feel abandoned by the Hamas leadership, with Gallant reporting that “the leadership is deep underground, and we were sent to die.”
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Pockets of fierce fighting continue in the Gaza city and Khan Younis. IDF air and artillery strikes cover all Gaza.
The IDF pincer surrounding Khan Younis has reportedly been closed.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Reports of multiple ATGM/mortar shell launches towards Mount Dov area, which contains a key strategic Israeli missile alert radar system.
Israeli media, citing military sources: intercepted missiles launched from Lebanon towards the Hula Plain in the Upper Galilee.
Israeli counter strike operations are expanding the number of Hezbollah targets being hit beyond those that are immediately threatening Israeli forces.
***
“48-Hour Ultimatum” related rhetoric - Israeli government spokesman warns that Beirut will face the same fate as Gaza if Hezbollah decides to wage war against us.
Israel is requiring the deployment of the Lebanese army on the border with French forces (UN).
Citing as evidence supporting Israeli demands that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 be enforced, Hezbollah fired a rocket just 20 meters from a United Nations compound in Southern Lebanon on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday. In doing so, Hezbollah endangered the lives of UNIFIL soldiers and continues to systematically violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which bans Hezbollah from operating in Southern Lebanon.
War cabinet minister Benny Gantz told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday that the uptick in attacks by Hezbollah will require a firm Israeli response, as rocket fire by the Lebanese terror group continued to target towns on Israel’s northern border.
“Gantz stated that heightened aggression and increased attacks by Iranian-backed Hezbollah demand of Israel to remove such a threat to the civilian population of northern Israel,” according to an Israeli readout.
Gantz added that “the international community currently has an important role to play, and it must act to ensure that the state of Lebanon stops such aggression along its border,” the statement said.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
The continuation of the Gaza war will lead to a regional explosion, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told the Doha Forum on Monday, as he explained that the scope of the conflict had already expanded to include Lebanon and Yemen.
“At any moment there is a possibility of a big explosion in the region, one not controllable by any party,” he said as he spoke through an English language translator in a virtual interview conducted by CNN’s Becky Anderson.
“At least every week, we receive a message from the US telling us that US bases in Syria and Iraq are targeted by some groups,” Amirabdollahian said. These groups are “defending the Arab and Muslim people of Gaza; that is why they are targeting US bases in Syria and Iraq.”
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-777613
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces stormed the town of Ni’lin, west of Ramallah. Israeli security forces are engaged throughout much of the West Bank.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq published a communique claiming responsibility for attacking an American position in al-Shaddadi, south of the Syrian city of al-Hassakah
***
The French Ministry of the Armed Forces - A French frigate intercepted and destroyed a drone targeting the Norwegian tanker Strinda in the Red Sea.
Earlier, the Strinda was hit by a Houthi anti-ship missile. USS Mason is also responding to its distress call. The M/V Strinda was struck near the Mandeb Strait.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
After consultations with Palestinian Authority leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Russia is called on the Hamas terrorist organization to release hostages taken from Israel on October 7th.
According to Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov met on Monday with representatives of Hamas and other Palestinian groups and reportedly discussed freeing hostages.
After speaking with Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Moussa Abu Marzouk, Secretary General of the Palestinian Democratic Union Saleh Rafat, and senior Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine official Maher Taher, Mikhail Bogdanov released a statement about the meeting.
“During the conversations, a set of issues related to the sharp escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was discussed, with an emphasis on the emerging military and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”
He continued, “At the same time, the Russian side confirmed the principled position on the need for a cessation of hostilities and an immediate solution to all emerging humanitarian problems, including the release of hostages.”
https://worldisraelnews.com/russia-tells-hamas-to-release-hostages/
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. Hezbollah continues harassing attacks in the north but is facing increasing push by Israel to have U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 enforced by Lebanon and UN in order to prevent Israel forces from executing its rights to drive Hezbollah out under same agreement.
There is still a lot of calls for a unilateral ceasefire, calls complaining of the civilian hardship of the Gazans, but absolutely no calls for Hamas to release the remaining hostages or surrender due to the criminal attacks of Oct 7th. Many of these calls, as I’ve commented a lot on, are lacking traction due to revelations from the war - of Hamas use of Hospitals and other civilian facilities in their fight and the horrific treatment of those hostages that have been released - to include the participation of UN employed persons and hospitals in the holding of prisoners.
Lead up to a potential invasion of Lebanon to remove Hezbollah from the border and demilitarize southern Lebanon continues as the informational battle continues. So far, I’ve not seen much response to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 from Hezbollah or Lebanese sources- perhaps they are hoping that the threat will blow over and Israel will back down from its threats. Right now things are in Israel’s favor and they are determined to remove the Hezbollah threat. Repeatedly from the Israeli govt is the theme that Israel is fighting for its life - and the elimination of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza just the first step. This theme still has strong resonance in Israel - even among Israeli arabs who have not been immune from Hamas/Hezbollah attacks.
US/ALLIED forces need to figure out how to bloody the Houthi’s nose an get them to backdown from their assault on Red Sea shipping. Lack of US response may lull Houthi leadership into a sense of false security and allow them to make mistakes - targetable mistakes on a large scale. Saudi Arabia in their fight with the Houthi could only manage limited strikes. The US could send a bomber force covered by the air assets in the region and inflict a much larger strike. Piddly little counter strikes will not do it.
Venezuela - Increasing potential for war
Guyana and Venezuela agreed to hold bilateral talks over the disputed Essequibo region of Guyana on Thursday.
OPEC could really throw a monkey wrench into the WEF machinery.
Globalism / Great Reset –
A new deal has been agreed at the UN climate summit in Dubai after days of negotiations. For the first time, the deal calls on all countries to move away from using fossil fuels - but not to phase them out, something many governments wanted. The text recognizes the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions if humanity is to limit temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
Island nations hard-hit by climate change are critical - representative Samoa says they were “not in the room” when the deal was approved.
Campaign groups also say the agreement doesn’t go far enough; Greenpeace says it won’t be possible to achieve the transition in a “fair and fast manner”
Running to more than 20 pages and nearly 200 clauses, it includes:
It calls on countries to contribute to transition away from fossil fuels. This is the first time we have had an explicit mention of reducing our use of fossil fuels - the main driver of climate change
There is a recognition that emissions will peak in the future but said that the date of this will be different depending if you are a developed or developing country
The text also recognized that the current levels of finance given by richer countries to help their poorer counterparts cope with climate change and move to renewables has been lacking. But it doesn’t go beyond that to require that richer nations do more to address this
There is no reference to reduce methane emissions which has been in earlier texts. This is one of the most potent greenhouse gas emissions
OBSERVATION - A lot of verbiage, but in general it comes out as a big nothing burger. It gives the big oil producing countries cover, it allows big consumers of fossil fuels like China to expand use and it gives justification for totalitarian - oriented climate change crusading nations like the US the fuel to double and triple down on killing coal/gas/oil.
NOTE - According to the globalists, the world is 1.1C warmer than it was at the end of the 1800s. That is over the period of a little over 100 years - a mere flea speck in the total existence of the earth which has seen far greater temperature swings over those years. And guess what - life is still here.
BTW - these island ‘nations’ only see this as a big global money handout. Ocean levels have not gone up the way they claim.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Pro-hamas protests continue to disrupt Christmas related activities. In most instances they are mostly at a nuisance level.
Economy-
Jobs openings plunged by 800,000 on the month. Many view this as a precursor to recession.
***
In November, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.1 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.3 percent in November (SA); up 4.0 percent over the year (NSA).
Core inflation (CPI less food and energy commodities) is up 0.3% in November MoM and up 4% YoY. Shelter is up 0.4% MoM an up 6.5% YoY.
OBSERVATION - Part of the govt plan is to so contort how price indexes and inflation are ‘calculated ‘ to confuse the average citizen and allow the spinmeisters their way with the data. Bottom line is the prices for stuff I buy continue to rise and being a retiree on a fixed income, at a rate exceeding adjustments.
***
Goldman Sachs has joined the growing list of market participants that see the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates sooner than initially forecast.
The firm’s economics team led by Jan Hatzius wrote in a note on Sunday they expect the Fed to begin cutting interest rates in the third quarter of 2024; the firm had previously expected cuts to begin in the fourth quarter.
OBSERVATION - The damage caused to the economy by the Fed has almost mandated some kind of cut to the rates. Tea leave reading of future Fed decisions see both some more increases before reductions. Inflation is still significantly above their ‘target’ rate. The date of July is significant as a reduction could provide the economy with some juice to perform well enough to get the consumers to forget about inflation right at this key juncture of the 2024 presidential campaign.
POLITICAL FRONT –
House GOP leadership pulls both FISA bills following backlash.
OBSERVATION - I am dumbfounded that the House republicans even attempted to move this bill forward in the first place. Just last week FBI’s Wray admitted that the FBI broke the rules governing FISA requests under 702 and has not punished any for those violations nothing that they have put new ‘internal principles’ into effect to prevent further abuses. Hogwash!!
Now the idiotic republicans put a bill forward that makes it even EASIER for the FBI to violate our 4th amendment rights.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Biden tells the press to “hush up,” announces he “just signed another $200 million drawdown from the Department of Defense for Ukraine,” then sits and stares as his handlers remove the press from the room
***
Biden is in “deep, deep trouble” in his bid to win re-election. Just how much trouble? Reports are that his campaign has called in the services of hillary. This is overlaid by the resurgence of 0bama into the political spotlight as well.
Illegal Immigration –
In the Chicago suburbs of Cicero and Rosemont, authorities have taken measures against buses transporting illegal migrants from El Paso, Texas, the Washington Examiner reported Tuesday.
Rosemont police only allowed migrants to leave the bus if they had someone there to pick them up, according to Mayor Brad Stephens, who added officers threatened to impound the bus and arrest the driver for endangering the passengers if he let them out. The Rosemont Village Board is considering an ordinance to support the officers.
OBSERVATION - Sanctuary city comes home to roost. Reality is they are only seeing a fraction of the numbers border cities are facing on a daily basis.
What is even more apparent is the rise of the conflict between protected classes. The predominantly black entitlement class is having the rug pulled out from under it by these new illegals sucking up all the resources they are used to getting. As I’ve noted before - this could lead to violence as turf wars develop.
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.
Logistics –
The war in Ukraine required more artillery munitions than either side was able to meet. The Russians had few additional sources and one of them was North Korea, which supplied about a million 152mm artillery shells to the Russians. These shipments included smaller numbers of 125mm shells for tank guns. There were rumors that many of the North Korean shells were elderly and, according to South Korean intelligence, often unreliable as well. All this information was available to the Russians who either ignored it or were desperate to get the 152mm artillery and 115mm tank gun ammunition. Russia is also using elderly T-62 tanks and their 115mm guns to provide artillery support for Russian infantry.
When the North Korean munitions arrived in Ukraine and Russian troops began using the shells, they noted two things. First, that North Korean ammunition is unreliable and lacking accuracy. After some time, it was discovered that the North Korean shells could also be dangerous to use. Some of them detonated after leaving the gun barrel and eventually some detonated while inside the barrel. At this point the Russians had to stop using the North Korean shells, which had become more dangerous for the Russians users than the Ukrainians. Meanwhile, the North Korean munitions factories were working overtime to produce new shells to replace the older ones sold to the Russians. This was a good deal for North Korea because they unloaded their older artillery munitions and were not replacing it with newly manufactured shells.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/articles/20231213.aspx
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Russia has reportedly lost a staggering 87 percent of the total number of active-duty ground troops it had prior to launching its invasion of Ukraine and two-thirds of its pre-invasion tanks, a source familiar with a declassified US intelligence assessment provided to Congress told CNN. Of the 360,000 troops that entered Ukraine, including contract and conscript personnel, Russia has lost 315,000 on the battlefield, according to the assessment. 2,200 of 3,500 tanks have been lost, according to the assessment. 4,400 of 13,600 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers have also been destroyed, a 32 percent loss rate.
NOTE - these numbers are pretty close to the numbers from Ukrainian sources. For the last few months, Russian has been losing between 800-1000 soldiers per day along with dozens of tanks and APCs.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot dow 10 Shahed drones and 10 Iskander-M missiles overnight.
Zelensky came to DC to meet with Congressional leaders and biden to solicit more funds, munitions and equipment for the war.
Avdiivka -
Ukrainian Armed Forces have destroyed 13 tanks and 12 other armoured vehicles in clashes near Avdiyivka and Maryinka on 12th December.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Limited operations across most fronts.
Russia is much larger than Ukraine and can weather the incredible casualties better as well has having a large junk pile of old tanks and APCs to draw on, but still the losses are staggering. Putin has repeatedly stated that he will outlast Ukraine who is smaller with fewer internal resources. Ukraine is reportedly having to raise the age of induction to 40 as it is running out of younger fighters.
The US and NATO are increasingly reluctant to supply Ukraine in a timely manner, weapon systems and munitions that could have enabled them to be more successful on the battlefield. Any further lack of resolve may eventually force Ukraine to the peace table at a disadvantage.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- UN General Assembly votes to demand an immediate ‘humanitarian” ceasefire
- More dead hostages found in Gazan tunnels.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Israeli officials - 135 detainees held by Hamas are still in the Gaza Strip, of whom 19 people have died.
Bodies of 2 kidnapped Israelis recovered in Gaza tonight. Eden Zechariah, 28 and Ziv Dado, 36 were executed by Hamas after being kidnapped on Oct 7th and brought to Gaza. Their bodies were found hidden in Hamas tunnels and were recovered by IDF forces.
***
The UN General Assembly on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
153 countries voted in favor of the motion and 10 countries, including the United States and Israel, voted against. 23 countries abstained. Czechia and Austria are the only two European countries that voted against it.
The resolution does not mention that the hostages are being held by Hamas and does not condemn the massacre carried out by the organization’s terrorists against Israel.
***
biden said Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must “change” as dissent around the world continues to grow in response to Israel’s actions following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas.
Biden, speaking to Democratic donors at a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., said the United States would continue to provide Israel support in its efforts to root out Hamas from Gaza but that he warned Netanyahu about waning public support for Israel’s bombing campaigns among voters.
Biden also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his hardline government.
OBSERVATION - Even in the midst of a fight for survival, the marxist/progressive element in biden’s dark heart can only focus on regime change in Israel.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Fierce fighting reported as the IDF assails major Hamas strongholds in N and S Gaza. Yesterday, 10 IDF soldiers were killed - the largest daily loss since ground operations began.
Israel now operating fully the plan to flood Hamas tunnels to flush out terrorists as well as destroy them.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Hezbollah and Israel continues their tit for tat exchanges along the border.
Israel continues to pressure Lebanon to enforce the demilitarization of S Lebanon.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Katyusha rockets were launched from the Quneitra countryside towards the Golan region, and Israeli artillery responded by bombing the source of the rocket launch
———WEST BANK——————————-
Fights all across the West Bank region as Israeli security forces move into islamic conclaves to arrest terror suspects.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility for today’s rocket attack on Al-Omar Field, eastern Syria.
British Maritime Trade Authority - Reports of a new incident in the vicinity of Bab al-Mandab. Marshall islands-flagged chemical tanker reported an “exchange of fire” with a speedboat 55 nautical miles (around 102 kilometres) off Hodeidah.
Two missiles were fired from territory held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, missing a commercial tanker near the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Wednesday, a U.S. official said
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
RUMINT. Qatar has reportedly directed three senior Qhamas officials to leave its territory due to concerns about their safety from potential Israeli actions as the authorities can no longer guarantee their safety.
Joint Statement: The Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand support international efforts towards a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Saudi Foreign Minister: We support the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. Overnight UN vote for immediate ceasefire is falling on deaf ears as it is unenforceable and Israel has pretty much set its face to the destruction of Hamas and if hamas supporting civilians don’t heed the warnings to get out of the range fan, then they are going to get hurt.
Hezbollah continues harassing attacks in the north but is facing increasing push by Israel to have U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 enforced by Lebanon and UN in order to prevent Israel forces from executing its rights to drive Hezbollah out under same agreement.
Houthi’s continue to ramp up their attacks on shipping through the Red Sea. Their tactics range from low tech speedboats carrying armed squads to firing anti-ship cruise missiles. Their attacks have increased and will continue until the US and coalition forces bloody their noses - only a non “proportional” strike will work.
Reportedly, the pentagon is wanting to do just that to the Houthi’s as well as Iranian backed militias executing hit and run attacks on US bases/forces in eastern Syria/western Iraq. The regime has so far said no to those oplans.
Misc of Note –
Could place under CW2 as well
0bama and mike produced a movie on netflix depicting a cyber attack that shuts down the grid and the collapse of society. One key point raised is that blacks should not trust whites - setting the stage for a racial war. There are other disturbing plot lines which when added up makes one ask “Why did 0bama produce this at this time?” The globalist left has been fear mongering about a massive cyber attack for a while, as a follow-on to the wuhan plandemic, and as a mechanism to trigger the ‘great reset’. Is this predictive programming?
Makes me go hmmmmm
Or maybe Obama doesn't want Michelle to run for President or accept a VP slot... Maybe all along we got that one backwards. Why? Because a race baiting movie at this time plays against her personally but might gin up the black vote for some other democrat... Time will tell on this one.
The level of crazy across the world and this country continues to ratchet up.
Globalism / Great Reset –
According to a new white paper published Wednesday by the Davos outfit in partnership with McKinsey & Company, it’s time to print more money to further devalue the wealth of the common man, in order to pursue the apparent noble goal of “decarbonization.”
“The world needs up to $3.5 trillion of additional investments each year to reach net-zero and restore nature,” the report highlights state, adding that an organization spun up by the WEF called Giving to Amplify Earth Action (GAEA) is determined to shake down the relevant parties for the money.
According to the whitepaper, which is creepily titled, “The Role of Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnerships in Driving Climate and Nature Transitions,” private organizations should surrender their autonomy to governments in exchange for an endless amount of credit and a backstop of protection should their business fail in the open market.
Two weeks ago, the WEF declared in another report that $13.5 trillion would be needed as soon as humanly possible to avoid a climate catastrophe. According to the report, (which was written with the help of Accenture, another pay to play “consulting” outfit) the date for which the earth will melt has been rolled back from 25 years ago to 2050.
https://www.dossier.today/p/world-economic-forum-demands-35-trillion
OBSERVATION - Watch as these demands are incrementally met by compliant world governments and corporations. It is part of the overall plan for the WEF to eventually control the global economy.
***
A new study led by Dr. Nicholas Cowan, an atmospheric physicist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh, claims gases exhaled by humans when breathing contribute to global warming.
Sadly, this isn’t a parody.
“It has been reported that exhaled human breath can contain the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), both of which have a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2),” the study reads.
“Where hydrocarbon chains (food types) are consumed by humans and turned into CH4 (and N2O from nitrogen intake), the global warming potential is no longer neutral, and human respiration has a net warming effect on the atmosphere,” it adds.
https://100percentfedup.com/scientists-now-say-breathing-harms-the-environment/
OBSERVATION - So goes the saying - “We are the carbon they want to reduce”.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
A majority of Americans in a new survey said they are concerned about political violence, with many linking the idea to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on the Capitol. The new poll from Navigator — a Democratic research firm — found 83 percent of participants were concerned about the threat of political violence in the U.S. today. About 42 percent of this group said they are “very concerned,” while 41 percent said they are “somewhat concerned.”
They also indicated they are worried about rising political violence in the future, with 85 percent expressing some degree of concern.
Democrats are slightly more likely to be worried than Republicans about a perceived threat, the pollsters found.
Republicans are also perceived as more prone to use political violence to push their agenda, with 47 percent of participants agreeing with the sentiment. Broken down by party, 80 percent of Democrats said Republicans are more prone to political violence, while 68 percent of Republicans said Democrats are more prone to it. Among independents, 38 percent said Republicans, 23 percent chose Democrats and 39 percent said they were unsure.
OBSERVATION - This poll is designed to shape opinions going into the 2024 elections. Contrary to all history of past and current leftist violence, they continue to want to paint Republicans as the dangerous ones. This moved to shape perceptions is designed to add another foundational piece to the overall goal to demonize the right and justify their violence.
RELATED - I noted yesterday the 0bama produced movie “Leave the World Behind” (The tagline is “All Empires Fall.”), , about the collapse of America following a catastrophic cyber attack. Yesterday, trailers were released for another movie, some consider to be predictive programming as well, called “Civil War”, a movie that follows some journalists who document a war between a Texas-Kalifornian lead confederacy against the US govt under a 3d term president. Yes the basic scenario is very far fetched and details are still missing, but the recurring theme from the left (and has spilled into the right) is that of a pending CW of some sort and magnitude. Both movies feed upon the growing anxiety of potential chaos in the coming year, but to what extent are they predictive?
A CW is commonly linked to some other event - in conjunction with a World War III scenario, cyber attacks, grid-down, etc. In the course of my life rotating around the sun, the potential reality of such a scenario once thought to be outrageous becomes more and more realistic with each day.
***
Pro-hamas protesters blocked the 110 freeway in downtown Los Angeles yesterday morning. CHP say that 75 were arrested. As part of their protest they erected a menorah on the freeway, just to make sure that they spread lots of Jew-hatred among people who just want to get to work or school.
OBSERVATION - Traffic blockage has quickly become a popular protest method. In Europe and some other places, the anti-oil groups have been using it. These recent blockages have been passive and non-violent - by at least the protestors - unlike the BLM/Antifa riots of 2020. However, being downstream of those blockages, drivers are less accepting and are reaching a boiling point. Yesterday saw numerous motorists getting out of their vehicles to try to drag or chase the protestors off the freeway. That’s when the CHP finally stepped in and warned everyone they had to leave or face arrest.
The erection of a menorah is an interesting twist - to try to generate hatred towards jews as the cause for the blockage.
***
More govt attacks on Americans.
In a last-minute rush to sanction spending before the end of the year, the Senate enacted a $886 billion defense spending proposal Wednesday, sponsored by President Joe Biden, that includes financing for Ukraine, yearly pay hikes for personnel, and most controversially, a reauthorization of the the National Defense Authorization Act.
Among many objections to the bill is the reauthorization of the secretive FISA Court and rubber-stamp mass warrantless surveillance.
“The Senate just voted to waive the point of order against the NDAA,” Sen Lee said prior to the bill’s passage. “35 of us opposed the motion to waive. We needed only 41 to prevent this outcome, and to remove FISA 702 from the NDAA.”
See my comments under “Misc of Note” below. This is an example of those republicans who claim to “. . represent our side but are actually working against us.”
IN RELATED -
A handful of the 51 signatories of the debunked letter which falsely called Hunter Biden’s laptop “Russian disinformation” are now calling on Congress to expand the scope of domestic surveillance in the United States.
As reported by the Daily Caller, the letter to House lawmakers on Tuesday was signed by former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former Deputy Director for the National Security Agency (NSA) Richard Ledgett, former Deputy CIA Director Michael Morell, former CIA Chief of Staff Jeremy Bash, and former NSA General Counsel Glenn Gerstell. All five men had previously signed the controversial letter in 2020 claiming, without evidence, that information found on the recently-unearthed laptop of Hunter Biden was all “Russian propaganda” meant to influence the 2020 election.
In their new letter, the former intelligence community officials voiced their opposition to a bill that would reduce the ability of intelligence agencies to spy on Americans without a warrant. At the same time, they offered up praise for a bill that would allow surveillance of any location where internet access is provided.
“We cannot hamstring the U.S. Intelligence Community either by failing to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act or by limiting it in ways that would make it difficult for the government to protect Americans,” the letter reads in part. “To be clear, Section 702 saves American lives and helps keep Americans safe from international terrorist attacks, foreign cyberattacks, overseas fentanyl suppliers, and other threats to our national security. There’s no substitute for it.”
OBSERVATION - If I used the words I’d like to use to describe these lowlife scums I’d be banned from FR. nuf said.
Economy-
(FO) Analysts at Swiss bank UBS predict a mild U.S. recession in the second and third quarter of 2024, and they reviewed historical U.S. stock data to better inform their clients about the market peak and recession risk. Over the past 65 years, U.S. stock prices peaked on average 6.5 months before a recession, and reviewing the past 40 years of data, U.S. stocks peaked three months prior to a recession, according to this UBS report.
OBSERVATION - Timing and size of the recession is still very fuzzy and various economic analysts disagree on both. A recession in a presidential election year goes very badly for the incumbent, and biden is already under water in recent polls.
****
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its key interest rate steady for the third straight time and set the table for multiple cuts to come in 2024 and beyond.
Along with the decision to stay on hold, committee members penciled in at least three rate cuts in 2024, assuming quarter percentage point increments. That’s less than market pricing of four, but more aggressive than what officials had previously indicated.
OBSERVATION - This will still leave the inflation rate well above target levels. However, to stave off a major recession during an election year the Fed is planning to move them down anyway. This may backfire and create a new round of inflation as more money is released into circuit. However, rate reductions for overall economic recovery will not be immediate as the general rule of thumb IIRC is a 6 month delay in Fed action before the impacts ripple through the system.
BTW, Moody Analytics doubts the Fed will lower rates three times next year - how’s that for a clear path forward.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
The pressing reports of White Lung Syndrome have dropped off the radar screens on news services. Not ready to say it is due to a false alert or being overwhelmed by other news just yet, but monitoring.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) announced it will hear an appeal from January 6th defendant Joseph Fischer, arguing that the Obstruction of an Official Proceeding charge is not valid.
OBSERVATION - This hearing could well set the prosecution of Trump on these charges as well as unleash a flood of other mis-use of the statue that has seen dozens of J6 protestors being jailed for considerable time. Ruling in favor will likely torpedo most of the accusations against Trump under his current trial as well and cause leftist heads to blow up and may serve to increase violence in protests.
***
Hunter Biden was due to appear for a compelled deposition in front of the House Oversight Committee yesterday. Instead he decided not to attend and gave a statement outside the Capitol. The interview is part of the House investigation into President Joe Biden and the sprawling money trail that involves his family and dozens of shell corporations to which only Hunter Biden can provide answers. Instead, Mr. Biden gave a speech at the Capitol building.
OBSERVATION - Republicans are waffling over to have him charged with disobeying the subpoena and arrested. Trump allies who refused to do the same under the democrats controlled house were immediately arrested. We are seeing here both a two tiered law enforcement as well as spineless republicans with no taste for a fight.
***
The House voted Wednesday to formally authorize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, allowing committee chairmen to compel interviews, obtain documents and further their case that he improperly benefitted from his son’s foreign business dealings.
The vote broke down along party lines, with 221 Republicans in favor of the inquiry and 212 Democrats against.
OBSERVATION - Moving slower than a glacier with little sense of urgency.
Biden / Harris Watch –
The WH released a freeky video showing the season’s decoration. Some likened it to something out of Hunger Games.
Cyber attacks/warfare – HEIGHTENED ALERT
U.S. officials say Russian hackers are targeting servers hosting outdated versions of software made by the Czech tech company JetBrains for potential SolarWinds-style espionage operations.
In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S. National Security Agency, the FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the cyber watchdog agency known as CISA, accused the hackers, sometimes known as Cozy Bear or APT29, of trying to hijack the servers in a bid to access software developers’ source code, something that could potentially allow them to tamper with its compilation or deployment.
A similar technique was used to doctor software made by the U.S. software firm SolarWinds, the statement noted. That cyberespionage campaign led to a wave of serious breaches across the government that were discovered in 2019.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-russia-cybersecurity/2023/12/13/id/1145875/
OBSERVATION - There has been a noticeable increase in cyber warfare related articles and threats over the past few weeks. As a cyber attack has been foretold by those affiliated with the WEF, the growing appearance of such threats going into 2024 is increasingly concerning.
Illegal Immigration –
Illegals filmed lining up by the thousands to try to piggy back on trains headed to the border.
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.
*****
Holding his first major news conference since he launched his first full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Russians that peace with Ukraine will only take place “when we achieve our objectives”.
Putin said that “there will be peace [in Ukraine] when we achieve our objectives”. Those “objectives do not change”, he said, listing “denazification, demilitarisation and its neutral status”. These are themes he has highlighted from the start of the war.
At one point he revealed that Russia currently has a total of 617,000 troops fighting in Ukraine. He also claimed that on top of 300,000 people called up for service last year, another 486,000 have signed up voluntarily as contract soldiers.
OBSERVATION - Putin in this news does a good job exuding confidence that Russia is on the brink of prevailing in the ongoing war. Assumptions of the breakdown of western support to Ukraine coupled with the successful deflection of any major territorial gains by Ukraine during the summer offensive has bolstered his attitude. He seems unconcerned with the massive losses of men and material.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Russian aircraft were busy attacking deep targets. Explosions were reported near Starokostyantyniv after Russian planes launched Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles.
Ukrainian Air defense shot down 41 of 42 Shahed drones overnight, also Russia launched 6 S-300 missiles from occupied part of Kherson region towards Mykolaiv region
Drones / missiles also stuck the Odesa region.
Ukraine kept Russia busy with drone attacks on the Moscow region. According to Russian media Ukrainian drones attempted to attack military units in Alabino and Podolsk of Moscow region
Kherson Axis -
Putin claims that Russian troops had withdraw from Krynky in Kherson region of Ukraine just to save their lives, claims Russian troops suffered minor casualties
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Limited operations across most fronts.
The major action continues to be dueling drone/missile deep attacks by both sides. The Ukraine attacks on the Moscow area are likely a retaliation for recent Russian attacks directed against Kyiv.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Heavy rains have impacted Gazans forced to relocate from combat zones and complicating relief efforts.
- Continued cries for a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told soldiers on Wednesday that Israel “will destroy Hamas” regardless of “international pressures.”
***
Hamas released a new propaganda video explicitly threatening American and English people, as well as all other allies of Israel.
“We need violent acts against American and British interests everywhere, as well as the interests of all the countries that support [Israel].”
***
Heavy rains have hit Gaza, causing local flooding and increasing stress on evacuees with little or no protective covers such as tents.
***
A senior Hamas official suggested the terror group could recognize the State of Israel in order to end the current war between Israel and the Gaza-based group.
Mousa Abu Marzouk stated, in an interview with the news website Al-Monitor from his office in the Qatari capital, Doha: “You should follow the official stance. The official stance is that the PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] has recognized the State of Israel.”
Marzouk also added that “Israelis deserve rights, but not at the expense of others.”
NOTE - Islamic doctrine clearly states that it is permissible to lie until the situation changes and they can once again go on the offensive.
***
Israel Defense Forces has recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages during a rescue operation in Gaza.
Special forces found the remains of 27-year-old Eden Zakaria who was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival and 36-year-old Sergeant Major Ziv Dado. Dado was taken hostage on October 7th while on active duty.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that the bodies were recovered in a heavily populated civilian area of Gaza, which complicated the rescue operation.
“Our special forces located the bodies of the hostage inside an underground infrastructure in a densely populated area in Gaza. Hamas is holding our people hostage in brutal conditions while hiding among and under the people of Gaza,” Hagari said. “Among and under the people of Gaza.”
NOTE - This loss was reported earlier but this adds detail such as where and conditions under which they were being held.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Pockets of stiff Hamas resistance still being encountered in N and S Gaza. Israel continues to tighten the noose around those areas, but have suffered higher casualties as well.
Hamas et al still managed to get some small rocket barrages off towards Israel, many still originating from designated humanitarian safe zones.
***
Flooding of Hamas terror tunnels is increasing.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Border fight continues with little change as Hezbollah continues to fire mortars and ATGMs along the Lebanon border, with IDF artillery and air strikes in response.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Violent clashes reported between Palestinian fighters and Israeli security forces near Al-Damj neighborhood, west of the Jenin camp.
Fighting also reported in numerous other areas of the West Bank.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Rocket attack by Iranian backed militias targeted the “American” base in the Koniko field, east of Deir ez-Zor.
CENTCOM: At approximately 0830 (Sanaa time) on December 13, in the southern Red Sea, the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) was responding to a mayday call from the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Motor Vessel Ardmore Encounter, which was under attack from Houthi forces. These forces first attempted to board the tanker via skiffs. When this was unsuccessful, a pair of missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the vessel, which both missed. While responding to the distress call, the Mason shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle also launched from Houthi-controlled areas. The UAV was heading directly towards the Mason and was shot down in self-defense. There were no injuries to personnel and no damage to any vessels. The Ardmore Encounter was able to proceed without further incident
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Turkey expects from US not to further obstruct the UN Security Council attempts to call a ceasefire in Gaza, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says
NOTE - Potential threat given the recent US veto of a security council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza.
Global calls for ceasefire continue and are totally absent of reference to Hamas war crimes or actions. One of the most hypocritical voices are UN based agencies crying about the lack of food and supplies to Gazan refugees, while Hamas hijacks relief trucks as well as uses UN facilities throughout Gaza as military bases.
Little bubbling up regarding Israel’s push for Lebanon to demilitarize the southern part of the country. This is something that Israel will not give up on as it is using it to prepare the propaganda battlefield for its likely second phase of the war - eliminating the Hezbollah threat.
Iran –
Iran has showcased its strides in military technology with the revelation of a new air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), the Arman, displayed during an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace exhibition.
Reportedly adapted from the Ababil (al-Fat’h) single-stage solid-propelled short-range ballistic missile, the Arman represents Iran’s venture into an air-launched weapon, reminiscent of the Russian Kinzhal missile. This adaptation reflects Iran’s efforts to expand its aerial arsenal and further solidify its defensive and offensive capabilities. Images released from the exhibition feature a Su-22 aircraft equipped with the Arman.
OBSERVATION - Iran has come a long way with its military program, but is still lacking in some measures. That they showed it hooked up to a old cold war era Su-22 (!) is a case in point. Iran has made a purchase of Russian Mig-35’s but how soon they will be delivered is based on shortages of key components and the ukraine war.
Misc of Note –
Reading the blog of NCRenegade this morning and came across this quote -
“I have no need to warn people concerning the government’s tactics to divide and conquer us. Race, religion, sexual gender, politics and cancel culture are everywhere. While we are seeing propaganda being exposed (mainly by Tucker Carlson and Elon Musk), we also have to be wary of people who seemingly represent our side but are actually working against us.”
https://ncrenegade.com/its-time-to-consolidate-your-trust-and-operations/
This explains many of the ‘republicans’ in congress. All talk lately, but when it comes down to a vote - BAM, sides with globalists policies to strip 4th amendment rights, vote for expanded, wasteful spending, fail to vote to impeach some of the most corrupt members of any administration ever, etc. Yes, it is increasingly apparent that they are working against us.
***
After a slow start, forecasts suggest a system bringing clouds, low-elevation rain showers, and mountain snow to Northern and Central California soon. This is likely to be followed by a more potent storm early next week, potentially bringing significant rain to Northern and Central California and even some parts of Southern California’s coast. The storm’s progression could lower freezing levels over the Cascades and the northern Sierra Nevada, leading to snowfall down to pass levels.
OBSERVATION - Real climate matters vs fake global warming continues to have strong impacts. Hopefully, some of this moisture will reach my corner of the Redoubt, else next summer will be VERY dry as there is very little snowpack in the mountains. Forecasters are concerned that the moisture track will shift more southward to affect S Kalifornia and the southern state and not my neck of the woods. Pay attention to those in these areas and live in flood prone areas, conditions may change - have your flood BUG OUT plans ready and bags packed.
CENTCOM: At approximately 0830 (Sanaa time) on December 13, in the southern Red Sea, the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) was responding to a mayday call from the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Motor Vessel Ardmore Encounter, which was under attack from Houthi forces. These forces first attempted to board the tanker via skiffs. When this was unsuccessful, a pair of missiles were fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen at the vessel, which both missed. While responding to the distress call, the Mason shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle also launched from Houthi-controlled areas. The UAV was heading directly towards the Mason and was shot down in self-defense. There were no injuries to personnel and no damage to any vessels. The Ardmore Encounter was able to proceed without further incident
And Biden's response? Spend more treasure and weapons on that hellhole call Ukraine.
yep
Globalism / Great Reset –
The Saudi Arabian energy minister said Wednesday that the new United Nations (UN) green energy transition pledge will not diminish the country’s ability to sell fossil fuels, according to Al Arabiya, a Saudi Arabian news outlet.
“The pharaoh methodology of dictating things has been buried, and so people are free in their choices,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the oil minister, told Al Arabiya in an interview. He also said explicitly that the COP28 pledge would not hurt the country’s ability to sell crude oil.
OBSERVATION - With the dust settling, the apparent implosion of the anti-fossil fuel radicals in the global community hit the preverbal brick wall. When the bottom line hit the Saudi bottom line, that’s where the game ended. Now this leaves the globalists with having to pressure the existing compliant countries even more and try to use that as some sort of leverage on these hold outs. Short some kind of disaster that centralizes control globally, OPEC and coal producers will not yield.
RELATED -
Michael Mann … “The agreement to ‘transition away from fossil fuels’ was weak tea at best,” he told AFP. “It’s like promising your doctor that you will ‘transition away from donuts’ after being diagnosed with diabetes. The lack of an agreement to phase out fossil fuels was devastating.”
Mann called for a substantial reform of the COP rules, for example permitting super-majorities to approve decisions over the objections of holdout petro states like Saudi Arabia, and barring oil executives such as COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber from presiding over future summits.
OBSERVATION - As I said, something needs to happen to allow FORCE to be applied to insure compliance with COP goals and standards. Another unanswered question is just how this ‘supermajority’ will actually enforce COP dictate when a nation like China says “No”.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved Congress’s $886 billion defense policy bill just before leaving Washington for the holidays. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024 passed 310 to 118, with a majority of Republicans and Democrats voting for it.
In addition to laying out the next year’s Pentagon policy priorities, this year’s bill also includes an extension of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s (FISA) Section 702, a tool that allows the intelligence community to spy on foreign nationals outside the U.S. without a warrant, even if the person on the other side of their communications is an American citizen. (Fox)
OBSERVATION - Republicans say that they are for us, but when the voting time comes, they show that they are against us. The NDAA has morphed into a frankenstein monster since 9/11 and it is time to put it out to pasture. But it gives the Deep State powers that it would not otherwise have, and as such, it continues to live.
***
Democrat majority in Oregon banned half the Republican Senate delegation from running for reelection. Oregon’s conservatives, who have been otherwise shut out of the legislative process, have taken to protesting extreme bills by staging walkouts. Currently , Oregon Senate Republicans are battling the Democrat majority in court. At the heart of their court battle is the question of whether a majority can simply eliminate political dissent.
OBSERVATION - The walkouts last year froze some of the most extremist pieces of legislation in the country. Democrats have commonly used similar tactics in other states. But the liberal, big city controls of the state seek to further cancel the rights and representation of the minority republicans. Hence the rapid growth of the “Greater Idaho” movement. Blindly, democrats miss the fact that when people are not allowed to be represented and have a voice in govt - basically taking away the ballot box - they leave only the ammo box as the only remaining option.
***
Being Friday, there are a number of pro-hamas marches/protests being scheduled for this weekend. At least 20 cities by one count.
Yesterday, pro-hamas protestors blocked the I-76 in Philadelphia. Expect this tactic to be used in an increasing manner. While it gains them news time, it tends to backfire in angering citizens into not supporting their ‘cause’.
Also expect continued disruption of Christmas related activities such as shopping, ceremonies, etc.
The LGBT crowd continues to join these pro-hamas protests with the fanciful idea that islam respects and loves them. True to the axiom that the ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ I see these islamics tolerating this addition - but not for much longer as it takes the message away from genocide of Israel to the growing LGBT sexual revolution theme.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Three federal agencies issued a public safety warning on Tuesday night, saying that the threat of violence — especially by lone actors — in the United States is heightened through the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) warned of lone actor violence targeting large public gatherings throughout the winter” as a result of the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
“Although this announcement is not in response to any specific plotting activity, these targets likely remain attractive to lone actors inspired by a range of ideologies due to their accessibility and symbolic nature,” the agencies said in the release.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/fbi-dhs-heightened/2023/12/12/id/1145736/
OBSERVATION - Specifically, continued warnings of lone wolf attacks.
***
There are increasing bomb and related threats towards Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses. Given the presence of Hamas and related terrorists agents in country, these threats should be considered serious and credible.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
The Defense Department’s senior officials testified Wednesday about shortfalls in Army, Navy and Air Force recruiting in the fiscal year that ended in September at a hearing of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee. The Marine Corps and Space Force made their recruiting goals.
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Ashish Vazirani said that during fiscal year 2023, the military services together missed goals by about 41,000 recruits.
OBSERVATION - They are decrying this as the collapse of the all volunteer military - forgetting the they demonized the majority of Americans they rely upon to fill the ranks of the military. I’m seeing this more and more as an effort to end the volunteer military and institute the draft.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
An active-duty officer, Navy Health Administrator and Medical Recruiter in the US Navy Medical Service Corps blew the whistle and revealed data indicating a significant rise in heart-related issues among military pilots following covid injections. Two weeks later he was placed under investigation.
According to the data from the Pentagon’s Defence Medical Epidemiology Database (“DMED”) presented by Lieutenant Ted Macie, there has been a dramatic increase in various heart-related ailments among fixed-wing and helicopter pilots in 2022.
The figures show dramatic increases in hypertensive disease (36%), ischemic heart disease (69%), pulmonary heart disease (62%), heart failure (973%), other forms of heart disease (63%) and cardiomyopathy (152%) compared to the pre-2022 five-year average.
OBSERVATION - This Navy officer killed his career with this release, but was correct in doing so. The detrimental effects of the illegal jab (remember, DoD forces a different nRNA jab than was authorized and so far has been allowed to get away with it - not that the authorized one was any safer). The dataset is damning to the pro-jab crowd and I’m sure with those kinds of numbers, the military members are aware of them. The leadership stabbed the military in the back - deliberately now IMHO - to damage it for globalist goals of weakening America.
POLITICAL FRONT –
House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved Congress’s $886 billion defense policy bill - See CW2 above.
Congress now wrapping up and getting set for ANOTHER break.
Biden / Harris Watch –
More blowback from the WH’s hideous video showing the christmas decorations. Apparently the dance troupe are virulently defund the police, anti white and very strongly socialists. What a freeking clown show.
Cyber attacks/warfare – HEIGHTENED ALERT
More reports on how China and other countries hostile to the US are burrowing into computer networks across the country.
Illegal Immigration –
Encounters at the U.S. southern border once again surpassed 10,000 in a single day on Tuesday, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sources. Despite being lower than the record-breaking 12,000 in one day last week, the numbers continue to strain Border Patrol agents.
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 – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 14 of 14 Shahed drones overnight, with drone activity covering the Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa regions.
Ukraine deep targeted Berdiansk and Mariupol areas
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Limited operations across most fronts.
Moldova/Transnistria -
Progress made in allowing Moldova into the EU.
Europe / NATO General –
An EU summit in Brussels delivered an unexpected piece of welcome news at a bleak moment of the Russia-Ukraine war. Kyiv can soon begin official talks to join the European Union after getting the green light from the bloc’s leaders on Thursday. Hungary, which had been threatening to veto the decision, stood aside at the last minute.
Included in the talks is the inclusion of Moldova into the EU.
OBSERVATION -The pro-Russian govt of Hungary continues to be a boil in the rear end of the EU.
SERBIA / KOSOVO -
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan meets with Netanyahu to dictate war effort.
- Houthi stepping up interdiction and harassment of shipping in the Red Sea with no counter strikes by the west.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
In his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan told Netanyahu that the Israeli government’s military actions need to “transition to the next lower intensity phase in a matter of weeks, not months.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday told visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that the military campaign against Hamas will not be completed within the next few months, as intense battles raged for control of the terror group’s redoubts in the northern Gaza strip.
***
Israel’s military says it has recovered the bodies of two Israeli soldiers, Nik Beizer and Ron Scherman, 19, who were taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October. It comes hours after Israel retrieved the body of hostage Elia Toledano, 28, who was taken by Hamas from the Supernova music festival
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Pockets of stiff Hamas resistance still being encountered in N and S Gaza. Israel continues to tighten the noose around those areas, but have suffered higher casualties as well.
***
The Israeli Army reports that the Air Force carried out more than 500 air strikes this week in the Gaza Strip.
***
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that Hamas terrorists have fired over a hundred rockets from the humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF said on X that 116 rockets were launched in total, including 38 that landed in Gaza.
“Hamas has fired 116 rockets from the humanitarian zone toward Israel since its opening on October 18,” the IDF post read. “38 of those rockets fell inside Gaza, endangering their own civilians.”
“Hamas continues to carry out terrorist activities from the humanitarian zone, designated to prevent harm to civilians, further endangering Gazan lives,” the Israeli military added. (Fox)
***
Mass surrenders continue across Gaza. In one instance yesterday, IDF captured 70 terrorists in the Kamal Adwan Hospital near the Israeli border.
Yep, using a hospital as a military base.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Border fight continues with little change as Hezbollah continues to fire mortars and ATGMs along the Lebanon border, with IDF artillery and air strikes in response.
———WEST BANK——————————-
At least 1,300 Israeli military soldiers are continuing to carry out a massive counter-terror operation in the Palestinian town of Jenin, in what is shaping up to be the largest Israeli operation in the West Bank since the end of the Second Intifada in 2005.
The current operation has now lasted longer than Operation Home and Garden in Jenin, which took place last July.
The IDF confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the operation that began in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and whose scope wasn’t announced beforehand, was still taking place in the Samaria region. More than 600 suspects were detained, with more than 30 of them being transferred to interrogation facilities.
***
Israel Defense Forces discovered hundreds of explosives and destroyed 8 production laboratories. More than 10 underground tunnel shafts were located, some of them being used as weapons caches, and will be prepared for destruction. In addition, 40 weapons have been confiscated.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
A Spanish warship is reportedly approaching a Houthi - hijacked merchant ship.
A projectile launched by Houthis struck the Liberia flagged, German-owned, Al Jasrah ship on Friday causing a fire but no injuries, a U.S. defense official said.
A ballistic missile was fired from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward the international shipping lane north of the Bab-el-Mandeb. There were no injuries or damage. Following the missile launch, the M/V Maersk Gibraltar was hailed by the Houthis, who threatened further missile attacks. The M/V Maersk Gibraltar is a Hong Kong-flagged cargo container vessel
US to announce maritime Task Force Friday to stop Houthis. Arrival of commercial ships to the port of Eilat in southern Israel has almost completely stopped. Ships heading to Israel from Asia now take expensive route around Africa.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told US President Joe Biden that the United States has a “historic responsibility” to achieve a lasting cease-fire in the Gaza conflict as soon as possible, Erdogan’s office said on Thursday.
During a phone call, Erdogan reportedly told Biden that a cease-fire could be achieved quickly if the United States withdrew its unconditional support for Israel, and warned that “Israel’s prolonged attacks may have negative global consequences.”
***
A Hamas plot to kill Jews in Europe was foiled by German and Danish police who uncovered the terrorist group’s alarming change of tactics.
Seven terror suspects were arrested. Three people were arrested in Germany, three in Denmark and one in the Netherlands with the Danish prime minister describing the plot as being “as serious as it gets”.
The Hamas operatives were under orders to bring a cache of weapons from an undisclosed location in Europe to Berlin to attack Jewish institutions, German prosecutors said.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. IDF repeats the estimate of several months before the operation is considered to be complete.
Why is the American National Security Advisor telling Israel how to fight its existential war against Hamas? So far, Israel has largely did what it was going to do anyway and rejected the ‘advice’ from Washington. The stick that Sullivan has is the reduction or stoppage of US supplied munitions and other support. Sullivan also brought the threat/warning of waining support globally. I’m pretty sure Israel has already factored both into their decision to pursue Hamas and very possibly Hezbollah later.
Venezuela - Increasing potential for war
Guyana and Venezuela have agreed to not “use force” to settle their dispute over the oil-rich region of Essequibo.
After meeting Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali reaffirmed his commitment to peace in the region. But he said Guyana had the right to exploit their sovereign space.
In a three-page joint declaration, the countries agreed they would “not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances” and would “continue dialogue”.
They also agreed to establish a joint commission of foreign ministers to address any matters arising over the contested area, and will meet again Brazil to discuss Essequibo.
Black Swans
The sun just unleashed the strongest solar flare of Solar Cycle 25 (so far), an X2.8-class explosion from unstable sunspot AR3514. The blast caused a deep shortwave radio blackout over the Americas and hurled a fast CME toward Earth. Expected impact around the 17th.
OBSERVATION - Major flare but will unlikely have significant impact on the global power grid. May well generate a spectacular aurora show. The 1980’s Quebec Power blackout was caused by an X15 level flare/CME. Hopefully, electrical companies will use this event to test their plans for a potentially larger future event.
Globalism / Great Reset –
This has been a scenario that the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Klaus Schwab has been warning us about. He has foretold, that a cyber pandemic that was going to be happening in the near future would have significantly worse consequences for the entire world wide population. He is not a prophet, but knows this as it has been planned, practiced and we have been prepped to fear it.
Just as tabletop exercises were conducted prior to the COVID plandemic, similarly, table top exercises have been conducted by the United States Intel agencies on this exact scenario too.
0bama- produced Netflix movie “Leave the world behind” cyberattack - potentially being predictive programming?
OBSERVATION - I have to push through heaps of normalcy bias to engage this possibility. The threat has been there and increasing from hostile foreign actors, but for a WEF Great Reset scenario that not only could torpedo the 2024 election but reverberate globally into a level of chaos that would permit the WEF to step in as the ‘voice of reason’ and seize global leadership hurts my mind. Never in my minded growing up did I expect to see the combination of forces coming together that could pull this off - and note, I grew up under the nuclear threats of the cold war.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
80 pro-hamas demonstrators are facing charges of ‘false imprisonment’ for a recent blockade of the Bay Bridge in the San Fran area.
Pro-hamas demonstraties closed down the road to LAX overnight and tried to march into the airport terminal area. They were blocked by police.
It has been revealed that Seattle law enforcement personnel had been ordered to allow anti-Israel demonstrators to seize control of a major bridge during rush hour traffic on Thursday evening.
In addition, the United States Coast Guard had reportedly agreed to hold boat traffic ahead of the demonstration. The activists shut down the drawbridge for more than 3 hours, which caused significant traffic delays with miles-long backups.
OBSERVATION - Bridge/highway blockage is the now favored protest tactic. Police have largely stayed hands-off, giving protestors hours worth of highway disruption. Blockage in LA earlier in the week found CHP intervening only after frustrated drivers started fighting with protestors. Plan on having your commute disrupted even more this weekend and into the Christmas/New Years period.
Of Note - once the holiday season has passed, it remains to be seen just what other situations/events will be targeted by pro-hamas elements.
***
Heavily redacted documents released by the FBI showed that the agency’s controversial targeting of Roman Catholics was more widespread than a single incident in one field office, watchdog Judicial Watch reported Friday.
Judicial Watch reported that the 98 pages it obtained through a Freedom of Information lawsuit showed that the FBI memo from earlier this year that tagged some Catholics as violent extremists due to their religious beliefs was reviewed by the agency’s Office of General Counsel. Coordination also took place with Portland and Milwaukee officials.
Hardly a “single product but a single field office,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said Friday.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/judicial-watch-fbi-targeting/2023/12/15/id/1146142/
OBSERVATION - This scandal continues to grow. With the threat of real terror from those who’ve come into the country illegally, the FBI/DoD are focusing on a conservative religious faction in the Catholic Church. What other churches/denominations have they infiltrated into as well?
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Parallel to Illegal Immigration - CBP is warning its agents to ‘exercise extreme caution’ after the Mexican military seized 10 IEDs at the border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is warning agents to be on the lookout for explosive devices.
A federal law-enforcement source shared with FOX Business Network an internal officer safety alert dated December 13th that warns CBP agents to be vigilant after the Mexican military seized 10 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the border.
On Wednesday, Mexican authorities located ten such devices on the Mexican side. Fox News reported that the IEDs were found after what amounted to a firefight near Tucson between two rival cartels. Each side wanted control of the area that has a gap in the border fence. That gap has previously served as a portal for transporting drugs. It is currently used for human trafficking. One suspect was found with an AK-47, two magazines, loose rounds, and a handgun.
OBSERVATION - Narco-terrorism that the cartels bring is likely already functioning here in the US. That includes IEDs being present here as well. We are unprepared for the concept of IEDs, and the border and will be equally unprepared for them when they go off here.
Economy-
GM is scheduled to layoff 1300 employees. Of the 1,300 layoffs, more than 900 of them are from Orion Assembly, which manufactured the Chevy Bolt electric car (which is being discontinued after this year).
The current plan is to retool the plant and reopen it in 2025 to make electric trucks instead of electric cars.
OBSERVATION - The automakers have been taking a beating over poor EV sales. High prices coupled with high car loan rates, high insurance rates and poor performance have created a bloodbath on the bottom line. Retooling to produce EV trucks is also on shaky ground as recent EV trucks continue to greatly underperform.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
There may be around a 1 in 10 chance that Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will not generate spike proteins but something else, a new Cambridge study finds, raising concerns about autoimmune response among experts.
The study authors found that 8 percent of the time, Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are mistranslated, leading to the formation of unintended proteins.
“Our work presents both a concern and a solution for this new type of medicine,” said leading author Anne Willis in the study’s press release.
One can think of mRNA vaccines as a set of instructions used to make spike proteins. Once the vaccine enters the cell, ribosomes interpret the mRNA instructions to make proteins, like spike proteins.
Among tested vaccines, only Pfizer has the issue.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06800-3
OBSERVATION - Basically, the mRNA causes other things to be made, triggering autoimmune issues. The authors of the study reportedly have tried to down play the results, however, a 10% chance of this occurring is way too high for safety.
POLITICAL FRONT –
On January 19, a day before he left office, Trump ordered a declassification order for a ‘binder of materials related to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation,’ the name for the Trump-Russia probe. This binder is now strongly suspected to have been the real target when the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago. These documents reportedly have not been found, nor are their location known to govt elements. The binder is suppose to contain all the receipts on the bogus Russia influencing scandal the Hillary campaign cooked up in 2016.
The main line is liberals / Anti-Trumpers are fearing that if re-elected, Trump will use the document to go after them. And they are approaching panic mode.
***
The “prophetic” nature of the Babylon Bee is rising to the surface again with recent actions / positions by PA Senator Fetterman -
Weird: Man Becomes More Conservative As He Regains Brain Function https://t.co/6nesG1N1WN pic.twitter.com/TcQ2n21Rx7
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) December 6, 2023
Fetterman has sent liberal heads into explosion mode with his recent stances on Israel and immigration. Now he has stated that he is not a progressive. Time will tell if he is able to maintain his independent stance or not.
Cyber attacks/warfare – HEIGHTENED ALERT
Is the Deep State setting up a massive cyber attack false flag on the American people that will disrupt the 2024 election? See “Globalism / Great Reset “ at top of post.
Illegal Immigration –
Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday ordered her state’s National Guard to the southern border to aid in managing the unprecedented surge in illegal border crossings.
“Yet again, the federal government is refusing to do its job to secure our border and keep our communities safe,” she said in a press release. “With this Executive Order, I am taking action where the federal government won’t.”
“But we can’t stand alone, Arizona needs resources and manpower to reopen the Lukeville crossing, manage the flow of migrants, and maintain a secure, orderly and humane border,” she insisted. “Despite continued requests for assistance, the Biden administration has refused to deliver desperately needed resources to Arizona’s border.”
OBSERVATION - Hobbs is just one of many democrat leaders wilting under the overwhelming surge of illegals pouring into the country. Whether or not she has the backbone to actually have the NG actually turn illegals back is yet to be seen. Same too, will she buckle under fed govt counterattacks similar to what TX is facing.
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 – Temps in the 20-30 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 30 of 31 Shahed drones overnight.
Ukraine targeted areas of Crimea for drone attacks with russian claiming to have shot down 26. A site near Sevastopol was reportedly hit.
Over the past several day, Ukraine has successfully hit key Russian logistical bases and nodes.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations. Limited ground operations across most fronts.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Three hostages were inadvertently killed during a firefight by Israeli forces.
- Continued search and destroy of Hamas fighters and tunnel base facilities .
——— GENERAL ——————————-
According to an army spoksman, Israeli army was stunned by scope of terror tunnel network in Gaza; Israeli forces discover massive underground spaces used as command centers, weapons production & storage sites. This goes beyond the knowledge they had prior to the start of the war.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Pockets of stiff Hamas resistance still being encountered in N and S Gaza. Israel continues to tighten the noose around those areas, but have suffered higher casualties as well.
***
Hamas has been using dolls and children’s backpacks rigged with speakers playing sounds of crying to lure IDF forces into a terrorist tunnel in the Gaza Strip where they could be ambushed, the Israel Defense Forces said Friday.
***
At least six rockets were launched towards Jerusalem on Friday according to the Israeli military, with three intercepted. The military said the other rockets landed away from populated zones. Some sources indicate that the temple mount was targeted in this attack. Iron Dome reported did intercept one of these rockets over the mount.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Border fight continues with little change as Hezbollah continues to fire mortars and ATGMs along the Lebanon border, with IDF artillery and air strikes in response.
Israeli Army spoksman - We are preparing for any possible scenarios on the northern border.
German Foreign Minister - Lebanese Hezbollah and other militias must withdraw from the Blue Line.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
According to Israeli media, citing military sources a missile was launched from Syria landed in an open area.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Confrontations broke out against Israeli security forces at the Shuafat refugee camp checkpoint in Jerusalem
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Reuters reports that the Houthis announced the implementation of a military operation against “sensitive targets” in southern Israel with a large number of drones.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Maersk announces the temporary cessation of all container shipping operations through the Red Sea. HAPAG-LLOYD, another of the largest container shipping lines in the world, has also just announced it will pause sending ships into the Red Sea, for at least the next three days.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. IDF repeats the estimate of several months before the operation is considered to be complete. Action now is relatively routine.
Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have created an actual — and effective — naval blockade of Israel in the Red Sea. Either nations have to quickly move naval assets to provide a protective missile shield, strongly attack ground launch facilities and supporting targets in Yemen or else face significant shipping delays and increased costs of having to go around the Horn of Africa to get to their destinations. Blockade of Israeli traffic will be forced to go to the Med ports or else Israel will have to set up convoys under protection by its vessels to/from its Red Sea ports.
Israel is apparently making headway shifting global thoughts on enforcing UN resolution forcing Hezbollah to demilitarize S Lebanon and move north of the Litani River. World opinion may not be enough to have Hezbollah act because they ignored it to begin with and started their military buildup in the region, but it does start establishing that Israel has a legitimate right to self defense and that includes attacking Hezbollah as allowed by the UN mandate.
2023 In Review and 2024 Outlook.
Globalism / Great Reset –
This may seem a little disjointed, in part because of the expansive nature of the threat. Many of its components will also be found in other sections, so I’m trying to distill my views down to essentials with out the overwhelming details.
The stated goal of the WEF and affiliate globalists is total economic control over the globe accomplished by Orwellian personal controls and stringent economic conditions. 2023 saw the globalists progress on many fronts while facing increasing pushback on others. This is a massive threat to the US and the world.
Economic Reset - Global economies continue to plunge following the disruptions of the 2020 wuhan plandemic closures. Many nations have developed overwhelming national debt levels and there are no controls to out of control spending in the future. Key example is the US.
Personal controls - This is a multi-front effort undertaken at different levels of govts and specific areas. The overall object being the establishment of a global ID system that is biometrical verified, contains medical jabs, social credit scores and a programmable digital currency linked to social credit scores. China is the leading standard for such a system. Each of these component progressed on separate tracks this year
Biometric ID sprung out of the wuhan vaccination documental of the plandemic. European countries continue to lead this effort which transitions into a digital passport of sorts.
In a parallel move, the WHO is pushing for global control of all pandemic and essentially all health related matters that bypass national sovergnity . They would use the digital passports to incorporate vaccine data to control movement of individuals. There has been pushback against the modification to treaties the WHO is working on to avoid having countries like the US reaffirm, and these changes will be approved in 2024.
Social credit scores based on carbon consumption, food consumption, arms/ammo purchases, pro-LGBT and other similar progressive issues also progressed along several tracks this year. This year saw much of the fight going on in the corporate world where firms like BlackRock forcing ESG related requirements to financial access based on a Social Credit Score. This blew up many companies - Budweiser in particular - as they shifted their advertising and programs to bolster their SCS. Blowback sever enough for some corporations to dump those programs. States (predominantly red ones) have pushed back as well, legislating pension funding to avoid ESG related investment.
Stringent economic conditions - War spending on Ukraine is tapping out the west. But an even deeper assault is by elements of the climate change community. The demands for alternative energy and elimination of the fossil fuel industry has damaged economies globally - some key ones being Germany and England.
The harsh, economic realities have come back as Germany has been forced to restart coal. In the US, govt policy is to completely shut down all fossil fuel power - 60% of the current supply - and replace it with some kind of ‘green’ energy source.
Parallel to the attacks on fossil fuel are attacks on agriculture. Netherlands faced draconian cuts in agriculture. Ireland facing massive herd culls. In the US calls to reduce agriculture as well. Unbelievably, one argument is we need to reduce agriculture to save lives.
Cuts in agriculture were snuck in as part of the plandemic shutdown, with meat plant shutdowns and herd/flock culls. The food chain here in the US is still unstable.
Besides the ‘climate change’ aspect, controlling the food supply is a major way of controlling people.
Digital currency progressed to varying degrees across the world. The threat (and likelyhood) of programming these digital currency to control / limit purchases has been very much in the forefront and the progression of these CBDC at present still include physical money and crypto currency. A totalitarian global govt will eventually need to eliminate physical and crypto in order to control the population. This is the case with China where if your ESG is not high enough, you cannot even recharge your electric car.
Forecast for 2024 - Not good as “1984” scenarios grow. Globalist minions will force these actions
Global economies face or are already facing recession and any major ‘shocks’ will easily lead to a massive crisis.
Digital ID’s will progress and gain greater acceptance by the population. Resistance will be faced when they try to incorporate ESG and CBDC into the same package.
Climate change restriction will progress at irregular ways. WEF compliant countries will kill their economies with the implementation of climate goals. Other countries, like China, OPEC etc will blow those standards off.
Digital currencies will progress, but with very progressive steps so as not to alarm the population too much. Initial push is to sell like the debit card being used today. Going digital cold turkey is not in the cards barring a global ‘emergency’.
Finally - the biggest threat that could be used to wrap all the WEF/globalist goals together is the initiation of another global ‘emergency’ The globalists saw the success actions from the wuhan plandemic produced and they are seeking another ‘emergency’ to push their agenda forward against a potentially resistant population. Candidates bantered about consist of -
- Climate “emergency”
- Some other disease pandemic
- Economic crisis
- War or secondary effects from a war(s)
- False flag “cyber’ attack
All four are on the table for 2024.
Is the FBI run by powerful left wing elements of the sexual weirdo community? That might explain their hatred of traditional Catholics. It was traditional Catholics that STOPPED Priests from abusing children. (The FBI also protects the Epstein lists and flight logs from going public)
Does the FBI stand with the sexual weirdo and child abuser communities and against traditional Catholics who put a stop to child abuse? Is that why the FBI wants traditional Catholics investigated? Is it more than their usual hatred of religious conservatives?
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
More pro-hamas protests around the country. Maintaining predominately peaceful posture.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Ahmad Musa Jibril, a Michigan Islamist preacher, has called on American Muslims to wage Jihad against the “infidel West” and declared Muslims in the US should start “normalizing” Jihad.
According to The New York Post, Jibril has a history of inciting those in his community. He called for young people to travel to Syria to fight alongside the barbarians of ISIS, and he faxed an ugly fan letter to CNN after a terror bombing in Riyadh in 1995.
A perpetrator in the London Bridge 2017 terror attack was also reportedly a listener of Jibril.
Alberto Fernandez, vice president of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), told Fox News Digital, “You have pretty radicalizing, extreme content happening. This is stuff they uploaded on social media. It’s there for everybody to see.”
“If that’s the stuff that they’re saying openly, what are they saying that is not open?” Fernandez said.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/radical-michigan-imam-calls-muslims-wage-jihad-us/
OBSERVATION - His rhetoric is very likely to trigger lone wolf attacks by islamists in the US who have been increasingly radicalized in the course of the ongoing Gaza war. This would be fed by the passive behavior by many govt levels to the pro-hamas protests / demonstrations that display weakness. Remember, radical islam feeds off weakness and sees it as the opportunity to attack.
Economy-
I encountered this summary yesterday, and it struck home because I’ve seen the same pattern, but just didn’t take notes like the following did
The Fed Since November 1st:
1. Nov. 1: Getting inflation to 2% “has a long way to go”
2. Nov. 21: “No indication of rate cuts at last meeting”
3. Dec. 1: Talks about rate cuts are “premature”
4. Dec. 1: “We are prepared to tighten policy further” if needed
5. Dec. 13: Rates remain the same and to drop in 2024
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) December 15, 2023
OBSERVATION - It appears the Fed is swerving all over the place over the course of the past month. This is leading some to speculate that the Fed has come to the reality that the economy is not as happy as they say and with the 2024 elections looming, are tacking policy to assist biden.
***
The Biden administration on Friday finalized a plan to dramatically curb the number of offshore oil and gas lease sales over the next five years as it continues to aggressively push green energy development.
The Department of the Interior’s (DOI) five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program schedules just three Gulf of Mexico lease sales through 2029, marking the fewest number of sales ever included in such a plan, which the agency is mandated to issue periodically. According to the DOI, holding the sales will enable future offshore wind leases under an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provision that tethers the two.
OBSERVATION - In parallel to Globalists agenda. US oil producers have done a yeoman’s job pumping oil, but the continued constriction of leases and open areas for exploration are making further expansion nearly impossible - and that is the goal of the regime.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has extended the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean, a defense official told USNI News, dashing family members’ hopes of bringing the strike group back to Norfolk for the holidays.
This is now the third time the secretary of defense has extended the strike group, currently in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the U.S.’s ongoing response to the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and the other ships of the carrier strike group initially deployed in May to replace the George H.W. Bush CSG in the Mediterranean as part of the U.S. response to the Russo-Ukraine War. The Associated Press first reported the extension.
The last extension was in November, USNI News previously reported.
The carrier strike group has been deployed 227 days, or approximately seven and a half months.
OBSERVATION - this is the Ford’s first deployment. The use of extensions lately have some indicating that this is due to declining readiness levels affecting the ability of other CSGs to deploy in a timely manner.
***
The USS Eisenhower CSG has been observed moving to the Red Sea area where it is likely being positioned to reinforce naval units attempting to protect shipping.
***
U.S. enters 2024 with its smallest military in over 80 years as active-duty troop numbers sink to less than 1.3 million and all branches except Space Force MISS recruiting goals. Under the $886 billion annual defense bill passed by Congress this week total active-duty troop numbers will fall to 1,284,500 next year.
That is the lowest total since before the U.S. entered the Second World War in 1941 and officials said there should be a ‘national call to service’.
OBSERVATION - Call to service - potential activation of the draft. I am not a supporter of a draft, as it would further lower the quality of the troops. OTOH, the pentagon and the WH has done everything they can to alienate the patriotic sector of our young adults who would normally have signed up. Hence a deliberate weakening of the military coming from both sides.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
Doctors worldwide are in meltdown after China confirmed that the mystery pneumonia taking over the country has stopped responding to ALL antibiotics.
The Daily Star has been reporting how the strange unidentified virus has been causing chaos in China for weeks, with the world on high alert over fears a new pandemic could be on the way – and no official confirmation as to what it actually is. Although it so far only seems to impact mainly children.
The panic saw officials in neighbouring countries such as India, who are wary of another virus spreading through their population following the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2019, readying themselves for action. It had already reached Europe – with Denmark and Holland confirming an influx of cases – with the World Health Organisation on high alert and said to be monitoring the situation.
OBSERVATION - Popping back up again. This particular article contains a lot of unvalidated speculation and some substantial fear mongering. However, it is in my judgement, still a very serious situation that cannot be ignored. So much of the wuhan progressed in its early stages in a similar manner.
POLITICAL FRONT –
We’ve been pretty well inundated with the story of the gay senate staffer doing it in one of the senate chambers. He’s now out of work. What I’ve not seen really addressed is who the other individual in the video was? Hmmmmm.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Campaign theme - Bring Decency Back . . . . . .
Babylon Bee couldn’t write such a theme.
Illegal Immigration –
Eagle Pass TX is the focus of one of the more recent surges across the border.
North/South Korea –
South Korea is again considering developing and manufacturing its own nuclear weapons. The cause is the growing instability of North Korea and South Korean fears that the United States won’t fulfill its pledge to attack North Korea with nuclear weapons if the North attacks South Korea with nukes.
South Korea currently sees North Korea as less stable and more prone to reckless actions against the south. This change in attitudes came after November 2023 when South Korea canceled a 2018 agreement with North Korea to reduce the surveillance and spying they carried out against each other. South Korea took a closer look at North Korean military activities and concluded that North Korea might be tempted to emulate the recent Hamas attack on Israel and back it with the threat of using nuclear weapons.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htchem/articles/20231217.aspx
RELATED - Reuters - The United States has warned North Korea that any nuclear attack against the nation or its allies “is unacceptable and will result in the end of the (Kim Jong) Un regime,” a joint US-South Korean statement said on Saturday.
“The U.S. side reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response,” the statement said.
The second U.S.-Republic of Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) convened in Washington on Friday for talks on nuclear deterrence as part of a commitment by the two countries to share more insight into planning in the event of conflict with North Korea. Pyongyang has developed and tested a range of ballistic missiles that can reach targets in South Korea, Japan and the U.S. mainland.
Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea’s deputy national security adviser said on Friday that North Korea may test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile this month, which was considered a nuclear threat regardless of its range because it can carry a nuclear warhead.
OBSERVATION - Strategic positioning of public opinion to justify any action by SK or the US. This past year under biden’s foreign policy relations with NK have seriously tanked.
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 – Temps in the 20-40 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
RUMINT – New Ukrainian general is marshaling supplies and forces for a renewed offensive once the ground freezes.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 20 of 20 Shahed drones and a Kh-59 missile overnight. Kyiv, Odesa and Kherson regions were reportedly targeted.
Russian ministry of defense reported 33 drones were shot down over Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd regions. Ukraine drones did manage to hit a key Russian airfield, damaging MIG-34s.
Avdiivka -
Reports that Russia attempted a large, armor supported attack on the northern flank of the Avdiivka salient. About 15 Tanks/APCs were used to drop troops off and on their return about half were destroyed/disabled. Russian troops reportedly were under heavy artillery fire - approximately 100-150 pinned down. .
Kherson Axis -
The 104th Air Assault Division was supposed to save the Russian campaign on the left bank of the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine. Instead, the newly-formed division “suffered exceptionally heavy losses and failed to achieve its objectives during its combat debut,” the U.K. Defense Ministry reported.
The 104th, the new fifth division in what usually is a four-division Russian airborne corps, was supposed to make good the corps’ heavy losses in the first 22 months of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine.
Instead, the approximately 2,000-person division itself became a casualty of an escalating war of attrition. The division “was reportedly poorly supported by air power and artillery, while many of the troops were highly likely inexperienced,” the ministry in London explained.
NOTE- Reflects the disaster that is second to Russian losses at Avdiivka. Russia may have a larger body pool to draw upon, but without training, proper equipment, proper tactics and support, they die just the same.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations.
Russia seems to attempting to launch moderately large attacks in breaks in the weather. Their tactics, however, have not changed and they keep getting hit with heavy losses. Very notably is the lack of the massive artillery support that allowed them to eventually capture Bahkmut.
Russian sources continue to bemoan the new air superiority - drones - that Ukraine has over key regions. As with the recent attack noted above in the Adviivka area, drones provided early warning, provided initial bomb attacks and provided quick, accurate artillery response. Russia is trying to counter with their own drones, but Ukraine has the distinct advantage.
Also being resurrected is the deadly ATGM fire by Ukraine, hitting Russian armor as it exits wood lines into open fields.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Continued search and clear operations.
- Military action against Houthis being contemplated and assets moved into position.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Netanyahu - We received requests for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of forces from Gaza, but we will not do that
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
The Israeli army says it carried out strikes against some 200 Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip over the past day. It says the Paratoopers Brigade raided several apartments used by Hamas in Gaza City’s Shejaiya, and found firearms, explosive devices, and other military equipment
Israeli army says it found concealed weapons within the baby ward of Kamal al-Adwan Hospital (northern Gaza), specifically in the incubators meant for the care of premature infants
***
Army spokesperson says first attempt to pump seawater into Hamas terror tunnels is a success. Osama Hamdan, a member of the terror group, tried to downplay the effort saying Hamas’ tunnels could withstand flooding.
U.N. human rights commission claims Israel’s flooding of tunnels with saltwater could have severe adverse human rights impacts, some long term. Goods indispensable to civilian survival could also be at risk, as well as widespread, long-term & severe environmental damage. Civilians must be protected.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Border fight continues with little change as Hezbollah continues to fire mortars and ATGMs along the Lebanon border, with IDF artillery and air strikes in response.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Continued Israeli security forces actions to capture/neutralize Hamas and related terrorists.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Twice yesterday, the Conoco Military Base east of Deir ez-Zur came under rockets attack from Iranian-backed militias.
***
Top Biden admin officials are actively weighing options to strike back at Houthis in Yemen after the Iran-backed group launched new attacks on naval and commercial ships in the Red Sea on Saturday, according to two U.S. officials.
Sec Def is going to announce “Operation Prosperity Guardian” next week, an international effort to protect Red Sea shipping, US military official tells.
Yesterday, USS Carney downed 14 Houthi drones while HMS Diamond downed 1, all part of same wave
On Saturday, a Houthi spokesman said the group has engaged in Oman-mediated talks with unnamed “international parties” over its operations in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea – which could indicate the Houthis may be willing to deescalate. The Houthis stressed in the Oman-mediated talks that their position was not subject to negotiation until Israel stops its “aggression” against Gaza and allows humanitarian aid to enter, said Mohamed Abdel-Salam, the Houthi spokesman.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was spotted yesterday via satellite moving southwest off the coast of Oman. Along with CVN-69 are the USS Philippine Sea (Ticonderoga Class) and an Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer. On its present course, its carrier assets have all of Yemen in range.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
French Foreign Minister warns that attacks in the Red Sea “cannot remain without a response”
French shipping company CMA CGM announces they too will halt transit of all container shipments through Red Sea. This brings the total number of major shippers pausing transit of the Red Sea to three.
France’s foreign minister has called for an “immediate and durable” truce, saying “too many civilians are being killed”.
The UK and Germany have also jointly called for ceasefire, “but only if it is sustainable” in the long-term
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. IDF repeats the estimate of several months before the operation is considered to be complete. Action now is relatively routine.
The US is positioning the Ike to support/conduct strikes on Houthi positions and facilities. The Houthi are not blind and are scrambling to avoid the heat trying to come up with some sort of ‘agreement’ that it could use to stall any military strikes while it continues to nibble around the edges of any agreement to continue attacking shipping. The Houthi have mildly surprised me by their aggressiveness and success.
I’ve stated repeatedly that the islamic radicals will only respect strength and pay lip service to any toothless agreements - seeing that as weakness. Given how critical the shipping to/from the Suez via the Red Sea is to global markets, the only thing the Houthi would respond to is a massive, disproportionate military strike. Unconfirmed reports that defense officials are pushing for such a strike and that the WH is reluctant to act.
Argentina -
President Javier Milei announces a total crackdown on Argentine civil society, calling on armed forces to break strikes, arrest protestors, “protect” children from families that bring them to demos, and form a new national registry of all agitating organizations.
OBSERVATION - Newly installed, this action is certain to stir up serious domestic resistance by the left.
Thanks very much for your posts, Godzilla.
Globalism / Great Reset –
U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman signed a letter with 31 other members of Congress on Friday demanding answers from the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about a newly proposed rule that would allow buying and selling of undefined “rights” to certain private and public lands, including to foreign nations.
The SEC proposal would let investors buy into the stock market companies trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for the purpose of protecting nature — including public lands — and making money.
The proposal, if passed, would clear the way for the NYSE to offer this new kind of investment known as “natural asset companies,” or NACs.
Once in control of the land, NACs will be prohibited from engaging in “unsustainable activities” like energy production, logging and grazing; however, farming would still be allowed.
Hageman said the purpose of this rule is to end all economic activity on the lands.
OBSERVATION - This is just another of a growing means to withdraw lands from the public use - resources and all. Parallel methods started with the Nature Conservancy in the 80’s buying rights to property to prohibit development in perpetuity. Today its mega billionaires like Gates and BlackWater gobbling up terrain. Since these ‘rights’ are not defined by law, there is a wide latitude for abuse.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
The Biden administration is removing the Reconciliation Monument in Arlington. The monument was built 109 years ago to honor post-Civil War reconciliation and national unity.
OBSERVATION - This is not about the Confederate states or army, but about reconciliation and the ongoing attempt by the left to paint the right as white supremcists, laying out the philosophical groundwork for CW2.
***
NBC News reporter Ken Dilanian cited FBI statistics showing that crime rates across the U.S. are in decline, saying that the 77% of Americans who believe that crime is getting worse are being “conditioned” by social media and news outlets to see it that way.
In the piece, titled “Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They’re wrong,” Dilanian wrote, “Crime in the United States has declined significantly over the last year, according to new FBI data that contradicts a widespread national perception that law-breaking and violence are on the rise.”
OBSERVATION - Keyed into the massive and deliberate neutering of our police and justice system, MSM now trying to gaslight us into thinking there is no increase in crime!! Another example of cherrypicking the data, data that has of recent years been manipulated to rule out various crimes. This is just setting the stage for later govt actions that are designed to cause the sheeple to flock to it.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
The Secure Community Network, which coordinates security for Jewish institutions nationwide, said early Sunday that it had tracked 199 threats over the past 24 hours, with nearly 100 in California and 62 in Arizona. Synagogues in at least 17 states plus Washington, D.C., were affected, according to local media reports.
None of the threats were deemed credible after local investigations. But some of them caused significant disruption: A Boulder, Colorado, synagogue evacuated its Shabbat morning services on Saturday, for example, while a congregation in western Massachusetts canceled its Sunday religious school.
Economy-
A surge of avian flu has hit many producers forcing the culling of flocks and is expected to drive the prices af eggs and poultry higher. Secondary effects will raise prices of foods containing eggs and chicken.
***
Kalifornia has gone from a record surplus to a record deficit in one year. That means all state agencies will have to curtain all non-critical expense for over six months, until the current fiscal year ends next Summer, on June 30, 2024.
OBSERVATION - Continues feckless spending by the state, combined with the massive outflow of tax paying citizens and the reverberations of the economic slowdown over the past year have come home. This is only the tip of the iceberg folks, as there is also a massive debt the state has accrued over the decades it keeps papering over. The 68 Billion deficit is easily compared to the 90+ billion over charge for the high speed train to no where.
***
In the latest economic projections released Friday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) stated the U.S. successfully evaded a recession in 2023. The government agency predicted the U.S. will also likely avoid a recession in 2024, although it does project continued sluggish economic growth for the next year. The CBO forecasts a 1.5% expansion in real gross domestic product (GDP) for 2024, a decrease from this year’s 2.5% growth, attributing the drop mainly to a deceleration in consumer spending and commercial construction. In the labor market, unemployment rates are predicted to rise slightly from the current 3.9% to 4.4% by the end of 2024, but will still maintain healthy levels with slight workforce growth largely propelled by immigrant labor.
OBSERVATION - Color me skeptical. Many of these numbers and conclusions are being debated by other economists and businesses like Bloomberg. These numbers are likely cooked to try to put the best face on biden’s disastrous economic policies going into the election year.
***
(FO) President of Rosenberg Research & Associates David Rosenberg said that many economists and analysts are ignoring the obvious economic risks next year, and he’s now predicting a 90% chance of a U.S. recession. Rosenberg’s team expects “real [economic] growth of no better than 1% and quite possibly zero… That is rare but not unprecedented: We saw this in 1949, 1954, 1958, 2008, and 2009 – all recessions,” he wrote in a recent research note to clients.
OBSERVATION - Contrast to the CBO happy talk above. The verdict is still out on a 2024 recession.
***
White House Economic Adviser Lael Brainard said a strong job market, higher productivity, and easing supply chain pressures mean that President Biden’s policies are beating inflation.
OBSERVATION - This has been largely driven by reductions in fuel costs- a factor that can change within literally hours now if an event (war, etc) threatens supplies, etc. The budgets of americans continue to be maxed out, savings dropping, credit card debt rising and housing costs continue to be elevated beyond the reach of most. Brainard also overlooks the massive fed debt and juggling act the Treasury dept is doing to keep things from flying apart. This is nothing more than an attempted victory lap going into the 2024 election year.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
Three US destroyers entered Mediterranean Sea via Strait of Gibraltar recently.
USS Laboon (DDG-58): Dec. 11
USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119): Dec. 14
USS The Sullivans (DDG-68): Dec. 17
US officials would not comment on if they are heading to Red Sea.
Biden / Harris Watch –
A black motorist stuck a Secret Service SUV moments after Biden walked out of his campaign headquarters in Delaware . The driver of the car is reportedly cooperating with Secret Service Agents.
Illegal Immigration –
Illegals in NYC are complaining about their free food and free shelter. Typical.
China –
Taiwan reported exceptionally low numbers of air and naval incursion numbers this weekend despite no bad weather. National elections are a month away and China may be holding back pending an aggressive push at election time to intimidate voters away from the current pro-independence party that is leading in the polls.
North/South Korea –
Following the test of a shorter range missile on Sunday night, North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward East Sea, South Korean military says. The missile flew about 570 km on a high transjectory flight path before landing in East Sea after a flight of approximately 70 minutes.
The South reported the missile flew up rather than across, a method Pyongyang has previously said it employs in some weapons tests to avoid flying over neighboring countries.
Japan’s defense ministry said it was an ICBM-class missile with a potential range covering all of the United States.
“The ICBM-class ballistic missile launched this time, if calculated based on the trajectory, depending on weight of warhead, could have a flying range of over 15,000 kilometres (9,320 miles),” said Shingo Miyake, parliamentary vice-minister of defense. “In which case the whole of the US territory would be within the range.”
North Korea has previously test-fired four ICBMS this year. The last time was in July, when it launched its solid-fuel Hwasong-18.
The Hwasong-18, which was first test-fired in April, is North Korea’s first ICBM to use solid fuel, which makes it easier to transport and faster to launch than liquid-fuelled versions. Military analysts are evaluating the launch to see if it was a Hwasong-18 or other rocket.
Security advisers of South Korea, Japan, U.S. condemn North Korea ICBM launch as ‘flagrant’ breach of UNSC resolutions.
OBSERVATION - As noted, a high transjectory flight allows testing of the whole flight pattern without having to overshoot Japan or have monitoring stations down range. This high flight profile may be used in the future to test a nuclear warhead, exploding well outside the earth’s atmosphere, avoiding some serious retaliatory consequences. However, depending on the altitude and yield, Japan and other nations in the region, could suffer the effects from a nuclear EMP. That could also trigger SK, US and others to launch strikes against NK, triggering a war on the peninsula.
***
Satellite imagery suggests that North Korea may be in the process of building an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. Should work be underway to develop a North Korean AEW&C capability, the result could well provide a very useful addition to Pyongyang’s armory, especially the potential to offer advance warning of aircraft and missile strikes launched from the south.
The images show an Ilyushin Il-76 Candid airlifter parked at Pyongyang International Airport. Work can be seen being undertaken on the top of its fuselage, just aft of the wing, where a radome is mounted on other AEW&C versions of the type.
The KPAF is well known for its aging fleet of mainly Soviet-era aircraft, supplemented by a few Western types acquired by mainly nefarious means. Its most modern combat equipment comprises MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters and it still flies Shenyang F-5s, Chinese-made versions of the MiG-17 Fresco fighter, first flown in 1950, before the outbreak of the Korean War.
OBSERVATION - This is one realm where NK is receiving technical help from Russia as part of its munitions package for the Ukraine war. Given the ancientness of its airfare, NK may be tooling this aircraft for more of an intel collection platform as well as an enhancement of its early warning systems.
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.
Economic Impact –
Russia’s central bank has today raised its key interest rate by 100 basis points to 16%, hiking borrowing costs for the fifth meeting in a row under stubborn inflation pressure from widespread labour shortages, high lending and the weak rouble.
The central bank has now raised rates by 850 basis points since July, including an unscheduled emergency hike in August as the rouble tumbled past 100 to the dollar and the Kremlin called for tighter monetary policy.
The bank said pro-inflationary risks over the medium-term horizon remained substantial and warned that stabilising inflation near its 4% target would require high rates for a long time.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-40 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 5 Shahed drones overnight - slow night.
Russian forces continued to press the northeastern margin of the Adviivka salient.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are dictating operations.
Russia to continue its localized attacks, but still lacks sufficient artillery support to overcome Ukraine defenses and allow its soldiers to move past its front line positions in any meaningful manner - all the while taking heavy losses in men and material.
Moldova/Transnistria -
On December 17, the Moldovan army began training near the Ukrainian border in Odesa and its Transnistrian region, which in March of last year the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe officially declared a zone of Russian occupation, - the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Moldova.
OBSERVATION - this is a big step, previously the country listed essentially no army but a police force.
SERBIA / KOSOVO -
Serbia’s governing populists claimed a sweeping victory in Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections.
According to a near-complete preliminary tally published Monday by the state election commission, President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won 47% of the vote.
The largest opposition group, Serbia Against Violence (SPN), picked up 23%.
Vucic’s name was not on the ballot, as it was not a presidential election, but the vote was widely seen as a referendum on his leadership after a turbulent year for the country.
Tensions with neighboring Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, have escalated. And two back-to-back mass shootings claimed the lives of 18 people in Serbia.
OBSERVATION - Moscow was quick to congratulate Vucic. This victory may cause Serbia to become even more aggressive towards Kosovo in the coming year, especially if NATO gets further bogged down by Ukraine, a growing migrant problem and economic woes.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF uncovers a massive underground tunnel network large enough to drive a vehicle thru. Located within 400 meters of the northern border between Gaza and Israel.
- Increasing rumors of another possible cease fire and hostage release for prisoners.
- Shipping thru the Red Sea coming to a standstill due to Houthi attacks.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Continued international calls for a ceasefire.
***
The Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) on Monday announced that Iran and Hezbollah were behind the cyber attack last month against Ziv Medical Center in Safed.
According to the INCD, the goal was not only to harm the specific hospital’s operations, but to damage Israel’s resilience as a whole mid-war when many hospitals have been overloaded with handling larger numbers than usual of wounded soldiers.
The hack was partially successful and partially unsuccessful.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Locally intense fighting and aerial bombardments.
***
The biggest Hamas terrorist tunnel to date has been discovered. This massive tunnel system branches out and spans well over four kilometers (2.5 miles). Its entrance is located only 400 meters (1,310 feet) from the Erez Crossing—used by Gazans on a daily basis to enter Israel for work and medical treatment in Israeli hospitals.
This tunnel system was a project led by Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and the commander of Hamas’ Khan Yunis Battalion. It is large enough to drive a vehicle in.
Further evidence of the use of a coring machine, similar to one discovered by the IDF when they discovered a Hezbollah tunnel near the Lebanese border.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Border fight continues with little change as Hezbollah continues to fire mortars and ATGMs along the Lebanon border, with IDF artillery and air strikes in response.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Israeli launched airstrikes in the Damascus area. No details as of yet as to the targets. Recent targets have been the airport, but common targets are Iranian / Hezbollah storage facilities in the area.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Continued Israeli security forces actions to capture/neutralize Hamas and related terrorists. Skirmishes reported in several locations.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Oil giant BP is suspending all shipping through the Red Sea due to the “deteriorating security situation”. It comes after major shipping firms Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd & CMA CGM Group all decided to pause shipping through there amid Houthi rocket/missile/drone attacks on vessels
U.S. military official: “We are aware of reports and can confirm that on Dec. 18, at approximately 9 am(Sanaa time) the M/V SWAN ATLANTIC was attacked by multiple projectiles and that the USS Carney responded to the distress call in Southern Red Sea.” The M/V Swan Atlantic attack is the most recent in the Red Sea.
Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority: 55 ships have been redirected through the Cape of Good Hope since November
Evergreen Shipping Company announces that it will temporarily stop accepting the transportation of Israeli goods
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Egypt is heavily reinforcing its border protection with Gaza to keep Hamas and refugees out.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. IDF repeats the estimate of several months before the operation is considered to be complete. Action now is relatively routine.
The Houthi have successfully executed their ‘support’ by essentially shutting down shipping in the Red Sea. This follows a underwhelming attempt to directly hit S Israel and the sea ports there. US destroyers are close to running out of their air defense missiles and will need resupply soon. However, to what I’ve heard, they cannot be resupplied at sea. The USS Carney for instance has fired over 30 of its missiles at Houthi drones and cruise missiles. It is nearly out. But US response continues to be slow. Only dropping the hammer in a massive way will deter the houthis
Ongoing rumors of renewed cease fire talks persist. However, Hamas has to come up with some big concessions and I don’t think they are likely to do so. But their time is running out as stronghold after stronghold falls in Gaza. The hostages Hamas has left will likely damage their image even more that the ones recently released - who’s tales of capture and detainment sucked most of the air out of the pro-hamas drumbeat of the global community.
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