Observing Proceedings,
It is difficult to encapsulate the news today, though the overview is that the human economic world is going through a reduction in availability of the resources upon which our life-support system depends (peak-oil, etc.). That reduction-in-availability is reflected as increased costs, shortages and economic dysfunction in this economy based upon perpetual growth. Massive-"borrowing" has "pulled future prosperity forward" to the present, at least on the books. Investments will quit-paying-out at some approaching point. Faith in the financial economy will soon disappear, as the world faces the fact that it is all current-trade-flows, without the reserves-of-wealth that we had imagined to "own".
This is known in the halls of power. There is currently a power struggle over those flows of valuable resources and products, affecting pipelines, railroads, and shipping routes. The producing countries don't want to pay so much rent to the centers of financial empire, and are growing bolder as the imperial armies prove ineffectual again and again.
Russia becomes the military-champion and China the economic-champion for the producing countries (BRICS+) who want to trade without a 50% skim by the western-financial-system. Current wars reflect that, and also reflect the reluctance to nuke things you need and will be unable to replace in the leaner-future.
Israel has suffered its first major setback in the International Court of Justice (ICJ, or also "World Court") genocide case brought against it by South Africa, and thus has also suffered a possible hit to its reputation on the global stage.
The Hague-based court has ordered Israel to take all measures capable to prevent acts of Genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. The interim ruling will of course remain merely symbolic as the World Court has no power or mechanism whereby it can enforce the verdict. It asserts that South Africa's case has legal merit and can proceed...
The Hague-based court has ordered Israel to take all measures capable to prevent acts of Genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire. The interim ruling will of course remain merely symbolic as the World Court has no power or mechanism whereby it can enforce the verdict. It asserts that South Africa's case has legal merit and can proceed...
..Current president of the ICJ Judge Joan Donahue said however that the "catastrophic situation" in Gaza could get much worse by the time the final verdict in the case gets delivered while explaining why the provisional directive is necessary.
Thus this ruling points to the likelihood that things won't go Israel's way in the end...
Thus this ruling points to the likelihood that things won't go Israel's way in the end...
..The Friday directive comes ahead what's expected to be a future, final ruling - and it comes as international pressure grows on Israel to reach a ceasefire - which the Netanyahu government is reportedly seeking in offering its 2-month pause plan in hopes of gaining the release of all captives...
..If we combine all these variants – stalemate; BRICS; the Lone Emperor; de-dollarization; garden and jungle – in search of the most probable scenario ahead, it’s easy to see that the only “way out” for a cornered Empire is, what else, the default modus operandi: Forever Wars.
And that brings us to the current American aircraft carrier in West Asia (aka "Israel"), totally out of control yet always supported by the Hegemon, aiming for a multi-front war against the whole Axis of Resistance: Palestine, Hezbollah, Syria, Iraqi militias, Ansarullah in Yemen, and Iran.
In a sense we’re back to the immediate post-9/11, when what the neocons really wanted was not Afghanistan, but the invasion of Iraq: not only to control the oil (which in the end they didn’t) but, in Michael Hudson’s analysis, “to essentially create America’s foreign legion in the form of ISIS and al-Qaeda in Iraq.” Now, “America has two armies that it’s using to fight in the Near East, the ISIS/al-Qaeda foreign legion (Arabic-speaking foreign legion) and the Israelis.”...
And that brings us to the current American aircraft carrier in West Asia (aka "Israel"), totally out of control yet always supported by the Hegemon, aiming for a multi-front war against the whole Axis of Resistance: Palestine, Hezbollah, Syria, Iraqi militias, Ansarullah in Yemen, and Iran.
In a sense we’re back to the immediate post-9/11, when what the neocons really wanted was not Afghanistan, but the invasion of Iraq: not only to control the oil (which in the end they didn’t) but, in Michael Hudson’s analysis, “to essentially create America’s foreign legion in the form of ISIS and al-Qaeda in Iraq.” Now, “America has two armies that it’s using to fight in the Near East, the ISIS/al-Qaeda foreign legion (Arabic-speaking foreign legion) and the Israelis.”...
..What Putin, Xi and Raisi have been explaining to the Global South, explicitly or in quite subtle ways, is that we are right in the crux of a civilizational war.
Michael Hudson has done a lot to bring down such an epic struggle to practical terms. Are we heading towards what I described as techno-feudalism – which is the AI format of rent-seeking turbo-neoliberalism? Or are we heading to something similar to the origins of industrial capitalism?
Michael Hudson characterizes an auspicious horizon as “raising living standards instead of imposing IMF financial austerity on the dollar block”: devising a system that Big Finance, Big Bank, Big Pharma and what Ray McGovern memorably coined as the MICIMATT (military-industrial-
Michael Hudson has done a lot to bring down such an epic struggle to practical terms. Are we heading towards what I described as techno-feudalism – which is the AI format of rent-seeking turbo-neoliberalism? Or are we heading to something similar to the origins of industrial capitalism?
Michael Hudson characterizes an auspicious horizon as “raising living standards instead of imposing IMF financial austerity on the dollar block”: devising a system that Big Finance, Big Bank, Big Pharma and what Ray McGovern memorably coined as the MICIMATT (military-industrial-
While China-led multipolarity has accelerated the decline of the American era, the war in Gaza may end it altogether.
What is unfolding today in West Asia — the Gaza war and its regional expansion — cannot be viewed separately from the international transformations that have grown in momentum over the past few years. Today, the transition to multipolarity is the underlying factor shaping the decisions and policies of most countries, particularly those of the great powers...
..Crucially, the Pentagon's stated purpose of securing navigation in the Red Sea does not align with the actual threat presented, revealing ulterior motives behind US actions. The Yemenis have repeatedly confirmed that they only intend to inhibit the passage of Israeli-owned or destined vessels — and that all other ships are free to pass.
In short, the US/UK-led coalition is acting as a naval arm for Israeli military forces, seeking specifically to ensure unimpeded access for ships heading to Israeli ports via the Bab al-Mandab Strait. That's not a position many other states will get behind if they want to maintain freedom of transport for their own shipping vessels.
Ultimately, the American show of force in these waterways seeks to consolidate US naval dominance, which war-torn Yemen, West Asia's poorest country, has contested...
..The most staggering poll result of all,... has to be the one in December... in which 51 percent of young Americans believe a final solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is for Israel to end and be given to Hamas and the Palestinians.In short, the US/UK-led coalition is acting as a naval arm for Israeli military forces, seeking specifically to ensure unimpeded access for ships heading to Israeli ports via the Bab al-Mandab Strait. That's not a position many other states will get behind if they want to maintain freedom of transport for their own shipping vessels.
Ultimately, the American show of force in these waterways seeks to consolidate US naval dominance, which war-torn Yemen, West Asia's poorest country, has contested...
..While Israel remains a direct US interest in West Asia, Washington's commitment to Tel Aviv's security has already become a growing burden and increasingly difficult to justify. As the region's Axis of Resistance expands its battle with Israel on new, multiple frontlines, the US will need to reallocate ever-expanding resources and focus on matching its international rivals in further-flung geographies.
Ukraine was a test run compared to this Gaza war and the immense, direct toll it is taking on US alliances, domestic politics, and the American image globally.
John Helmer , RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY TIES RED SEA BLOCKADE TO GAZA BLOCKADE, BACKS HOUTHIS IN MOSCOW MEETING
This is the plainest signal to date of Russian backing for the southern front of the Arab war against Israel, and the link which the Houthis have made between the Israeli blockade of Gaza, the genocide of the Palestinians, and the Red Sea blockade which the Houthis have imposed on vessels owned or directed by Israeli shipowners, US naval fleet, and American-flagged and other vessels carrying military and civil cargoes to Israel or reload ammunition for future attacks on Yemen.
At the same time across Moscow, unusually large delegations of officials of the Russian Security Council, led by Nikolai Patrushev, and Ali-Akbar Ahmadian, special presidential representative and Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, have been meeting to discuss a detailed agenda which Patrushev’s communiqué calls a “wide range of Russian-Iranian security cooperation” and “the practical implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level.”
In an open statement for reporters, Ahmadian told Patrushev: “”America’s grandeur has shattered, and today, it cannot even rally its traditional allies. A country that considers itself a superpower is engaged in war against resistance groups and the people of the region.”
The display of Russian support for the Axis of Resistance against Israel and the US is unprecedented.
"The Ukrainian side had been officially notified. Fifteen minutes before the plane entered the zone, they were given full information, which they received and confirmed its receipt by the Main Intelligence Directorate," Kartapolov said. He stressed that after that "there should have followed the command 'Air, stop' for a certain sector. It was not issued. Instead, a command to open fire was given and the airplane with our crew and their soldiers was shot down," Kartapolov added.
https://tass.com/politics/1737189
Gilbert Doctorow interview and transcript on Ukrainian shoot-down or Russian plane carrying Ukrainian POWs for prisoner-exchange.
I think this plane crash is extremely important because of what it says about the government in in Kiev, who is running it, and for what purpose. This devastating event has parallels with the MH-17. It has parallels with the bombing of a Russian detention center which kept Ukrainian prisoners of war and where again dozens if not a 100 or more of the prisoners of war were killed as a result of the Kiev government action.....The original intent was to pursue what they have done otherwise on the field of battle. The Ukrainian forces have shot in the back their own soldiers, whom they thought might be going over to the enemy. What we have here… We forget that Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union for 70 years and the morals of Mr. Stalin were applied in Ukraine and seemed to have remained there despite the fall of the Soviet Union. By that I mean in World War II it was the practice of the Soviet Army to consider prisoners of war as deserters. They may have been injured, they may have been carried off the field to hospitals, but once they were interned in Germany or in Germany’s allies, they were considered as traitors. When they came home they faced severe conditions, if not execution. This is the very type of approach to human rights that Kiev is applying to its own citizens: A very Stalinist method and that is at sharp variance with the bunny rabbit quality of Kiev that Western news media have projected from the start of the conflict...
..The supposition is in any case that very powerful ground to air missiles were used and that such weapons are approved only of the highest levels of the Ukrainian military. Therefore it is improbable this was a communications accident...
Pentagon Refused to Send A-10 Warthogs to Ukraine Amid Fears They’d ‘Fall to the Ground in Flames’
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American close air support aircraft developed during the Cold War to target Soviet tank forces in a World War III scenario that never arrived. Instead, it became a key tool in the US arsenal over the past 25 years.
Governments may change before 2025., No gas transit via Ukraine after 2024, PM says
The Ukrainian Prime Minister’s statement followed the video address of Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico after bilateral talks This will energy-starve European allies after cutting them off from cheap, reliable Russian supplies, and will also be "bad-fer-bidness" in Texas. Whose interests are served?
Biden Set To Announce New LNG Export Ban After White House Met With Gen-Z Climate Warrior
Gov. Abbott Tells Tucker He's Not Backing Down, Expects Red States To Circle Wagons, & Trump Elected In November
Abbott told Carlson that he's "prepared" in the event that Biden tries to take over the Texas National Guard. Would Texas join BRICS+? After how long? Texas has a gold depository. Soft Secession, Insurrection, or the Real Return of Federalism in Texas? Tom Luongo
Governor Greg Abbot’s letter to the Biden Administration declaring them in violation of the Constitution for stopping Texas from securing the border is a major escalation. The States have become ‘uncomfortable’ and are beginning to bare their canines.....That’s where Greg Abbot found himself with the Biden Administration’s open border policy whose obvious purpose was to invite the world to tilt the 2024 election in the Democrats’ favor… and by Democrats’ I mean Davos, whose agenda Biden et.al. are clearly advancing...
..Abbot’s Attorney General Ken Paxton backed him up and, as of [yesterday], 25 other States have openly expressed support for Texas’ stand against the lawlessness of “Biden’s” executive order.....“Biden” is giving Texas an ultimatum to comply. The Democrats are demanding Biden call up the Texas National Guard. The entire thing has a wholly manufactured feel to it, but it is also something that had to happen. The States had to stand up to this.
And as I’ve talked about at length, the goal here is splitting the US up because a divided US, falling apart politically at this point in history, is exactly what our enemies want. The eventual goal is undermining the validity of the US debt markets and Washington D.C.’s ability to pay its bills.
There is no Great Reset with a fully functional United States. This is why Abbot’s move is so very important...
And as I’ve talked about at length, the goal here is splitting the US up because a divided US, falling apart politically at this point in history, is exactly what our enemies want. The eventual goal is undermining the validity of the US debt markets and Washington D.C.’s ability to pay its bills.
There is no Great Reset with a fully functional United States. This is why Abbot’s move is so very important...
..The question I have now is what’s the over/under on “Biden” declaring Texas in a state of insurrection against the Union in order to deny it, as a State, its vote this fall? If Texas refuses to ‘turn blue’ then the next move would be to maneuver its governor into full opposition to DC. The question I have here is who is in control of the escalation framework here? Texas or the FedGov?
Cultural Replacement: Why The Immigration Crisis Is Being Deliberately Engineered
Elements of our own government are deliberately encouraging the acceleration of illegal immigration across the southern border and they are actively sabotaging any attempts to stop the madness. There are two questions we need to ask: Why are they doing this? And, what can be done to stop them?’...
..We’ve all heard of the Cloward-Piven Strategy by now, and it’s not all that difficult to understand – Create social destabilization by using migrants as a weapon. But there’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye. Cloward-Piven is almost too simplistic an explanation; it doesn’t really define the bigger picture. There are a few ways that this strategy could open the door to authoritarianism in the US. Let's examine these scenarios to better comprehend why.
..In 1968 the US Department of Defense at the request of the government drafted a civil disturbance plan called ‘Operation Garden Plot’ which outlined what was essentially a martial law response to large scale social breakdown. One of the main factors listed in the plan as a trigger for martial law was the uncontrolled mass migration of minorities into the US, as well as riots by minorities in light of economic uncertainty.
Garden Plot has provisions designed to install a long lasting domestic military presence in the US if deemed necessary, and was even tied to programs like REX 84 which planned out the installation of “FEMA camps” or detention facilities meant to hold large numbers refugees during a mass migration crisis. These programs were accidentally exposed during the Iran/Contra hearings of 1987 and were kept secret from a majority of representatives in Congress.
In other words, political elites designed a set of operations to swiftly impose martial law if a migrant disaster occurred. But were these measures meant to solve the crisis? Or were they meant to use the crisis as an excuse to put boots on the ground in the US and permanently end whatever constitutional protections we have left? That is to say, it may very well be the plan of the establishment to keep the borders open until illegals overwhelm the system and the public is willing to accept martial law. [It is suggested by some that inducting migrants into the US military to act against American citizens would manage the "problem" that 70% of American soldiers would balk at this illegal action.]
..In 1968 the US Department of Defense at the request of the government drafted a civil disturbance plan called ‘Operation Garden Plot’ which outlined what was essentially a martial law response to large scale social breakdown. One of the main factors listed in the plan as a trigger for martial law was the uncontrolled mass migration of minorities into the US, as well as riots by minorities in light of economic uncertainty.
Garden Plot has provisions designed to install a long lasting domestic military presence in the US if deemed necessary, and was even tied to programs like REX 84 which planned out the installation of “FEMA camps” or detention facilities meant to hold large numbers refugees during a mass migration crisis. These programs were accidentally exposed during the Iran/Contra hearings of 1987 and were kept secret from a majority of representatives in Congress.
In other words, political elites designed a set of operations to swiftly impose martial law if a migrant disaster occurred. But were these measures meant to solve the crisis? Or were they meant to use the crisis as an excuse to put boots on the ground in the US and permanently end whatever constitutional protections we have left? That is to say, it may very well be the plan of the establishment to keep the borders open until illegals overwhelm the system and the public is willing to accept martial law. [It is suggested by some that inducting migrants into the US military to act against American citizens would manage the "problem" that 70% of American soldiers would balk at this illegal action.]
https://alt-market.us/cultural-replacement-why-the-immigration-crisis-is-being-deliberately-engineered/
Netanyahu cannot survive 10 minutes without US support: Amir-Abdollahian
The Iranian foreign minister blamed the US and Israel for inflaming tensions across West Asia and stressed that the solution to the crisis 'is never war'
ASTANA, January 25. /TASS/. Russia, Turkey and Iran consider Israeli attacks on Syria to be in violation of international law and the republic’s territorial integrity, reads a joint statement issued by the three countries following the 21st round of talks on Syria.
"It does notify, but after the strikes. I am saying this absolutely seriously because we previously had an agreement with them about sending a notice some time before the strike," he said, when asked whether Israel notified Russia about the latest strikes on Syria.
Hamas Says ‘Faults Happened’ in 7 October Attacks in First Account Since Start of War on Gaza.
“Israel’s use of Starvation as a Weapon of War”: Continues to Attack Starving Palestinians Awaiting Aid Trucks…
“My five children have been starving for more than a month, and we do not have any flour,” stated 46-year-old M.F., who requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
“We eat a small amount of rice each day, so when I learned that flour aid was available, I walked for 13 kilometres before the Israeli army opened their machine gunfire. We were hit by shells fired, resulting in several casualties. I managed to survive, without receiving any flour.”
“We eat a small amount of rice each day, so when I learned that flour aid was available, I walked for 13 kilometres before the Israeli army opened their machine gunfire. We were hit by shells fired, resulting in several casualties. I managed to survive, without receiving any flour.”
The Iranian foreign minister blamed the US and Israel for inflaming tensions across West Asia and stressed that the solution to the crisis 'is never war'
"If the US today stops its backing -- logistical and weapons, political and media support -- of the genocidal war launched by Israel, then I can assure you that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu will not survive for 10 minutes," Iran's top diplomat told ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz during.
"So the key to solving the problem is in Washington before it is in Tel Aviv," he said from New York on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting on West Asia.
"So the key to solving the problem is in Washington before it is in Tel Aviv," he said from New York on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting on West Asia.
This is why Russian aircraft now patrol over the Golan Heights, Syrian territory, militarily occupied by Israel since 1967.
ASTANA, January 25. /TASS/. Israel has stopped compliance with a deal to notify Russia in advance whenever it wants to strike Syria, Russian presidential envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentyev told TASS. "It does notify, but after the strikes. I am saying this absolutely seriously because we previously had an agreement with them about sending a notice some time before the strike," he said, when asked whether Israel notified Russia about the latest strikes on Syria.
Regarding the events of 7 October, the report said that Hamas targeted Israeli military sites and sought to “arrest the enemy’s soldiers” in efforts to pressure Israeli authorities to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
“Avoiding harm to civilians, especially children, women and elderly people is a religious and moral commitment by all the Al-Qassam Brigades’ fighters,” it said, referring to the military wing of Hamas.
“We reiterate that the Palestinian resistance was fully disciplined and committed to the Islamic values during the operation and that the Palestinian fighters only targeted the occupation soldiers and those who carried weapons against our people.”
The report added that Hamas fighters were keen to avoid civilian harm “despite the fact the resistance does not possess precise weapons”.
Among those killed during the attacks were over 30 children and more than 100 elderly, according to official Israeli statistics, as well as 60 foreign workers.
“If there was any case of targeting civilians, it happened accidentally and in the course of the confrontation with the occupation forces.”
“Maybe some faults happened during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’s implementation due to the rapid collapse of the Israeli security and military system, and the chaos caused along the border areas with Gaza.”...
“Avoiding harm to civilians, especially children, women and elderly people is a religious and moral commitment by all the Al-Qassam Brigades’ fighters,” it said, referring to the military wing of Hamas.
“We reiterate that the Palestinian resistance was fully disciplined and committed to the Islamic values during the operation and that the Palestinian fighters only targeted the occupation soldiers and those who carried weapons against our people.”
The report added that Hamas fighters were keen to avoid civilian harm “despite the fact the resistance does not possess precise weapons”.
Among those killed during the attacks were over 30 children and more than 100 elderly, according to official Israeli statistics, as well as 60 foreign workers.
“If there was any case of targeting civilians, it happened accidentally and in the course of the confrontation with the occupation forces.”
“Maybe some faults happened during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood’s implementation due to the rapid collapse of the Israeli security and military system, and the chaos caused along the border areas with Gaza.”...
..Israeli civilians were killed by an Israeli military helicopter on 7 October, citing reports from Israeli media outlets Haaretz and Yedioth Ahronoth.
“The two reports said the Hamas fighters reached the area of the festival without any prior knowledge of the festival, where the Israeli helicopter opened fire on both the Hamas fighters and the participants in the festival,” it said.
It cited the “Hannibal Directive”, an Israeli rule of engagement that reportedly stipulates that Israelis being taken hostage should be avoided at any cost, even if it it results in the deaths of its own people...
“The two reports said the Hamas fighters reached the area of the festival without any prior knowledge of the festival, where the Israeli helicopter opened fire on both the Hamas fighters and the participants in the festival,” it said.
It cited the “Hannibal Directive”, an Israeli rule of engagement that reportedly stipulates that Israelis being taken hostage should be avoided at any cost, even if it it results in the deaths of its own people...
..“Hamas does not wage a struggle against the Jews because they are Jewish but wages a struggle against the Zionists who occupy Palestine,” it said.
“Yet, it is the Zionists who constantly identify Judaism and the Jews with their own colonial project and illegal entity.”
It added that Palestinians stood against injustice against civilians, including “what the Jews were exposed to by Nazi Germany”.
“Here, we remind that the Jewish problem in essence was a European problem, while the Arab and Islamic environment was – across history – a safe haven to the Jewish people and to other peoples of other beliefs and ethnicities,” it said.
“We reject the exploitation of the Jewish suffering in Europe to justify the oppression against our people in Palestine.”
“Yet, it is the Zionists who constantly identify Judaism and the Jews with their own colonial project and illegal entity.”
It added that Palestinians stood against injustice against civilians, including “what the Jews were exposed to by Nazi Germany”.
“Here, we remind that the Jewish problem in essence was a European problem, while the Arab and Islamic environment was – across history – a safe haven to the Jewish people and to other peoples of other beliefs and ethnicities,” it said.
“We reject the exploitation of the Jewish suffering in Europe to justify the oppression against our people in Palestine.”
William Makis MD , mRNA Injury Stories – Children who lost both parents…
2 yo UK boy Bronson Battersby died curled up next to his dad who had a heart attack; 14 yo Canada boy lost both parents suddenly on Christmas 2023 I watched this brief video about the innate and spontaneous nature of human cooperation. "When the Student is ready, the Teacher will Appear." (Spot the "teacher"?)
Celia Farber , Over 66 Million People Have Watched This Video
Born in Dog-Year (pictured this morning making salsa with remaining pre-freeze tomatoes and peppers. Cilantro survived)
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