Globalism / Great Reset –
Republican presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy has settled his lawsuit against the “globalist” World Economic Forum (WEF) for “creating a false perception” he was affiliated with the organization, and has promised to donate the settlement money to a conservative nonprofit.
Ramaswamy slapped the organization with a lawsuit in a Cincinnati, Ohio court in April after it failed to remove his name from its 2021 list of Young Global Leaders even though he declined the nomination to the list and requested multiple times for them to remove his name.The ultimate question is, would Ramaswamy be so adamant about rejecting the much-coveted distinction (among a certain class of politician) if the GOP base, particularly the Trump base that Ramswamy is courting, were not so vehemently opposed to the machinations of the World Economic Forum?
In other words, is Ramaswamy a genuine populist or just playing one for the votes? We must never take off the table the possibility of a Trojan Horse, no matter how shiny the packaging. This isn’t to say, of course, that the candidate is disingenuous — only that due diligence warrants some degree of skepticism until he proves his bona fides in policy prescriptions and, ultimately, execution of those policy prescriptions if he were to assume office.
OBSERVATION - How close was he to the WEF in the first place that garnered him the attention to be listed as as a Young Global Leader in the FIRST place? I think serious concerns are well warranted on his background and motivations.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
Social media personality Kai Cenat has been arrested after chaos unfolded at his event in Union Square. Centat had announced a ‘give away’ and called his followers to come to Union Square Park NYC. Hundreds (thousands) of teens and adults covered on the site and broke out into general violence and vandalism. NYPD was overwhelmed as rioters threw bottles, debris and fireworks at them, injuring several officers. 65 were arrested.
OBSERVATION - Ferals residing in NYC (as well as other blue urban areas across the nation) seemed more than willing to go on a destructive rampage over something like a PS5. This must give the BLM/Antifa core leadership hope for a repeat of 2020 if a rallying event can occur or be staged. These would be the foot soldier / cannon fodder for any similar uprising.
POLITICAL FRONT –
According to internal Department of Energy (DOE) calendars obtained by Americans for Public Trust, Granholm consulted China National Energy Administration Chairman Zhang Jianhua, a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party, Nov. 19, 2021, and two days later on Nov. 21, 2021.
On Nov. 23, 2021, the White House announced a release of 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
OBSERVATION - The majority of the oil released from the SPR made its way to China, directly aiding an adversary. Makes it appear that China is directing a lot of US policy.
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The New York Times noted Katherine Feinstein, 66, Feinstein’s only child has “power of attorney over her mother’s legal affairs, filed two lawsuits against Senator Feinstein’s co-trustees.”
OBSERVATION - If she is incapable of handling her own affairs, she is doubly incapable of serving as a senator.
Biden Watch –
Biden remains on vacation. . . . .
Biden has officially passed 365 days of vacation since taking office 2.5 years ago, 39% of his time as the head of the regime.
Cyber attacks/warfare –
A cyber attack is caused major disruptions to hospitals and healthcare across several states. Emergency rooms were closed, ambulances are being diverted, and many primary care services remain closed So far, the cyber attacks seem to be focused in hospitals in California, Texas, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. No one has claimed credit for the attacks yet.
Illegal Immigration –
Current illegal immigration news is buried by the Trump indictments as well as other distractions. Numbers of captures continue at near record highs. Feds taking Texas to court over the river barrier. Sanctuary cities are crying out no mas, no mas, as thousands are being bussed into them from impacted southern states like Florida and Texas.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated July 9, 2023 (under review Aug 2, 2023)
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. With Ukraine lacking air superiority, Russia has taken chance in using its aircraft (helicopters and fast movers) to more directly assist its ground forces, though at an increasing loss of airframes.
The month plus of Ukraine offensive action has forced Russia to give up terrain on all fronts - most notably in the Bakhmut area where Russian forces are now being in danger of being encircled.
Russian reserves are increasingly being used to try to stop Ukrainian advances. Just how big and combat capable of a reserve force is debatable. Reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv may be a ploy to freeze some of the Ukraine forces out of the offensive to the south. However, this number includes cooks, bottle washers and other logistic elements, so the ‘teeth’ numbers are likely much lower.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
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Kerch Bridge update –
Still residual reports that the Kerch Bridge was attacked again by sea-borne drones. Russia being tight lipped about the whole incident. Traffic was closed for a period of time during the night.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Thunderstorms early in the week with temperatures in eastern Ukraine forecast to reach the 100s towards the end.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
A great deal of excitement and some disappointment overnight as Ukraine’s drone attack boats struck Russian tanker vessel “SIG”, seriously damaging it, flooding the engine room. The attack caused widespread speculation that Kerch Bridge was targeted again because the SIG was at anchor relatively near the bridge, 30 Km to the south. Сhief of Security Service of Ukraine has since warned all Russian vessels to leave the territorial waters of Ukraine, otherwise they will be attacked as legitimate targets.
Tokmak Axis -
Deputy minister of defense of Ukraine: Ukrainian forces have breached the 1st Russian line of defense of in the south. This is in an area east of Russian occupied Robotyne.
Russian Territory –
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2004-2020, Andrey Ryzhenko, said that the Olenegorsky Gornyak landing ship received too much damage, and therefore cannot be restored.
Partisan Resistance ——
In occupied Mariupol, Ukrainian partisans infiltrated the catering and poisoned the food with cyanide and pesticides for a party for about 20 Russian officers. 2 died immediately and 15 were hospitalized.
OUTLOOK –
Ukraine is successfully pushing its war in the Black Sea against Russian naval assets. Now into its 3d generation drone attack ships (more stealth, longer range, more explosives) it has taken out two ships in a matter of a few days (as well as possibly a third ship) as well as hit the Kerch Bridge a month ago. Some analysts/commentators have noted that while Russia has sought to create a Black Sea blockade of Ukraine, Ukraine has turned the tables and made it open season on Russian vessels in the region. To this extent, Ukraine is winning, in spite of not having a viable naval presence.
Ukraine’s deep game will continue to keep Russia jumping and off balance. Expect more deep Ukraine drone raids into Russia. As the war comes home to Moscovites, there will be greater pressure on putin over his war, destabilizing his govt and military power structure further.
Ukraine has penetrated the first line of defense and is close to being nosed up to the next line. This second line is reportedly even more heavily reinforced with concrete bunkers and secured on high ground. This would give some protection from HIMARS and cluster munitions, but not US GLSDB (ground-launched small diameter bomb) produced by Boeing and Saab (Sweden), and the JDAM-ER (joint direct attack munition-extended range). Further, Ukraine’s sustained assault on Russia logistics will make it hard for russia to sustain high volumes of fire for any period of time. Concrete hardened points don’t maneuver very well either.
What to expect? Well, I see Russia taking further steps to protect its ships in the Black Sea - further reducing combat readiness and capability. Over the next week Ukraine will start its methodological assault towards the second defensive line with the likely goal to find a weak spot to exploit then roll the flanks up. Enlargement of the current breech is a given and Robotnye will soon be liberated.
Consider this, one piece of statistics that I caught recently (but didn’t save) indicates that Russia since the start of the war has essentially lost all of its initial forces - meaning personnel, armor, tanks, artillery , etc - it committed to the fight. This was all their best trained and equipped forces. And the attrition of Russian forces have continued - so little surprise they are sending T-54 tanks to the front and 50-60 year old armor, etc. Approximately 1/3 of Russia’s military has been destroyed in this war, and they are losing ground.
Belarus -
See Europe / NATO General below on how close Belarus is playing with fire. Almost FAFO territory.
Poland –
Coordinating with Baltic nations in response to Wagner group / Belarus threats.
Europe / NATO General –
Lithuania has declared more than a thousand citizens of Russia and Belarus living in the country to be threats to national security. They will get deported back home.
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Latvian troops moving close to the border with Belarus. Poland, Lithuania and Latvia are all on high alert due to the arrival of the Wagner Group in Belarus.
Iran –
Iran is working to seize control of an extensive network of Syrian military industry facilities, collectively known by their French acronym of CERS, or the Scientific Studies and Research Center in English, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Alma Research and Education Center.
The report went on to assess that Hezbollah likely has mortar shells and missiles designed for chemical warheads, which can be armed with the help of CERS.
https://www.jns.org/middle-east/hezbollah/23/8/3/307307/
OBSERVATION - This would provide in country sources for chemical arms that can be transferred to Hezbollah in the event of war with Israel. I have little doubt that Iran down’t already have similar facilities in Iran proper.
Syria -
ISIS have now confirmed the death of its leader Abu Hussein al-Husseini al-Quraishi, naming Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as his replacement. ISIS continues to be a significant threat in many regions.
Africa general – WAR WATCH
Winds of war continue to ramp up.
The President of Burkina Faso raises the alert level of his forces to a “state of war”.
France has not recognized the abolition of military agreements with Niger and refuses to withdraw its troops
The new government of Niger has decided to denounce all agreements with Paris in the military sphere. The French authorities, in response, refused to recognize him, explaining that the decision was made by an illegal government.
The Foreign Ministry said the deposed government of President Mohamed Bazum was “ the only one recognized by France and the entire international community .”
The military council in Niger expels the ambassadors of America, France, Togo and Nigeria and declares its readiness to contain aggression. Niger has also reportedly signed a contract with Wagner for military support.
OBSERVATION - The region staggers closer to open war. Not certain just what event will trigger shooting, my guess the most likely would be the attempt by Niger to forcibly remove French soldiers stationed in the country. Looking to see if France is moving military jets and the like to friendly countries on a readiness response.
Where is this global ‘boiling’? Here in the Redoubt we had to break out the light jackets because hi temps dropped into the lower 60’s. Lower 70’s forecast into the middle of August. Current weather has a fall-like feel to it. Well, just got a couple cords of wood stacked up and getting a couple more this next Friday. Probably need one more cord just to top off my storage.
CW2 / Domestic violence -
More than two dozen House Democrats put forward legislation Friday that would slap “assault weapons” and high-capacity magazines with a 1,000% excise tax, a change that would raise the price of a $500 weapon to $5,000 in a bid to reduce access to guns across the country.
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., and 24 other House Democrats introduced the legislation Friday. It’s the second time Democrats have put forward the idea.
Beyer and 37 Democrats proposed the same idea last year when Democrats controlled the House, but it never moved.
OBSERVATION - Tyranny cannot succeed in the face of an armed population. One of the reasons given for the 2d amendment by our founders is to protect against a tyrannical govt. With the house under republican control, this bill will die again. But is it a zombie that will keep coming back - especially if the house comes back under the democrats. A presidential election cycle causes 2d Amendment issues to be a third rail, so control of govt after the elections is critical.
Terrorism -
And now we discover that the potential terrorist bio lab in Kalifornia was subsidized by none other than Governor Gavin Newsom. The totally unlicensed lab received Tax Credit of $360,000 from Newsom’s ‘GO-Biz’
OBSERVATION - what is it with these liberals and funding bio-labs?
Wuhan Plandemic –
New evidence suggests vaccinated individuals can transmit antibodies generated through mRNA COVID-19 vaccination to unvaccinated individuals through aerosols, according to a peer-reviewed study (pdf) published in ImmunoHorizons.
OBSERVATION - This only confirms what many have been saying - that the so called vaccinated were key spreaders of the disease.
POLITICAL FRONT –
The January 6th Capitol Police CHIEF told Tucker Carlson that he wasn’t allowed to do his job that day, that both Pelosi + General Milley hid intelligence from him, that they denied his requests for National Guard and he says the January 6th crowd was filled with Federal Agents. Tucker reveals there were at least 18 undercover FBI agents plus 20 DHS Agents at Jan 6th protests.
OBSERVATION - I’ve stated this many times. If you are a member of a patriot group of some sort, you MUST consider that your ranks have been infiltrated by govt agents and/or snitches and agent provocateurs. This also turns the democrat narrative on its head given that it has been well documented that Trump offered to deploy the Nat’l Guard and pelosi et al rejected it.
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Special counsel Jack Smith’s team admitted in a Monday court filing that his staff did not turn over all evidence to former President Donald Trump’s legal team, despite previously claiming that they had. Smith has brought a total of 40 counts against Trump, accusing him of unlawfully retaining classified documents after leaving office and lying to the government about handing over all documents. Now, it appears that Smith is the one withholding security footage.
OBSERVATION - This is not the first time in the past year that DoJ prosecutors have failed (deliberately) to forward exculpatory evidence to the courts and defendants. Nor will it be the last as long as these political witch hunts continue and there are no consequences for prosecutorial misconduct like this.
Biden / Harris Watch –
Another Harris word salad - “And so for years we have worked to expand investment in community banks because, you see, community banks specialize in providing loans and financial assistance to small business owners, in particular those in overlooked and underserved communities, including rural communities. And as the name suggests, community banks are in the community,” the vice president proclaimed.
Illegal Immigration –
The buoy barrier system will remain in place in the Rio Grande River until at least September 1. That news came when U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra gave Governor Greg Abbott’s attorneys until August 9 to respond to DOJ’s call to remove the buoys, with a hearing scheduled on August 22. If the judge rules in favor of DOJ, Abbott will have 10 days to remove the buoy barrier.
OBSERVATION - In matters of border ‘security’ and processing of migrants (illegal or otherwise) the courts seem to side with the govt over states. If this trend continues, then expect the buoy’s to be eventually removed.
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New York City’s Central Park and Prospect Park are being considered by city officials as part of the sanctuary city’s plan to house migrants.
According to Bloomberg, over 95,000 migrants have arrived in New York City over the last 15 months. The recent surge in migration resulted in Anne Williams-Isom, deputy mayor for Health and Human Services declaring “everything is on the table,” during a Wednesday press conference when she was asked about the potential for migrants to be housed in the city’s parks.
OBSERVATION - Make yourself a sanctuary city - find out what it really is all about (and winter is on its way).
China –
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, China Coast Guard vessel used water cannon to attack a Philippine supply boat near Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Island on 5 August.
OBSERVATION - These intimidation tactics will increase until the bully is stood up to.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Updated August 6, 2023
Russia is on a defensive footing across most of Ukraine, relying on Russian doctrinal defense in depth to blunt the Ukrainian offensive. However, Russian forces are increasingly stretched and undermanned, with increasingly insufficient artillery support.
Russian attempt at launching a counter offensive to take pressure off its southern and eastern fronts has sputtered out. Initally, reports that Russia has amassed about 180,000 troops opposite of Kharkiv morphed into Russian assaults that initially gained some ground but was quickly reversed, due largely to poor coordination between units.
Russia’s strategic ballistic and cruise missiles continue to show evidence of massively reduced inventories. Recent attacks indicate the Russia has started to produce its own Shahed drones with Iranian assistance. Russia capable of continued, though limited, attacks in this arena.
Russia is capable of launching small scale attacks in various sectors of company and small sized elements, but any large scale offensive action in the face of the heavy demands from defending against the Ukrainian offensive are essentially nil.
Logistics –
Well documented Oryx, Russia is now visually confirmed to have lost more than 2200 tanks since it launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Many consider Oryx’s numbers to be conservative and that the actual numbers may be higher. No wonder Russia is pulling T-54’s out of mothball.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it had around 3,330 operational tanks – 2,840 with its army, 330 with its naval infantry, and 160 with its air force – according to the Military Balance 2021 database, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The database says it also had more than 10,000 in storage.
Russia has stepped up its internal production of Iranian based Shahed drones and is increasingly reliant on them to supplement its other cruise and ballistic missile stocks.
Ukraine –
WEATHER FORECAST – Temps ranging from the 80’s to high 90’s with thunderstorms scattered over the 14 day forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Yesterday’s big news was three waves of rockets/cruise missiles/drones fired at Ukraine in one of the biggest rounds yet. Ukrainian Air Defenses shot down 30 of the 43 Kinzhal, X-101/Kh-555, and Kalibr Missiles that Russia fired at Ukraine throughout the night
0 of 3 Kinzhal Missiles
17 of 20 Kalibr Missiles
13 of 20 X-101/Kh-555 Missiles
27 of 27 Shahed Kamikaze Drones
Central to western Ukraine appears to have been the target region with the Starokostiantyniv Air Base again in Khmelnytskyi, and several Air Defence sites also in the west. Starokostiantyniv is understood to host Ukraine’s Storm Shadow cruise missile and attack jets. Reportedly, this is the third time Russia has attempted to attack this base, so it is highly likely none of those assets were hit as they have long been deployed to other bases.
The Black Sea is now increasingly a zone of conflict after the issuing of Ukrainian Coastal Warning 118, six Russian sea ports along the Russian Black Sea coast have been declared areas of “war risk” and by doing so declaring those areas to combat areas . The warning comes effectively immediately and is valid until further notice.
This applies to the following cities:
- Taman
- Anapa
- Novorossiysk
- Gelendzhik
- Tuapse
- Sochi
This comes after Russia declared the same for Ukrainian sea ports and the end of the so-called grain deal.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Ukraine continues to push southward in area east of Robotdyn and past the ‘first’ line of defenses. Videos showing Ukraine seems to be getting the hang of US style “time on target” artillery support to provide cover for infantry assaults.
OUTLOOK –
The long range war will continue. In spite of the fact that Russia can launch far more missiles/drones than Ukraine, Ukraine has been winning the recent round. Two and possibly a third Russian ships are out of the operation, Moscow now introduced to the war in a more fuller manner, Kerch Bridge damaged again and now Russian ports on the Black Sea are open season.
The war on Russian naval activity must have really caused military planners even new headaches. Ever since the loss of Snake Island, the Moskva and major amphib vessels early in the war, they have tried to minimize exposure to new attacks and by doing so have greatly diminished their capabilities to just being missile boats. There seems to be a reluctance to enforce their blockade of Ukraine because of the increasing unknown of Ukraine drones (sea and air) along with anti ship missiles. Now they will have to divert resources to protect Russian flagged ‘commercial’ vessels from attacks as well.
Russian defenses against Ukraine sea-borne drones is going to become more complicated as Ukraine starts fielding a new class of submersible attack drones that will be even harder to detect, carrying shape charges to hit hard below the water line.
Things on the ground continue to have the capability to change rapidly.
Iraq -
Ashab Al-Kahaf is calling on Iran-backed factions to prepare for an upcoming protest around the US embassy compound in Baghdad.
OBSERVATION - IMHO, this is linked to the overall campaign by Iran/Syria do push US/allied forces out of eastern Syria. Iraq is a key support element for those bases.
Africa general – WAR WATCH
Winds of war continue to ramp up.
Pressure on Niger’s coup leaders mounted Sunday with the approach of the one-week deadline set by the West African regional bloc ECOWAS for the military to relinquish control or face possible armed intervention. ECOWAS instituted almost immediate economic sanctions and may now be waiting to see whether these sanctions really start to bite and put pressure on – before either going ahead or deciding finally exactly what to do about the military action.
Wagner reportedly has stated:
“A decision was made to deploy combat troops of the Wagner PMC in & around the capital of Niger, in light of current security situation & foreign threats.”
OBSERVATION - Pressure builds towards military actions at some levels.