This could be a very busy week
CW2 / Domestic violence - Threat Level - ADVISORY - up dated May 5, 2025
Puget Sound Anarchists, one of the Antifa cells in Seattle, has posted an after-action report following the domestic terrorist attack on the UW where they started fires and did over $1m in damage to science equipment and property.
“We can no longer afford to be simple protesters. We must become combatants”
https://x.com/mrandyngo/status/1921545327695331386?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
OBSERVATION - This is a growing trend in the Antifa core regions of the pacific nw. So far it doesn’t appear to be growing across the rest of the country.
Economy- Threat Level - WATCH - as of April 4, 2025
President Donald Trump announced he will be signing an executive order Monday to ensure the Americans pay the “lowest price anywhere in the world” for prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals.
Under the planned order, the federal government would tie what it pays pharmaceutical companies for those drugs to the price paid by a group of other, economically advanced countries — the so-called “most favored nation” approach.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/prices-drugs-pharma/2025/05/11/id/1210502/
OBSERVATION - This is designed to bring US prescription costs down to levels seen across much of the rest of the world, some cases by a whopping 80%. There is no reason a drug costs hundreds of dollars here in the US while the exact same drug sells for only tens of dollars (or less) overseas. I can guarantee the enforcement mechanism along with the order as well will be assaulted in court by Big Pharma.
***
Market futures are rebounding big in response to the China agreement.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Watching to see if the congress critters involved in last weeks riot at an ICE detention facility in NJ will be arrested or not.
TRUMP Watch –
US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended plans to receive a new luxury Boeing aircraft as a gift after media reported that he would receive an aircraft from Qatar’s royal family to replace the current Air Force One.
The Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet was described by the ABC News broadcaster in its scoop as a “flying palace,” saying it would possibly be the most costly present ever received by the US government.
Critics say acceptance of such a gift could violate strict rules on presents for US presidents and raise further questions regarding conflicts of interest with Trump’s family businesses and use of public office.
Laura Loomer, a far-right ally of Trump, said accepting the plane would be a “stain” on the administration.
“We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits,” she posted on X. “The Qataris fund the same Iranian proxies in Hamas and Hezbollah who have murdered US Service Members.”
OBSERVATION -
Beware of Qataris bearing gifts. There are red flags all over this action. The whole thing, when viewed thru the lens of other activity in the middle east, is beginning to stink to high heaven. Qatar is a big terror supporter, hosting many highly placed Hamas billionaires and supporting other terrorists.
They may have sensed a chink in Trump - his ego - and a big, gold plated super executive jet in the place of the continueing to be botched AF1 upgraded B747 (order during his first term) maybe causing him to drool too much.
Key issues that have to be addressed
- Legality of such a ‘gift’
- If he wants to use it for AF1, how many electronic bugs have been hard embedded throughout the aircraft that could cause serious loss of intelligence secrets.
- Are there any hardware/software/firmware installed in flight ops system that could be remotely triggered to cause a crash. Much of the flight controls are computer controlled, fly by electronics, avionics.
- What is the quid pro quo the Qatar is potentially expecting? Protection of Hamas, Iran and other radical islamic forces in the region? Isolation of Israel?
Trump needs to take a second look at this and say ‘thanks but no thanks’. This deal looks too good to be true - and it likely is.
China -
The U.S. will cut tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will lower tariffs on U.S. imports from 125% to 10%.
This 90-day pause at lower rates maintains pressure while stabilizing capital markets that fund American innovation.
OBSERVATION - Trump maintains all the advantage and initiative in the current tariff war with China. In this case, strategic recalibration beats brute force: let Beijing sweat over whether tariffs snap back higher if they stall. Trump’s OODA loop in this case is operating faster than China can respond or plan. If China doesn’t respond in a manner to Trump’s liking, those tariffs can quickly be reinstalled.
Russia -
Threat Level WATCH, Ongoing - into the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
*****
Some analysis suggests that though weak, putin’s intransigence towards moving toward peace with Ukraine may be starting to put more backbone in the major European supporters of Ukraine and even bringing the US back into the resistance. One large storm that could hit Russia is the imposition of even more stringent economic sanctions that not only close existing loopholed, but make it even harder for Russia to gain other support. This may cause China to pull back some on its support as its economy is hurting from pre-existing problems that have been enlarged by the current tariff war with the US.
Zelensky’s willingness to move towards peace talks is gaining the traction globally vs putin. US reengagement in supplying military munitions over the course of last week is evidence of this and evidence that putin’s plans are no longer working to isolate Ukraine.
So far putin has rejected US/EU/Ukraine peace and ceasefire proposals.
Ukraine –
Threat Level WATCH Ongoing Apr 24, 2025
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps 40 - 60s with rain and showers.
Zelensky: We expect a ceasefire from tomorrow - complete and lasting, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in dragging out the killings. And I will wait for Putin on Thursday in Turkey. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for reasons why they cannot.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Ukrainian air defense team shot down 55 Shahed drones and landed another 30 drone simulators out of the 108 launched in total.
Russian losses per 12/05/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1170 men
+8 tanks
+27 AFVs
+48 artillery
+3 AD systems
Bloomberg reports Europe’s position remains unchanged: the Ukraine ceasefire is set to begin tomorrow, contingent on Russia’s agreement. If Russia launches attacks from that point, a strong response from the EU and US—including sanctions agreed on Saturday—is expected.
So far Putin continues to Putin reject the US-EU-UA 30-day ceasefire proposal
Summary —
Fighting overall remains pretty static. Moderate fighting noted and the standard daily Shahed attacks.
The big movement and action is on the geopolitical front. As Ive noted above, some of the propaganda tide may be turning against putin and his hard line has reinforced pushback by Ukraine supporters. putin is losing the initiative on this information / propaganda front.
Pakistan / India – Threat Level - WATCH, April 23, 2025
Again - both govts are holding tight to censorship of key news from this conflict and putting out an abundance of misinformation. Any thing - even here - you read must be considered to be questionable to some extent.
***
Military movements and actions -
Ceasefire continues to hold.
Political actions -
India rejects the US mediation on behalf of Kashmir. “It’s a bilateral issue”, the Indian Government told the US.
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS -
A lot of speculation as to why the brakes were put on the exchanges between Pakistan and India - with the US involvement.
A large part of it centers around reports that India targeted Pakistani tactical nuclear weapons facilities and operational control sites.
Key related events -
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned a meeting of the National Command Authority — Pakistan’s top body overseeing its nuclear arsenal.
- US intelligences notes actions of significance going on.
- Shortly thereafter, the ceasefire wheels got rolling.
OSINT and other observers are indicating that India hit next to Pakistan’s Nuclear Command HQ (warning shot).
India also reportedly struck Pakistani nuke storage sites at Sargodha, Jacobabad and a Kirana hills. Strikes in these area were confirmed by OSINT folks based on video’s / photos posted on social media and geospatial analyst. Unconfirmed reports of radiation leakage from at least one site.
According to other reports, Pakistan urged Trump to mediate after India bombed 11 Pak airbases
Further speculation. Pakistan, on the other hand, was left panicked to know that India in fact has knowledge about nuclear sites.
Those strikes by India pushed Pakistan to near the national survival threshold (for first nuclear strike requirements) and they were ready to push the button.
US intelligence may well have picked up on that action and triggered warnings.
India, was supposedly made aware of this by both USA & Pakistan.
India decided to agree to a ceasefire, not because of fear, but because of what was lying ahead - the potential of a nuclear exchange.
Again, a lot of speculation is behind this effort to connect the dots, but if true, the region was a lot closer to nuclear war than most viewed based upon the available information (myself included). This analysis has been based on several days now of sifting thru more reliant sources of information.
For now the conflict continues to spin down, though both sides are still prepped in war mode status and fighting could initiate very quickly.
ISRAEL –
Threat Level WATCH Ongoing - Apr 24, 2025
Key overnight developments -
- Steve Witkoff informed the family of kidnapped Edan Alexander that the Hamas is expected to release him from captivity as a gesture to Trump.
- Israel states its current ultimatum still stands on hostage releases and that this will not stop operations in Gaza under “Gideon’s Chariots”
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ) deputy leader, Dr. Muhammad al-Hindi, says no more hostages will be released unless the U.S. forces Israel into a full ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza.
He says the “resistance” is ready for an all-for-all deal or a phased agreement, but will not accept Israeli demands to disarm or expel leaders. He warns that surrendering arms would lead to the forced expulsion of Palestinians and accuses Israel of stalling talks to retrieve its captives without ending the war.
https://x.com/osint613/status/1921586860729545001?s=46&t=nfRT-Yioj0xALNzJelzFcA
***
Hamas also stated: The release of Idan Alexander will be part of efforts to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid to reach our people in the Gaza Strip.
Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel tomorrow (Monday).
The release of the hostage will be within 48 hours.
For the release of Edan Alexander - Israel will not release terrorists, but will open the way for humanitarian aid.
Hamxs is also concerned about a U.S.-backed plan to shift the aid distribution system—potentially cutting it off from a key source of influence. By releasing Idan Alexander, Hamxs aims to secure the immediate resumption of aid under its control, treating it not just as a humanitarian lifeline, but as a critical lever of power inside Gaza.
***
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office:
The United States has informed Israel of Hamas’s intention to release soldier Edan Alexander as a gesture to the Americans, without any compensation or conditions.
The United States has informed Israel that this move is expected to lead to negotiations for the release of the hostages under the original Witkoff outline - which Israel has already accepted.
Israel is preparing for the possibility that this move will materialize.
According to Israeli policy, the negotiations will take place under fire with a commitment to achieving all war goals.
Translation: Hamas is trying to postpone the maneuver to occupy Gaza
Israel is holding firm to its ultimatum: if Hamxs doesn’t release 10 hostages before Trump leaves the Middle East, it will launch the next phase of the Gaza war, codenamed “Gideon’s Chariots.”
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————
The IDF has withdrawn the Nahal Brigade from Judea and Samaria after three months to prepare for a major Gaza offensive.
As part of the 162nd Division, the brigade will join “Gideon’s Chariots,” a plan to take control of Gaza, move civilians south, strike Hamxs, and prevent it from seizing aid.
***
IDF forces continue operating across Gaza, targeting terror groups under the guidance of Military Intelligence, Southern Command, and the Shin Bet.
In the north, Division 252 is active; in the south, Division 143. Troops are locating and destroying terror infrastructure above and below ground, with Air Force support.
Targets included Hamas command centers, weapons stockpiles, sniper and observation posts threatening IDF forces in central Gaza.
——— JUDEA AND SAMARIA——————————-
The Israeli Cabinet voted on Sunday to back a series of “revolutionary” measures aimed at stopping what it said was the Palestinian Authority-led takeover of lands in Judea and Samaria, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced.
Sunday night’s vote “nullifies the P.A.’s attempts to seize land in Area C and, under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, will lead to an arrangement for registering land in Judea and Samaria,” stated Katz.
The move “will lead to the strengthening, consolidation and expansion” of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, he continued, adding that the current war proves that “settlement in Judea and Samaria is a defensive shield for population centers in the center of Israel.”
https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-77/
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
IDF issues urgent warning to immediately evacuate 3 ports in Yemen, N12 News reports. Israeli strikes coming up. Looks like psychological warfare in Yemen, no strikes despite Israeli evacuation order last night
Houthi launched a ballistic missile at Israel from Yemen; the missile fell in Saudi Arabia
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Hamas’ Strategy: Driving a Wedge Between the United States and Israel
The release of hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas was not solely for humanitarian or public relations purposes but was a calculated tactical move aimed at easing international pressure on the organization and creating a rift between the United States and Israel. Any delay in the Israeli operation benefits them.
Similar to the strategy employed by the Houthis in Yemen, and Iran, Hamas seeks to disrupt U.S. political and military cooperation with Israel in the Gaza campaign. By engaging in direct negotiations with the United States, Hamas aims to sideline Israel diplomatically, potentially pushing it toward unilateral and risky actions in the future.
Additionally, there is an effort to prevent Hamas from being excluded from getting their hands on food and other relief supplies. They have stolen much of what has been brought in, and placed in their warehouses for their war effort and selling on the black market to help fund their fighters. Hamas wants the terror compliant elements of the UN to handle things - so they can continue the thefts. If Israel is directly involved, Hamas will come up empty handed and will lose a tool of power projection onto the Gaza civilian population to keep them in line with the jihad.
Israel has made it pretty clear, Hamas has a very short window to comply with their demands. Its military is continuing to prepare for operations, to start very shortly after Trump leaves the region.
Israel also has the Houthi’s chasing their tails, with the recent evacuation warning for three ports, which were emptied by the Houthi. Now foreign ships wait off shore and uncertain rules whether or not to reopen them. Israel knows that lack of action is not good and that it takes some time to plan a strike some 2200 km away. They likely will hit one or all three later this week.
Israel in all of this is keeping their eyes on the big target - Iran.
Iran –
Threat Level - WARNING Apr 24, 2025
- May 16th - due to Trump visit to the region.
Iran MFA: “The fourth round of indirect Iran-U.S. negotiations is concluded; difficult but useful talks to better undetstand each other’s positions and to find reasonable & realistic ways to address the differences. Next round will be coordinated and announced by Oman.”
OBSERVATION - The post meeting commentary is essentially more of the same. No real movement except to agree to meet again. How much of this is building towards a decision by Trump to initiate a strike on Iran’s nuclear program? So far Iran has said a hard NO to every key element of Trump’s demands and he should realize that they are playing a similar game they did back during his first term. He may give them until next weekend’s meetings to make significant and real progress. All talk and no action by Trump only emboldens Iran.
Turkey –
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) declared its dissolution and an end to its armed struggle against Turkey on Monday
OBSERVATION - This action may negate Turkey’s reason for invading N Syria. It is unlikely that they will withdraw and time soon.
They may have sensed a chink in Trump - his ego - and a big, gold plated super executive jet in the place of the continueing to be botched AF1 upgraded B747 (order during his first term) maybe causing him to drool too much.
Key issues that have to be addressed
One more.
How do they know the plane isn't booby trapped or bugged? Or have a tracking device on it?
Trusting terrorists seems pretty foolhardy to me.
Thanks Godzilla.
Ah, snow in the Redoubt - the wonders of spring here.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Threat Level - ADVISORY - up dated May 5, 2025
National Day of Action scheduled for Saturday, 14 June.
NOTE - New leftist day to try to organize nation-wide protests and generate support to oppose Trump as well as a host of other issues. The past protests have been underwhelming in turnout and demographics (predominantly older Americans and in particular women) Watching as this builds
***
A coalition of Democrat governors resisting the Trump administration scheduled at least two Zoom discussions focused on how to avoid assisting National Guard “protections” and “deployments,” according to email correspondence obtained by The Daily Signal.
Executive order templates created for Democrat governors say the states “shall provide no time, money, facilities,” for any National Guard deployments if the governor doesn’t approve.
Governors Safeguarding Democracy—co-chaired by two Democrats, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis—scheduled two Zoom meetings focused on the National Guard. One was on Dec. 12, more than a month after President Donald Trump was elected. The other was scheduled for Jan. 28, a few days after Trump’s inauguration.
OBSERVATION - More information on a effort by blue state governors we already pretty much knew was happening. This is a precursor to direct, military confrontation if called for by these governors. They do hold a weakened hand in that the guard forces can be nationalized and control stripped from them if needed - see the civil rights era when Gov Wallace called up the Nat’l Guard to prevent desegregation and DC nationalized them.
***
In March, Texas authorities sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC demanding it stop funeral services, citing a lack of licensing. Paxton’s office also issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Community Capital Partners.
Last Friday, Texas Senator John Cornyn said that the Department of Justice had responded to his call to investigate potential ‘religious discrimination’ at Epic City.
If we are going to enforce the same rules for all religions, it seems very clear that building an Islamic city, Islamic mosques, and Muslim-only education centers for an entire Texas city would be “religious discrimination.”
OBSERVATION - Those with eyes to see note that this Epic city effort by radical moslems is attempting to build upon momentum gained by islamic conclaves that have taken over Dearborne MI and Patterson NJ. It is following the standard, modern Islamic practice to defeat and subjugate countries via immigration, consolidation and pooling resources to take control of local govts - the expanding that power. BIG CASE IN POINT the present situation in England, where ANY criticism of moslems will get your thrown in jail, while they continue to rape, murder and commit other crimes.
In a future CW2 environment, these moslem controlled area will further complicate the ongoing balkanization of the US with groups clearly hostile towards US citizens and a jihadic willingness to commit to war to achieve an expansion of their power and control.
***
A “peaceful” protests lead by leftist so-called religious leaders devolved into clashes between federal agents and leftist protestors outside the ICE facility in Newark. This is the same facility that congress critters assaulted ICE and other federal officers and the mayor of Newark was arrested at over the weekend.
OBSERVATION - Some noting that the left is attempting to use targeted protests and associated violence at this facility in dark blue NJ to stir up other violent actions on other potential govt facilities, mostly immigration related.
Economy- Threat Level - WATCH - as of April 4, 2025
News of the 90 day pause in increased tariffs against China sent the market up yesterday.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics
Studies now confirming that women who received the jab have lost as much as 60% of their eggs, creating a fertility crisis. I noted early on in the plandemic pre-release studies of the jab creating numerous complications to women’s reproductive ability from this to spontaneous abortions. Male fertility has been hit hard as well.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Civil war in the democrat hierarchy continues.
A committee within the Democratic National Committee has voted to void the results of a party vote that led to David Hogg becoming a party vice chair.
Per the New York Times, the credentials committee ruled that the election had not followed parliamentary procedures. The ruling came after one of the losing candidates, Kalyn Free, said the party had wrongly combined two questions into a single vote, which put defame candidates at a disadvantage due to the DNC’s gender parity rules.
The decision came after around three hours of internal debate and one vote that resulted in a tie. The issue now goes to the full body of the DNC. The DNC will decide whether to force Hogg and another vice chair, Malcolm Kenyatta, to run again in another election.
RELATED - Democrats laying the foundation to have Senator Fetterman either be forced to resign or face being primaried out of office. Some are basing this on claims that continued brain damage from his stroke in 2022 are continuing to cloud his judgement.
OBSERVATION - Break out the popcorn. Democrats continue to spin in circles as there is no clear leadership that is recognized and the current inertia demand continued adherence to the policies and practices that contributed greatly to their loss in November. In Fetterman’s case, he is unwilling to tuck his tail and always vote party line.
TRUMP Watch –
President Donald Trump opened his four-day Middle East trip Tuesday by paying a visit to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for talks on U.S. efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, end the war in Gaza, and more.
***
President Donald Trump on Monday raised the prospect of joining talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey on Thursday. “I was thinking about flying over. I don’t know where I’m going to be on Thursday
Illegal Immigration –
A federal judge on Monday refused to block the Internal Revenue Service from sharing immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of identifying and deporting people illegally in the U.S.
https://www.newsmax.com/politics/irs-ice-tax-data-deportations-federal-judge/2025/05/12/id/1210650/
China -
While receiving a 90 day breather, China’s manufacturing sector now faces costly restart of facilities closed by the tariffs as well as trying to plan ahead in case tariffs are increased at the end of the period. Chinese economy is in no way out of the woods yet.
Phillipines –
National elections yesterday and the dust is settling on who has taken charge of the country.
Russia -
Threat Level WATCH, Ongoing - into the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
*****
Despite Russia being the one to propose the talks, the Kremlin is now suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin will no longer be able to attend the direct-talks between Ukraine and Russia on May 15th, with top Russian officials calling the talks “political theatre.” This comes as both Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed he would be going and U.S. President Trump expressed interest in attending the talks, which were scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Thursday.
OBSERVATION - putin’s flip flops are causing a general loss of face of the Russian leader - almost to the point of cowardliness. He may be mistaking his refusal to meet with Zelensky as aloofness and disregarding is legitimate place as the leader of Ukraine as justified. However, it is forging a new alliance of European nations - the very action putin has tried to prevent.
Economic Impact –
The European Union is preparing a new blow to Russia’s shadow fleet. Specifically, the EU plans to ban 25 Russian oil tankers from sailing in the Baltic and North Seas.
OBSERVATION - Russia relies heavily on oil income to maintain its economy. This shadow fleet was used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil sales. Now it will become harder for them to get oil out of country as Russia has few open water ports and nearly all of them are in the Baltic and N Sea region.
Ukraine –
Threat Level WATCH Ongoing Apr 24, 2025
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps 40 - 60s with rain and showers.
President of Ukraine Zelensky signed the Law on Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the United States on the Establishment of the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund (No. 4417-IX)
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Overnight, Russia launched 10 Shahed drones which were all shot down.
Russian losses per 13/05/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1070 men
+2 tanks
+14 AFVs
+62 artillery
Summary —
Atypical quiet night for Shahed drone attacks. Moderate fighting on the front.
Signs of a build up for the threatened Spring/Summer Russian offensive remain elusive at best, absent at worst. Even at these lowered daily casualties Russian is facing the need to replace 30-40K every month, as well as tanks and armored vehicles.
Some studies indicate that Ukraine has built up as large as a 17:1 FPV drone advantage along portions of the front, making the zone about 18 KM deep into a no man’s land for Russia forces attempting to reach Ukraine lines
Europe / NATO General –
Over the last week, UK and Italian carriers led one of the largest NATO surface fleets gathered in recent years.
21 warships, 3 submarines, 41 fighters, 19 helicopters, 10 MPAs, and around 8,000 personnel operated in the Ionian Sea near Italy during exercise Med Strike.
Middle East / N. Africa General -
LIBYA -
Heavy fighting has broken out in Tripoli, Libya, following the alleged assassination of top government official Abdul Ghani al-Kikli. A curfew is now in place as rival forces from Tripoli and Misrata battle in the streets. Tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed, and aircraft are being evacuated from Mitiga airport due to fears of further violence. Hospitals are called to move to emergency mode.
OBSERVATION - DEVELOPING Some talk that this could start a new round of civil war.
Pakistan / India – Threat Level - WATCH, April 23, 2025
Again - both govts are holding tight to censorship of key news from this conflict and putting out an abundance of misinformation. Any thing - even here - you read must be considered to be questionable to some extent.
***
Military movements and actions -
Ceasefire continues to hold.
India’s PM Modi: We have only paused our military action against Pakistan
Possibly drones in Amritsar India. Flights being canceled at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar.
Sirens were activated and blackout measures imposed. Indian air defenses activated in Samba.
Apparently a false alarm.
Political actions -
Indian PM Modi vows “strong response” to any future “terrorist attack”, says New Delhi would not tolerate “nuclear blackmail”
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS -
Ceasefire holding and the general situation is cooling down. Post fighting analysis from available data suggests that India fared better than Pakistan, though both sides got some pretty good hits in.
Still considerable radio silence on just what provided the trigger to the sudden ceasefire, though the theory I posted yesterday still seems to be the leading candidate.
ISRAEL –
Threat Level WATCH Ongoing - Apr 24, 2025
Key overnight developments -
- Kidnapped Edan Alexander has been returned to Israel and his family.
- IAF hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, taking out a Hamas command center that had taken over part of the facility.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Edan Alexander is in Israeli army hands and has been reunited with his family, as well has spoken to President Trump and PM Netanyahu. He is expected to remain hospitalized for a while to recover from the harsh treatment he received from Hamas.
After Edan Alexander’s release, 58 remain in Hamas’ grip: 20 alive, 3 unknown, 35 dead.
Hamas: We are ready to enter into negotiations leading to a comprehensive agreement and a sustainable ceasefire.
——— GAZA FRONT / HAMAS ———————————
In addition to journalist Hassan Eslaiah, the Israeli army airstrike on the Nasser Hospital Khan Younis also killed Ahmed Al-Qudra, head of Hamas’ Anti-Terrorism Service.Gaza journalist Hassan Eslaiah, who was embedded with Hamas on October 7 and had close ties to Hamas, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza
Israeli PM Netanyahu warned on Monday that unprecedented actions would soon take place in Gaza, telling members of the War Wounded Forum: “In the coming days, things are going to happen in Gaza. Things will happen that you have never seen before.” - i24News
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
Drone strike picked off another Hezbollah leader.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Trump’s visits to Saudi Arabia and other gulf nations are being closely watched by Israel as Gaza and potential Palestine homeland issues are being discussed. This is all in the context of an apparent assault by leftist pro-arab/Palestine news sources to build up the appearance of a rift between Netanyahu and Trump.
——— ASSESSMENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS ————————-
Impending operations in Gaza still very much on the front burner. The release of dual US/Israeli citizen Edan Alexander has not really accomplished what Hamas et al had hoped for - a US directed freeze on the impending operation in Gaza. Netanyahu has made it very clear, any negotiations beyond the 16th will be done under fire - no cease fire. The leverage Hamas once had with hostages is fast disintegrating, and they missed a big PR opportunity to release more.
Lebanon and Syria are relatively stable.
Iran still squarely in Israel’s gun sight - with or without US help.
Iran –
Threat Level - WARNING Apr 24, 2025
- May 16th - due to Trump visit to the region.
More post meeting analysis shows Iran not budging on any of the key issues the US has regarding ANY portion of its nuclear program.
Recent reports indicate that a heavy water nuclear reactor reportedly only for medical research is capable of breeding plutonium in amounts that can be used for one to two bombs per year. They lied again.