There seems to be a level of quietness that I see as the calm before the storm. Lots of stuff prepped and ready to go if necessary.
Getting ready for the next arctic blast of the season to hit my corner of the Redoubt. Not as strong as the one last month, but plenty of snow and subzero just the same.
Globally, much the same – seems things are on a low simmer but ready to boil over in a short time. Just my general impression.
Globalism / Great Reset –
In two days an EU regulation will go into effect that allows for ‘acheta domesticus’, aka house crickets, to be added to flour, bread, pasta etc. as an ‘authorized novel food for the general population’.
OBSERVATION – Bugs are coming, whether you want them or not. It may find more acceptability in Europe, but I think here in America, companies and products that move forward on this will not be very well funded in the long run.
Wuhan virus –
Haven’t been noting all the reports of wuhan jab adverse effects across the interwebs. I’ve noted plenty in the past, but the present one’s I’ve seen are not very well linked to the actual studies, so I’ve abstained from posting them. There are enough rumors out there – though many may well be true - on top of reviewed and documented cases to show that the jab is deadly.
Economy –
SUMMARY –
Again, another calm before the storm. Wall St waiting for more economic numbers and Fed Tea leave readings before deciding to go bear or bull. Minor gas price relief is reversing and banks are hedging their bets on a recession.
Biden / Harris watch –
Biden’s new Chief of Staff was the “Winter of severe illness and death for the unjabbed” guy.
CW2/Domestic violence –
California lawmakers are pushing legislation that would impose a new tax on the state’s wealthiest residents — even if they’ve already moved to another part of the country.
Assemblyman Alex Lee, a progressive Democrat, last week introduced a bill in the California State Legislature that would impose an extra annual 1.5% tax on those with a “worldwide net worth” above $1 billion, starting as early as January 2024.
California was one of several blue states last week to unveil bills to impose new wealth taxes. The other states were Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Washington. Each state’s proposal contained a different tax approach, but they all centered around the same basic idea: the rich must pay more.
OBSERVATION - In part unusual to place in this category, yet not so unusual. Note the states involved. Add to it other blue states that have added vehicle emission and EV requirements based on kalifornian standards.
What is essentially being created before our eyes is an alternative ‘national’ govt where these blue states are attempting to do an end around congress and impose progressive / Marxist laws on the rest of the country by fiat. Parallel govt is in some ways being seen in Red states as their AGs and legsiatures line up against anti-constitutional and anti freedom laws and regulations coming from DC.
Not a legal scholar, but I think kalifornia’s wealth tax on non-residents may face some head winds in the courts. Previous attempt was turned down by the democrat controlled legislature. Kalifornia lawmakers pushing the wealth tax think they can “get around” the problem of residents leaving by trying to tax people even after they leave the state,” This will also drive many more millionaires out of the state, further reducing income tax revenue.
**
Two of the six suspects arrested during a riot in downtown Atlanta Saturdayevening have been granted bond Monday morning.
A Fulton County Court judge granted both 23-year-old Ivan Ferguson of Nevada and 20-year-old Graham Evatt of Decatur, Georgia bond of over $355,000. The other four have been denied bail.
In a press conference, Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum made it clear that Atlanta is “not Portland”.
OBSERVATION - Atlanta is taking a very hard line against the Antifa thugs that were arrested. Some of them were charged earlier with other terrorism charges. This hard line may put a chill in further Antifa rioting – having to face a mayor and police force that is not cowed to the threats of Antifa and that refused to have a revolving door to those arrested.
**
In a ruling this past June, the U.S. Supreme Court said the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; and it said the authority to regulate abortion resides with “the people and their elected representatives” — with the states, in other words.
But as state legislatures begin their sessions in this new year, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a warning on Monday: Any attempt by the states to ban or restrict abortion may be met with federal intervention of some kind, including lawsuits.
OBSERVATION – Roe is another fracture zone long developing in the blue-red split of the country. The USSC fixed Roe and reinstated the fact that the constitution doesn’t grant a “right” to an abortion, but the duplicitous regime/DoJ desire to disobey the courts – a typical Marxist / leftist maneuver -to see just how far they can push back on the ruling.
ALSO NOTE – More protests at USSC judges homes over the weekend -in violation of US law and unanswered by any arrests or enforcement.
**
Three mass shootings that appeared to have been targeted against Asians were committed by Asians. The left’s narrative out in the open quick and early that it was a white supremacist / race based shootings – until the perps were caught. Lunar new year is being celebrated by predominantly asians across the world this week and that may be the link between the shootings.
CANCEL CULTURE FRONT
Some European wonk with the UN threatened that the UN will sanction and make criminal charges against Musk if he doesn’t censor unwanted (by the globalists) speech on Twitter.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday defended the Department of Justice against criticisms that the classified documents cases against President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are being treated differently. Garland said the DOJ does “not have different rules for Democrats or Republicans, different rules for the powerful or the powerless, different rules for the rich or for the poor.”
OBSERVATION – The nation doesn’t believe you Garland (ever so glad he was prevented from getting on the USSC), even democrats are questioning the growing biden scandal. The dual standard of justice is thrown in the face of Americans daily.
Strategic Activity / Deployments –
On Monday, CENTCOM and the Israel Defense Forces announced the beginning of Juniper Oak 23.2, a large-scale exercise in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
General Michael Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, said the drill “enhances our ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores our commitment to the Middle East.”
CENTCOM in its statement said the forces would practice joint command and
control; air operations in maritime surface warfare; combat search and rescue; electronic attacks; suppression of enemy air defenses; strike coordination and reconnaissance; and air interdiction.
Of the 142 aircraft involved in the drill, 100 are American, NBC reported, including four B-52 strategic bombers, four F-35 fighter jets, 45 F/A-18 fighters, and two MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Cyber Warfare –
China –
WAR WATCH – I am still monitoring for indicators that indicated that China may initiate a more coercive plan to force Taiwan into submission with a potential start of a potential blockade of the island during the Chinese New Years timeframe. Chinese New Year celebrations begin 22 January, after which they would have 60 days until a break in seasonally rough weather conditions in the Taiwan Strait.
We are now at the front end of that window. Indicators have weakened over the period since I placed China on war watch. I will continue the watch through the end of the weekend, though it appears that action is not forthcoming.
North/South Korea –
North Korean authorities have warned of extreme weather conditions in the country as a cold wave sweeps the Korean peninsula.
Temperatures are likely to dip below -30C in the northern regions, which are also the poorest part of the country, the state radio broadcaster said.
Coastal areas are also expected to see high winds, according to state media.
South Korea too has issued a cold wave warning and northern China has been experiencing record low temperatures.
OBSERVATION – Cold air mass moving eastward from Siberia. FWIW it is expected to reach my corner of the Redoubt by this Friday/Saturday.
Japan –
Japan is bracing itself for a dangerous chill and heavy snowfall that is expected to hit the nation from Tuesday, January 24 to Thursday, January 26, 2023.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a winter low pressure system is likely to cause very strong winds and storms over the next 2 days, leading to potential threats of frozen pipes, slippery roads, and traffic disruptions across the country.
The areas facing the Sea of Japan and much of the Pacific side of the archipelago are expected to be the most affected. The atmospheric low is predicted to develop near the Kuril Islands, northeast of Hokkaido, and east of Japan, bringing the coldest temperatures of the winter so far.1
OBSERVATION – See also N/S Korea above – frigid air and snow headed to the US by end of the week.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - Russia’s “three days to conquer Ukraine” war continues since fighting starting on Feb 24th.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
Russia is currently working to (re)assemble a military force capable of resuming the offensive in the Donbas while at the same time trying to make defensive preparations for an expected Ukrainian offensive as well. Suspected goal for the start of offensive operations is latter half of January at the earliest.
At present, it is capable of very local offensive actions as in the ongoing fighting around Bakhmut and Donetsk.
Russia is also capable of launching more cruise/ballistic missile attacks directed against Ukrainian infrastructure -primarily its power grid, but massively reduced inventories of such missiles means these barrages will be further apart.
While Russia has nuclear capability, the probability is low that any will be used in the near future.
********
RUMINT-
Wagner Group has lost as causalities (killed/wounded/captured) about 80% of its recent prison conscripts. Their reported tactics have been to force the recent conscripts forward in human wave like attacks with more experienced Wagner forces following behind (with the leaders) to secure what ever terrain they were able to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.
Russian Personnel Issues –-
Colonel-General Sergey Kuzovlev became new commander of Russian Southern Military district and Lieutenant-General Evgeniy Nikiforov became new commander of Western Military district
NOTE – More shuffling of generals as Gerasimov attempts to get commanders to his liking in place.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Rain and snow letting up with increasing number of days that are below freezing and for much of eastern Ukraine, a multi-day episode of sub-freezing temperatures on the way.
RUMINT –
Ukrainian intelligence is assessing that Russian forces are preparing for an offensive effort in the spring or early summer of 2023. This pushes back the winter offensive scenario.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Russian ground attacks around Bahkmut and in the south in two directions in Zaporizhia Oblast, with their main efforts focusing on Hulyaipole and Orikhiv are gaining some ground.
Russia also appears to be committing resources in the fight around Soldar, losing three Ka-52 attack helicopters as a result.
The Zaporizhia effort is disputed by Ukraine saying Russian forces are not conducting large-scale operations in the Zaporizhia direction and that those offensive in the last 72 hours and have not made any confirmed territorial gains in the sector despite one Russian occupation official’s continued claims.
NOTE - Observation of a build up in Russian forces opposite of Zaporizhia has been noted previously, though intel was unclear if they were in a offensive or defensive posture. A Russia attacks towards Zaporizhia would allow Russia a tactical and strategic advantage in the battle for the Donbas.
OUTLOOK ——
Bloody battles continue with Russian gains around Bahkmut and Ukrainian gains around Kreminna. All in all, the fight for Kreminna is the most significant of the two as it directly threatens supply lines to the northern Donbas campaign region.
Watching the fighting in Zaporizhia Oblast. The fight here cuts both ways as noted above for supporting the capture of Donbas by Russia, but is also the most direct route to Crimea for Ukraine.
Israel –
On Monday, CENTCOM and the Israel Defense Forces announced the beginning of Juniper Oak 23.2, a large-scale exercise in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
OBSERVATION - A warning towards Iran, however, with biden’s regime’s increasing hostility toward Israel, support for Israel should they need to strike Iran is questionable.
Lebanon -
The Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah has dramatically increased its presence on Israel’s northern border, according to a report by Yediot Aharanot Monday.
Over the past year, Hezbollah has reportedly built at least 20 new observation and guard posts adjacent to the Israeli border, despite the terms of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which bars the terrorist group from operating near Israel’s border fence.
The increase in Hezbollah activity on the border coincides with an IDF project to build a fortified border fence spanning the Israel-Lebanon border.
OBSERVATION – The UN presence in this area is a joke. In the event of a war
with Hezbollah, most of the activity on their part will be the rocket barrages aimed at Israel. There will be some attempts to infiltrate teams into Israel as well which this barrier is intended to interrupt, though it is likely there are plenty of tunnels (which this construction may be designed to detect) south. It appears to be a design similar to that around Gaza, which in part interrupts the line of sight attacks from Gaze into Israel.
Venezuela -
Inflation in Venezuela hits 234% - Reuters
OBSERVATION – Major reason so many illegals entering the US lately are from Venezuela and other communist dictatorships in Central/South America.
Globalism / Great Reset –
Bill Gates issued a warning during his visit to Australia about the impending threat of another pandemic, one that could be much more devastating than Covid and could be man-made, Daily Mail reported.
On Monday, Microsoft founder Bill Gates discussed global health, pandemic preparedness, food security, and ‘climate change’ in an in-depth interview with Lowy Institute Executive Director Dr. Michael Fullilove.
Gates urged that world leaders must put aside their differences and work together to prepare for the next epidemic.
OBSERVATION - Telegraphing the next global disaster. Note from Davos of a lot of emphasis of a global response (read more medical tyranny) to pandemics.
**
A man from Southampton, U.K., has been fined for praying near an abortion facility in Bournemouth.
Adam Smith-Connor, a British army veteran, stood still and silent on Ophir Road, a public street, for a few minutes before being approached by “community safety accredited officers,” according to an article at adf.uk, the U.K. office of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which is supporting the physiotherapist.
Smith-Connor had been praying outside a British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic with his back to the facility in order to be mindful of the privacy of staff and attendees of the abortion center, according to ADF.
He recorded his conversation with the officers and shared footage with ADF UK. After repeatedly being asked what the nature of his prayer was, Smith-Connor told authorities he was praying for his son who died by abortion 22 years ago, a decision that still haunts him to this day.
The officers warned him he was in an area under a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which establishes a “safe zone” around abortion clinics and prohibits “engaging in any act of approval/disapproval,” including praying. The abortion clinic in Bournemouth is the fifth one in the country to have this type of censorship zone, according to local news reports.
OBSERVATION – Global thought crimes/censorship is growing in the UK as well as other parts of the globe. Silent protests are a threat as the mind is one place they cannot control outright. This is a sinister trend, following the widespread calls in the recent Davos meeting for greater censorship of “misinformation” and the like. One can read in similar goals for here in the US from the statements by many leftist mouthpieces.
**
German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke will send proposals to the cabinet to remove Germany from crop-based biofuel production.
OBSERVATION – Biofuels once were described as the way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It wasn’t rocket science to realize that the amount of energy needed to produce it exceeds its benefits. It is only sustainable here in the US with a lot of govt assistance and $$$.
**
Kinda old new now, but on Tuesday morning, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists — a nonprofit media organization — announced just how close it considers the world to be to “Doomsday” from man-made catastrophes such as nuclear war, “climate change,” or a deadly pandemic. For the past 75 years, the Bulletin has used a depiction of an analog clock to indicate how much time remains until midnight — the theoretical Doomsday.
OBSERVATION – Just 90 seconds. Well that fits well in the WEF / globalists cry for a unified global govt. Create a crisis and then present the “solution”.
Economy –
Rising U.S. consumer demand, combined with a rise in the price of crude oil, has led to an increase in gas prices at the pump.
The national average price for a regular gallon of gas was at $3.46 on Jan. 24, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
The auto association attributed much of the increase in prices to good weather and strong consumer demand in an economy still struggling with high inflation.
IN RELATED - According to industry officials, twice the usual number of US oil refineries will temporarily close this spring due to maintenance and upgrades. U.S. refineries will drop total processing capacity by 1.4 million barrels per day by February. Planned projects will last from two to 11 weeks.
OBSERVATION - Market experts continue to forecast national average prices to go above $4/gal this summer. And that doesn’t include any impacts due to global crisis or China getting over its wuhan blues and getting production cranked back up. Here in my corner of the Redoubt, prices have jumped 20 cents/gal in just the last two weeks.
Invasion of Illegals –
Two left-wing nonprofits have combined to rake in hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-backed government contracts since President Biden took office, with a vast majority of the money going towards efforts to keep illegal immigrants in the United States, records reviewed by Fox News Digital shows.
The Vera Institute of Justice, a New York-based group that views immigration enforcement agencies as a “threat” to civil liberties, has been the primary breadwinner in the past two years, collecting around $350 million from government contracts for immigration services. The Acacia Center for Justice, a newer nonprofit linked to the Vera Institute and another left-wing immigration group, has also pocketed tens of millions of dollars in recent federal contracts.
The progressive groups have landed the contracts amid the escalating border crisis, which recently saw a quarter of a million migrant encounters at the southern border in December, a new high for the Biden-era as the crisis enters its third year.
OBSERVATION - The deliberate actions by the regime to subvert the country no longer surprise me. This is just the latest in a long line of gravy train funding for ‘progressive’ organizations. I’ll bet that these organizations have potentially laundered some of these funds back into the democrat party.
Biden / Harris watch –
Jeff Zients, incoming White House chief of staff for President Joe Biden, reportedly met with the president’s son multiple times in 2016.
A report from Fox News Digital claims that Zients met with Hunter Biden and then-Vice President Joe Biden twice in February 2016 at the U.S. Naval Observatory and once in May 2016, according to emails obtained by the outlet from Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop.
OBSERVATION – Birds of a feather, so they say.
CW2/Domestic violence –
See coments on Peru below in Central / S America.
**
The Department of Justice has indicted two Florida residents on charges of a civil rights conspiracy for spray-painting threats on reproductive health services and for violating the FACE Act. If convicted, the two could face up to 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and up to $350,000 in fines.
“2 Members of #Miami #Antifa indicted by the feds for a string of Jane’s Revenge related vandalism targeting pro life pregnancy centers in 2022 Caleb Freestone and Amber Smith-Stewart are both charged with Civil Rights Conspiracy and violating the FACE act,” Antifa watch reported.
OBSERVATION – These charges are but a drop in the bucket compared to the dozens of charges facing pro-life protestors who clearly were non-violent in their protests. These are also the only ones arrested and charged (to my knowledge) for the dozens of the episodes of vandalism against pro-life facilities and churches since the overturning of Roe. The DoJ’s lack of response to those acts of violence has continued to confirm to many the two – tiered nature of the DoJ so called law enforcement.
**
A good observation on the response from the left on the recent attacks on Asians
“A sentiment on the far-left is that white supremacy is still to blame in Asian on Asian violence. In their pseudo-religious worldview, white supremacy is the root of all wickedness in past, present and future. “ - Andy Ngo
Cyber Warfare –
Korean media is reporting that Chinese hackers gained access to at least 12 and up to 70 South Korean government and educational institutions. The attack is not being blamed directly on the Chinese government but on a Chinese nationalist group.
OBSERVATION - Attacks by non-govt groups that can also serve as front groups for govt action will be increasingly used in the future for battlefield preparation of the cyber frontiers in future conflicts. In this case, you can be sure that the Chinese govt not only approved of the action, but could have provided technical support for the effort.
China –
WAR WATCH – I am still monitoring for indicators that indicated that China may initiate a more coercive plan to force Taiwan into submission with a potential start of a potential blockade of the island during the Chinese New Years timeframe. Chinese New Year celebrations begin 22 January, after which they would have 60 days until a break in seasonally rough weather conditions in the Taiwan Strait.
We are now in that window. Indicators have weakened over the period since I placed China on war watch. I will continue the watch through the end of the weekend, though it appears that action is not forthcoming.
North/South Korea –
North Korea has announced a five-day lockdown in the capital due to rising cases of an unspecified “respiratory illness,” according to Seoul-based NK News. This is the first city-wide lockdown since North Korea declared itself COVID-free in August last year.
According to a government notice cited by NK News, residents in Pyongyang have been told to stay indoors from Wednesday to Sunday. They are also required to submit to multiple temperature checks each day.
The government notice did not mention COVID-19 but said the symptoms of the “respiratory illness” include common cold, according to the Seoul-based website.
OBSERVATION – NK has kept its response to the wuhan plandemic very secret. Can’t say for sure then if this is wuhan, because overall health of NK civilians is iffy because of poor nutrition and preventative medical services. My also be a spill over from China’s current wuhan woes were upwards of 80% of the population may be infected by the current variant.
Japan –
Japan and India on Jan. 12 launched their first joint air combat drill in a move to bolster their military alliance amid the security challenges posed by the Chinese communist regime in the Indo-Pacific region.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - Russia’s “three days to conquer Ukraine” war continues since fighting starting on Feb 24th.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
Russia is currently working to (re)assemble a military force capable of resuming the offensive in the Donbas while at the same time trying to make defensive preparations for an expected Ukrainian offensive as well. Suspected goal for the start of offensive operations is latter half of January at the earliest.
At present, it is capable of very local offensive actions as in the ongoing fighting around Bakhmut and Donetsk.
Russia is also capable of launching more cruise/ballistic missile attacks directed against Ukrainian infrastructure -primarily its power grid, but massively reduced inventories of such missiles means these barrages will be further apart.
While Russia has nuclear capability, the probability is low that any will be used in the near future.
********
RUMINT-
There are reportedly signs Putin that is weighing making a “big move” in the next several weeks to regain the initiative in the war, officials familiar with the intelligence tells CNN.
Part of this “big move” is another troop mobilization of as many as 200,000 men, US and Western officials familiar with the intelligence told CNN.
OBSERVATION – It appears Russian is rushing to take some kind of action before the tanks supplied by NATO and the west arrive in Ukraine. Most still think it will be an offensive.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Rain and snow letting up with increasing number of days that are below freezing and for much of eastern Ukraine, a multi-day episode of sub-freezing temperatures on the way.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
The slug fest continues in eastern Ukraine, with Ukraine making minor gains in the Savatoe -Kreminna line and Russia making minor gains around Bahkmut.
Ukrainian defense officials said their military forces conducted a tactical withdrawal ahead of advancing Russian forces near the eastern Ukraine towns of Soledar and Bakhmut. The Ukraine military units reportedly withdrew to prepare defensive positions in an effort to protect ground lines of communication from Bakhmut into central Ukraine.
Germany opened the door for NATO nations to start supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine as well as announcing they will be contributing as well. Some have wondered just how Ukraine will integrate the various modern NATO tanks- forgetting that Ukraine has already integrated hundreds of T-62,T-64, T-72, T-80 and T-90 (plus their numerous variants) over the past 11 months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the resignation of five government officials and the removal of five regional governors amid corruption accusations.
OBSERVATION – Likely in response to western criticism of corruption in the Ukrainian govt.
OUTLOOK ——
No change in the slugfest in the east. Now continuing to monitor for another Russian missile barrage. However there is some RUMINT that the strategic attacks on the Ukrainian power grid and infrastructure didn’t obtain the desired results and Gerasimov has ended them in order to preserve the ever dwindling stockpile – a wise move if Russia is going to try to go back on a serious offensive.
Iran –
The Iranian flotilla, comprised of Dena and Makran warships, set sail from the south of Iran in early autumn with the purpose of circumnavigating the world, according to a Tasnim report.
The trip to Brazil appears to be part of a mission to the Panama Canal.
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said nearly two weeks ago that Iran is planning to extend its area of operation to the Panama Canal that divides South and North America.
“So far, we have been present in all the strategic straits of the world and we have not been present in only two straits, in one of which we will be present this year and we are planning to be present in the Panama Canal,” Irani said, according to Fars News.
The top military official also said Iran has established command centers for the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
OBSERVATION – Mostly PR for domestic consumption. Iran doesn’t have the capability to project force globally, but these moves do allow a glimpse of their thought on how they could asymmetrically project power in key areas. The Panama Canal is on such area where they could subtly threaten global shipping while at the same time secure trade deals selling Iranian made arms to leftist countries aligned against the US. This would allow them to grow their presence, protected by the host country.
Central / South America General-
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Peru’s capital and were met with volleys of tear gas and pellets amid clashes with security forces just hours after President Dina Boluarte called for a “truce” in almost two months of protests.
The anti-government protest on Tuesday was the largest – and most violent – since last Thursday, when large groups of people, many from remote Andean regions, descended on the capital to demand Boluarte’s resignation, immediate elections and the dissolution of Congress.
Before last week, most of the large anti-government protests that followed the removal of President Pedro Castillo took place in remote regions of Peru, largely in the country’s south, exposing deep division between residents of the capital and the long-neglected countryside.
The crisis that has sparked Peru’s worst political violence in more than two decades began when Castillo, Peru’s first leader from a rural Andean background, tried to short-circuit the third impeachment proceeding of his young administration by ordering Congress dissolved on December 7.
OBSERVATION – Latin American communist support has traditionally been cultivated in the poorer, often rural areas of the region. There they gain sympatric support and have effectively built upon that support via actions towards ‘bettering’ their lives as well as portraying the urban areas and govt leadership as corrupt and uncaring. With that base extablished, the communists will turn their efforts on the urban areas, with a combination of political and military/terror attacks that eventally weaken it and opens a window for them to take control.
Here in America there is a parallel effort taking place. Antifa holds many ‘community support’ events for homeless and economically disadvantaged in their blue strongholds. These people then may become general foot soldiers for actions or provide the means for Antifa members to go to ground following actions. I look at this though as they have in some part put the cart before the horse - violence before establishing popular support. Time will tell if they can reverse course.
Meanwhile, I expect more violence in Peru and wouldn’t plan on visiting Machu Picu any time soon.
Misc of Note –
California State Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D) introduced Assembly Bill 228, which will require the California Department of Health (CDOH) to establish an infant formula stockpile for the state. Wilson said the CDOH already maintains a stockpile of key medications, and her bill simply expands the directive to include formula.
OBSERVATION – More a political move than a practical one. Yes, a stockpile of baby formula would be a good idea - if the state of kalifornia could prove it has the capability of managing such a stockpile in a cost effective manner. However, just about everything kalifornia sticks their noses into devolves into a dumpster fire.
Baby formula has a limited shelf life. For most products I don’t worry about the “best by” date (this is NOT an expiration date, but a date by which the taste and nutritional quality of the product is guaranteed by the company), but in the case of dairy related products and expecially baby formula (with components designed to break down quickly in the infant’s digestive tract) the expiration date is critical. There is no apparent plan for stockage rotation and what to do with the expiring formula. Most likely will just end up in a land fill being wasted.