Countdown going big - T-6 days out from election day.
Globalism / Great Reset –
The rise of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) across the United States has triggered a growing wave of lawsuits, public outcry, and legislative debates, as concerns mount over their implications for privacy and civil liberties. These systems, like the one recently challenged in Norfolk, Virginia, by the Institute for Justice, are increasingly seen as a form of government surveillance that crosses constitutional boundaries, raising alarm among citizens and advocacy groups alike.
https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=7474#google_vignette
OBSERVATION - Surveillance state on AI folks. Add to it its brother - facial recognition - and you have an incredible set up for tracking and surveilling individuals. There was a reality TV show a while back where an individual(s) are supposed to ‘escape’ and remain uncaught for something like 48 hours. Law enforcement and other surveillance gurus utilized the capabilities of law enforcement to track them down - ATM use, accessible cameras, etc. More times than not, the people were caught.
CW2 / Domestic violence - HIGH THREAT - up dated Oct 30, 2024
*** Level increased based on the elevated rhetoric from democrats/ leftists in the face of a increasingly probable trump win. ***
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) announced Monday evening that he is activating the National Guard as a precautionary measure on Election Day.
Lombardo, the former Sheriff of Clark County, the most populous county in Nevada, said the move is purely meant as a means to be prepared for any possible issues.
“As a first responder, I know first-hand the importance of being prepared, and this decision reflects my commitment to safety and preparedness on Election Day,” he said in a press release.
The announcement points to a need for “preparation for a safe and smooth Election Day” with the Guard members’ roles “limited to supporting state and local resources.”Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) announced Monday evening that he is activating the National Guard as a precautionary measure on Election Day.
Lombardo, the former Sheriff of Clark County, the most populous county in Nevada, said the move is purely meant as a means to be prepared for any possible issues.
“As a first responder, I know first-hand the importance of being prepared, and this decision reflects my commitment to safety and preparedness on Election Day,” he said in a press release.
The announcement points to a need for “preparation for a safe and smooth Election Day” with the Guard members’ roles “limited to supporting state and local resources.”
OBSERVATION - Clearly the threat of violence and other “disruptions” are on the minds of state leaders to varying degrees for election day and the following.
***
The FBI and DHS are trying to label conservatives as a threat.
In an internal bulletin, the agencies claims they “have identified domestic extremists with grievances rooted in election-related conspiracy theories, including beliefs in widespread voter fraud and animosity toward perceived political opponents, as the most likely threat of violence in the coming election.”
These agencies are trying to label YOU as domestic terrorists if you challenge the election results.
It’s worth noting, DHS released THOUSANDS of known foreign terrorists into our country and one even tried committing an attack on Election Day.
But TRUMP SUPPORTERS are the ones on their radar.
https://x.com/BreannaMorello/status/1851220507305107628
OBSERVATION - Rhetoric from the left continues to increase as the regime puts out more and more that the threat is from the right.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of AUG 5, 2024
The U.S. trade deficit in goods widened to a 2-1/2-year high in September amid a surge in imports, prompting some economists to trim their economic growth estimates for the third quarter.
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/u-s-trade-deficit/2024/10/29/id/1185834/
OBSERVATION - Economists are trying to pin the exact reason, some saying because of our ‘strong’ economy. They are also forecasting a growth in the GDP as well.
***
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced a plan Tuesday to get more people to open bank accounts if they don’t have one.
With a week left until the election, Yellen is following up with a request from Congress last year to craft a national strategy for financial inclusion, per the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. Her plan involves banks and employers cooperating to encourage people to open bank accounts when they get a new job, tax refund, or a government payment.
OBSERVATION - Sorry, this has red flags all over it. Getting people out of cash and dependent on banks - especially the big ones - that then can be seized by a tyrannical govt by many potential means.
***
The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8% annual rate from July through September, with consumers helping drive growth despite the weight of still-high interest rates.
The report is the first of three estimates the government will make of GDP growth for the third quarter of the year. The U.S. economy has continued to expand in the face of the much higher borrowing rates the Federal Reserve imposed in 2022 and 2023 in its drive to curb inflation. Despite widespread predictions that the economy would succumb to a recession, it has kept growing, with employers still hiring and consumers still spending.
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/economy-gdp-consumer/2024/10/30/id/1185968/
OBSERVATION - Hard to support their claim on the economy and consumer spending. Other reports have consumer ‘spending’ on the backs on increased credit card debt. I suspect that the number will be rounded down - after the election.
***
U.S. job openings tumbled last month to their lowest level since January 2021, a sign that the labor market is losing some momentum. Still, posted vacancies remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the number of job openings dropped to 7.4 million in September from 7.9 million in August. Economists had expected the level of openings to be virtually unchanged. Job openings fell in particular at healthcare companies and at government agencies at the federal, state and local levels.
The number of layoffs also rose. And the number of Americans who quit their jobs fell below 3.1 million, the fewest since August 2020.
https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/job-openings-economy/2024/10/29/id/1185845/
e
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
A dozen military helicopters landed at the Capitol overnight as part of a continuity of government training. The purpose was to train/test how many could be evacuated in a short amount to time to bunkers in the event of a major attack against the US.
***
After spending nearly $2 billion on air defense systems in the Middle East alone, the U.S. is reportedly running low on its stockpiles for the weaponry, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal.
Ukraine and Israel — along with a host of other U.S. allies — have been in urgent need of American weapons systems amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s war with Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Middle East. But the U.S. is reportedly struggling to keep up with demand and is starting to run out of air defense missile variants, a problem that could become even worse should those conflicts escalate or drag on, officials told the WSJ.
https://dailycaller.com/2024/10/29/us-air-defense-missiles-running-low-reportedly/
OBSERVATION - Just like biden drained our strategic oil reserves, he has methodically drawn down our ammo reserves while our industrial capacity remains restrained.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Merchan sentencing of trump - Nov 25th
**** Remember, most polls are designed to shape opinion, not reflect it. ****
BE ALERT - There are reports from all over regarding ‘ilregularities’ in the early vote and absentee ballot processing. Pennsylvania reports of shutting down early voting, other states ballot irregularities and others bulk ballots being brought in. Many of these are being identified early and courts engaged IMHO because the republicans have taken to trump’s call to vote early. Many of these cheats from the past are being stopped, but I expect more as the day approaches.
***
The U.S. Supreme Court now has been asked to decide whether noncitizens should be on the voter rolls in the state of Virginia. It’s illegal, of course, for them to vote. But a lower court judge ruled just days ago the state must restore 1,600 names of people who self-identify as noncitizens to voter rolls.
***
Democrat presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris is waving the white flag in North Carolina, surrendering the state to former President Donald Trump as her campaign withdraws nearly $2 million in planned ad buys from television stations statewide one week before the election.
OBSERVATION - This has shocked some political pundits - pulling out of a battle ground state. Similar rumblings coming out of Wisconsin as well. The concept of not putting out good money for bad is in play and these actions suggest their internal polling is not swinging their way. Also note, harris has pulled in more than twice the ‘contributions’ trump has, so to make such a drastic decision becomes even more evident of troubles.
***
On Tuesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her “closing argument” speech at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, with the White House in the background. Although President Joe Biden was watching the speech, he alerted reporters earlier in the day that he would not be there in person and would not preview any of the speech. The speech that Harris gave was very much more of the same of what we’ve heard before, including with how she went after former and potentially future President Donald Trump.
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/rebeccadowns/2024/10/29/kamala-harris-speech-n2646954#google_vignette
RELATED - D.C. officials set up fences to try to keep out pro-Gaza protesters from Kamala’s last big-stage speech. There were chaotic scenes after the speech as her supporters had to climb over fences to leave, and were confronted by screaming Muslims and leftists.
Biden / Harris Watch –
President Joe Biden’s supposed attempt to call out racist remarks by a speaker at a campaign rally for Donald Trump backfired as Trump and other Republicans accused him of calling their supporters “garbage.”
“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporter’s
His statements spawned a rapid effort to redefine and edit his comments but it only has made matters worse.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/garbage-hate-democrats/2024/10/30/id/1185945/
OBSERVATION - Can see why harris has kept him on the sidelines. Linkages are quickly being made
- Hillary called us “deplorable”
- Harris calls us ‘nazis’
- biden calls us garbage.
Illegal Immigration –
Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance has warned that rural hospitals are closing down as they buckle under the exploding cost of caring for illegal migrants who cannot afford medical bills.
Vance recently spoke about the pressures hospitals are facing, and he was asked about the closure of several hospitals and clinics in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Vance said that rural hospitals are shutting down because they are “bearing the burden of providing health care to millions of people who shouldn’t be in this country to begin with.”
“Now you might not think that rural health care access is an immigration issue,” he said. “I guarantee it is an immigration issue because we’re bankrupting, bankrupting a lot of hospitals by forcing these hospitals to provide care for people who don’t have the legal right to be in our country,” the Ohio senator added.
OBSERVATION - Instances like these are growing as the regime floods small, predominately red communities with illegals.
North/South Korea –
South Korea aims to send a team to Ukraine to monitor and analyse the deployment of North Korean troops by Russia, a presidential official said on Wednesday
Russia -
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Putin says Russia is conducting a drill to use nuclear weapons today. Command and control, also ballistic and cruise missile practice will be held
Putin issued a dramatic message to the media and said that Russia had begun conducting exercises for the use of nuclear weapons.
“Use of nuclear weapons is a last resort, but military forces must be prepared for any scenario.”
Russian Defense Minister Belousov reports that during the training of strategic nuclear forces, a massive nuclear strike in response to a nuclear strike had been worked out. Russia launched Yars ICBM from Plesetsk, Bulava and Sineva SLBMs from nuclear submarines and cruise missile from Tu-95MS bombers
OBSERVATION - This is part of the ongoing big stick threats of putin that have so far cowed much of Nato. However, the scenario and the exercise in general are serious escalations in putin’s rhetoric and russian action.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
South Korean Presidential office says at least 11,000 North Korean troops deployed to Russia, some 3,000 sent to western Russia
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures in the 40-50s with scattered showers in the forecast.
North Korean advance unit possibly deployed to front lines in Russia: South Korean military
Western Intelligence Officials told CNN today that North Korean Troops are believe to now be Fighting on the Frontline in Eastern Ukraine; with the Pentagon confirming during a Press Conference earlier that a Small Contingent of North Korean Soldiers have arrived in the Kursk Region of Western Russia, but it is not known yet if they are in Ukraine. During the Conference it was further stated, that at least 10,000 additional North Korean Troops have arrived or are heading to Western Russia.
https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1851444386204156266?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 33 of 62 Shahed-type and unidentified-type strike drones, launched by Russia overnight. 9 people wounded as result of Shahed-type strike drones attack in Solomiansky district of Kyiv
Big fire reported in Zheleznogorsk of Kursk region after Ukrainian drone strikes
Ukraine is planning to draft another 160,000 troops into its military as Russia gains ground in the east.
It also comes amid reports that a number of North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia.
Ukraine’s military has been under severe pressure of late, in part due to Russia’s greater manpower and deeper resources.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2n4n1r307o
Ukraine Kursk Offensive-
In spite of increased diversions of resources, Russia has not been able to budge Ukraine forces from the Kursk salient.
Pokrovsk axis (Formerly Ocheretyne) -
Continued intense attacks along the front south of Pokrovsk.
Kharkiv Front -
Russian Ministry of Defense claims full occupation of Kruhlyakivka village of Kharkiv region of Ukraine
Outlook —
Russia nuclear threats and deployment of NK soldiers have heated up the international aspect of the war. Growing pressure on the west to loosen conditions for deep strikes should NIK forces engage Ukraine.
Europe / NATO General –
GEORGIA - (ISW). Russian officials and milbloggers are conducting information operations that falsely portray the Georgian opposition’s peaceful and legal challenges to the conduct of the October 26 parliamentary election results as a Western- and Ukrainian-sponsored illegal coup d’état.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Movement in hostage release and possible ceasefire in Lebanon.
- IDF announces initial drawdown of activated forces as ground objectives are nearly achieved.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated a possible breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas for the release of 101 hostages still held in Gaza. Speaking with Likud members in a closed meeting at the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu suggested that Hamas might be willing to drop some of its demands for a ceasefire deal.
***
Pentagon official Arian Tabatbai, who was under suspicion of leaking U.S. intelligence on Israel’s plans regarding Iran, has now been reassigned to a role with restricted access to sensitive information.
***
According to Israeli Media Sources, several reserve brigades of the Israel Defense Force will soon be released from active service, as the current ground operation in Southern Lebanon has entered its final stages; with most Hezbollah sites and bunkers within a mile of the northern border with Israel having been destroyed.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
Israel continues to encircle and destroy elements of Hamas et al in N Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shocked Hamas operatives in northern Gaza by surrounding them, then winning a close-fought battle in which the Iran-backed terrorists used a hospital as a base, in violation of international law.
The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday on the “complete surprise” that came when Israel decided to surround Hamas in the stronghold of Jabaliya and evacuate all local civilians, rather than relying on pinpoint strikes, as in the past:
According to the IDF, the remaining terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip had gathered in Jabalya, prompting the military to encircle the area, evacuate the civilian population, isolate the terrorists, and prevent them from escaping.
Three brigades surrounded the camp: the 460th, Givati, and the 401st. The 460th Brigade, which reached schools and shelters, reported that this approach allowed them to evacuate five thousand residents. By the following day, twenty thousand more had left, and forces said that the residents’ “fear barrier was broken.”
Approximately 600 terrorists surrendered, while hundreds of others were eliminated in the refugee camp.
The Post added that Hamas had used the local Kamal Adwan Hospital as a base.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Israeli tanks reach the outskirts of the town of Khiam, south Lebanon.
Israeli Armor and Mechanized-Infantry made a significant advances this morning towards the City of Khiam in Southern Lebanon, roughly 3 miles from the Israeli Border; with some of the heaviest fighting of the Israeli ground operation in Lebanon so far, having been reported within the outskirts of the city.
Khiam is considered a major stronghold of Hezbollah in the Nabatieh Governorate, and the site of a large battle during the Second Lebanon War in 2006.
Al-Khiam, a massive Hezbollah stronghold is about to fall according to the Saudi Al-Hadath network.
When Israel completes the capture and demilitarization of the 3 large villages of Al Khiam, Tayibe and Bint Jbeil, the threat of asymmetrical terror invasion and RPG attacks across the border will have been solved. The IDF will, at that point, control the border road on the Lebanese side, to which, due to terrain and a sparse road network, there are minimal easily controlled approaches.
***
Reports of Naim Kassem will give his first speech today as the Secretary General of Hezbollah
***
Hezbollah has conducted at least 26 attacks into Israel on October 28. Hezbollah fired 50 rockets targeting Maalot Tarshiha, killing one civilian. Hezbollah launched one-way attack drones targeting at least seven Israeli military and civilian sites in northern Israel.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Israeli warplanes are now targeting Tal al-Jabiyah, west of Daraa, with airstrikes. The area is under the control of Iran and its proxies
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
The Secretary-General of the Arab Islamic Council:
“I swear to you that the Israeli army will attack Iran’s nuclear sites. The decision has already been made. Iran must bear responsibility for this. Listen to me, Khamenei, and remember it well.”
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Starting with Gaza, Hamas elements in N Gaza continue to crumble. Hamas continues to do stupid things like thinking that taking over hospitals will some how protect them, and finding out otherwise.
In S Lebanon, the ground objectives are becoming clearer. To return citizens back to their homes in N Israel, the IDF is clearing a buffer zone in S Lebanon to prevent direct attacks.
The assaults on Al Khiam, Tayibe and Bint Jbeil by the IDF are probably the last big objectives of the current conflict. Seizure will prevent Hezbollah from strongholds they could use to push into the buffer Israel is trying to create.
I don’t expect a ceasefire until these three towns are cleared of Hezbollah. A read of the developing agreement has a more aggressive role of the Lebanese army disarming and moving Hezbollah north of the Litani River. It also grants Israel unrestricted ability to strike Hezbollah to prevent movement into the region as well as continuing to prevent it from rearming. Until then, Israel will maintain the pressure in the south while hammering key ammo storage and operational facilities in the north.
The situation with Iran continues to simmer. I don’t have a good feel just how serious Iran is on an ‘immediate’ response. They have to realize that they are in a worse defensive position than before Israel whacked their rear ends and took out the ADA assets they relied on.
Israel as well. The retaliatory threat due to the drone attack on Netanyahu’s home may well be there to keep Iran on its heels about a potential Israeli strike sooner than later. Perhaps could even envelope a preemptive strike should Iran attempt to carry out its current threats. Israel is gaining more flexibility as IAF is not having to devote so much to the support of the ground war.
In any case, just what will Israel’s priority be for the next strike? Netanyahu repeatedly has stated the nuclear program was his top priority. Striking the oil would severely cripple Iran, but potentially cause greater global push back. The Iran nuclear threat is the biggest terror threat Israel is facing in the future. And if delayed until after the election, Netanyahu will have a freer hand to deal this blow.
Anyway, no solid indicators of a soon attack by either.
Iran –
Iranian Defense Minister claims Tehran is capable of carrying out “dozens of operations” against Israel, adds that “our air defenses are strong”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi said Tuesday, “Responding to Israel’s attack is our right, but the Islamic Republic will decide on this response itself, and we won’t allow anyone to drag us into emotional reactions.” He also noted that Tehran knows which countries allowed Israel to use their airspace to attack Iran, but the US is the main culprit.
https://x.com/BreannaMorello/status/1851220507305107628
The Supreme Court is WATCHING those in Government who ARE NOT following the law of our land. (difference of opinion is NOT a crime) And people who say differences of option is a crime are denying citizens the right to speak their truth to power. This isn't North Korea or China or Russia. We have freedom of speech here and it needs to be respected. Think about it FBI and DOJ...
Thanks Godzilla
leftists and terrorists want to strike Americans. Questions are where and when? Please be vigilant ……
Countdown going big - T-5 days out from election day.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) has launched an initiative to investigate the role major internet domain companies have taken in the spread of so-called disinformation, primarily from Russia.
Warner’s focus includes prominent players in the digital space such as Cloudflare, GoDaddy, NameCheap, NameSilo, Newfold and Verisign. However, critics argue that Warner is just laying the groundwork for a government system that could inevitably be used to suppress online dissent.
The senator’s strategy is notable not for its tactics but for its ambition. By shifting his focus to the core of internet infrastructure – domain registrars – he is bypassing social media and diving into the foundational aspects of the web.
OBSERVATION - Censorship is the goal of the globalist cabal- its been the regular drum beat for over many years now, only to be crescendoing this past few years. They continue to seek out ways around resistance as the effort by WEF syncopate Warner is attempting. BTW, even though Russia has been playing around in the cyber world to mess with the election - Russian “disinformation” has also been a code word branding any and all information that is contrary to the regime’s narrative.
CW2 / Domestic violence - HIGH THREAT - up dated Oct 30, 2024
*** Level increased based on the elevated rhetoric from democrats/ leftists in the face of a increasingly probable trump win. ***
***
Jamie Raskin (D): Let people vote for Trump if they want, we’re not gonna certify the election anyways, so he may be elected but we are not going to let him be inaugurated.
OBSERVATION - Declaration of insurrection even before the election. Growing evidence that the controlling far left faction of the DNC is preparing to potentially initiate civil war in the event of a trump win
***
U.S. Department of Energy that has begun tracking employees’ beliefs through a plan to monitor employment accommodations.
The DOE has claimed its accumulation of information about employees’ beliefs is needed to “collect, maintain, and disseminate records on employees and applicants for employment who seek and receive medical and non-medical accommodations.”
Also caught up in the information dragnet is information about workers with varying disabilities, and their accommodations.
But it also insists on keeping records regarding, “Federal employees or applicants for employment requesting accommodation based on a ‘sincerely held’ religious belief, practice, or observance under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This system includes requests for a medical or religious accommodation.”
The report said Lankford has concerns that “collecting detailed records on an individual’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices — alongside other personal and sensitive information — poses a significant threat to the privacy and religious freedoms of federal employees.”
https://www.wnd.com/2024/10/significant-threat-federal-government-launches-plan-to-track-faith-data/
OBSERVATION - This can also be lumped under globalism/great reset. Remember, this is the same govt that classified pro-life groups as ‘domestic terrorists’. If the govt expands this to apply it across the board, the potential for discrimination based on religion will skyrocket - in one way by providing targets for the LGBT et al community to strike at.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
CDC has reportedly added 3 wuhan jabs to child vaccination schemes from 0 - 6. All with no supporting testing or other proofs.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Merchan sentencing of trump - Nov 25th
**** Remember, most polls are designed to shape opinion, not reflect it. ****
Fighting in the legal trenches and the polling booth-
The Supreme Court allowed Virginia on Wednesday to remove individuals identified as noncitizens from the voter rolls.
The justices paused a lower court order preventing officials from removing around 1,600 individuals who the state said “self-identified” as noncitizens.
Rasmussen - Michigan: One voter ID with 29 separate “votes”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says there is a “NATIONWIDE ISSUE with Dominion Voter Access Terminals,” preventing voters from making certain selections. These ‘selections’ appear to be related to down ballot republican selections.
According to her office, this “programming issue” CANNOT be fixed, and voters are being forced to deal with it.
Colorado House Republicans are calling for Secretary of State Jena Griswold to resign following a serious breach of election security protocols. Her office’s recent posting of critical election system passwords online (for a month) has raised significant concerns about the accountability of our voting system.
A Judge has ruled PA Gov Josh Shapiro was breaking Election Law by using uniformed officers to block early voting lines. Judge ruled two additional days of early voting to remediate the violation.
OBSERVATIONS - I think I’ve noted this earlier. The combination of the emphasis by trump to vote early and more aggressive monitoring of the democrat cheat plan is resulting in a lot of these cheats being caught and now by law being reversed before election day. It doesn’t mean that the democrats/leftists won’t put on a full court press here in a few days, but it does establish the cheating and has forced the judiciary to step in rather than play the games they did last election.
Biden / Harris Watch –
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Oversight Chairman James Comer are raising concerns the Biden-Harris White House may have violated the Presidential Records Act by revising President Biden’s remarks, in which he referred to President Trump’s supporters as “garbage.”
PS - if you have’t listened to trump’s discussion about getting into the garbage truck and wearing the vest at the rally - you really need to. Classic golden trump.
***
Where has the ‘joy’ gone? Chaos broke loose at Kamala Harris event in Harrisburg, PA as dozens of protestors yell out slogans like “Kamala supports genocide”, “blood on your hands”, and “f* you.” This follows friction from pro-hamas / pro-palestine protestors that were kept out of harris’ DC rally and who later harassed harrisites as they left the rally.
North/South Korea –
North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew for 86 minutes - the longest flight recorded yet - before falling into waters off its east, South Korea and Japan said.
The ICBM was fired at a sharply-raised angle and reached as high as 7,000km (4,350 miles). This means that it would have covered a further distance if it were launched horizontally.
Pyongyang last fired an ICBM in December 2023, in defiance of long-standing and crippling UN sanctions. That test of the Solid-Fuel “Hwaseong-18” ICBM travelled for 73 minutes and covered about 1,000km.
North Korea experts believe the launch was aimed at increasing its missiles’ payload.
The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol has called for a “Strong Response” to last night’a launch, with him directing the National Security Council to prepare for further surprise provocations.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgry8rpzn4o
OBSERVATION - Observers are suggesting that this may be a New Variant of ICBM. Clearly a substantial increase in performance by a factor close to 7X. One can only begin to link the jump in ICBM capabilities to the growing partnership with Russia.
The distance between NK and the US is 6,386 miles / 10,277 km. Los Angeles, which is about 9,500 kilometers away. So as noted above, the strategic range of this missile is more than the 7,000km (4,350 miles) from the test. Clearly places a large section of the US within range.
Japan –
See NK missile test above.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures in the 40-50s with scattered showers in the forecast.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Overnight, Russia launched a missile and drone attack
Shot down:
0/4 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missile
2/8 Kh-59/69 cruise missiles
40/43 Shahed drones
Another 3 Shahed drones returned to Russian airspace.
Russian Ministry of Defense claims full occupation of Yasna Poliana town in Donetsk region of Ukraine
***
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday that North Korean troops wearing Russian uniforms and carrying Russian equipment are moving toward Ukraine, in what he called a dangerous and destabilizing development.
The US and South Korea say some of the North Korean troops are heading to Russia’s Kursk region on the border with Ukraine, where the Kremlin’s forces have struggled to push back a Ukrainian incursion.
Some North Korean advance units have already arrived in the Kursk region, and Austin said “the likelihood is pretty high” that Russia will use the troops in combat.
The US has estimated there are about 10,000 North Korean troops now in Russia. Seoul and its allies assess that the number dispatched to Russia has increased to 11,000, according to a senior South Korean presidential official, who spoke on condition of anonymity during a background briefing.
More than 3,000 of them are believed to have moved toward combat zones in western Russia, the South Korean official said, without specifying the locations.
Pokrovsk axis (Formerly Ocheretyne) -
Continued intense attacks along the front south of Pokrovsk.
Zaporizhzhia Axis -
Russia is preparing an armored assault on Zaporizhzhia, says Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn. After conducting drills on occupied territory, Russian forces plan to deploy this equipment near two settlements in the region.
Outlook —
The deployment of the NK soldiers continues to be on the front burner. They apparently will be wearing Russian uniforms, though I suspect they will have some sort of NK patch for identification.
Rumors of a Zaporizhzhia front Russia offensive have bubbled to the surface again. While the thought may be that Ukraine has diverted forces from this region for the fight in the Donbas, granting limited troop superiority for Russia, initiation of an offensive as the mud season arrives would just bog down the operation very quickly.
Mud season is also driving the Russian effort to gain as much territory in the Donbas as possible. Depending upon the success of the NK manning the fight in Kursk freeing up units to go back south to the Donbas, Russia is running out of time. As I estimated, over the past few months Russian casualties have risen by about 25% or more - to the 40K range - and so far Russia has only been able to maintain about 30K in replacements per month.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Apparent movement towards a ceasefire in Lebanon
- Alerts that Iran may launch an attack before the US election, perhaps as early as Saturday, continue to grow.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Senior Hamas officials says they reject the idea of a temporary ceasefire with Israel but supports any proposal that leads to a permanent cessation of the war
***
CNN report: Iran decided to respond to Israel’s attack on Saturday. According to them, this will be a decisive and painful response and might even happen before the US presidential elections
Reports a Senior Iranian Official has told the U.S media that Iran will respond to the attack before the U.S elections and that it will be “Definitive and Painful”
CNN reports according to a high-ranking Iranian official that Iran will launch a massive attack on Israel within days.
Israeli sources said if Iran does so, Israel will respond by destroying Iran’s nuclear sites and oil infrastructure
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
Hamas et al continues to be reduced in N Gaza.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
The Israeli army is making advances from the eastern outskirts of Khiam. This is a key piece of terrain that Hezbollah has historically used to direct artillery / rockets onto N Israel.
20 rockets were fired by Hezbollah towards Karmiel and its surroundings in the Galilee
Israeli Broadcasting Authority: The army will withdraw from Lebanon within a week and will resume its operations if the agreement is violated
****
Despite Hezbollah’s declarations throughout the war, the terrorist organization has agreed to drop its demands and is ready to withdraw beyond the Litani River, Lebanon’s MTV website, which is associated with Hezbollah opponents, reported Wednesday night.
The report indicated that Hezbollah agreed to establish a demilitarized zone, with all its weapons to be moved beyond the river. It was also claimed that Hezbollah no longer insists on being directly connected to events in Gaza.
MTV Lebanon noted that a three-day ceasefire draft is being discussed in Lebanon, and American officials are expected to present it to Israel in the coming days. It was also noted that Amos Hochstein, Biden’s envoy to the region, told Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati that he sensed a change in Netanyahu’s position, which gave him hope regarding the contacts.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/2024-10-31/live-updates-826925
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Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati states that the conditions of an Israeli-Hezbollah ceasefire are clear, and that they are ready to deploy the Lebanese Army in force across southern Lebanon, in order to ensure the implementation and adherence of non-state actors (ie Hezbollah and other islamic terror groups) with UNSC Resolution 1701.
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After the IDF issued another warning to the residents of Baalbek and the surrounding area to evacuate, a new wave of attacks hammered the area. Included in this was striking a petroleum storage area used by Hezbollah.
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More massive airstrikes in Tyre.
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Naim Qassem, the new Hezbollah leader, has fled to Iran for fear of his life. In this new photo he is on a flight to the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran.
His first speech to his followers was interrupted by ‘technical difficulties’ claimed to be from a cyber attack by Israel.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Israeli air strikes target Al-Qaa-Jousieh crossing between Syria and Lebanon
A massive Israeli strike in area of Qusseir, south of Homs, in area of the border crossing. Reports a bridge was also bombed
The IDF took a relatively unusual responsibility for the attack in Syria: “We attacked military warehouses and headquarters of the Radwan force and Hezbollah in the Al Qusayr area in Syria.”
This is an area that is very close to the border with Lebanon and it is about military equipment that is apparently destined to be smuggled into Lebanese territory.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces (IDF, Border Police, and Shin Bet) carried out a counterterrorism operation in Nour Shams, West Bank, which included an airstrike targeting armed terrorists.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
Over the last 24 Hours, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed to have launched at least five drone attacks against Northern and Southern Israel.
https://x.com/sentdefender/status/1851852423805223343?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
The extent of the concessions by Hezbollah to the Israeli demands for the implementation of a cease fire indicate the depth to which Israel has decimated the organization. Israel is willing that the Lebanese army do its job under UN 1701 and disarm Hezbollah while maintaining its full readiness to strike Hezbollah if they try to cheat the deal. The defeat of Hezbollah has provided some back bone to the Lebanese to stand up against them and take control of the country back.
The decoupling of Hezbollah from Hamas is very significant and support of Hamas was the justification for the attacks against Israel. But the decoupling really wasn’t too hard for them to recognize. First, they are members of opposing religious sects of islam - the famous Sunni vs Shia split. The second was Hamas’ premature launch on Oct 7 in an effort to steal glory from Hezbollah. Lots of bad blood between the two.
Israel’s drive to three key cities in S Lebanon, Karmiel being one of the key ones, will likely be the final major actions prior to any ceasefire.
Gaza continues to go with sporadic fierce fights as Israel locates and hit remnant Hamas and allied terror cells. Hamas seems to be moving closer to Israeli demands for a cease fire.
Finally, I’m reassessing my view of the potential for an Iranian attack before the US election. More divergent sources alerting to an attack, including Iran itself. Shaking my head, it is growing that Iran is actually serous about launching another attack. They are deep into the FO that the FA this next time will be brutal.
Countered against this is the Israeli retaliatory attack for the drone strike on Netanyahu’s home AND potential preemptive strike on Iran. A preemptive strike in some ways would be a better outcome if before the election as it would like focus on missile launch sites and facilities whereas the retaliatory one would hit the nuke and oil targets.
Politically, for the US, a major Iranian attack is likely to hurt harris more than trump, given the resurgence the anti-israel wing of the progressive democrat party.
We may see how serious Iran is in the next few days. Otherwise the ball is in Israel’s court
Iran –
Germany has ordered the closure of all three Iranian consulates following Iran’s execution of Jamshid Sharmahd, a 69-year-old German-Iranian dissident abducted by Iranian agents in Dubai four years ago.
Syria -
CENTCOM: U.S. Central Command conducted airstrikes against several ISIS camps in Syria
A missile attack targeted the American base in the Al-Omar oil field in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria
Misc of Note –
I’m posting this here so as not to clutter the CW2 and political sections above. There has been a notable growth from democrats/progressives over their threats and plans to use violence as a tool to prevent Trump from being sworn in. Tactics range from arrest (for the bogus convictions), to flat out rioting and destruction.
Your ‘rank and file’ democrat has a low probability of violence, though recent surveys indicate that they would condone it against trump and republicans.
The actual foot soldiers would likely be Antifa and affiliated. They would form the core and then the other strap hangers - BLM and anti-israel - groups would join. However, these groups have been relatively quiet in the run up to the election. But a trump win may just be the unifying action to restart them.
The wild card will be just what will the 12 million of so illegals brought into the US by biden/harris do if rioting kicks off? I will go on a limb and say that there are some specific groups that will act - primarily moslems, Chinese and ‘gangs’.
As with the Floyd riots of 2020, major urban centers will be ground zero for the initial riots which will spread to some of the suburban areas. What factor will the groups that have been shipped in to smaller, red communities in overwhelming numbers? Could go either way in that they may form a nucleus to threaten the citizens or they could lay low. Locals are not happy about them to begin with and in red areas more likely to lethally pushback as they were to Antifa elements that tried to expand into similar areas in 2020.
These are WORST case scenarios but we have the history of 2020 to look to and see just what they did and adapt for the changes over the past four years. Be alert out there.