Globalism / Great Reset –
The California legislature passed a bill Friday that would threaten parents with losing custody of their children if they question their child’s supposed desire to undergo disfiguring hormone regimens or surgeries to appear more like the opposite sex. The legislation is now headed to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is expected to sign it.
OBSERVATION - Communist control of children and the separation of them from their parents has been a common practice over the years. Under the current, demonically inspired ‘trans’ fad, these children grabbers / groomers have seized the moment in radical leftist states to start legally punishing parents for protecting and raising their kids contrary to the demands of the state. As noted over at least the past year, this drive by the left has not been without pushback, but in Kalifornia, the heavy hand of the leftists will do what it wants. This only widens the blue / red cultural gap.
On a globalist aspect - decimation of the family unit is essential for their goals - part of a multifaceted effort to control the population, starting with children as a lever to control adults. Hence, similar efforts in other countries to forcibly remove children from parents.
Economy –
Median household income fell by 2.3% in 2022 on an inflation-adjusted basis, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday.
The report, which is released on an annual basis and is taken from the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement, shows real median incomes falling for the third year in a row. Median household incomes peaked at $78,250 in 2019, the year before the pandemic. They declined in 2022 to $74,580, a year that saw inflation soar, undercutting household purchasing power.
OBSERVATION - Its been all downhill under biden’s regime. This places the country in general in danger if the recession is deep.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
The NM AG is not going to defend Gov Grisham’s gun edict in court. Essentially defaulting to the many lawsuits that have sprung up in the past days.
OBSERVATION - The massive lack of support for Grisham (with the minor exception by Arizona democrats) has ripped their whole anti-gun platform apart in many ways. It will be interesting to see what further damage to NM and gun grabber goals these lawsuits will bring to bear.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
The U.S. Air Force will fall short of its active-duty recruiting goals this year, something that has not happened in more than two decades, Secretary Frank Kendall said.
“We’re almost to the end of the fiscal year, and the expectation is we’re going to come in short about 10%,” Kendall told Military.com on Monday, adding that the service plans to address long-standing recruiting problems so it doesn’t happen again in 2024.
OBSERVATION - The biden regime has made it clear through its military leadership choices that it despises red state America - the very demographic that our military services have routinely counted on to fill out its ranks. Why place your life on the line for a govt that hates your values and in many ways considers you to be a domestic terror threat - especially when you’ve completed your service.
As a veteran I cannot recommend military service anymore to anyone. I’m not the only one either.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics –
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and elsewhere have identified several novel strains of swine flu viruses circulating in Cambodian pigs that pose a potential pandemic risk. The new strains include viruses that have jumped from humans to pigs and some strains with genes that originate from North America.
OBSERVATION - For the many that believe (with some good justification) that the wuhan plandemic was engineered, here is a new tool with a virus that has in the past demonstrated greater threat of death.
**
A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel on Tuesday called for a broad use of the updated COVID-19 vaccines approved by the government - covering ages 6 months and up - paving the way for a broad use of the shots in a vaccination campaign due to begin within days.
The shots are part of a push by public health officials to align the next COVID vaccines more closely with the actual circulating variant of the virus, much as annual flu shots are designed. A vaccination campaign is expected to be kicked off in the coming days.
OBSERVATION - These jabs are targeting old versions of wuhan for starters, nothing for the current scary variants.
The U.S. government ended the COVID public health emergency declaration in May and handed over the responsibility for vaccinations to the private sector. However, this latest authorization maintains the EUA - in spite of there being no longer an “emergency”.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Beltway rumors are that McCarthy’s move on impeachment is designed to motivate Freedom Caucus members to come on line and support the Continuing Resolution. Initial evidence suggests that this move has not convinced them to drop their budget cut demands.
Additionally, House leadership is expected to unveil a short-term plan to fund the government ahead of a possible October 1 shutdown, that will include Ukraine and disaster funding as well as a path to passing all 12 appropriations bills.
***
The deep state is increasingly aiming their guns on Musk with a broad spectrum of attacks - from the FTC to the FAA to calls of having him arrested for treason, etc. Much like Kennedy, his moderate positions are abhorrent to the left and his movement of restoring X (the site formerly known as Twitter) back to the middle with equal footing for both the left and the right.
Biden / Harris Watch –
While biden was hiding in Alaska, harris was making an a$$ of herself at 9/11 ceremonies in NY.
Illegal Immigration –
Growing violence by predominantly black and middle eastern ‘migrants’ into europe is finally getting European govt attention. Migrant mobs isolating and beating predominately white europeans is now common place.
Similar black on white violence here in the US. The ‘migrant’ aspect is yet to appear. Could be that in dark blue metro areas, the blacks are pushing back because they are losing priority to govt handouts to the migrants. This could set up a scenario of blacks vs illegals in the future.
Given that, the overwhelming anti-europeans bent of European migrants will hit the US eventually. The vast majority of the illegals coming here are military aged males coming from cultures where they are used to using violence to get their way.
China –
Yesterday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported 20 People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and 22 aircraft incursions around the island. This comes after American and Canadian ships transited the Taiwan Strait on Saturday.
Included in this flurry of activity is the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sailing toward the western Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Taiwan on Monday for training, Taiwan’s military said.
OBSERVATON - Part of China’s ongoing escalation of incursions in response to US/western actions. See Japan below for more.
**
U.S. and Philippines armed forces are jointly upgrading an airport and naval airbase on the Philippines’ northernmost island next to Taiwan.
OBSERVATION - This is part of the recent agreement between the US and Philippines. The Philippines is concerned about Chinese attempts to seize islands clearly within its exclusion zone and the hope is that US military presence will help deter that. Also naval upgrades are underway to service US ships.
North/South Korea –
Putin and Kim Jong-un met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Kim was very interested in the missile technology.
NK also fired an unspecified ballistic missile toward East Sea - South Korean military
OBSERVATION - putin is desperate for ammo sources comparable with his systems. Kim has a boat load - though reliability is highly questionable. Also continued rumors that putin wants NK troops on/near the battle lines, possibly the Russian / Ukraine border to free up Russian forces there for the fight in the east and south.
Japan –
Japan’s military said six Chinese destroyers and two Chinese frigates were spotted on Monday morning close to Japan and monitored as they sailed southeast between the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Miyako into the Pacific Ocean.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated August 6, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. However, Russian forces are increasingly stretched and undermanned, with increasingly insufficient artillery support.
Russian attempt at launching a counter offensive to take pressure off its southern and eastern fronts has sputtered out. Initially, reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv morphed into Russian assaults that initially gained some ground but was quickly reversed, due largely to poor coordination between units.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
NUCLEAR THREATS –
At least 5 trains suspected of transporting Russian nuclear warheads (or associated parts/components/equipment) have recently arrived in Belarus, to Baranovichi-Polesskiye and Luninets stations. 3 more trains are expected to Prudok in October/November.
Economic Impact –
Four Russian regions in the first half of 2023 faced a double-digit drop in tax revenues to local budgets. This data is provided by experts of the Gaidar Institute in their report on the financial condition of the Russian Federation’s regions.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures continue in the 70’s with chances of scattered showers.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
It was a wild night with a lot of drone activity, and this round went soundly for Ukraine. Russia targeted the Odessa region, with 32 drones were shot down, there are also damage to port infrastructure, 7 person wounded.
Ukraine hit, using yet unspecified rockets, Russia’s main Black sea fleet shipbuilding and maintenance plant, SevMorZavod in Sevastopol. Russia claims to have taken down 7 of 10 missiles, but that may be propaganda as substantial damage was caused to the dry dock facility there. And bonus - The Russian MOD confirmed that two ships undergoing repairs at the Sevastopol Shipyard drydocks were damaged in a Ukrainian strike this morning. According to Russian media sources the Ropucha Class Landing Ship “Minsk” and the “Rostov-on-Don”, a Kilo Class submarine, were damaged.
History - the Minsk was damaged over a month ago by a seaborne Ukraine drone. The strike on the “Rostov-on-Don” is actually a bigger matter as it is (was) an improved Kilo class sub capable of launching Kaliber missiles. Russia has only 4 such subs in the Black Sea and this attack reduced that capability by 25%.
Morning assessment is that the dry dock facilities are pretty much shredded out and will be unusable for a considerable time. The extent and success of the attack has placed Russia’s entire port facilities under the gun. As a major port repair facility, Russia’s ability to service its Black Sea fleet has suffered a serious blow.
Tokmak Axis -.
Ukrainian defense forces have partial success near Robotyne Further reports of significant Russian counter attacks that have failed to dislodge Ukraine forces.
Bakhmut Axis -
S of Bakhmut, Ukraine forces are currently sweeping Klishchiivka of Russian forces and it is expected the General Staff will announce its liberation shortly. This places remaining Russian forces in Bakhmut in increasing peril.
Russian Territory –
Explosions and fire near the Ostankino Tower in Moscow .
Cellular connection equipment was damaged as result of arson attack in St.Petersburg, suspect detained.
OUTLOOK –
While the war on the ground grinds on with continued measured Ukrainian success, the overnight strike on the Sevastopol naval facilities was the culmination of a number of Ukrainian strategic attacks that has created a big blind spot in the Russian defense network for Crimea. Though seemingly small - Ukraine has picked apart Russian radar defenses and the main S400 missile defense set up along the coast. Building upon the recapture of Snake island last year - Ukraine seizing its oil platforms has been critical in further blinding Russian intelligence / early warning assets in the Black Sea.
Successful Ukrainian attacks earlier this year have forced Russian naval assets bo move southward to the Sevastopol base to try to get out of range of Ukrainian assets. now Russian faces a new, dire decision - expend a lot of resources to bolster air defense around Sevastopol as well as other regions in Crimea - against increasingly effective Ukrainian attacks or pull back its assets further to the east to ports in Russia. These ports have been shown not to be immune to Ukrainian sea drone attacks.
Threats to primary Russian sea launched missile assets and operational areas are now even more serious. Should Ukraine arm the oil platforms with adequate ADA assets as well as their Neptune anti ship missiles, operational areas that were favorable to Russia will be denied.
Russia is clearly losing this war. On the ground, in the air and now definitely in the Black Sea.
Europe / NATO General –
From 10 a.m. on September 13, Estonia prohibits the entry into the country of vehicles with license plates of the Russian Federation. Information was officially confirmed by the Estonian Foreign Ministry
Iran –
State dept says the US will be watching the Iranian funds transferred to Qatar closely to make sure they are only spent on humanitarian goods and will “have the ability to freeze them again if we need to.”
Iranian leadership has come out and said they will spend the money as they see fit and not according to ‘humanitarian” reasons.
OBSERVATION - This whole payment scheme only declares US weakness that Iran will exploit. They haven’t honored their word in the past and there is not reason not to doubt their statements that this 6 billion will only be used for humanitarian purposes.
Iraq -
Iraq FM is expected to visit Iran tomorrow on Wednesday as the deadline on the implementation of the Baghdad-Tehran security agreement on Iraqi Kurdistan region nears. Iraq FM will visit Iran tomorrow on Wednesday. Bilateral relations, regional and int’l issues are expected to be discussed in his visit to Tehran. The visit transpires as September 19 deadline regarding Tehran-Baghdad security agreement on Iraqi Kurdistan region looms
OBSERVATION - Iranian influenced Iraqi govt is drawing closer to cooperation because the US is losing influence in the region.
Armenia/Azerbaijan –
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened fire using small arms at Armenian positions located in the Srashen sector (Syunik region), reports the Armenian Ministry of Defense.
OBSERVATION - These kinds of skirmishes have been on and off over the past several weeks now.
Misc of Note –
Midweek and a direct U.S. landfall from Hurricane Lee is not expected as of the latest National Hurricane Center (NHC) advisory and instead, the forecast calls for Lee to hit Canada (and possibly Maine). But on Monday, land was included in Lee’s forecast cone for the first time in the storm’s history.
Lee is anticipated to shift towards the north-northwest later today. This will be followed by a northward turn and an acceleration in its speed on Thursday and Friday, September 14 and 15. Based on current projections, the hurricane’s center will bypass Bermuda to the west on Thursday and Thursday night. By the end of the week, it is expected to approach the coastlines of New England or Atlantic Canada.
While some weakening of the hurricane is forecasted over the next few days, Lee is projected to remain a large and dangerous hurricane into the weekend. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 185 km (115 miles) from its center, with tropical storm-force winds reaching out to 390 km (240 miles).
OBSERVATION - Keep situationally alert as things can change in short order.
OBSERVATION - Communist control of children and the separation of them from their parents has been a common practice over the years. Under the current, demonically inspired ‘trans’ fad, these children grabbers / groomers have seized the moment in radical leftist states to start legally punishing parents for protecting and raising their kids contrary to the demands of the state. As noted over at least the past year, this drive by the left has not been without pushback, but in Kalifornia, the heavy hand of the leftists will do what it wants. This only widens the blue / red cultural gap.
The days of summer are quickly slipping into fall here in the Redoubt. Critical watch underway on when the first frost will strike. Mrs Z’s cherry tomato bush is loaded down with grape like clusters of wonderfulness that have just started to turn red. Other crops on the verge as well. We are prepared to erect the plastic greenhouse coverings, but our days are numbered. A few more weeks at best before the hard freezes come in that our plastic green houses cannot defend against.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The Group of 20 leaders have agreed to a plan to eventually impose digital currencies and digital IDs on their respective populations, despite fears that governments will use them to monitor their peoples’ spending and crush dissent.
The G20, which is currently under India’s presidency, adopted a final declaration on the subject over the weekend in New Delhi.
The meeting, which included the world’s leading economies, announced last week that they had agreed to build the necessary infrastructure to implement digital currencies and IDs.
OBSERVATION - This news has been out there for a few days. The implementation of digital currency and ID’s appears to be focused on a fast track to take place some time in 2024. Global impacts will likely be high with a lot of resistance particularly to digital currency. Here in the US, both will likely cause increased turmoil as the nation will already be embroiled in a presidential election cycle and the aftermath.
This crisis will be one which the WEF et al tries to take advantage of to further its goals. The digital effort will be forcibly emplaced - how much pushback remains to be seen. Potentially another crisis - perhaps false flag event - could be used to accelerate this goal.
Economy –
For the second straight month, overall consumer prices rose month-over-month at the fastest pace in 14 months in August, and while that was driven largely by a 10.5% jump in gasoline prices over the last month. It rose a seasonally adjusted 0.6% for the month, and was up 3.7% from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Wednesday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones were looking for respective increases of 0.6% and 3.6%.The CPI now stands at 3.7%.
Rent inflation still stands at 7.8% and shelter inflation stands at 7.3%.
Many of the items that people use every day are still seeing inflation rates well above 5%.
OBSERVATION - Economists are expecting the fed to raise the prime rate again at their next meeting. However, that will have little to do with the rising gasoline prices, being driven by OPEC+, but will likely damage the economy even more, increasing the potential for a hard crash landing recession.
***
Speaking of oil prices. The U.S. Energy Department has talked to oil producers and refiners to ensure stable fuel supplies at a time of rising gasoline prices, Jared Bernstein, head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, said on Wednesday.
“The Energy Department is in touch with producers and refiners to resolve any issues and to try to ensure stable supply,” Bernstein told reporters on Wednesday.
Officials from President Joe Biden’s administration reached out last week to oil industry companies to assess inventory levels and learn of any planned shutdowns of refineries, after Saudi Arabia and Russia extended voluntary oil output cuts to the end of the year, a U.S. refining source involved in the talks told Reuters.
“The White House wants to make sure everyone is focused here on potentialities for systemic disruptions that could create a supply problem,” said the source, who is not authorized to speak publicly about internal discussions.
Gasoline prices jumped 10.6% in August after climbing 0.2% in July, accounting for more than half the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
OBSERVATION - Consider that the regime just canceled (some claim illegally) oil leases in Alaska, combined with the draining of the SPR to near emptiness and other restrictions designed to kill the oil industry, such a call out to producers reeks of massive hypocrisy.
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Forty percent (40%) of the Global Supply Chain came to a halt today as the Panama Canal shut down. Ships are presently stuck on both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean sides of the canal because the lake, which supplies the locks between the two oceans, has suffered a drought and can no longer fill the locks to allow ships to sail through the canal.
Because of the severely reduced freshwater supply, Ships are being ordered to travel with 40% less weight to deal with less water. The Panama government said these restrictions will last at least 10 MORE MONTHS.
OBSERVATION - I noted the problems with the canal and the drought some months ago. It appear now that the situation has gotten worse. This will hit not only the US but global economies with supply shortages and increased costs. This will force ships to travel around South America - increasing fuel and shipping costs and time.
Price increases from shipping will not be stopped by fed rate increases, but made worse.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The White House is sending the letter to news outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and Fox News. It urges (directs) them to “ramp up their scrutiny” of House Republicans “for opening an impeachment inquiry based on lies.” That’s the popular talking point – the alleged impeachable conduct by Biden are all just lies. There is no evidence.
OBSERVATION - They aren’t even trying to hide this anymore. This falls on the heels of a 5th Circuit court ruling. In its decision released Friday, the court cites several instances in which the federal government “coerced” or “significantly encouraged” social media platforms to censor content the government didn’t like. Both actions constitute a violation of the First Amendment.
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A federal judge in New Mexico has issued a restraining order blocking Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 30-day gun ban.
OBSERVATION - Even a blind man could see this decision coming. Grisham was abandoned by even the most ardent anti-gunners with her declaration. The question remains will she face any accountability. This restraining order may provide enough cover for the NM democrat-controlled legislature to avoid impeachment proceedings.
Illegal Immigration –
Border crossings continue to increase as cooler weather comes to the south. Blue “sanctuary” cities are crying momma over the influx of illegals - swamping their social support systems. This next year things can get real ugly with continued uncontrolled immigration.
China –
The Australian and Philippine governments formally agreed to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea (SCS). This is in part due to recent Chinese blockade of a Philippine outpost on the Second Thomas Shoal.
OBSERVATION - China has put increasing pressure on Philippine Islands in the SCS. Things may escalate into actual shooting between elements.
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See Venezuela below on new agreements
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The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Philippine Sea, being shadowed separately by Republic of China Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyers, according to both countries.
Japan’s Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense issued a release stating that at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Shandong CSG was 403 miles south of Miyako Island, with a map showing the CSG closer to Luzon in the Philippines than to Japan or Taiwan. The CSG consisted of six ships: carrier CNS Shandong (17), destroyers CNS Guilin (164) and CNS Changsha (173), frigates CNS Xianning (500) and CNS Xuchang (536) and fleet oiler CNS Chaganhu (905). The carrier conducted launches and recovery of both fighter aircraft and helicopters, according to the release, which also stated that destroyer JS Ariake (DD-109) was shadowing the CSG.
OBSERVATION - China has been increasing its carrier ops and coordinated maneuvering with other combat vessels. While it is generally agreed that the Shandong doesn’t come close the capabilities of US Carriers, China is looking to project force outside the range of its land based aircraft and onto smaller islands in the region that have limited or no defensive capacities.
North/South Korea –
See Russia below on reciprocal visit of putin to NK.
Japan –
See China above monitoring naval movements.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated August 6, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. However, Russian forces are increasingly stretched and undermanned, with increasingly insufficient artillery support.
Russian attempt at launching a counter offensive to take pressure off its southern and eastern fronts has sputtered out. Initially, reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv morphed into Russian assaults that initially gained some ground but was quickly reversed, due largely to poor coordination between units.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
********
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea, Pyongyang’s state-run KCNA news agency said on Thursday.
The invite came from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during talks with Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
“Putin accepted the invitation with pleasure and reaffirmed his will to invariably carry forward the history and tradition of the Russia-DPRK friendship,” KCNA said.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Kim vowed Pyongyang’s “full and unconditional support” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Rumors that Russia is pulling forces from its eastern regions to bolster defenses in Ukraine.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures continue in the 70’s with chances of scattered showers.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 17 of 22 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight. Targeted areas were Mykolaiv, Dnipro city and Kryvyi Rih.
Russia received another blow overnight with the destruction of an S400 complex in Crimea. More than 15 explosions were reported near Yevpatoria (Evpatoria ) this morning. on the coast 40 miles north of Sevastopol.
According to Ukrainian sources, SBU drones hit the “eyes” of the complex — radars and antennas. After disabling the radar, the Navy units hit the S300/400 “Triumph” launch systems with two Neptune cruise missiles.
Ukraine claimed they destroyed 1.2 Billion dollars of S400 systems in the strike. This is questionable as a single battery costs about 600 million and if the Ukraine claim is correct, Russia foolishly clustered two systems together.
Bakhmut Axis -
Reports seem to indicate that the Russian line of defense is potentially on the verge of falling apart along the Bakhmut, Klischiyivka, Andriyivka and Kurdumivka line south of Bakhmut.
OUTLOOK –
Once again, Ukraine nails a critical Russian target. Another S400 system(s) in Crimea incinerated overnight. Those following should be able to see the pattern, Ukraine is systematically destroying Russian air defense radars and systems in Crimea. Previous attacks permitted the strike on the dry dock facilities at Sevastopol. This new hit widens the window even further. Ukraine is doing far more damage with fewer missiles than Russia has been lately. If Ukraine were to get ATCAMS in a timely manner, Russia’s position in Crimea would be seriously endangered.
Still seeing a lot of fog of war on the battle situation on the ground. But it appears that Russia is struggling to respond to the multiple threatening axes of attack Ukraine is operating. Significant gains south of Bakhmut appear to be on the go from both Ukraine and Russian sources. Question is does Russia want to waste resources defending Bakhmut when its forces are facing disaster elsewhere and need those same resources?
In the south, Ukraine is cycling a pattern that is slow but working. Upon seizing ground, dig in for the expected Russian counter attacks and eat those attacks up with their superior artillery support, then move forward again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Russian situation is so dire that Ukraine attacks directly towards Donetsk are gaining momentum.
There is still a good chance that Ukraine will finish opening the defensive line in the Tokmak axis and allow the armor to rampage as the offensive in Kharkiv did this time last year. How close Ukraine is to this goal is unknown, but intel to date indicates they are very close.
Europe / NATO General –
Romanian MFA summoned the Russian ambassador Valery Kuzmin after the third drone penetrated Romanian airspace. Romanian army found a third drone inside Romania, 14 km inland. Military sources state “The danger for the population is real. Fragments could not have flown that far, the drone must have flown till the crash site.”
Romania is reportedly moving air defense systems to the Ukrainian border in response to Russian suicide drones crashing on RO territory. Additionally Romania is :
- Sending troops & EOD teams to the border
- Deploying radars, sensors & air defense systems
- Patrolling the Danube river
OBSERVATION - This is a significant cycling up of Romanian response to Russian attacks spilling over into the country from Ukraine. Some suggest that Romania may set up an air defense zone that covers portions of Ukraine’s port facilities on the Danube currently being targeted by Russia. Russia is treading dangerously close to a more aggressive response by NATO.
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In addition to Estonia reported yesterday, all Baltic countries have banned the entry of cars with Russian license plates.
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Bulgaria has decided to place a NATO base on its territory -
“The cost of construction is estimated at 50 million euros, it is planned that it will be completed by 2025”, - reports the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria.
Saudi Arabia –
There are indicators that SA is looking to include the Palestinians in any normalization agreement with Israel.
Syria -
Assad forces open fire on protesters demanding the overthrow of the Assad regime and freedom in the city of Suwayda, southern Syria. According to several sources, there are injuries among the demonstrators.
OBSERVATION - Analysts are noting that Syria is losing ground to ISIS lately due to these protests as well as the mixed gaggle in eastern Syria of Turkish, Iranian, US and Syrian forces.
**
The Beirut-based al-Mayadeen reports that IAF fighter jets launched missiles from over northern Lebanon toward the Syrian city of Homs. Syrian state media says a second alleged Israeli strike, in the Hama area, caused material losses.
Venezuela -
China and Venezuela have signed new agreements on economy, trade, and tourism. Venezuela is seeking membership in BRICS and still maintains the potential for restoring its oil industry - but will need outside help.
Armenia/Azerbaijan –
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that, in his opinion, the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh did not cope with its task. Pashinyan also stated that “Due to the conflict in Ukraine, the Armenian authorities can no longer rely on the Russian Federation as a guarantor of their security”
OBSERVATION - Armenia is out gunned by Azeri forces and Russia’s backing has been the only thing that has kept them in check. That overt support is gone and Russia isn’t happy the Armenians are looking elsewhere for help.