This will be my last post until Monday of next week. Will be on the road for Memorial Day.
Meanwhile, after posting this I’ll be pullout out my snow shovel to deal with the joys of spring time here in the Redoubt and shovel my sidewalk from the latest snowstorm :)
Globalism / Great Reset –
Upcoming meetings of importance
- WHO pandemic ‘treaty’ May 2024
***
JPMorgan Chase is planning to rollout a biometric payment system and make it available to all U.S. retailers by early next year. This will enable shoppers to make purchases without pulling physical paper (fiat currency) or plastic (credit/debit cards) out of their wallets. All they will need to do is submit to having their palms or faces scanned upon entry into a retail store.
OBSERVATION - Biometrics as a means to secure the digital ID and credit system trudges on under the push by WEF/globalist affiliated mega corporations like JPMorgan. They will push this forward, incrementally, until the full policy is in effect with no other options. And by doing so, bypass reluctant governmental institutions.
***
House republicans are demanding details concerning the impending WHO pandemic ‘treaty’. I don’t expect any response from the WH any time this decade on that request.
CW2 / Domestic violence - Heightened THREAT
Some unidentified, unnamed ‘source’ in the FBI claims that lethal measures order was also given when biden’s homes were searched. The level of skepticism broke the meter.
***
13 countries in Oregon have now voted to join Idaho, consisting of about 2/3 of the area of the state. This action joins similar movements in Washington State (Liberty State) and Kalifornia. Any real split is years down the road and will be fought legislatively and legally tooth and nail by the leftists in the uber-blue urban concentrations along the coast.
Personally, I’d like to see a completely separate state be formed. There would be some shifting in the House, but the big one would likely be the solidification of additionally conservative republicans in the Senate - potentially shifting the power away from the democrats for a generation.
Economy-
Federal Reserve officials said earlier this month that they are prepared to raise interest rates again if inflation doesn’t show further signs of cooling, according to minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting released on Wednesday.
“Various participants mentioned a willingness to tighten policy further should risks to inflation materialize in a way that such an action became appropriate,” the minutes said.
The minutes also highlighted that several participants believe household and business spending may need to decline for inflation to sustainably reach the Fed’s two percent goal.
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2024/05/22/fed-minutes-may/
OBSERVATION - If household and business spending decline more - we will definite collapse into a hard recession. There are so many sectors of the economy that were damaged from the plandemic and follow-on policies of the Fed and the regime that it will take years to untangle. The high fed rates alone are bleeding the economy hard and fast already.
Further note - IF the fed continues to freeze the rate or even raise it to deal with the rising inflation rate - you can bet your retirement fund that Wall Street will freakout and take a plunge, as many WS speculators are counting on rate decreases in the near future - keeping the market high.
POLITICAL FRONT –
July 15 RNC convention in Milwaukee, WI
August 19 DNC convention in Chicago, IL
***
My bad, yesterday I said the Trump hush money trial was going to the jury. Actually, closing arguments are set for next week before that happens.
***
As it stands right now, biden will not appear on Ohio’s November presidential ballot without major intervention by the DNC and potential court challenges. Will Ohio’s republicans show backbone or collapse? The republican controlled Ohio legislature current is unwilling to make a change in the law to accommodate the DNCs much later than usual national convention.
Biden / Harris Watch –
biden announced that he is canceling $7.7 billion in student debt for 160,000 borrowers. This in a gross violation of the USSC judgement against the practice. Nothing will happen- as the US under the leftists are slipping into a new - lawlessness realm.. Or rather, a “new” law realm.
Illegal Immigration –
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday said it is not Joe Biden’s job to secure the US border amid an invasion of millions of military-age men from the most dangerous parts of the world.
“Why should he have to do it unilaterally?” Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Jacqui Heinrich replied, “He took unilateral action before to undo [President Trump’s border security]!”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/05/why-should-he-have-do-it-wow-white/
***
Reports that Kalifornia is becoming the hot spot for illegal penetrations. What is also being reported around the inter webs is that the predominant illegal demographic entering are from middle eastern and asia (china) and fewer latin american illegals.
China –
China launched exercise Joint Sword 2024A, surrounding Taiwan from all directions. Chinese media reports the exercise will be held from 23-24 May & focuses on “joint sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, & joint precision strikes on key targets.”
China has reportedly begun live fire drills surrounding Taiwan, including its outlying islands such as Kinmen. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command stated that the drills are “a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces”.
Taiwan’s military is responding to Chinese exercises by deploying supersonic Hsiung Feng III (HF-3) anti-ship missile batteries & air defense systems around Taiwan.
45 PLA aircraft were detected around the island—26 crossed the ADIZ & came as close as 41 nautical miles. Largest incursion of the year. 15 Navy ship, 16 Coast Guard ships are also in the region.
The Taiwanese Coast Guard and Chinese navy are currently having a standoffs in the Taiwan Strait
OBSERVATION -
This is a significant exercise by itself. The deployment of Chinese forces clearly shows the concept towards a blockade of the Island versus a direct, amphibious assault. The last exercise of this size was the one after pelosi visited the island.
I’ve noted the goals and intent of theses Chinese exercises for a while now, but in summary they ‘
1. Normalize large-scale activity around Taiwan, to deceive about future intentions.
2. Bullies and seeks to coerce the democratic government of Taiwan.
3. Projects an air of “inevitability” to the region/world about its eventual takeover of Taiwan.
One aggressive action that may soon happen is the seizure of the Taiwan administered island of Kinmen, located very close to the mainland. That seizure would be another tool to place pressure on Taiwan to acquiesce or surrender to Chinese terms.
A potential flash point in this exercise is the maneuvering of Chinese naval / coast guard assets into Taiwanese controlled regions. As noted above, Chinese vessels have been warned to stay back. Water cannons won’t be used, but real cannons could.
China has the capability to mount a significant blockade of Taiwan right now as well as seize Kinmen Island. I’m on the lookout to see what the Chinese Naval order of battle for this exercise is and in particular the deployment of any of the aircraft carriers.
Russia -
NUCLEAR THREATS –
Russia is conducting a tactical nuclear drill near Ukraine, an exercise announced about two weeks ago. An example of putin’s “escalate to de-escalate’ policy is designed to be a warning against growing NATO involvement in the Ukraine war and potential use of weapon systems in direct attacks on Russian territory.
***
Russia’s top arms control diplomat Wednesday dismissed as fake news an assertion by the United States that Russia had launched a weapon into low-Earth orbit that was capable of inspecting and attacking other satellites.
The Kremlin has flatly denied assertions by U.S. officials that Moscow is developing a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon. But on Tuesday, U.S. Space Command said Russia had launched an anti-satellite weapon.
Russia’s actions in space conformed to international law, the Kremlin said Wednesday.
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/space-nuclear-weapon/2024/05/22/id/1165685/
***
Russian Military Trains have recently been spotted near the City of Yefremov in the Tula Region heading Southeast towards the Border with the Sumy Region of Northeastern Ukraine. The equipment all have the new tactical marking seen recently during Russian Offensive operations in the Kharkiv Region suggesting that there may be a similar operation into the Sumy Region.
Some OSINT observers are noting a similarity to the build-up prior to the start of the war.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures highs continue in the 70’s and fair.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian Ministry of Defense claims control over Andriyivka village of Donetsk region, southeast of Chasiv Yar.
“Generic” missile strikes in Dnipro and Kharkiv.
Fighting continues to be fierce in the Ocheretyne and Chasiv Yar regions.
Outlook —
From current reports, it seems that Russian action are shifting somewhat in the Chasiv Yar region to the south, concentrating on a potential attempt to by pass to a degree Ukraine defenses and further stretch Ukraine forces. Two towns in that area have fallen to Russian forces in the last few days supporting that observation.
Potential Russian push into and towards Sumy may be building up. If it is in the cards, such an action may be weeks away though I don’t currently have good numbers on the present force buildup - possibly again in the neighborhood of 40,000. The big question is did the bureaucrats pocket the money that was supposed to be put into building defensive barriers like what appears to have happened in Kharkiv, or have they properly constructed barriers and defensive positions?
ISRAEL –
Key overnight developments -
- Operations continue to expand in Rafah.
——— GENERAL ——————————-
Lest we forget - there are still hostages being held in Gaza.
***
The International Court of Justice will issue its decision tomorrow, Friday, regarding the request for a ceasefire in Gaza
***
Videos have been released showing Hamas capturing and abusing female Israeli soldiers.
***
The U.S. has established an air defense system at the Gaza pier. Pictures posted by multiple sources online show what appears to be a C-RAM system being present at the pier.
——— GAZA FRONT ———————————-
The Israeli army is expanding its operations in Rafah to new areas and approaches the city center. Israeli troops advanced into Rafah’s Brazil and Shaboura neighborhoods, following “information on terror targets in the area,” the military says. The Israeli army says the operation in Rafah is being carried out in an “accurate manner while preventing harm to the civilian population as much as possible, after the civilians have evacuated the area
Renewed violent clashes between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces inside Jenin camp in N Gaza.
——— LEBANON / HEZBOLLAH——————————-
About 30 missiles were launched from southern Lebanon towards Israeli positions in the Upper Galilee
Israel army says it has killed a senior Hezbollah official who was in charge of developing strategic weapons in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle near the town of Kafr Dajjal, just south of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah confirms the killing of one of its members in an Israeli raid on Nabatieh.
———“ISLAMIC RESISTANCE” ———————————
The Commander of the Revolutionary Guard reportedly met with representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis, and Hezbollah.
———INTERNATIONAL ——————————-
Germany said Wednesday it will abide by an International Criminal Court arrest warrant and detain Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he step foot on German soil.
——— FORECAST ————————-
Operations throughout Gaza and in particular Rafah continue at a high tempo and will continue to do so for the immediate future. Not noted in many of my posts but present in UN et al complaints are Israeli attacks on hospitals. Like demonstrated before, Hamas likely has occupied the hospitals for military bases, removing protections.
IRGC meeting up with the various “Islamic Resistance” factions is likely two fold. One is to re-establish command relations that have been degraded by Israeli attacks (IRGC and Hezbollah in particular) as well as to try to stimulate more actions by the ‘resistance’, or at least look at other avenues of attack.
Central / South America General-
Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa declared a new state of emergency in seven provinces on Wednesday.
A rising number of violent deaths and crimes was cited as the reason for the measure in Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabi, Sucumbios, Orellana and Los Rios provinces, and one area of the Azuay province.
The measure will be in effect for 60 days according to a decree signed by the Noboa.
A state of emergency was declared in January after Jose Adolfo Macias, a dangerous drug boss, escaped from maximum security detention.
The president said the country was in a an, “internal armed conflict” and ordered the army to “neutralize” 22 criminal groups.
However, the Constitutional Court ruled the previous emergency declaration in five provinces was not sufficiently justified.
OBSERVATION - January, Ecuador was almost borderline civil war. The escape of Macias sparked significant fighting between a relatively unified (under Macias) gang army and govt forces. After a couple weeks of fighting the gangs were partially defeated. Now having regrouped, gangs have been pressing for control again. Ecuador is also attempting to duplicate the successful anti-gang program of El Salvador, which has made that country one of the safest in the region.
Reality for the US is that the narco-terrorist element has been growing almost exponentially in the US due to the open border policy of biden, and similar conflicts here in the US may soon be on the way.