Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: null and void; aragorn; Axenolith; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; bgill; bitt; Black Agnes; ..


Globalism / Great Reset –

The Climate Change Committee, the UK’s official Net Zero advisory body, has told the Government that to hit Net Zero it must impose radical lifestyle changes on the UK population. The Mail has more.

The Climate Change Committee was created by the Climate Change Act 2008 to give the Government independent advice on how to achieve its climate goals. The Government is obliged under the act to create legally binding carbon budgets for each five year period up to 2050 to ensure it is on track. The Government doesn’t have to accept the committee’s advice – though to date it invariably has – but it does have to set a binding carbon budget (this will be the seventh, for 2038-2042) that keeps the country on target.

https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/02/27/climate-change-committee-demands-government-impose-radical-lifestyle-changes-on-uk/

OBSERVATION - Demands found at the link are quite revealing concerning the globalists out there. In this case as quasi-govt has been established to force national policy towards net zero - no matter what level of damage it inflicts on the nation and its citizens. And the citizens are too brow beaten and dumbed down to stand up against it - except in some instances.

This is what the left was maneuvering the US towards prior to Trump’s reelection.


CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Jan 19, 2025

More than 50 pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University stormed an administrative building at Barnard College, the university’s women’s college, late Wednesday night, staging a sit-in blocking the office of Dean Laura Rosenbury for several hours.

The students, wearing keffiyehs and masks, carried drums, flags and signs reading “Free Palestine,” demanding the reinstatement of two students suspended for distributing anti-Zionist flyers during classes, as well as the cancellation of disciplinary actions against students for pro-Palestinian activities. They also called for Barnard to divest funds and publicly condemn Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/hjmkk96qje#autoplay

OBSERVATION - Looks like the spring may well see another uprising of pro-hamas protests/riots on the nations’ campuses. This time may be different in that the Trump administration will take a dim view to foreign student’s participation and may aggressively arrest and deport.

***
Violence and threats continue in the Reddit world as leftists try to muster the courage for action -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gkrqf5oWQAEro_g?format=jpg&name=medium

***
Weekend is approaching and numerous and varied protests are being planned across the country. At this stage, none appear to threaten significant violence, though some is to always be expected.


Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –

The new Pentagon policy states that individuals with gender dysphoria are “incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service.” Under this directive:

- Service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria will be disqualified from military service unless they receive an exemption.
- Individuals who have taken cross-sex hormones or undergone sex-change surgery are also disqualified from serving.


Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics

White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx has come out to say that “the science” has “done wrong in public health.” Vaccine hesitancy rates have been rising since it was exposed that the mRNA vaccine did more harm than good. Birx has admitted that the COVID vaccine was never meant to be a preventative measure.

“The science” should not have forced the general population to take an experimental vaccination, Dr. Birx admits. The vaccine was initially designed, allegedly, to protect people “at risk for severe disease” and/or those over 65 with comorbidities. Even then, the vaccine did not protect any segment of the population from transmission and infection. So the most vulnerable in the population were not only still exposed to COVID-19, but they were then at risk for developing potentially fatal side effects brought on by the vaccine itself.

https://www.americanpartisan.org/2025/02/white-house-covid-coordinator-vaccine-was-never-meant-to-prevent-infection/

OBSERVATION - This is kind of repetitive, but we can never be allowed to forget the dastardly actions of those ‘experts’ that inflicted the wuhan damage upon our nation. Nor can we allow them to reinstate a similar disaster upon us in the future.

The perpetrators like Brix need jail time.


POLITICAL FRONT –
MARCH 15, 2025 - CR runs out on funding the govt.

(FO) Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) said Democrats are holding up negotiations over must-pass spending bills ahead of the 14 March deadline. Cole said Democrats are asking the GOP to include unreasonable and potentially unconstitutional limits on the Trump administration, including minimum staffing levels at federal agencies.

***
The top judge in the United States has given temporary backing to the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid payments.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts’ intervention came as the administration faced a midnight deadline (05:00 GMT on Thursday) to pay contractors.

US District Judge Amir Ali had ordered the US State Department and USAID to pay about $2bn-worth of bills (£1.6bn) to contractors by midnight on Wednesday.
It is one of many interventions by judges trying to stop or pause a wave of Trump administration orders.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgwwp2gd3jo

OBSERVATION - Word on Ali is corruption to the max and the USSC’s intervention this early in the lawfare game is giving some thoughts that they are not going to let the judicial interference with clear Executive branch actions continue much longer.

***
Epstein list is expected to be released starting today.

***
(FO) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed federal agencies to submit plans by 13 March for large-scale reductions in force, and the starting point for plans should be federal workers who are deemed non-essential during government shutdowns. The OMB said certain agencies and job categories including national security and law enforcement are exempt from cuts.


TRUMP Watch –

Trump released an AI movie of his vision for Gaza without Hamas. It is pretty wild to say the least and is designed to inflame the left.


Cyber attacks/warfare – Moderate ALERT as of Dec 18, 2024

DNI Gabbard is probing the implications of the UK’s alleged demand that Apple share users’ iCloud data by creating “a ‘backdoor’ that would allow access to Americans’ personal encrypted data.”

Gabbard: “This would be a clear and egregious violation of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties, and open up a serious vulnerability for cyber exploitation by adversarial actors.”

OBSERVATION - EU entities and British ones in particular, have been threatening to arrest US citizens for ‘violations’ of their censorship laws. Noted previously, if Apple has deliberately or in error granted them a full back door access to all apple user data, then this becomes explosive for security as well as international relations.


China –

China conducted another short-notice live fire exercise this morning off southern Taiwan. This follows Chinese snap life-fire exercises off the coast of Australia.

***
The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) have announced sanctions on six entities, based in China and Hong Kong, that have directly and indirectly aided in the procurement of drone components for two key Iranian suppliers.


North/South Korea –

North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia. Some reports of as many as 3000 more.


Russia -

WAR WATCH - into the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022

*****

Russian Personnel Issues –-

North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia and re-deployed several to the frontline in Kursk, Seoul’s spy agency told AFP


Ukraine –

WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures varying from single digits to the low 30s range, partly to mostly cloudy.

24 HOUR ROUND UP –

Ukrainian air defense repelled a Russian drone attack. Out of 166 Shahed drones launched, 90 were shot down and another 72 were suppressed by electronic warfare.

Russian losses per 27/02/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff

+1150 men
+8 tanks
+13 AFVs
+69 artillery systems
+1 AD system
+149 service vehicles

Kursk Front -

Russian Ministry of Defense claims control over Nikolskoye village of Kursk region

Summary —

Political talks over a cease fire continue to swirl, nothing seems set.

Ground war is largely at a stalemate, both sides have made minor gains over the past few days. No evidence that Russia has what it takes for any significant tactical/strategic breakout on the ground. Russian losses suggest moderate levels of fighting.


Europe / NATO General –

Romania arrested Călin Georgescu Wednesday on charges of “incitement to actions against the constitutional order” and “initiating or constituting a fascist, racist or xenophobic organization with an anti-Semitic character.” President Trump previously sent a team of diplomats to Romania to warn them not to block Călin Georgescu’s campaign.

Georgescu is a very popular candidate and could win in a fair election. The phrase “color election” is coming to the forefront.


ISRAEL –

Key overnight developments -

- Hamas handed over the remains of 4 Israeli hostages overnight with none of the spectacle of the past returns.

——— GENERAL ——————————-

The Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel-Aviv has now identified the Bodies of the Four Hostages who were released last night by Hamas, as Tsachi Idan, a 49-Year-Old who was living in Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the October 7th Attack, and who watched his 18-Year-Old Daughter by murdered before being taken from his Family; Ohad Yahalomi, a 49-Year-Old French-Israeli who was wounded and kidnapped while defending his Family in Kibbutz Nir Ozz; Itzik Elgarat, a 69-Year-Old who was shot and kidnapped during the Attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz; and finally Shlomo Mansour, an Iraqi-born 86-Year-Old who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kissufim and declared dead earlier in February.

Palestinian prisoners will not be released until the bodies of Israeli hostages are positively identified.

As Phase one is nearing completion, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom 35 are believed to be dead based on forensic evidence and gathered intelligence. Netanyahu’s current focus is on rescuing as many living hostages from Gaza as quickly as possible.

——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————-

Senior Israeli Officials have now stated that the Israel Defense Force no longer plans to withdraw from the “Philadelphi Corridor” between Egypt and the Southern Gaza Strip, despite previously agreeing to begin withdrawing from the Corridor on the 42nd Day of Phase 1 of the Ceasefire, which is coming this Sunday. They state that the decision is due to concerns that Hamas will use the “Philadelphi Corridor” to smuggled Weapons into Gaza from Egypt, with an Official saying, “We will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor. We will not allow the Hamas murderers to again roam our borders with pickup trucks and guns, and we will not allow them to rearm through smuggling.”

***
Hamas fired a rocket that didn’t leave Gaza yesterday and IAF struck the launch site as well as at least one other site.

——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-

An Israeli airstrike this morning on a vehicle in the town of Qasr, on the northern border between Lebanon and Syria, eliminated Nasser al-Din, a senior operative with Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which is responsible for the smuggling of Iranian weapons into Lebanon.

——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-

Hamas must have had its ears pinned back over the grotesque spectacles it
created over the recent living/dead hostage releases. Over night, Hamas released four bodies under the cover of darkness with no big production. One thought is that Hamas and its supporters must have realized they poked the bear too hard and reprisals will be harsh. Other is that Hamas doesn’t want to screw up Phase 2 deliberations (designed to allow them to rebuild and consolidate power).

Phase 1 officially ends this weekend and talks continue from the Israeli side to extend it in order to get as many hostages released as possible before slamming the door shut on Hamas face and resuming combat. Trump has been very outspoken that he fully supports the resumption of the fight against Hamas and wonders why Israel is waiting. He has acknowledged the complexity of the situation for Netanyahu though.

Plans for a strike on Iran are likely very close to completion. Iran for its part has been scrapping together remnants of its ADA network to piece together defenses over key nuclear facilities. These ADA assets proved to be impotent against Israeli aircraft in the last strike and won’t last long in the next engagement.

What is the key element is the penetrating Iran’s centrifuge sites. They are believed to be at least 80 meters deep in solid rock. This requires BIG bombs. IAF can carry some of these munitions but would require quite an extensive air campaign to destroy these facilities. This gap could be bridged by active participation by the US that can carry the really big penetrators.

An alternative that may be more feasible is the striking of the entrances to these facilities, collapsing tens of meters of rock into the access tunnels and hitting power/air/water facilities on the surface. This would isolate the facilities and potential shut them down with damaged centrifuges from power surges/shut offs. It would take considerable resources for Iran to reopen the accesses to get to the facilities, and get them running again, during which further airstrikes could continue the damages.

I have no doubt Iran would launch another missile attack on Israel and perhaps US bases in the region. The latter would almost guarantee an escalation in US activity in the Persian gulf, likely rendering the Iranian navy and other forces in the region into rubble. Like when Trump dropped the MOAB on the Taliban base, they should be well aware he is not afraid to wield the sword.


Mexico -

The Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) has confirmed that American surveillance assets have been flying over Mexico, at the request and in order to support the Mexican Government; with several high-level arrests of senior “Chapitos” leaders in the Mexican State of Sinaloa, claimed to have resulted from these surveillance flights.

OBSERVATION - So far, passive support to Mexico’s efforts against cartels. And Mexico so far has been able to press the attacks in a more or less successful manner. One thing in Mexico’s favor is that the cartels are spending more time fighting each other than the govt.


Venezuela -

biden era oil deal has been pulled by Trump. This will result in a significant economic blow to Venezuela.


Misc of Note –

Quick observations on the progress of Trump’s war against the deep state.

So far using DOGE, Trump has struck the financial chain of the NGOs and leftists - picking the low hanging fruit. Trump has also gotten his cabinet thru the approval process in spite of democrat efforts to the contrary.
We’ve seen the left - particularly leftist activist judges - try to force judicial will over a strictly executive operation. Many of these judges are corrupted in that they have financial interests in keeping the money flowing. This effort may be reaching a high water mark with the interjection (strong) by Roberts and the USSC review.

We are now seeing the transition of the revolution shifting more to the newly appointed cabinet officials who are working to remove the cancer from within. Examples include firing the Chair of the Joint Chief (as well as other DEI generals), expulsion of transgender operations, etc. On the Intel side, a least 100 NSA employee are out and minus their security clearances for their use of a govt chat line that they turned into a morass of all kinds of sexual perversion. FBI getting cleaned, DHS being cleaned, etc. Now mass firings are on the horizon.

The tempo of the moves of the Trump administration still has democrats on their heels. The next big counter attack is expected to be over the budget that the house passed over to the senate. Democrats are very open about sabotaging it in order to shut the govt down in an extreme effort to blame it on Trump. Key is whether or not the senate republicans will hold together as they did thru the confirmations.

Outside of that are efforts by congressional democrats to hire the fired attorneys from the DOJ in an effort to enhance further lawfare against the administration on anything and everything possible. May play for the hard core, but as the people saw over the past four years of Trump persecutions, there is a hollowness to it and these lawyers will be fighting actions popular with the electorate.

As these actions proceed, one wild card is when will the left finally get their storm troopers of ANTIFA, pro-hamas and others fired up and into the streets. These elements, particularly Antifa, have been organizing political and military structures over the past 10 years for such a moment. These elements are still struggling to find an issue that the masses will mobilize for - the main hinderance so far. Redditors have been making a big talk, but little action seen. But this talk could result in a growing likelihood of a lone wolf attack - and more assassination attempts on Trump and key members of his administration - Musk in particular.

The even darker specter of terror groups imbedded in the mass of illegals activating on the command of their foreign leaders. Iran and China come immediately to mind.

Things may seem ‘calm’ but there are strong undercurrents in the political and society remain.


237 posted on 02/27/2025 9:00:45 AM PST by Godzilla (“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty” - Thomas Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 234 | View Replies ]


To: Godzilla
The students, wearing keffiyehs and masks, carried drums, flags and signs reading “Free Palestine,” demanding the reinstatement of two students suspended for distributing anti-Zionist flyers during classes, as well as the cancellation of disciplinary actions against students for pro-Palestinian activities.

Drums and matching keffiyehs are the tipoff - this is AstroTurf at the darkest level. I doubt even a third of the 'students' are 'students'. Reporters need to wade in and talk to the protesters... many will be hired, homeless, or hamas/lite...and the 'spokespeople will try to stop reporters from speaking to the shills.

238 posted on 02/27/2025 9:12:45 AM PST by GOPJ (Delta just Bud Lighted themselves - freeper dfwgator)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies ]

To: Godzilla

Perpetraitors like Birx need hanging time. Crimes Against Innocent Human Beings.

Thanks Godzilla.


239 posted on 02/27/2025 12:20:52 PM PST by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies ]

To: null and void; aragorn; Axenolith; Baynative; Beautiful_Gracious_Skies; bgill; bitt; Black Agnes; ..


Globalism / Great Reset –

WHO is scrambling for funding now that the US has pulled out along with all the $$$ it has been providing.


CW2 / Domestic violence - Moderate THREAT - up dated Jan 19, 2025

Weekend is approaching and numerous and varied protests are being planned across the country. A large number of these protests are being directed against Musk / DOGE / Tesla. At this stage, none appear to threaten significant violence, though some is to always be expected.

***
Here’s the scoop on the “total economic blackout”:
The Feb. 28 economic blackout calls on consumers to avoid all unnecessary purchases, either in-person or online, from midnight Thursday through midnight Friday.
‘No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy,’ The People’s Union USA website reads. ‘Nowhere!’
It further urges participants not to spend money on fast food, major retailers or gas, and to avoid using credit or debit cards to make nonessential purchases.
The blackout makes an exception for buying ‘essentials of absolutely necessary’ — like medicine, food or emergency supplies — but urges consumers to make those purchases at small, local businesses.
Zoom in: The People’s Union USA has other targeted economic actions planned for after the blackout.
These include weeklong blackouts against specific retailers, including Amazon, Nestlé and Walmart.

https://notthebee.com/article/you-literally-spend-zero-dollars-liberals-are-staging-a-total-economic-blackout-boycott-this-friday-to-protest-donald-trump

OBSERVATION - I really don’t think these leftists have the economic clout to make any real dent in business.
Other similar boycott protests are being scheduled for the next few months.


Terrorism - HIGH THREAT as of Jan 24, 2025

Indiana Antifa militant arrested for making threats to “gut” Elon Musk and murder him in various ways

David Allen June Cherry, 28, of Clarksville, Ind., was arrested on Feb. 18 following an investigation into at least five violent extremist threats he posted to @ElonMusk on social media.

The threats include statements such as “We will gut you and parade your corpse through the streets,” “This man needs to be shot,” “We’re gunning you down, Muskrat,” and “I’ve got enough bullets for his b—ch a—.”

The state police search of Cherry’s home revealed he had a cache of weapons and ammunition.

https://x.com/mrandyngo/status/1895261083486822496?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA

OBSERVATION - We are seeing the continued rise in lone wolf style attacks.

***
BETHEL PARK, Penn. — It’s been almost nine months since a seemingly mild-mannered 20-year-old attempted to assassinate then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at a rally in Butler.
And we still have no good reason why.

Sources told The Post the FBI has obstructed efforts to solve the mystery of why Thomas Matthew Crooks, who left no manifesto, did what he did. It’s left local law enforcement as well as Crooks’ former friends, classmates and teachers frustrated.

https://nypost.com/2025/02/27/us-news/would-be-trump-assassin-thomas-matthew-crooks-may-have-had-accomplice-data-shows/

OBSERVATION - More of the FBI withholding information. The silence is loud in respect to an accomplice(s).


Economy- HIGH Threat - as of Jan 1, 2025
MARCH 15, 2025 - CR runs out on funding the govt.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department predicts record egg prices could soar more than 40% in 2025, as the Trump administration offered the first new details Wednesday about its plan to battle bird flu and ease costs.

With an emphasis on farms tightening their measures to prevent bird flu’s spread, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA will invest another $1 billion on top of the roughly $2 billion it has already spent since the outbreak began in 2022.

The main reason egg prices have climbed — hitting an all-time average high of $4.95 per dozen this month — is that more than 166 million birds have been slaughtered to limit the virus’ spread when cases are found. Most were egg-laying chickens. Just since the start of the year, more than 30 million egg layers have been killed.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/egg-prices-could-jump-another-183637526.html?guccounter=1

OBSERVATION - The bird flu in some ways is being treated in the same manner as wuhan was just a few years ago. No effort to have a natural build up of immunity - just massive culls of the animals. This policy was set in motion during biden’s last months. Secondly, this has become a new cause for the mRNA crowd to apply that demonstrably failed technology on all remaining poultry, with complete disregard to any effects humans may have from the mRNA contaminated eggs and meat. Globally, world’s poultry is not suffering like it is here in the US.

The govt is also considering temporarily importing eggs that meet US safety standards. However, the quantity of imported eggs are believed to be insufficient given the demands of the US market.

***
U.S. consumer spending unexpectedly fell in January, and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge ticked down to 2.5% on an annualized basis, in line with economists’ forecasts.

https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/inflation-consumer-spending/2025/02/28/id/1200834/

OBSERVATION - Skeptical over the numbers given these are still biden numbers and reporting is still skewed to make bidenomics appear to be working. Article notes a large drop in consumer spending that reportedly help keep inflationary demands down. This is not a very good sign, and suggest consumers are reaching the tapped out limits of their budgets and credit availability.


Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –

President Trump has rolled back constraints on American commanders to authorize airstrikes and special operation raids outside conventional battlefields, broadening the range of people who can be targeted.

This reverses Biden-era policies and marks a return to Trump’s aggressive counterterrorism strategy.

Potential targets include Al-Shabaab in Somalia and the Houthis in Yemen.

***
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) completed a series of emergency repairs after a collision with a merchant ship and is now back underway in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Navy announced Monday.

Truman entered the emergent repair availability in Souda Bay, Greece, on Feb. 16, four days after the aircraft carrier collided with a merchant vessel near Port Said, Egypt, damaging a sponson to the rear of Truman’s aft starboard aircraft elevator and also piercing the hull above the waterline farther down the ship. Capt. Christopher “Chowdah” Hill, who previously commanded USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), is now leading Truman‘s crew after the Navy relieved the former commanding officer following the collision.

“Our ship remains operationally ready to complete deployment with mission and purpose on full display by the entire crew,” Hill said in the Navy news release. “We are out here launching and recovering aircraft, ready to ‘Give ‘em Hell’ with combat credible power.”

The emergent repair availability took five days, according to the release, and involved the Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center, Naval Norfolk Shipyard and Theodoropoulos Group, a local industry partner.

While Truman is operating in U.S. 6th Fleet, it’s unclear if the ship will soon head back to the Middle East. Truman was near the entrance to the Suez Canal, which would lead to the Red Sea, when the two ships collided.

https://news.usni.org/2025/02/24/uss-harry-s-truman-back-underway-after-repairs-following-collision


POLITICAL FRONT –
MARCH 15, 2025 - CR runs out on funding the govt.

The rollout the Epstine documents was far below underwhelming - it over sold and underproduced. Information released was already present from previous releases. It generated a strong letter to Patel to get all the documentation from the SDNY FBI office that is currently holding it.

It turns out that this episode has revealed that the SDNY is one of the ‘resistance’ strong holds. FBI agent in charge of the district is James, the guy who emailed his whole staff to “dig in” after Trump took office.”

Another element is that James Comey’s daughter is an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and she worked on the Epstein and Maxwell cases. She’s kind of knee-deep in this.

This is evidence of ‘malicious compliance’ on the part of the swamp. Supply some of the demanded material, but not all.

Bondi may have gone a little ballistic with the letter - hopefully she spoke with Patel first. Could also have been deliberate on Bondi’s and Patel’s part to fully flush out the traitorous scum in the SDNY office.
Bondi is not hiding anything, she is not covering up Epstein. She wants the info released. She knows her reputation is on the line.

She and Patel need to drop the hammer on FBi agents who are resisting. Perp walk fully justified.

There are growing concerns that rogue FBI and other agency agents are working hard to destroy evidence like the Epstine files as well as others. This includes material on servers as well as hard copies.

Reality is - firing the individuals is not enough. There needs to be jail time as well.


INTERNATIONAL GENERAL –

Trump has been squeezing Mexico to control the border and clamp down on drug trafficking. He has threatened significant tariffs which would crush the Mexican economy if imposed. Mexico is hoping to avoid the tariffs and Reaper strikes within their borders and is handing over 29 cartel bigwigs as a gesture to show they mean business and are willing to work with the US.

Rafael Caro Quintero, a Mexican Drug Lord suspected to have been involved in the murder of DEA Agent, Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Salazar in 1985, is one of 29 senior cartel members that were extradited today to the United States by the Mexican Government. Those extradited include leaders of the Los Chimales, Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, as well as many other high-ranking criminals.

OBSERVATION - Some view this action as an effort to delay the implementation of tariffs on Mexico. This also reflects increased intelligence provided by the US via airborne platforms to Mexico.

***
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday is set to meet with President Donald Trump for the first time since he re-entered the White House to sign what could be a key minerals deal to help end Russia’s war.
Though some details of the agreement have emerged since the meeting was announced this week, the exact terms remain unclear, and European leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, are waiting to see what could come out of this agreement, particularly when it comes to security demands.
Trump on Wednesday told reporters that Zelenskyy could “forget about” any ambitions to join NATO, but the Ukrainian president also said that day that he needs security guarantees, otherwise “we won’t have a ceasefire, nothing will work, nothing.”

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-zelenskyy-meet-key-deal-nato-allies-russia-wait-watch


North/South Korea –

North Korea says it has test-launched a strategic cruise missile to demonstrate the reliability of its nuclear deterrence, Yonhap news reported on Friday.

I’ve noted many times I am not certain that NK has miniaturized their warheads to make them capable of being mounted on the cruise and ballistic missiles they have created. Like the case with Iran, the big Hiroshima bomb is now relatively easy to make. Down sizing that weapon from something that needed a heavy bomber to carry to that of a missile is a big step.


Russia -

WAR WATCH - into the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022

*****

Economic Impact –

Trump decided to extend sanctions against Russia for another year. This is stated in an unpublished executive order. It will be published February 28


Ukraine –

WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures varying from single digits to the low 30s range, partly to mostly cloudy.

***
Zelensky has arrived in the U.S., landing at Andrews Air Base. Today, he is scheduled to meet with senators at 16:30 and with Trump at 18:00. Following these meetings, a bilateral agreement will be signed, including provisions on minerals.

24 HOUR ROUND UP –

Russia again launched a large Shahed drone attack. Out of 208 launched, 107 were shot down and 97 were suppressed by electronic warfare.

Russian losses per 28/02/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff

+1060 men
+13 tanks
+17 AFVs
+54 artillery systems
+1 MLRS
+126 service vehicles

Last night, a thermobaric ammunition depot of the Russian Armed Forces was destroyed near Selydove, as reported by the General Staff. Three significant targets were struck, including the Ilsk Oil Refinery.

Russia is admitting that Ukraine EW efforts to thwart the glide bombs Russia has effectively used in previous months is taking its toll and accuracy of the devices has fallen way down.

Summary —

Ground war is shifting to that of a stalemate. It appear that Russia is reaching a limit on personnel and equipment to maintain the tempo of fighting it has over the past few months.

Russia maintaining the massive blitz of Shahed drones, but 4 unstopped drones in a couple hundred launched is pretty poor results.

As a former SIGINT/EW officer, the shear volume of EW in the war is staggering. In my days, the Soviet Union touted massive amounts of jammers and direction finding equipment. Those forces took a hit after the cold war and as new technologies came out that defeated their capabilities. One thing I’m interested in is if either side has devoted much to direction finding.

Politics of a ceasefire continue. Results of todays’ talks will be very important.


Europe / NATO General –

Romania has passes a law authorizing the shoot down of Russian drones that encroach Romanian airspace.


ISRAEL –

Key overnight developments -

- Talks underway on extending Phase 1 or implementation of Phase 2

- Plans for an Oct 7 style attack coming out of Judea and Samaria have been captured.

——— GENERAL ——————————-

Reuters: Israeli delegation in Cairo trying to reach agreement to extend first phase of Gaza deal for 42 more days

Hamas rejects extension of first phase of agreement, calls for immediate entry into negotiations for second phase

***
At least 13 pedestrians were wounded after a terrorist rammed into pedestrians on Highway 65 near the Pardes Hanna-Karkur intersection, Israel Police confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
Following the ramming, police officers immediately identified the suspect’s vehicle traveling toward Gan Shmuel and blocked its path.
The terrorist accelerated, rammed a police vehicle, and then exited while charging at officers with a sharp object, later identified as a screwdriver. At this point, the terrorist was shot.

https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-64/

——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-

The IAF bombed Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon targeted a place near the shrine of the former Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Hashem Safi al-Din.

——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-

Syrian media: Israeli forces penetrate into the town of Al-Rafid in the Quneitra countryside in the south of the country

——— JUDEA AND SAMARIA——————————-

Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed on Thursday that security forces recently discovered Hamas files proving the terrorist group had plans to carry out a large-scale assault on communities in Judea and Samaria and along the Seam Line security barrier.

“Hamas files have been seized that had a purpose of attacking towns in Judea and Samaria and along the Seam Line,” Katz said in remarks to heads of regional councils, Israel Hayom reported.

“The communities in Judea and Samaria are the protective wall of most of the State of Israel,” the defense minister declared. “When Judea and Samaria are protected, the large cities are protected. We must be on the offensive in Judea and defeat the enemy.”

———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————

Houthi’s and Iranian backed militias in Iraq maintain silence and inaction against Israel.

——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-

It is not certain if Phase 1 will be extended after this weekend. Israel is pushing for an extension because it sees a crack in Hamas resolve - especially with the last hostage exchange. Hamas may also be seeing the threat a rejuvenated Israeli effort into Gaza will be to their survival. More and more, international efforts are pushing for the removal of all Hamas from Gaza and Hamas is trying to see a way forward in this.

The next couple weeks will tell if war restarts or Hamas capitulates further with an extension of Phase 1 exchanges.

Interesting note that Trump encouraged Israel to take advantage of Nazerallah’s funeral ceremony to take out a bunch of terrorists. Israel declined based on it focus on Gaza and potential action there.

Israel remains aggressive in S Syria, warning the new govt to keep hands off Druze territories. Israel is even thinking of allowing Syrian Druze members access to Israel for work purposes - replacing palestine workers. This would be a financial boon to those Syrians, and further the Israeli cause to have a reliable ally as a buffer to Syria, mutually supporting.


Turkey –

Erdogan’s party: Kurdish militants in Türkiye, Iraq and Syria must lay down their weapons



240 posted on 02/28/2025 7:46:16 AM PST by Godzilla (“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty” - Thomas Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 237 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson