Christmas decorations are up and the holidays officially are here.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
A federal appeals court has ruled that an order in King County, Washington, barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using a Seattle-area airport to deport illegal immigrants from the country is unlawful, affirming a lower court’s summary judgment and clearing the way for the removals to continue.
Judge Daniel A. Bress of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit wrote in the Nov. 29 opinion that a 2019 executive order issued by King County Executive Dow Constantine that prohibited the ICE deportation flights was unlawful. The ruling identified two primary legal violations: discrimination against federal operations under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution and breach of a World War II-era instrument of transfer agreement governing the airport’s use.
OBSERVATION - This article bridges both CW2 and Illegal immigration. More so, it shows attempts by state/local liberal govts to block deportations. IMHO, the defenders of illegals are attempting to use sanctuary tools that have become out of date and popularly opposed by the majority of the citizenry. 2019 arguments not carrying over well into 2024/25.
Efforts like this can be seen to increase over the coming year (s)
***
(FO) The California State Assembly is considering two bills that would give the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) $25 million for Trump administration-related lawsuits. California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the $25 million a “down payment” to bolster CDOJ’s legal teams, which would “be ready to file cases within 24 hours of an action from the Trump administration.”
OBSERVATION - Another step towards potential efforts to essentially cede from the union, but in a less direct way.
***
Forward Observer notes - “A popular left wing resistance website issued a call for activists and anarchists to gather around the country for “Festivals of Resistance” on the weekend of 18 January 2025, days before the Presidential Inauguration.
The all-call is intended to help groups and individuals begin organizing before Trump takes office, when the author says that organizing will become more difficult.
Organizing activities will include educational workshops on activism, security, and direct action, among other topics; and opportunities to strategize and network ahead of operations once Trump takes office.
OBSERVATION - They also note that this activity indicates a difficulty in generating passion for direct action and will be a gauge by which to estimate further actions in 2025.
Other than these plans, the current drivers of protests are pro-hamas and the growing potential for anti-deportation events. The latter has the greatest potential for violence as Antifa et al can tap into the illegal base essentially for foot soldiers.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
Congressional report out on the wuhan plandemic and it confirms the called claims of misinformation and conspiracy theories.
POLITICAL FRONT –
***
Part of the blow back over biden’s blanket ( covering nearly 11 years) pardon of hunter is the justification for pardoning the J6 participants from the DoJ’s witch hunt.
***
There is rising rumbling from the left for biden to issue a blanket pardon to Jack Smith and the DoJ lawyers who were involved with the lawfare actions against Trump.
IMHO, this would confirm that they did illegal things as part of their efforts to take down Trump and that it was a partisan effort. I would expect similar calls for other sectors of the govt to be coming out as well.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Biden explained his reversal by claiming that Hunter’s prosecution was politically motivated–by Biden’s own DOJ. However, biden also claims his DoJ is apolitical and not moved by political actions.
Which one is it?
Commentators indicating that the pardon has essentially stripped the democrats of the moral ‘high ground’ in the debate for govt reform.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 22 Shahed-type drones and 3 Kh-59/69 aviation guided missiles near Kryvyi Rih overnight
Fighting continues to be intense all along the eastern front.
Russian losses per 03/12/24 reported by the Ukrainian general staff
+1780 men
+8 tanks
+22 AFVs
+23 artillery systems
Personnel losses continue to be 50-70% higher than earlier this summer. The reported 1780 figure now is the new general daily average, up from approximately 1100.
Ukraine Kursk Offensive-
In Kursk region Ukrainian forces have repelled 15 Russian army assaults, - General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. No reports of any success by Russian forces.
Summary —
The fight in eastern Ukraine may be approaching an end game scenario. Numerous reports from the Ukraine side on the inability to recruit soldiers and poor morale, evident from the progressive losses of the past months. Now Zelenski hinting at ceding captured terrain in any peace plan.
Putin seeing success in cowing NATO from increasing key support as well as his maintained continuous attacks on the ground. Russian demands for surrender are strengthening in the face of the ongoing, but bloody, successes on the ground and geopolitical.
To top this off, both sides are anticipating Trump’s effort to stop the war, granting further Russian incentive to capture as much territory as possible.
OTOH, Russia is fast approaching a wall of its own in being able to sustain combat. The war effort has pulled many out of the manufacturing sector, hurting the economy. Sanctions have hurt broad sectors including military production. Need for bodies evidenced by the large numbers of N Koreans being brought into the theatre.
2025 looks to be the year the realities of the war is going to force a stop.
Belarus -
New record: 151 drones flew into Belarus in November, at least 3 were shot down
According to Hajun_BY, at least 148 Russian kamikaze drones of the Shahed type and 3 reconnaissance drones of unknown type flew into Belarus in November. Over the month, of the 151 UAVs:
• 82 returned to Ukraine and Russia;
• 66 disappeared;
• 3 were shot down by the Air Defense Forces of Belarus.
OBSERVATION - over the past year or so, Ukraine has devoted a lot of effort to develop EW methods of defeating the drones. The major one seems to be GPS jamming, preventing the drone from accurately piloting its way to its target and instead being ‘spoofed’ into believing the alternative coordinate data it is receiving. Russian has been doing similar to defeat advanced US supplied missiles that rely upon GPS as well.
Europe / NATO General –
NATO Secretary General: We are not discussing inviting Ukraine to join the alliance
***
GEORGIA -
Tensions escalated in Georgia: clashes again erupted between protesters and special forces as authorities mobilize reserves to bolster security services. Despite crackdowns, streets remain packed with demonstrators. Police are deploying tear gas heavily against the crowds.
https://x.com/noelreports/status/1863695183264530889?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
Protests continue to increase in other towns throughout Georgia.
OBSERVATION - There are no signs at this time that these protests will be ending any time soon. Whether or not this will develop into a full blown ‘color’ style revolution is yet to be seen.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Ceasefire strained following Hezbollah rocket attack against N Israel and Israeli retaliatory strikes.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Trump: “If the hostages (held by Hamas et al) are not released by January 20th, whoever holds them will pay a heavy price. Whoever holds the hostages will receive a stronger blow than anyone in the history of the United States.” Release the hostages now”
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF hit numerous targets in and around Gaza City with air and artillery strikes.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Israeli army: Hezbollah fired two rockets towards Har Dov area, no casualties. Hezbollah confirms it fired rockets towards Israel’i positions following “repeat violations initiated by the Israeli enemy,” and warns they will retaliate with more rocket fire if Israel responds to the latest 2 rockets.
Lebanese media report multiple IDF airstrikes in southern Lebanon, following Defense Minister Israel Katz’s warning of retaliation for a Hezbollah mortar attack on an IDF border position earlier this evening.
IDF Spokesperson:
“ The IDF conducted extensive strikes tonight, targeting terrorists, multiple rocket launchers, and Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.
The IDF has struck 30 Hezbollah terror targets tonight including launch sites and Hezbollah infrastructure, and the launcher responsible for firing rockets toward Mount Dov from the Reaz area in southern Lebanon.
These rocket launches constitute a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel demands that Lebanese authorities uphold the agreement and prevent Hezbollah from carrying out hostile actions from its territory.
Israel remains committed to the ceasefire understandings but will continue to act decisively to protect its citizens. The IDF stands ready to carry out further operations as necessary.”
Top Israeli security officials informed Israeli media that the IDF is prepared for the “high likelihood” of a full breakdown in the “so-called ceasefire which Hezbollah has consistently and blatantly violated.
As a result of the forceful Israeli strikes in response to Hezbollah rockets - there was the start of another exodus of southern Lebanese from their homes, sparked by fears of the resumption in full combat.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
International attention is being forced onto the fighting in Syria.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Israel’s strong response to Hezbollah provocations may or may not cause a full breakdown of the ceasefire. The response may have caught Hezbollah by surprise, given that they were probably going by previous ceasefires. Hezbollah has been placed in a very difficult situation, having the snot kicked out of it by Israel and now having its forces facing the wrath of rebels in Syria. Whether or not Hezbollah continues to poke the bear against Israel given the situation in Syria and inability of substantial support from Iran is yet to be seen.
Some reports out of the Israeli govt have indicated that the ceasefire was a stop gap until Trump took office anyway and don’t expect it to last long.
Speaking of Iran, they are facing a two edged catastrophe in Lebanon and Syria. This will keep them very occupied from potential missile attacks against Israel in the near term.
IDF continues search and destroy operations and now they appear to be moving those efforts further south into Gaza City and central Gaza.
Iran –
Iranian Foreign Minister: Doha may host a meeting next week involving Qatar, Iran, Turkey and Russia to discuss the situation in Syria
Syria -
RUMINT - Bashar al-Assad has reportedly reached out to Israel asking for help to remove the jihadi threat in Syria.
In return, he has offered to move the IRGC and their proxies out of the country.
***
There are four major areas Syria and its allies are being stressed.
First is the main rebel push on Hama. Recent OSINT suggests that rebels are working to encircle the town from both the east and west sides and achieving some success.
The second is a push westward north of the Hamas fight, toward the Med Sea. This axis threatens to cut of a significant area of Assad controlled territory south of Idib.
The third area that is developing is the Deir ez-Zor region in eastern Syria.
Khasham pocket is now under control of the SDF. Statement of Deir ez-Zor Military Council Command: The Deir ez-Zor Military Council of the Syrian Democratic Forces announced that it has taken control of 7 villages. The deployment of forces to these villages was carried out in response to the calls of the local population against the increasing threats posed by ISIS by exploiting the developments in the west of the country. The SDF has been receiving considerable air and artillery support from the US and Coalition forces in the area. While not directly engaging Assad supporters, the region has been a hot bed for Iranian backed militias who do support Assad and ISIS who is affiliated with the rebels.
The fourth is growing unrest and potential incipient rebellion in the eastern countryside of Daraa, south of Damascus, in support of the operations of the rebels in the north and the overthrow of Assad.
OBSERVATION - Seems Assad has been able to reinforce his hold on the country for the time being. Pro-assad forces are still at a disadvantage in that the rebels have been able to maintain the initiative and so far appear to be tactically as well as strategically out maneuvering them.
The fight for Hama could be the watershed moment for both sides. Will the Assad forces regain some confidence and stand and fight, instead of fleeing as they have? Will the rebels maintain the apparent unity of command that has marked the course of their operations.
If Hama stands, the rebels could lose support and the offensive die down. If it falls, then Homs is next on the hit parade and a VERY important town strategically.
Black Swans -
A newly-discovered asteroid currently designated COWECP5 is expected to impact Earth’s atmosphere over Siberia, Russia at around 16:15 UTC (08:15 PST) on December 3, 2024. This is the 11th predicted Earth impactor on record – and the 4th so far this year.
OBSERVATION - On top of all the geopolitical chaos and wars, one thing hang out there that necessitates alertness and preparedness - natural disasters. This asteroid is expected to burn up in the atmosphere. Earth history notes that many others have not.
Earthquake, floods, fires, storms, etc are things that need to be kept in the mix for preparedness as they can hit unexpectedly.
Sounds like an insurrection to me.
Any chance FBI thugs and goons will start seeing this as an 'insurrection'? LOL - didn't think so...
CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Nov 12, 2024
Residents of Chicago are blasting Mayor Brandon Johnson over the city spending more than half a billion dollars on sheltering migrants, with one telling the Democrat to his face during a City Council meeting that he’s the “worst mayor in America.”
The criticism surrounding Johnson and Chicago’s New Arrivals Mission – which so far has cost the city $574.5 million since its inception in August 2022 – comes as the mayor is trying to overcome a $1 billion budget shortfall by the end of the year. The City Council held a meeting Monday during which residents voiced their opposition to an approximately $60 million property tax increase floated as one way to help close the gap.
They wanted a $300 million increase originally, but that wasn’t going to fly.
OBSERVATION - Illegal immigration is becoming a very hot button issue and Chicago is displaying the push back by the liberals and minorities to the wealth redistribution going to illegals. Similar developing but by Mayor Adams in NYC. Should violent resistance against deportations build, areas like Chicago may break out in inter-minority class fighting. There are already tensions in major cities between older, established gangs and the new, more violent interlopers from central/south america. Fuses are being lit.
Economy- HIGH Threat - as of AUG 5, 2024
Initial reports that job creation continues to be in the basement. Details coming out.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
The WEF / globalists wanted it all during wuhan, we came close to giving it.
Consider the vaccine passports alone. Six cities were locked down to include only the vaccinated in public indoor places. They were New York City, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and Seattle. The plan was to enforce this with a vaccine passport. It broke. Once the news leaked that the shot didn’t stop infection or transmission, the planners lost public support and the scheme collapsed.
On July 26, 2020, the CDC issued a plan for establishing nationwide quarantine camps. Proving that while things were bad during COVID, even worse was planned. People were to be isolated, given only food and some cleaning supplies. They would be banned from participating in any religious services. The plan included contingencies for preventing suicide. There were no provisions made for any legal appeals or even the right to legal counsel.
It was called “Interim Operational Considerations for Implementing the Shielding Approach to Prevent COVID-19 Infections in Humanitarian Settings.”
Who are these people who would be rounded up? They are “older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.” Who determines this? Public health authorities. The purpose? The CDC explains: “physically separating high-risk individuals from the general population” allows authorities “to prioritize the use of the limited available resources.”
This sounds a lot like condemning people to death in the name of protecting them.
https://brownstone.org/articles/the-cdc-planned-quarantine-camps-nationwide/
OBSERVATIONS - More details at the link. This plan was similar to those implemented in Australia and attempted in other WEF/Globalist compliant nations in the world. Only by God’s grace that he clear ineffectiveness of the wuhan jab cut this and other totalitarian actions off from full implementation.
Will we ever see the perpetrators of these policies ever face justice - doubt it. The swamp/globalists will do what is necessary to protect these key minions.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Increasing calls by democrats for biden to issue blanket pardons for many in his administration that will be facing scrutiny for their actions during wuhan, lawfare and general attacks on the American people.
Biden / Harris Watch –
I don’t think biden and his handlers are finished yet with their attempts to tie up the govt to thwart Trump.
Cyber attacks/warfare – Moderate ALERT as of Oct 20, 2024
(FO) Chinese hacker group Salt Typhoon is still present on U.S. telecommunication company networks, and it is “impossible for us to predict a time frame on when we’ll have full eviction,” according to Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Executive Assistant Director Jeff Greene.
China –
China bans exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications to the United States — AP
OBSERVATION - China has been working for year to corner the market, now it is beginning to pay off for China.
***
Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Tuesday it is watching the movements of a Chinese aircraft carrier and assessing China’s military activities as security sources said Beijing could launch new war games as soon as this weekend.
China has a strong dislike of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom it calls a “separatist”, and sources have told Reuters it could launch new drills to coincide with his trip to the Pacific this week which includes visits to Hawaii and Guam.
China has deployed close to 40 vessels in the region, including a Chinese aircraft carrier group led by Liaoning in the East China Sea as well as other naval and coast guard boats in the South China Sea.
https://x.com/IndoPac_Info/status/1863933029389144513
OBSERVATION - These maneuvers are likely to simulate a blockade of Taiwan - the primary action many believe China will implement to force reunification.
North/South Korea –
Still sorting out the mess in S Korea yesterday.
President Yoon said he was imposing martial law to protect the country from “anti-state” forces that sympathized with North Korea. Yoon claimed that the National Assembly’ s 22 impeachment attempts of government officials and reduction of government budget amounted to “an anti-state activity that foments treason.” Yoon said the emergency martial law was necessary to “protect free Republic of Korea and eliminate the pro-North Korean, anti-state forces.”The embattled leader is in a deadlock over a budget bill, dogged by corruption scandals and investigations into his cabinet members.
The military then announced that all parliamentary activity was suspended under martial law. But neither that nor the heavy security presence stopped thousands from gathering in front of the assembly in concern and fury.
Lawmakers then managed to get 190 past the barricades, enough for a quorum, and voted unanimously to cancel martial law and initiate impeachment proceedings.
Yoon shortly thereafter cancelled martial law. The heads of departments and senior secretaries within the South Korean presidential administration have resigned following the recent implementation and subsequent lifting of martial law. (Yonhap)
Yoon is facing calls for his immediate resignation.
OBSERVATION - Out of the blue and a complete surprise. The danger phase is past, now waiting for the collapse of his administration to be finished and new elections started.
What surprised me was the speed at which the military responded. Suggests that they were tipped off to the move.
Phillipines –
People’s Liberation Army Navy warships and China Coast Guard cutters fired water canons and rammed a Philippine maritime patrol near Scarborough Shoal on Wednesday in the latest spat between the two countries in the South China Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard flagship BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) and BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) joined the Bureau of Aquatic Resources and Fisheries offshore vessels BRP Datu Pagbuaya (MMOV-3003) and BRP Datu Sanday (MMOV-3002) in a patrol to support fishermen in the vicinity of the disputed South China Sea maritime feature. Commodore Jay Tarriela, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson on West Philippine Sea Concerns, said in a statement that four China Coast Guard cutters with the pennants 5303, 3302, 3104, 3304 and the People’s Liberation Army Navy Type 054A frigates Xianning (500) and Yuncheng (571) met the combined civilian maritime agency mission.
RELATED
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed two patrol vessels to protect Philippine fishermen at Iroquois Reef following reports of harassment from a Chinese Navy helicopter at the disputed South China Sea maritime feature.
BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) were sent to Iroquois, known to the Philippines as Rozul Reef and China as Houteng Jiao, after Philippine fishermen recorded a low-flying People’s Liberation Army Navy Z-9 helicopter on Nov. 28. It is unclear if the aircraft was deployed from a warship or one of Beijing’s artificial island bases in the region. The use of helicopter downwash was previously seen at Sandy Cay 3 when a Z-8 flew directly over a civilian scientific mission.
OBSERVATIONS - China continues bullying in areas the are contesting as theirs - though global entities have ruled otherwise. A dangerous game of chicken.
Russia -
*****
Russian warships and submarine fired hypersonic Zircon missiles, and launched a Kalibr cruise missile during exercise in the Med Sea on December 3, - Russian MoD says. The exercise involves over 1,000 military personnel, 10 ships and support vessels, 24 aircraft, including Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-31I fighters with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and the Bastion coastal missile system
Many saw the deployment of vessels for this exercise out of the Syrian naval base as a response to the fighting.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures cooling to the 20-30s and scattered snow/rain
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense shot down 29 Shahed-type drones overnight. Explosion was reported in Shostka of Sumy region, Russian aircraft launchd Kh-59 guided missile towards the city
Russia still pressing the fight all along the eastern front.
Summary —
As noted yesterday, the war is coming to a cumulation point where either Ukraine taps out or Russia runs out of resources to throw at the offensive to maintain the momentum. Both are facing a determined Trump whose stated one of his primary goals is to stop the fighting.
Europe / NATO General –
***
GEORGIA - Day 6 of protests in Tbilisi: Riot police use water cannons & tear gas to disperse crowds outside Parliament. Protesters launched fireworks at the building and again clashed with special forces. Several arrests have been made as tensions keeps rising.
OBSERVATION - Showing no signs of letting up, protestors continue to press their protests/riots.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- No escalation in fighting since yesterdays Hezbollah rocket (mortar?) attack and Israeli reprisal.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Netanyahu on Lebanon: “We are currently in a ceasefire, I note, a ceasefire, not the end of the war. We have a clear goal to return the residents, to rehabilitate the north. We are enforcing this ceasefire with an iron fist, acting against any violation, minor or serious.”
***
PM Netanyahu thanked US President-elect Trump for issuing a toughly worded statement demanding that hostages held in the Gaza Strip be released ahead of his January 20 inauguration. “Hamas is required to release the hostages. President Trump put the emphasis in the right place, on Hamas, and not on the Israeli government, as is customary (elsewhere),” Netanyahu said. Other Israeli leaders also hailed the pledge that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East unless hostages held in the Gaza Strip were released ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Israeli ministers lined up to thank Trump for his hard-hitting words.
***
Israel issued a direct warning to Lebanon on Tuesday and said it will no longer distinguish between Hezbollah and the country should the tenuous cease-fire with the terrorist group collapse.
“There will no longer be an exemption for the state of Lebanon,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to the Times of Israel, adding that Jerusalem will “show maximum response and zero tolerance.”
“[Beirut must] authorize the Lebanese army to enforce their part, to keep Hezbollah away beyond the Litani [River] and to dismantle all the infrastructure,” Katz continued in reference to one of the 13-point agreements in the Wednesday cease-fire that said only the Lebanese army will operate in the area south of the landmark river.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-
IDF increases operations in Jabalia camp, N Gaza.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Some IDF demolition of captured Hezbollah sites.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
The Israeli army takes responsibility for an airstrike near Damascus yesterday, killing Hezbollah’s liaison with the Syrian Army, Salman Jumaa. According to the military, Jumaa was a “key” figure in the relationship between the Syrian Army and Hezbollah, enabling weapons to be transferred
———WEST BANK——————————-
Three Palestinian gunmen planning an “imminent terror attack” were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the northern West Bank this morning, the Israeli army and Shin Bet say. The trio, members of Hamas, were struck near the Palestinian village of Aqabah. After the strike, the Israeli army says troops raided the site and captured four weapons
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Ceasefire still holds in spite of yesterday’s flair up. Key point is Lebanon is being called out for failing to even begin to disarm Hezbollah and remove them from regions south of the Litiani River - as the current agreement and UN 1701 demand. This will be a sticking point in the future given Hezbollah’s deep penetration into the military .
Threatening the Lebanese govt and in turn the people is not a good strategy as it would turn them away from rejecting Hezbollah and joining with them against a common enemy - Israel.
Imminent threat of missile exchanges between Israel and Iran still on hold. Seems Iran is trying to ramp its nuclear program up a notch, an act Israel is very aware of and will likely take a shot at once Trump is in office.
Action in Gaza continues at a significantly decreased intensity. IDF generally shapes the conditions and ‘allows’ Hamas et al to regroup in desired spots, the moves in quickly to eradicate them.
The only element of the “resistance” really still in the game are the Houthi’s. The Iranian backed militias in Iraq and eastern Syria have largely moved west to reinforce Assad’s forces
Iran –
US Treasury: New Iran-related sanctions include dozens of entities, including oil tankers and shipping companies
Syria -
Rebel forces continue to take ground. On the southern front, rebels have move forward across a wide area east of Hama as well as pressing forward the west.
The battle of Hama is continuing to shape itself and its not going well for the pro-Assad forces. Rebels have deepened their pincer action to surround the city on the east and west sides. Rebels have advanced within five kilometers of Hama City and likely seized key defensive terrain in the area.
In the north, columns of the Turkish led SNA (Joint Forces) have reached Manbij and are being deployed to the frontlines with SDF held Manbij.
Pentagon: In eastern Syria today, US aircraft destroyed multiple weapons – including truck-mounted MLRS and a T-64 tank – after Mission Support Site-Euphrates, a key US base in the area, came under mortar fire. Pentagon PresSec says incident was not linked to situation around Aleppo in NW Syria.
OVERALL OBSERVATION - Assad’s efforts to reinforce his military in the Hamas region has done some, but not enough, to slow the rebel advance. The apparent coordination on a strategic and tactical level strongly suggest that the various rebel groups have been working up towards this for a while. Most likely Turkey is providing the backbone for the direction of the fighting. Assad forces are facing soon encirclement of Hama by the rebels and will likely be forced out of the town, yielding it with little fighting.
Turkey –
Turkish Presidency: President Erdogan held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Putin regarding Syria
Misc of Note –
Warning to Christmas Shoppers Situational awareness is critical as thieves are watching for potential victims at night time as they leave the store and head for their cars, where they will be distracted loading them. This permits the thieves to approach relatively undetected and strike fast.
Keep your head on a swivel. Shop with another person who maintains surveillant of the area during vehicle loading. Some store provide a security person to escort shoppers to their cars. Finally, the ‘horn’ button on fobs can be hit to cause the car alarm to go off, brining unwanted attention to the thieves and potentially chasing them off.
Carry is good too, but if you are unaware of your surroundings, the quick strike by the thieves can neutralize your carry advantage.