Globalism / Great Reset –
The new Spanish left-wing government has decided to follow Germany down into the abyss by dismantling all its nuclear power plants.
According to the new coalition government, all 7 nuclear reactors are to be dismantled and replaced by renewable energy.
OBSERVATION - You don’t get much more carbon neutral than the use of nuclear generated electricity.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Overnight, anti-Israel protesters blocked all exits of the World Trade Center in New York City. They later launched smoke grenades outside Tweed Courthouse.
OBSERVATION - There has been an increase in violence the these kinds of protests since Christmas. Will this trend continue once they fully lose the theater of the holidays? Very possibly, the global protest set for next month may set that standard.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Maintain alert status through the rest of the holiday season. Tracking warnings of rioting planned for NYC on New Years Eve.
Economy-
Reportedly 61% of Americans are living pay check to pay check. Credit card debt over 1 Trillion dollars.
Military / Strategic Activity / Deployments –
USSF-52 mission was launched yesterday with seventh mission of the Space Force’s X-37B spaceplane, using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy for the first time. Launch and orbital insertion were successful.
***
Deployed U.S. Army soldiers will no longer be able to store their belongings free of charge while they are away from home, the Army Sustainment Command announced Wednesday.
A spokesman for the command, which is the primary provider of logistics support to Army units, told Military.com that it was discontinuing the use of funds to store soldiers’ vehicles and other goods while they are away for prolonged periods of time.
It was not specified whether the announcement applies to all deployment types or just to soldiers on temporary duty.
The storage policy ended in October, but the order was not “widely distributed” to soldiers or the press, the outlet reported.
“We understand the burden this could potentially place on soldiers, and HQDA G-1 [The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army] is drafting policy that would enable such storage,” service spokesman Sgt. Pablo Saez said.
That new “policy” was only mentioned after Military.com first reached out to the Army about the issue in early December, the outlet noted.
It is unclear when or in what manner that future policy will take form.
An internal memo from Col. Heather Carlisle, director for support operations at the Army Sustainment Command, said that the Army is not required to provide storage for its soldiers:
HQDA G1, the proponent for [storage] entitlements, recently determined that the Army would no longer support [storage] entitlements because there is no Army policy explicitly authorizing storage in support of soldiers deployed for contingency operations.
OBSERVATION - Screwing the US military once again, and they wander around the five walls of the pentagon wondering why they can’t meet recruitment/retention goals.
***
Amphibious warships USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) transited the Suez Canal on Thursday after almost five months of operating in the Middle East, U.S. 6th Fleet announced.
The two ships, “will join the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19). With the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), these ships will re-aggregate as the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in the Eastern Mediterranean,” reads the statement from U.S. 6th Fleet.
OBSERVATION - This weakens the US presence in the Arabian Sea region where forces may be needed either in the Red Sea (Houthi threat) or the Persian Gulf. From what has been released there is no evidence of another unit being deployed there to replace them.
Wuhan and other “new” Plandemics – HEIGHTENED ALERT STATUS
The medical community is raising the alert concerning significant communicable diseases being brought across the border by the flood of unscreened illegals. Among many include polio and tuberculosis.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Maine’s Democrat Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Thursday removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot under the Constitution’s insurrection clause, becoming the first election official to take action unilaterally in a decision that has potential Electoral College consequences. Today, impeachment proceedings have been filed against the Maine SoS - an unelected and highly partisan democrat.
This following the CO SoS restoring Trump to the ballot.
The court challenge to the CO Supreme Court is still enroute to the USSC because the CO court decision sets a precedent that cannot be allowed to stand. The CO SoS may be trying to blunt a USSC decision by essentially saying that we ‘fixed’ the constitutional problem. My question is how can the SoS override the state supreme court?
Another potential side issue is that the democrats are trying to force the USSC to rule that Trump is not under the 14th Amendment restrictions - an attempt to delegitimize the court.
Cross reference to CW2.
Biden / Harris Watch –
biden still sunning himself in the Caribbean while the world goes to hell.
Illegal Immigration –
The DOJ is threatening to sue Texas if it moves forward with its strict new border security law, which is set to take effect in March and would allow TX authorities to arrest & deport anyone who crosses into TX illegally. TX has been using as many loopholes it can find lately to try to put a stop to the flood coming across the border. Its border fence and barbwire barriers currently have protection by US court order from BP creating openings, IIRC the water barrier can still be in place pending appeal. Now arrests of illegal trespassing with deportation become the next tool. The DoJ’s response makes it clear, the biden regimen is not interested AT ALL in shutting down the border.
China –
“U.S. intelligence officials have determined that the Chinese spy balloon that flew across the U.S. this year used an American internet service provider to communicate, according to two current and one former U.S. official familiar with the assessment.”
“The balloon connected to a U.S.-based company, according to the assessment, to send and receive communications from China, primarily related to its navigation. Officials familiar with assessment said it found that the connection allowed the balloon to send burst transmissions, or high-bandwidth collections of data over short periods of time.”
OBSERVATION - This shouldn’t surprise anyone by now. This totally bungled operation by the US govt, allowing the balloon to pass over sensitive military facilities was just the tip of the iceberg. Remember, at this stage of the game one must consider all from mainland China to be involved in spying in one way or another. A simple antenna set connected to the internet is all that is needed for the encrypted data to be moved to China.
Phillipines –
Recent polls indicate that the majority of the Philippine people favor restoring military treaties with the US, in the face of a rising threat posed by China.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
The UN’s humanitarian envoy for Ukraine has condemned Russia’s “heinous wave of attacks on populated areas” this morning.
In a statement, Denise Brown says the attacks have “left a path of destruction, death and human suffering” and are “another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality” Ukrainian people face.
Noting the Russia has damaged homes, schools, hospitals, a shopping centre, a metro station and energy infrastructure this morning, she adds the strikes have killed and injured civilians in “almost every region of the country”.
Quote Message: Right now, families and emergency services are trying to pull people out of the debris left by the destruction. For the Ukrainian people, this is another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality they are faced with, and which made 2023 another year of enormous suffering.”
Right now, families and emergency services are trying to pull people out of the debris left by the destruction. For the Ukrainian people, this is another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality they are faced with, and which made 2023 another year of enormous suffering.”
RUMINT-
Following the Ukrainian airstrike that took out a Rocha class amph assault ship, it is being reported in some circles that ADA commanders that had responsibility over the defense of that portion of Crimea have been ordered to the combat front as punishment for their failure to intercept the Ukrainian missiles.
Economic Impact –
G7 are discussing seizure of $300 billion in Russian Central Bank assets by February 24, the 2nd anniversary of Russia’s assault on Ukraine
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-40 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action on the ground.
Overnight, Russian unleashed what some consider to be the largest drone/missile strike barrage on Ukraine since the start of the war. “We haven’t seen so many targets on our monitors for a long time,” says Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat. Russia used practically all the weapons in its arsenal apart from Kalibr cruise missiles, he said.
Ukrainian air defense shot down 27 of 36 Shahed drones, and 87 of 90 Kh-101 missiles. Also Russia used 5 Kh47-m2 missiles, 4 anti-radiation Kh-31P missiles, 1 Kh-59, at least 14 ballistic missiles(S-300/S-400 or Iskander), 8 Kh-22 missiles.
Russia utilized ground launches as well as MiG-31Ks, 9 TU-95ms and 9 TU-22M3 in the attacks. Notably missing was any launches from vessels of the Black Sea fleet - the primary source in the past of Kalibr cruise missiles. Some analysts believe that the Russian ports these vessels relocated to do not have adequate loading facilities for missiles at this time.
Ukrainan cities that were targeted include
Dnipro
Kharkiv
Konotop
Kyiv
Odesa
Lviv
Odesa
Zhaporizhzhia
Attacks hit civilian targets - hospitals, shopping mall, train station etc killing at least 18 civilians and rising. Other damage/fires were caused by falling debris from intercepted missiles/drones.
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are continuing to dictate ground operations, which are at a low level due to lack of maneuverability cross country and on dirt roads due to the mud.
Ive noted in the past that it appears Russia was holding back most of its missiles for later large scale attacks on the Ukraine power grid as last year. This attack pretty well vindicated that view. However, though some military facilities were targeted, most fell on demonstrably civilian facilities. Also, a lot of missiles were wasted in this attack with little strategic success indicated. While the numbers of drones/missiles was huge, the Ukrainian ADA capabilities have been substantially increased since last winter.
Some suspect that Russia launched this in retaliation for the missile strike that took out a Rocha class amph assault ship. Could be, but the Russian reaction then was not focused.
Poland –
Poland detected an “unknown” object near border with Ukraine during Russia’s massive attacks on Ukraine.
Local residents saw “something flying very fast westward with noise and whistling.” There was no preliminary explosion, Polish media reported.
OBSERVATION - Sounds like one of Russia’s cruise missiles flew into Poland. This kind of ‘spillage’ Poland has warned Russia not to allow. Polish response pending official recognition of just what flew into the country.
Europe / NATO General –
While the socialists in Spain are planning to shutdown all its nuke power plants, (See Globalism above) citizens continue to pour into the streets of Madrid and others protesting the govt.
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- IDF begins to expand operations in S Gaza strip area, near the Egyptian border.
- Fighting between Hezbollah and IDF continues to escalate
——— GENERAL ——————————-
A 70-year-old American-Israeli teacher who was shot by Hamas terrorists when out for a walk with her husband at their kibbutz on the morning of Oct. 7 has been declared dead, her community announced Thursday.
Judi Weinstein Haggai’s body is being held by Hamas in Gaza, along with that of her husband, Gad Haggai, who was fatally wounded in the attack.
Al-Qassam spokesman: We will not accept any exchange deals for detainees before ending the war on Gaza.
Israeli intelligence estimate - Qhamas chief Sinwar is reportedly hiding in a bunker in Khan Younis with his family, surrounded by IDF hostages.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
The Israeli Army: Our forces begin a military operation in the “Khirbet Khuza’a” area, south of the Gaza Strip, for the first time since the beginning of the war.
Israeli army spokesman: Israeli forces are operating inside tunnels in Khan Younis; Defense Minister Gallant: 98th Division fighting in spaces that nobody in the world ever fought in, forces reach command centers, ammunition depots, arms production sites. IDF finding that the tunnel network there was more substantial than at first understood.
The IDF says it has recovered more than 65 million digital files and half a million physical documents from the Gaza Strip, which have aided ground forces in battling Hamas and locating the terror group’s infrastructure.
Mass surrenders of Hamas and affiliated terrorists continue throughout Gaza. Highlighted by human rights organizations complaining that they are initially stopped to their underwear before transportation to incarceration.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF spokesman - Israel delivered powerful blows that are very painful to Hezbollah, targeting strategically significant sites near Litani River, as reported by N12News. The complete extent of military operations in Lebanon remains under gag order, reflecting the intensity of the actions taken.
IDF struck southern Lebanon after approximately 50 rockets were fired into Kiryat Shmona throughout the day.
Some analysts are reporting that IDF has adopted a new offensive approach against Hezbollah in Lebanon, mobilizing fighter jets, tanks, artillery, and mortar fire simultaneously for heightened strike effectiveness.
RUMINT - Forces near the Lebanon border are on high alert for potential extreme scenarios, including a Hezbollah raid into Israel.
***
A member of Israel’s war cabinet warned on Wednesday that the diplomatic “hourglass” was running out for Lebanon as the nation has failed to stop Hezbollah from firing rockets across the border.
Israeli government minister Benny Gantz derided the barrage from the Lebanese border — raising new fears of a second front of the war opening on Israel’s northern border.
“The hourglass for a political settlement is running out,” Gantz told reporters.
“If the world and Lebanon’s government will not work to stop the shooting at Israel and to distance Hezbollah from the border, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will do so.”
https://harbingersdaily.com/israel-at-war-week-12/
OBSERVATION - Rhetoric continues to build up towards an eventual full out conflict with Hezbollah. Israel has the leverage in that Lebanon has allowed Hezbollah to militarize the area south of the Litani River in violation of UN cease fire resolutions. By placing the requirement on Lebanon, Israel can free itself of some of the flack they will receive globally when they do step in - as per their rights under the UN resolution - to remove the threat themselves.
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
IAF struck targets around Damascus overnight, no word on exact targets, but likely Hezbollah/Iranian related.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in 11 locations across the West Bank on December 28.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
The USS MASON (DDG 87) shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the Southern Red Sea that were fired by the Houthis between 5:45 - 6: 10 p.m. (Sanaa time) on Dec. 28. There was no damage to any of the 18 ships in the area or reported injuries. This is the 22nd attempted attack by Houthis on international shipping since Oct. 19
——— FORECAST ————————-
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) - Israel continues the methodical elimination of Hamas forces throughout Gaza. IDF repeats the estimate of several months before the operation is considered to be complete.
Israel also continues to pound Lebanon and the UN concerning their failure to demilitarize S Lebanon of the Hezbollah presence. Israel’s finger is on the trigger and some of the escalation in IAF airstrikes by be a means of poking the bear into action that could justify Israeli assaults into Lebanon. Bit by bit, Israel continues to take out Hezbollah positions/command posts/logistics, throughout S Lebanon - a death by a thousand cuts. Hezbollah has a lot of depth and redundancy in their system but just how long will they be able to maintain it under constant IDF pressure and attacks? Israel is fighting the next war now, and I’m not sure how much Hezbollah understands that.
Iraq -
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani announced that his administration will begin procedures to remove International Coalition forces from Iraq during a press conference on December 28, likely due to pressure from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. This would be a big win for Iran and one they’ve been pushing for over a year to achieve.
OBSERVATION - Further evidence of a crumbling US foreign policy. However, this is believed to eventually turn and bite Iraq in the rear end as such a decision to expel US forces will very likely create space for ISIS to rapidly resurge in Syria and Iraq within 12 to 24 months.
Lebanon -
See Israel warning above.
Syria -
IAF airstrikes around Damascus overnight
Venezuela - Increasing potential for war
Venezuelan President President Nicolás Maduro has announced that the Venezuelan armed forces will be carrying out defensive exercises in the East Caribbean off the country’s east coast, and next to its border with Guyana as tensions between Venezuela, Guyana, and Britain heat up.
The announcement followed Venezuela’s renewal of its claim on a disputed portion of Guyana, and the response of the British Royal Navy by sending the HMS Trent River-class offshore patrol vessel which had been deployed to the Caribbean Sea in early December to “hunt drug smugglers”. Guyana is still part of the commonwealth of Great Britain and is the only S American country who’s official language is English.
Argentina -
18 days ago, President Javier Milei was inaugurated in Argentina. Since then:
-Eliminated 12 out of 21 cabinet posts
-Firing 5,000 government employees
-Ending 380k government regulations
-Banned woke language in the military
-Bill to affirm the right to self-defense
-Bill to legalize homeschooling of kids
-Proposal to punish all riot organizers
-Future welfare cuts for road-blocking
-Legalized paying contracts in bitcoin
-Privatization of state-run companies
-Opened up the Argentina oil industry
Socialists have started protests of the massive changes Milei has instituted.
2023 In Review and 2024 Outlook.
Economy -
In 2022, I said the pundits were pretty fixed on a 2023 recession - very deep and destructive and I was inclined to believe them. Some how, the economy staggered thru 2023 with out such a recession.
Inflation has been dragged down to the 3.1% range - if you believe the cooked numbers from the regime and ignore your receipt at the grocery store. This was in part due to historic prime rate increases by the fed, rate increases that also helped to cripple the housing, pricing new and used homes way out of reach - and in the midst of the ongoing great internal migration.
Oil and other energy prices regained some stability and lowered in some instances - but the causation factor is not good. Lower gasoline prices due to less demand - a common symptom of economic downturn of a recession. One of the big players has been China, who was expected to get its production running back to speed, increasing oil demand. That is what OPEC factored in at the start of the year, only to see them having to cut production to try to stabilize oil at a higher price. At the same time, US oil production ramped up to record levels - inspire of the regimes efforts to kill it - continuing to lower pressure on prices.
The first half of the year saw some of the largest bank failures in decades. The Silicon Valley bank being the most severe. Its failure marks the tip of the iceberg that is also affecting other banks - low rate govt bond holdings. Unresolved losses from those bonds measure in the hundreds of billions of dollars across the board. The US Treasury took measures to paper over the damage, but it still exists and with increasing pressures of loan defaults/failures (homes, autos, etc) even more stress is being placed on banks daily. Some main line banks have dramatically begun closing out branch offices over the past couple months to help get their expenses down. There is a bomb smoldering in the banking sector that could easily ignite into a massive failure across the board.
Perhaps parallel to this is the incredible flop flop of the fed chairman concerning further rate hikes. In the first of December, the position was that the high rates will continue for the foreseeable future with no cuts in the prime rate. Less than three weeks later he flipped saying that now there could be 3 rate reductions (probably .25 basis points each) in 2024. What is driving this sudden change - the possibilities are pretty dark. One of the darkest suggests that the fed is now facing a depression situation with an economic collapse and a possible round of hyper inflation - based in part of the instability of the banking system. What ever it is, the flip flop is a big red flag.
Movement to CBDC gathered momentum in the US as well as other countries around the world. In the face of continued economic uncertainty, CBDC is now being offered as a sure way of getting your money - since it is all digital. There is a lot of resistance to the complete cancellation of cash here in the US as there is still a substantial portion of the economy and lifestyle that prefers physical transactions. And I think that the concerns of massive govt monitoring of spending and eventually programming of what you can spend has caught on to a degree.
Businesses across the board have been closed this past year. Walmart along with 19 other retailers closed a combined 2,847 locations as of Christmas, according to data collected by Business Insider.
Bed Bath & Beyond, Party City, and Rite Aid also filed for bankruptcy, citing multiple reasons, including financial struggles.
Rampant looting has been another factor for store closures, hitting cities like San Francisco and LA severely.
Key financial sector that has been hit hard is the housing industry. Record high home prices (both new and used) combined with near record high mortgage rates have hammered the sector, with sales dropping by record amounts as Joe Citizen just can’t afford the costs. Economists look to the sector as a test of the health of the economy, and they are concerned by what they see.
What is the forecast for 2024? Over the course of 2023, economic prognosticators have stated that the recession had been ‘postponed ‘ to 2024 and would range from a nothing burger, the so-called “soft landing” to a moderately severe one. With 2024 being a crucial election year, it is not surprising that regime supporting pundits would be leaning towards the ‘soft landing’ scenario. The big question is - are they right?
We are long overdue for an economic downturn with all the accompanying pain and suffering, but it hasn’t started yet. There are many new economic factors that have emerged from the wuhan shutdown that seem to be outside the standard economic prediction models. The biggest being the continuing weakness in some supply issues. The second is the impact of the massive inflation of 2022 and the less than stellar growth of wages in keeping up with it. Third, impacts of layoffs as well as businesses being unable
A recession could trigger a domino effect - hitting an already wobbly banking sector and businesses. These could combine to drive us into a real deep recession.
Should such a calamity occur, one govt “solution” would be to implement CBDC sooner rather than later. Second would be to start the money printing presses, an act that would be almost guaranteed to trigger inflation and in the event of a severe economic downturn, possible hyperinflation.
What is the probability of these things happening in 2024? A lot of the uneasiness that came into 2023 has intensified in some sectors looking at 2024. And as with many other sectors - the political affects from an election year that even a mild recession could be the final nail in coffin for biden’s attempt at reelection. 2023 was a surprise in some ways and 2024 will likely have its share of surprises. Those who look at the housing market as a sector that leads the economy out of recessions and economic woes are not seeing any significant turnaround in 2024, and perhaps a worsening of the situation.
There are so many factors that can tip the economy into a tailspin currently stacked up that it is hard to except the happy days are here again sloganeering by the regime.
BTW - for some real doom porn on this topic, realize that the US is not isolated from the global economy and that any shock in the world could trigger a cascade effect throwing the entire world into a recession/depression, taking the US with it.
All I can say is I’m reevaluating my supplies and situation in the event of worse case scenarios.
Hypothetically speaking, and I am speaking hypothetically here, suppose someone moved a bunch of BIG alligators from east Texas to south Texas?
They wouldn't be crossing state lines.
Wading the Rio Grande with the possibility of being eaten might, just might, discourage some of the hordes of military aged men from invading our country...
Hypothetically speaking, and I am speaking hypothetically here, suppose someone moved a bunch of BIG alligators from east Texas to south Texas?
They wouldn't be crossing state lines.
Wading the Rio Grande with the possibility of being eaten might, just might, discourage some of the hordes of military aged men from invading our country...
Under the weather yesterday, trying to catch up.
The world prepares to enter a new year, but I don’t hold any hopes for a better place. Forces are being put into place with the end goal of totally changing this world for the worse - though they try to gaslight us into thinking it will be a utopia. buckle up folks.
I’ll be starting the new thread for CY 2024 tomorrow. This will be the last official post for the 2023 thread.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Legal analyst Jonathan Turley was swatted on Friday according to Alan Henney, who reports on various crimes and police responses around Washington, D.C.
That follows the swatting of three Republican lawmakers since Christmas. Specifically, Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Rep. Brandon Williams all reported incidents. Jonathan Turley then spoke out against the trend, noting that a lack of prosecutions is leading to an increased number of swatting calls because there is no deterrent.
OBSERVATION - Can also note as a form of terrorism. This activity has surged recently in association with the Gaza war and growing political turmoil going into the 2024 election year.
***
Anti-Israel protesters in NYC are planning to disrupt travel by flooding a departure terminal at JFK airport over the New Years period.
Terrorism - Level is HIGH due to increased lone wolf threats.
Maintain alert status through the rest of the holiday season. Tracking warnings of rioting planned for NYC on New Years Eve.
***
James Smith, assistant director in charge of New York’s FBI Field Office, said there are concerns about international and domestic terrorism and a rise in hate crimes, and law enforcement follows up on all threats.
“I would say overall that, yes, there are threats out there, but we are out there to protect the community day in and day out,” Smith told Fox News Digital.
“That’s our mission – to protect the community of all threats.”
OBSERVATION - Every year there are heightened threats around the holidays and in particular New Years Eve due to the concentration of celebrants and the accompanying chaos that could provide cover for terror and criminal acts. Of course NYC is the biggest target, but just about every other metropolitan area is facing similar threats this year in large part to the quick rise of islamic radicalism in response to the Gaza War. If you intend to participate, keep your head on a swivel and try to avoid obvious target areas of densest people.
Economy-
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) next week will start sending letters to millions of Americans regarding unpaid tax bills, resuming a practice that was suspended several years ago.
The federal tax agency said in a recent news release that automated letters and “collection notices” will start going out “in January,” although it did not provide a specific timetable.
The letters will be sent to people with tax debts before to the tax year 2022 as well as tax exempt organizations, businesses, and trusts and estates with tax debts before 2023.
“These notices and letters were previously paused due to the pandemic and high inventories at the IRS but will gradually resume during the next several months,” the release says. “Current tax year 2022 individual and third quarter 2023 business taxpayers began receiving automated collection notices this fall as the IRS took steps to return to business as usual.”
OBSERVATION - Merry Christmas and happy New Year. . . .
POLITICAL FRONT –
Maine’s Democrat Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now facing calls for impeachment for her removal of Trump from the primary ballot. Maine state Rep. John Andrews filed to impeach yesterday
“I wish to impeach her on the grounds that she is barring an American citizen and 45th President of the United States, who is convicted of no crime or impeachment, their right to appear on a Maine Republican Party ballot in March,” Andrews said.
“This is raw partisanship and has no place in the office of our state’s Constitutional Officers.”
OBSERVATION - This action by democrat Bellow is gaining praise from some sectors of the democrat community - and has revealed a core groups of radical leftists consisting largely of SPLC and ACLU activists working nation wide to try what ever means possible to have Trump taken off the ballot. But they don’t seem to realize - or actually care - that with their actions they have opened pandora’s box that can or will blow back on them many times over. Some commentators have noted that this is how civil wars have started in other countries and that biden could face removal from red state ballots. In that case, the political infighting among democrats may just push them to finally jettison him for some other piece of scum.
***
Feds refuse to prosecute Sam Bankman-Fried, covering for the political class. Prosecutors said the “strong public interest” in a resolution of their case against the former billionaire outweighed benefits of a second trial.
Illegal Immigration –
CBP sources tell FOX there have now been over 276,00 migrant encounters at the southern border in December, the highest single month ever recorded, breaking the prior record set in September at 269,735, and there are still 3 days of December left. Record is being shattered.
***
Biden administration will issue ID cards to illegal immigrants:
[The Office of Immigration Program Evaluation] is leading the ICE Secure Docket Card (SDC) project, which offers a uniform, durable card provided to noncitizens upon release, and facilitates reliable access to commonly lost or damaged immigration-related paperwork.
The SDC will be integrated with the Unified Immigration Portal that ICE and [Customs and Border Protection] officers and agents use in the field and the ICE Portal to allow noncitizens access to commonly used documents and services.
OBSERVATION - Just one step to granting amnesty for the millions of illegals inhabiting the country.
***
More fallout from Blinken’s meeting with AMLO last week. During discussion on the ongoing migrant crisis they included talks about “regularizing” illegal immigrants living in the U.S., officials said Thursday — quickly sparking a furious reaction from House Republicans, who called it “unconscionable.”
OBSERVATION - Someone pulled a statement from biden vintage about 2020 where he ruminates on an amnesty program for the then illegal population - a population he has virtually doubled during his reign. Even issuance of ‘green cards’ for 12 million will greatly disturb the country as this would become even a further incentive for illegals to pour in here in greater numbers.
***
A recent Fox News poll found that the illegal immigration crisis in the southern border could be a major factor in the 2024 presidential election.
The poll, conducted under the joint direction of Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, included interviews with 1,007 registered voters randomly selected from a nationwide voter file. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
According to the poll, conducted from Dec. 10 to 13, the immigration and border security crisis has been rapidly rising to the forefront as the second most crucial issue. The issue gained eight percentage points since August, while voters looking at the situation as an emergency have remained consistent since October. The urgency surrounding the immigration issue is reflected in the increasing support for policies aimed at strengthening the border.
The results showed that 79 percent of voters – roughly eight out of 10 – have a serious view of the border crisis. Of this number, 45 percent see it as a major problem while 34 percent see it as a major emergency.
https://www.naturalnews.com/2023-12-29-american-voters-illegal-immigration-crisis-major-problem.html
OBSERVATION - This is extremely bad news going into this election cycle. The MSM has papered over this crisis, but the American people have been hit in the face first hand in many instances by the illegal flood. NYT may be silent, but New Yorkers are faced every day with the wonderfulness of diversity (sarc) the illegals have brought to the city - with a rapid switch in thoughts towards being a sanctuary city any more. Same with other major metro areas. Really, when democrat mayors of major blue cities are crying together for border control, it is clear the regime has lost control of the narrative.
***
Biden proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month on Friday — outraging critics who say he’s to blame for record-breaking levels of people-smuggling along the US-Mexico border, where monthly illegal crossings hit an all-time high this month.
Biden’s statement decreeing the annual recognition was issued by the White House press office while he vacations in St. Croix and calls for “safe, orderly, and humane migration” despite chaotic scenes at the southern border — words notably absent from last year’s similar edict.
“It’s just disgusting that he wants to declare human trafficking awareness month,” Tom Homan, former acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told The Post.
“If anybody needs to be aware of human trafficking, it’s him. He’s enriched the human traffickers because of his lack of enforcing the border,” Homan said. “They’re making record amounts of money moving record amounts of people because of his intentional un-securing of the border.”
OBSERVATION - Words escape me at the profound evil of this man and administration
China –
(Reuters) - A sweeping purge of Chinese generals has weakened the People’s Liberation Army, exposing deep-rooted corruption that could take more time to fix and slow Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s military modernization drive amid geopolitical tensions, analysts say.
China’s top lawmakers ousted nine senior military officers from the national legislative body on Friday, state media reported, a step that typically precedes further punishment for wayward cadres. Many of these were from the Rocket Force - a key arm of the PLA overseeing tactical and nuclear missiles.
The purges are a setback for Xi who has pumped billions into buying and developing equipment as part of his modernising efforts to build a “world-class” military by 2050, with Beijing’s outsized defence budget growing at a faster pace than the economy for some years.
The recent downfall of generals and military equipment suppliers, however, has punctured some of this aura, and raised questions over whether there has been adequate oversight over these massive military investments as China vies with the United States in key areas, including Taiwan and the South China Sea.
OBSERVATION - China is having a lot of problems that it has to clean up before any major, aggression against Taiwan. Bad news is once the purges and realignments are finished, the focus will be like a laser beam on the Island.
North/South Korea –
A light-water reactor at North Korea’s main nuclear complex will likely be formally operational by next summer, South Korea’s defense minister said, amid suspicions that the North may use it as a new source of fissile materials for nuclear weapons.
Concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program deepened recently as the U.N. atomic agency and foreign experts said they’ve detected signs indicating that North Korea had begun operating its light-water reactor at the Yongbyon nuclear complex.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that his agency had observed increased levels of activity at and near the reactor and since mid-October, a strong water outflow from its cooling system. He said the reactor is “a cause for concern” because it can produce plutonium — one of the two key ingredients used to manufacture nuclear weapons, along with highly enriched uranium.
Outside estimates on the size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal vary, ranging from 20-60 to more than 100. Experts say North Korea can add six to 18 bombs each year. Since his diplomacy with the U.S. collapsed in 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly vowed to build more nuclear weapons and introduce high-tech weapons to cope with what he calls intensifying U.S. hostility.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/north-korea-reactor-nuclear/2023/12/29/id/1147560/
OBSERVATION - Absent a firm international policy hand, NK will go about its goals in a manner that suits them. While the article cites the number of ‘bombs’ NK may possess, the key item is how many are sized to fit on their delivery systems.
***
North Korea plans to launch three more spy satellites next year as part of efforts to ramp up its military, the country’s state media has said.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated Nov 12, 2023
Russia is struggling to gain the initiative on several fronts in easter Ukraine. Attacks to take Adviivka, located near occupied Donetsk has been their priority as well as further north. However, it is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine.
The Russian army has lost a considerable amount of armor/tanks and personnel in the fight to take Adviivka, causing that offensive to stall considerably and resort to “meat” attacks.
With the arrival of the muddy season, significant offensive actions by Russia are unlikely.
Ukrainian action has forced Russia to move forces laterally to meet the Ukraine advance - thinning critical portions of the line and making them vulnerable to assault.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. With the onset of winter, it is believed that Russian is shepherding its stockpile of missiles/drones for an effort to take down the Ukraine power grid as it did last year. This task has become increasingly difficult as Ukraine adds air defense systems and gets better coverage.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is is essentially impotent and hesitant to deploy into now contested waters. Ukraine’s recent attacks on ships in Crimean harbors has forced the majority of the fleet to redeploying out of Crimea and to Russian bases, about 600 Km further away from the front lines.
Russian leadership reportedly planning for a long duration conflict, hoping to wear the Ukraine army down and cause European allies to tire of their support - forcing some sort of cease fire and negotiated peace.
*****
RUMINT-
Russia’s Tu-22M3 and Tu-95 long-range bomber fleets have been placed on “high alert” and significant strikes are being planned on Ukraine for January 1st and 2nd
***
Russia reportedly is stepping up efforts to undermine French support for Ukraine. Kremlin documents obtained by a European intelligence agency show how first deputy chief of staff of Putin, instructed Kremlin political strategists to promote political unrest in France.
Kerch Bridge update –
Temporarily closed overnight.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps in the 20-40 degree range with on again, off again rain and snow.
RUMINT –
A Russian Tu-22M3 bomber has reportedly disappeared from the radar in the Kursk region in Russia. Information that is spread about the bomber being shot down are way too preliminary and unconfirmed. Awaiting confirmation
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Weather continues to dominate action on the ground.
Overnight, Ukrainian air defense shot down 21 of 49 Shahed drones. The majority of those drones appeared to have been targeting front line tactical positions.
Russia claims an overnight ‘attack’ on Belgorod, with a missile striking the center of the town. Part of the accusation is that Ukraine used a British made missile - and threatening retaliation on Britian. The accusation is being challenged with videos and observations indicating that the object was more likely either a failed Russian ADA missile or malfunctioning rocket that was fired towards Ukraine.
A KH-101 that was downed recently has revealed that Russia has equipped its most modern cruise missle with Flare dispensers against IR guided missiles, such as MANPADS and IRIS-T. This confirms what was observed in a video of one of the missiles shooting off flares as it flew overhead.
Yesterday, Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed it has deliberately targeted Kharkiv Palace hotel in Kharkiv, claiming causing casualties among Ukrainian military
Outlook —-
Weather and mud conditions are continuing to dictate ground operations, which are at a low level due to lack of maneuverability cross country and on dirt roads due to the mud.
Poland –
“The airspace of Poland was violated by a Russian missile,” Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces Weslaw Kukula reports. It reportedly briefly violated their airspace for three minutes and then left back to Ukraine It crashed 25km from the Ukraine border. The cruise missile flew 40km (24 miles) into Poland after being launched from Belarus on the way to strike Lviv in Ukraine.
Polish President Andrzej Duda starts emergency meeting with the National Security Bureau after a suspected Russian missile strikes Poland.
Europe / NATO General –
French authorities warned of a “very high” terror threat on New Year’s Eve due to the war in Gaza as Germany also braced itself for violence. A total of 90,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed throughout the country this weekend.
***
NATO air forces were scrambled more than 300 times in response to Russian military aircraft in 2023, the treaty organization said on Friday.
“The vast majority of aerial encounters between NATO and Russian jets were safe and professional. Breaches of NATO airspace by Russian military aircraft remained rare and generally of short duration,” NATO said, adding most intercepts occurred over the Baltic Sea.
SERBIA / KOSOVO -
Civil protests continue over alleged voting irregularities.
ISRAEL –
——— GENERAL ——————————-
A Hamas and Islamic Jihad delegation visited Cairo on Friday to give their “observations” about an Egyptian plan for a ceasefire that would end the war in Gaza. The plan was put last week to officials from both terror groups. Unofficial reports indicate that Hamas would release 40-50 hostages in exchange for a ‘cease fire’ period of one month. Israel is skeptical about the plan.
Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza continue to hold about 130 hostages — including 23 bodies
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
Central Gaza was under near continuous Israeli artillery shelling overnight.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
IDF conducted a second consecutive day of extensive strikes in Lebanon, targeting multiple sites in response to launches at Israel. The ongoing efforts could progressively diminish a substantial portion of Hezbollah assets
——— SYRIA / HEZBOLLAH / IRAN———————————-
Yesterday, Aleppo airport has been targeted again, allegedly by IAF.
***
Multiple “transport vehicles” were reportedly targeted yesterday in an airstrike on the Iraq/Syria Border, on the Syrian side, in addition to this it’s reported two buildings affiliated to the IRGC were targeted within Albukamal, Deir Ez Zor. Four senior Hezbollah commanders were reportedly killed in the strike.
There is speculation today that the 4 Hezbollah members announced as killed this morning were among those in last nights airstrikes in Albukamal
Earlier, the Israeli air strike near Damascus may have caused additional losses in senior Iranian and Hezbollah forces. A report in the Jerusalem Post that the strike on the Damascus airport took out 11 IRGC commanders. J-Post quotes Saudi Arabian media, but the reports are entirely plausible.
“While there is no independent confirmation of Guard Corps names or ranks, the IRGC has long seen Syria as a critical regional hub to project power into the Eastern Mediterranean and connect its constellation of proxies called the ‘Axis of Resistance,’” Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said.
“It should come as a shock to no one that Guard Corps elite are operating there, especially amid a regional war, which they are directing far away from their own soil,” he added.
The Iranians wouldn’t necessarily be transiting through the airport. They may very well be based at the airport as they are in southern Lebanon.
Intensified IAF strikes on Hezbollah/Iranian targets in Syria may be linked to a report that Iran is set to deliver sophisticated weaponry to Hezbollah in Lebanon in preparation for an expanding confrontation with Israel, including precise weapons, mostly rockets, missiles and drones, to be used against Israeli cities and sensitive sites. Coordination for Hezbollah to expand its attacks comes with planning with their Iranian IRGC counterparts and advisors. This exposes them to Israel’s extensive intelligence network that has demonstrated its ability to provide timely, targetable information over the years, to take these leaders and materials/supplies out.
———WEST BANK——————————-
Israeli security forces continued operations in various areas of the West Bank.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
USS GRAVELY shoots down two anti-ship ballistic missiles while responding to Houthi attack on merchant vessel. Today at approximately 8:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU reported that they were struck by a missile while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned/operated container ship requested assistance, and the USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) and USS LABOON (DDG 58) have responded to the ship. The vessel is reportedly seaworthy and there are no reported injuries. While responding, the USS GRAVELY shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships.
Yesterday, Iranian-backed militias targeted the Conoco military base in eastern Deir ez-Zur. In response to the source of the attack, the global coalition & the SDF retaliated by hitting the western bank of Euphrates river, where Iranian-backed bases were located.
Overnight, Iran-backed militias claim to target US-controlled Rmeilan base in Syria
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Denmark announces it is sending a frigate to the Red Sea to combat the Houthi threat against international maritime trade.
——— FORECAST ————————-
As been repeated, the fight in Gaza will take several months - according to the IDF. As recent discoveries in S Gaza, the underground bunker network is far more extensive than Israel’s initial estimates and the terrorists are more deeply burrowed into the civilians centers.
Argentina -
Argentina’s president Javier Milei formally notifies the BRICS that his country won’t be joining the bloc
Misc of Note –
FEMA has released the results of the 2023 National Household Survey on Disaster Preparedness.
https://fema-community-files.s3.amazonaws.com/2023-National-Household-Survey.pdf
Interesting findings