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.
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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.