The new year has started out at a sprint.
REGION 1 - United States
Wuhan Virus -
Fauci, who has been appointed as the chief medical advisor to biden, has said that states will be able to restrict citizens rights and access it they don’t accept the wuhan vaccine. He doesn’t expect to see Federal govt mandates (but he lies like a rug - so be ready) He has also stated not to expect any normality until fall 2021.
Across the world, health professionals in hospitals are increasingly reluctant to receive the vaccine, based largely on potential side effects and uncertainties about its effectiveness. WHO is on record saying the vaccine won’t prevent infections, only reduce the severity.
The more highly contagious strain of wuhan has been reported to now have been detected in Florida. Colorado and California already reporting its presence.
States are falling behind in the vaccination effort. One of the worst is NY which is sit-in on 2/3rds of its vaccine. Fed Govt met its goals to distribute the vaccine, states - particularly blue states - are failing epically from lack of detailed planning and preparation. Perhaps they believed their own propaganda that project “warp speed” wouldn’t meet its deadlines.
Economy -
Congress has ended its session without approving $2000/person stimulus. Democrat senators object the payments being tied in a bill with voter fraud investigations and elimination of section 230.
2020 Election-
Federal judge dismissed Rep Gohmert’s election lawsuit against VP Pence.
There are currently about 140 republicans in congress ready to object to the Electoral College vote. Objections like this have occurred in the past, with nothing but hot air as a result. Nothing stopped the confirmation in the past and most observers don’t think that this will changed this time, except the potential to have evidence of fraud brought to the forefront for a short time. MSM will sculpt its narrative to hid most of that.
I’m not reporting the intense amount of RUMINT concerning VP Pence. I see little collaboration from other sources and I do see volumes of misinformation. I’m working to find collaboration or sources to clear up his status.
CW2/Civil Disturbances -
Nancy Pelosi’s house in San Francisco was vandalized with spray paint, fake blood and a pig head. The vandal wrote “Cancel rent!” and “We want everything!” in black spray paint on Pelosi’s garage. They left a pig head on the ground in front of the garage and spilled fake blood, according to Kron 4. Some think the vandalism is in response to receiving only $600 and not $2000. As I’ve been saying, the BLM/Antifa wing of the progressive left will not quietly go into its corner with a biden administration.
BLM/Antifa also vandalized St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC early new year’s day. In Philadelphia, they vandalized at least two federal building. In Portland, BLM/Antifa ransacked and looted businesses, started fires on the street, assaulted law enforcement, and tried to break into the Justice Center. NOTE - these are not at the level seen this summer, but are indicative of the core maintaining their focus to keep pressure up on cities and politicians to comply with their demands.
Internet rumors that BLM/Antifa is planning to infiltrate the Jan 6th Trump rally. Leftists being encouraged to wear specific MAGA clothing apparel, but in a special manner that permits leftist to recognize each other. One report says to wear the caps backwards and wear camouflaged short pants. Infiltration has been a common practice by these leftists in past pro-Trump events.
Domestic Terror -
Soleimani”s replacement, Gen Esmail Ghaani, warned that “freedom seekers” in the US could retaliate for the attack (the death of Soleimani), telling the US that “inside hour own home, there might be those who want to respond to the crime that you committed”. Iranian infiltration of agents is a common tactic of theirs, particularly that of Qods force that Ghanni leads. Such infiltration into the US would be very easy and could have occurred many years ago with sleeper cells.
REGION 2 - International General
Strategic Developments /Deployments -
In a move that surprised some given the current tension with Iran, the USN has called the Nimitz CSG back to its base harbor. This is the only carrier in the Indian Ocean region that can rapidly respond to any Iranian threat/attack. No carrier has been identified to replace it on station. Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of USS Makin Island (LHD-8), USS Somerset (LPD-25), USS San Diego (LPD-22), and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; and USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB-4) will remain in the Indian Ocean region.
“Pentagon officials said they had sent additional land-based fighter and attack jets, as well as refueling planes, to Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries to offset the loss of the Nimitz’s firepower.” If you recall, last week there was substantially higher levels of air refueling tanker activity in the region. (NYT) These aircraft including F22 and F35s, are more capable than the Nimitz’s F18 and are believed to be present in greater numbers than a carrier can produce. This also removes a potential high value target out of Iranian range, forcing it to attack other sovereign nations to get at USAF assets.
China -
Jack Ma has vanished from his own TV talent show, and appears to be trying to run away from Chinese authorities following criticism of the regime. CCP will not allow criticism from “rock star” Ma, setting up an interesting showdown.
REGION 3 - Middle East
Iran - Date to remember, January 3d - anniversary of the death of Soleimani.
US forces in the middle east region are at a higher alert status with anniversary of Soleimani’s killing. Iranian leadership has made some big claims about reprisals - even going as far as threatening the life of President Trump. See also Terror and Strategic Developments.
Heads of various Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia militias are inside Iran now- today at the grave of Soleimani.
They include:
-Kateab Hezbollah head Ahmad al-Hamidawi
-Head of the Badr Organisation Hadi Al-Amiri
-PMU head Falih Al-Fayyadh
Potential precursors of action - readiness of some Iranian maritime forces in the Persian Gulf are not believed to be associated with training or the “usual” maneuvers observed in the past. This could be either a defensive or offensive measure, or both.
Finally, Iran told the IAEA that they will start enriching uranium to 20%, a step shy of weapons grade. There is no specific date as to when this processing is slated to begin. Uranium enriched to 20% is far below the 90% needed to construct nuclear bombs, but the jump from 20% to 90% is actually rather quick compared to the work needed to move from 4% to 20%.
MY ANALYSIS - Iran’s leaders have painted themselves into a corner, again. With this rhetoric comes the need to meaningfully act - or lose face on both a domestic and international level. Between its proxies and internal forces it has many potential ways to strike American assets and personnel. Something is going to happen in the next few days, the question is will it be severe enough to trigger a massive retaliation by the US? My thoughts based on President Trump’s past actions against islamic attacks is that at this stage of his presidency he wants and may very well pull the trigger in a counter response - bigly.
Iraq -
The Green Zone, in Bagdad, Iraq is currently being/or is now sealed off by Iraqi Security Forces in accordance with precautionary measures ahead of the Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Anniversary on Sunday and the planned gatherings.
Yertle the Turd-le strikes again.
One point .... Thomas Jefferson became president because of an electoral challenge
January 6th is approaching rapidly
Globalism / Great Reset -
British PM Johnson tweeted “Proud that the UK is taking over the 2021 Presidency of the G7 today. Hosting both the G7 Summit and @COP26 (CLIMATE CONFERENCE) will make this a hugely important year for Global Britain and I look forward to welcoming our friends and allies as we beat COVID and ***build back better*** from the pandemic. “Build Back Better” is a code phrase associated with the Great Reset and Agenda 2030.
Wuhan Virus -
More evidence that your average seasonal flu is being folded in with wuhan virus counts. CDC notes that show positive clinical detections at 0.1% for week 52, last year it was at 22%. Excuses range from the wuhan protection measures being so effective its preventing flu, though abysmally failing to protect from wuhan, to wuhan being far more infectious. Bottom line, wuhan numbers are grossly contaminated with other diseases/conditions.
The more infectious wuhan variant has been detected in 30 countries now.
2020 Election-
Resistance is building the Senate and House to the final Electoral certification on Jan 6th (12 Senators and about 120 Congressmen). Key component of the Senator Cruz (plus 11) memo is a 10 day emergency audit of the votes from disputed states. Much, much other stuff is flying out there as to who can do what - much of that is disinformation and non-informed commentary and wishes. The underlying sense I get is something is going to happen (or that could just be hopium).
CW2/Civil Disturbances -
Sen McConnell’s house was vandalized like Pelosi’s with stimulus related graffiti.
Portland Mayor Wheeler is all upset that BLM/Antifa continued to burn up Portland over New Years eve. He’s asked for federal help apparently. He’s about 9 months too late. I’ve pointed out that these riots will continue under a biden administration as a tool of the marxist/progressives to continue to force the democrat party to the hard left agenda.
Domestic Terror -
Authorities say Anthony Warner sent materials about his views to people he knew. I haven’t seen what these ‘views’ are, however you can bet that if they were pro-Trump they’d be all over the place.
Strategic Developments /Deployments -
US forces in the middle east are at high levels of readiness due to Soleimani anniversary
China -
China has threatened the British aircraft carrier “Queen Elizabeth 2” which is scheduled to operate in the South China sea region that China claims as territorial waters.
NYSE delisting of 3 Chinese companies has brought threats of retaliation from China. These companies, all telecommunications related were moved based on an EO from President Trump in November 2020. The EO bans companies with connections to China’s military.
Venezuela -
Venezuela’s government is planning to move to a fully digital economy as hyperinflation has made worthless bolivar notes practically disappear, and dollarization expands through the local financial system. Venezuela’s currency has lost 99% of its value during three years of hyperinflation. Inflation soared 5,790% in the last 12 months. The largest note now in circulation, 50,000 bolivars, is worth about $0.04.
Middle East, General -
There is a lot of air tanker activity over the region again today. Many consider this to be a sign that USAF fast movers are on station. There are also a lot of intel aircraft up and flying as well, demanding fuel.
Israel -
Military forces at high alert for attacks associated with the first anniversary of the death of Soleimani
Iran - Date to remember, January 3d - anniversary of the death of Soleimani.
Memorial protests occurring in at least Iran, Iraq and Yemen. Some analysts don’t see Iran acting out on its threats against the US prior to Jan 20th - to avoid the wrath of Trump.
Iraq -
Protests marking the death of Soleimani have begun in Bagdad’s Tahrir Square.