Abbreviated today. Got a search and rescue call out last night so running a little light today.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The political maneuvering by the WHO and the UN continue to be kept under scrutiny. May 2024 is still the target date for the formalization of 300+ new amendments and the WHO CA+ Framework Convention (formerly known as “Pandemic Treaty”) are scheduled to be adopted. The new set of Amendments to the International Health Regulations that are currently being worked on, expected to be officially submitted for consideration as a draft in January 2024.
OBSERVATION - 2024 is building into another crisis convergence period. The WHO, the US 2024 elections cycle, potential US and global recession, and CBDC rollouts. Coincidence? Part of globalist plans are to create as much chaos as possible to then offer their ‘solution’ to a public desiring stability and peace.
Economy –
Kalifornian pols are preceeding to devour what’s left of the golden goose that was the promise of California. From National Owners Association, a fast food industry advocate, the recently passed -
“The new ‘AB 1228’ legislation has been voted into law and will result in a devastating financial blow to California McDonald’s franchisees at a projected annual cost of $250,000 per McDonald’s restaurant,” the advocacy group representing some 1,000 McDonald’s franchisees said in the memo obtained by FOX Business.
“These costs simply cannot be absorbed by the current business model.”
Here are some of the new rules franchisees will face if Governor Gavin Newsom signs the bill into law (which he has already pledged to do):
It would raise the minimum wage for fast-food workers to $20 per hour (from current $15.15/hr).
It would apply to restaurants with at least 60 locations nationwide, except for restaurants that make and sell their own bread.
It would also create a 10-person council to govern fast-food chains and set guidelines for working conditions and wages.
OBSERVATION - Back in the day of basic economics, labor costs were the single most significant costs to businesses. An increase of 25% to that cost is untenable and the only way fast food will stay in business is to pass that cost onto customers as well as develop ways to reduce the labor force through more automation or elimination of some services - such as sit down eating shifting to drive through only.
My fast food outings are down to a bare minimum. I can no longer afford to take out a second mortgage in order to buy a Happy Meal.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted Saturday of all 16 impeachment charges related to bribery and abuse of office after a trial in the state senate. His lawyer decimated his accusers and may have put the bush dynasty in Texas back many years.
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Cross reference to CW 2 as well
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is eyeing a change to the United States Constitution. The state’s legislature on Thursday approved a resolution in support of Newsom’s call for a 28th Constitutional amendment, according to the Los Angeles Times. The amendment would enshrine a list of Democratic gun-control policy priorities into federal law.
The proposed “Right to Safety Amendment” would limit legal gun ownership to adults 21 and older, enact universal federal background checks on gun sales, create a mandatory “reasonable waiting period” for gun purchases, and ban the purchase of many forms of semiautomatic rifles.
OBSERVATION - In the current political environment such a change is a non-starter. It would not even begin to receive the necessary 3/4 state approval necessary. This amendment essentially pushes kalifornia’s failed gun controls onto the rest of the nation, laws that have failed to have any impact on gun related violence.
Although newscum has publicly bowed out of open presidential candidacy hopes for 2024, this is more evidence that he is waging a shadow campaign - anticipating a melt down of the biden / harris regime and for him to ride in on the so called white horse to save the party.
Biden / Harris Watch –
President Biden told a group of rabbis on Thursday that he was “raised in the synagogues” of Delaware — after previously claiming to have been raised by the state’s then-tiny Puerto Rican community.
“I, you might say, was raised in the synagogues of my state. You think I’m kidding, I’m not,” Biden said during a call ahead of Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish new year holiday that begins Friday.
OBSERVATION - This is not from the Babylon Bee folks.
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The White House edited the transcript to biden’s recent speech by making one subtle change to his comments by adding the word “and,” according to its website:
“We’ve seen record lows in unemployment, particularly — and I’ve focused on this my whole career — particularly for African Americans and Hispanic workers and veterans, you know, AND the workers without high-school diplomas. The lowest unemployment rate in 70 years for women now.”
This comes after considerable blowback after inferring on Thursday that black, Hispanic, and veteran workers do not have high school diplomas.
North/South Korea –
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is on his way home Sunday from Russia, ending a six-day trip that triggered global concerns about weapons transfer deals between the two countries locked in separate standoffs with the West.
OBSERVATION - Further analysis of the results of the visit are pending, but it is likely that at a minimum Kim is going to be providing Soviet- era artillery munitions as well as some of his newer stuff like a HIMARS knockoff. In exchange putin is expected to provide some sort of support for further modernization of NK’s forces. Kim was particularly interested in missiles and aircraft.
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.
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Ramzan Kadyrov released a video to counter claims that he was in a coma.
Logistics –
During Kim’s visit to Russia, Shoigu and Lt. Gen. Sergei Kobylash, the commander of the Russian long-range bomber force, confirmed for the first time that the Tu-160 had recently received new cruise missiles with a range of more than 6,500 kilometers (over 4,040 miles).
Three large Russian landing ships redeployed from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov - speaker of the Ukrainian Navy Dmytro Pletenchuk. Most likely these ships will be used to support the shipment of military supplies from Russia into the Southern and eastern Ukrainian regions. And in doing so, get them out of the *current* range of Ukrainian weapon systems.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Russia has withdrawn its military from the border with Norway, said the chief of the Norwegian General Staff
Only about 20% of the number of soldiers stationed there before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine are currently deployed near the border with Norway, said the chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces General Staff, General Eirik Kristoffersen. The same situation is on Russia’s border with Finland, pointed out Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO’s military committee.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures continue in the 70’s with chances of scattered showers.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 6 Shahed drones and 6 of 10 Kh-101 cruise missiles. Explosions heard in the Odessa area as well as to the east around Ochakiv. Russian also launched four S-300 missiles at Kharkiv overnight.
Meanwhile, Moscow and surrounding region faced Ukrainian drone attacks.
Kherson Axis -
Russian milbloggers claimed on Sept. 14 & 15 that Ukrainian forces intensified their activity on unspecified Dnipro River delta islands near the Antonivsky Bridge to consolidate positions for a future attack on the east bank of Kherson Oblast.
OUTLOOK –
Pretty slow war news day. Still high on the radar is Ukrainian activity in the Kherson / Dniper River bridgehead areas. With Russia pulling forces across the front to bolster the defense of Tokmok, if Ukraine is able to get a serious attack from Kherson towards Crimea, Russian defenses could buckle. This is the least defended potential axis of attack. With late summer / early fall, river flow in the Dniper River is approaching minimum levels, making a potential bridging operation more likely. Ukrainian forces currently on the east bank of the river will push out to drive Russian artillery out of range of potential bridging locations.
Russia continues to hold on by its fingernails to the Bakhmut region - showing significant signs of cracking.. With Ukraine in the Russian second line of defense trenches in the Tokmok axis there are rumors of a imminent break through. Russia is desperately trying to reinforce Tokmok, but Ukraine has shown it doesn’t need to directly assault the city in order to control it, bypassing and isolation has been working just fine and economizes the force.
Again, changes can happen rapidly under the current tactical situation.
Israel –
See Saudi Arabia below.
Iran –
The death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022 has been remembered by protests in many portions of Iran, particularly in Kurdish dominated regions.
Saudi Arabia –
Rumors that the normalization talks between SA and Israel may be breaking down due to efforts to incorporate the Palestinians into the mix
Black Swans
Climate change advocates continue to say that the ‘extreme’ weather observed today is due to global warming. Critical examination of historical data time and again argues against that view, but you won’t see it as it is contra to the narrative. Here is a link to some of the evidence that shows globalists are all wet on recent flooding and other weather woes.
Stay safe...
(Hurricanes in Florida? We had more and stronger ones in the 50's - MSM Bimbos and pretentious 'men' lie for Climate Alarmism.)
Globalism / Great Reset –
UN climate summit this week, all the envirowackos are coming out of their holes. . . .
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It is being noted that as of June 2023, 109 countries were actively exploring or engaging in CBDCs across various phases. Among these countries, 45 were involved in research, 32 were engaged in development, and 21 were in the pilot stage. Additionally, 16 countries were inactive, with 11 having already launched their CBDC projects, while two had canceled their involvement.
OBSERVATION - The biggest obstacle at least here in the US will be the resistance to eliminate physical cash all together. Digital exchange for all transactions will require electronics to complete. How are you, for instance, going to buy that nicknack at a yard sale? Are the banks going to ‘buy’ back physical currency - and at what discount rate? 90 cents on the dollar?
Push for 100% compliance may come with increased propaganda along the lines of only criminals and terrorists use physical cash. Other incentives are the security of their transactions. They will have to fight the specter of eventual govt tracking and control of purchases to force social compliance with globalist goals on diversity and global warming. At this stage that is a high hurdle to get over, barring some kind of significant disaster or other event.
Economy –
U.S. oil prices shot above $90 a barrel for the first time in 10 months, a bad sign for the Federal Reserve. The surge in oil prices is expected to push gasoline prices up even higher and worsen already rising inflation rates across the economy.
OBSERVATION - Fed rate increases are theoretically designed to slow economic activity and growth. Typically this also reduces petroleum consumption. This time around petroleum consumption is normal, but supples are being restricted off shore by OPEC+ members - mainly Saudi Arabia and Russia. Further rate increase by the Fed will not affect inflation as it doesn’t address the supply deficit, but will make it worse by handicapping domestic production and capitol needed for drilling and processing. Of course higher fuel prices pan out to higher prices across the board.
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The United Auto Workers chief warned Sunday that a historic strike at the top three car manufacturers will expand if the companies do not raise their wage offers in ongoing negotiations.
OBSERVATION - One counter offer I heard was for about a 20% increase in wages. Union reps reportedly slapped that down quickly. Biden is currently supporting the Unions in what may indicate is an effort to regain their support considering how his push for EVs will eventually devastate the unions and cause thousands of jobs.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
We lost an F35 - soon to be showing up on milk cartons across America.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Probability of a govt shut down is increasing every day.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Increasing rumbling from the left that support for biden’s 2024 run is fading, but that they are not too thrilled over trying to defend harris’ lack luster term as VP with a popularity rating below that of biden.
Illegal Immigration –
Illegal crossings are strongly increasing across the southern border. CBP is reduced to dropping captured illegals off in the middle of towns telling them they are on their own.
North/South Korea –
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left Russia on Sunday after a rare six-day visit that appeared to solidify his country’s ties with President Vladimir Putin, fanning Western fears that Pyongyang could provide Moscow with weapons for its assault on Ukraine.
OBSERVATION - NK’s potential contribution to Russia’s Ukraine war effort would not be that significant as there are potential quality control and other production issues that would need to be worked out. The simple fact that Russia is looking to NK for help demonstrates the critical need of Russia to try to do something to reverse the current of the conflict.
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 Personnel Issues –-
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had several negative effects on the Russian economy. One of the less obvious ones is a labor shortage. As Russia mobilized more and more young men, it deprived many manufacturing or maintenance facilities of key staff. Military-age men who had manufacturing or equipment maintenance skills were forced into the military, even though their employers warned that this would disrupt production if items needed by the military. Such exemptions were granted during World War II, but now the government decided that additional soldiers were more important than production of weapons and military equipment. What the government did not take into account was that, since the war began, nearly a million military age Russians have left the country. This continued even after the government outlawed the migration of military age men from Russia. Corruption in the government and military made it possible for military age men to get out of Russia. The government was told by employers that unless the government took action on the problems, production of key military items would continue to decline.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htatrit/articles/20230918.aspx
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures continue in the 70’s and fair conditions for the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 18 of 24 Shahed drones and 17 of 17 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
Ukraine returned the favor with drone strikes in Russia and Crimea. There was an explosion at an oil depot due to a drone attack in Oryol region of Russia last night. Russian media also reported drones in several locations of Moscow region. Airports in the region were closed.
Bakhmut Axis -
Klishchivka , south of Bakhmut, is in Ukraine hands. Now action is heating up on the northern side of the town as Ukrainian forces have made additional gains east of Orikhovo-Vasylivka (11km NW of Bakhmut) toward the E-40 highway.
Kherson Axis -
Russian milbloggers claimed on Sept. 14 & 15 that Ukrainian forces intensified their activity on unspecified Dnipro River delta islands near the Antonivsky Bridge to consolidate positions for a future attack on the east bank of Kherson Oblast.
Crimean front —
Major explosions near Sevastopol in Crimea over night. Looks like Ukrainian missiles struck a Russian air defense system.
OUTLOOK –
Activity is plateauing. Daily drone/missile exchanges continue to favor Ukraine. Ukraine continues a multidimensional surgical assault on Russian logistics and command centers both near the front as well as in Crimea and other occupied zones.
Word out from the aftermath of the Klishchivka area battles is that Russian forces, and in particular VDV elements have really taken it on the chin, with substantial losses of brigade level leaders and staff. This may well be reflected in the gains in the Orikhovo-Vasylivka, NW of Bakhmut. Defenses and leadership is significantly thinned out.
Fighting in along the Tokmok axis continues to be a predominantly infantry effort. Very little Ukrainian armor/tank are directly involved at this stage. Continued indicators that Ukraine is splitting the defensive line and may well soon commit armor in a break out mode.
Russia is trying to dig more defensive positions around Tokmok. The question is will they have the soldiers to effectively man those trenches. As noted before - Ukraine has continually shown that they will fix Russian forces in place while maneuvering around such strong points - cutting them off and eventually forcing a Russian retreat or destruction. Ukraine at this moment doesn’t need to physically occupy Tokmok, just position to interdict the supply routes that the city is a hub for. That will further cripple Russian defensive efforts - not food, fuel or ammo/arty.
As alway, things can change quickly.
Europe / NATO General –
An drone believed to be Russian carrying an 82-mm mortar mine was found on the rocks near the village of Tyulenovo, 70 km from the border with Romania and across the sea from Crimea. News reports claim it had ‘crashed’, though some photos suggest that it was washed onto the rocks.
Israel –
See Saudi Arabia below.
Iran –
Protests demoralizing the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022 continue in Iran. However, I do not think that they will have the traction to continue for any extended period.
Saudi Arabia –
Rumors that the normalization talks between SA and Israel may be breaking down due to efforts to incorporate a Palestinian state into the mix.
Africa general – WAR WATCH
Rumors of a coup attempt in the Congo have been refuted by the Congo-Brazzaville government.