Posted on 01/01/2023 6:02:12 AM PST by Godzilla
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
Thanks for your information and observations Godzilla.
This is part of the destabilization vibration... as we get closer to the coup the numbers and intensity of all these seemly isolated incidents will increase. (swatting, campus outrages, border crossings, violent protests, outrageous political 'calls' judicial decisions. Hint: the FBI is NOT interested in outing the people doing the SWATTING... etc)
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