Trying To Keep Up,
To spill the beans up front, it looks as if Russia and Iran are not going to be investing blood in the Assad government, which has been deserted by most military units, already. There appears to be a negotiated transition of power underway to the rebranded ISIS >> HTS "moderate terrorists" with a much improved PR department and management structure. Christians and other non-Sunni groups are fleeing for their lives to Lebanon. Other armies are also in play. This is just beginning.
I composed this news over the past 24 hours. The rapidity of the change in Syria in that time will be apparent. What will the new regional structures be?
Gilbert Doctorow presents 30 minutes worth watching, which I excerpted yesterday. This comes from the core of Russian strategic decision-making, in excellent English.
CNN interview with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov: compelling for those who want to think for themselves Within the context of Russia’s ongoing information offensive, we now have the 30-minute CNN interview with Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Ryabkov which came out a day ago in its full version.
This interview is outstanding in every way. It is especially valuable for explaining Russia’s disparagement of what we know of Trump’s plans for ending the war very quickly by use of threats and blandishments to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. Per this official Russian position, a settlement is possible only if the core security concerns of Russia are addressed, meaning a settlement addressing the European security architecture and not merely a ceasefire, a frozen conflict, and other nonsense contained so far in what the Trump entourage is touting...
..First, let me remind you that Sergei Ryabkov is a fluent English speaker who spent more than three years in Washington as an advisor to the Russian ambassador (2003-2005). As his career progressed, he served as director of the ministry’s department on cooperation with Europe. Later as Deputy Minister from 2008, Ryabkov has had responsibility for arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This is to say that his long-time work experience is directly relevant to the present crisis situation between Russia and the Collective West that is being played out in Ukraine.
Ryabkov is the official who crafted and presented the ultimatum to NATO in December 2021 over the need to roll back the NATO European presence to what it was at the end of the Cold War, before the alliance expanded eastward under Bill Clinton. The refusal early in the new year by Washington and Brussels to enter into negotiations over the Russian demands led directly to the launch of the Special Military Operation and invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Russia determined to win by force of arms what it could not achieve by diplomacy. https://gilbertdoctorow.substack.com/p/cnn-interview-with-russian-deputy
This interview is outstanding in every way. It is especially valuable for explaining Russia’s disparagement of what we know of Trump’s plans for ending the war very quickly by use of threats and blandishments to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. Per this official Russian position, a settlement is possible only if the core security concerns of Russia are addressed, meaning a settlement addressing the European security architecture and not merely a ceasefire, a frozen conflict, and other nonsense contained so far in what the Trump entourage is touting...
..First, let me remind you that Sergei Ryabkov is a fluent English speaker who spent more than three years in Washington as an advisor to the Russian ambassador (2003-2005). As his career progressed, he served as director of the ministry’s department on cooperation with Europe. Later as Deputy Minister from 2008, Ryabkov has had responsibility for arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This is to say that his long-time work experience is directly relevant to the present crisis situation between Russia and the Collective West that is being played out in Ukraine.
Ryabkov is the official who crafted and presented the ultimatum to NATO in December 2021 over the need to roll back the NATO European presence to what it was at the end of the Cold War, before the alliance expanded eastward under Bill Clinton. The refusal early in the new year by Washington and Brussels to enter into negotiations over the Russian demands led directly to the launch of the Special Military Operation and invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Russia determined to win by force of arms what it could not achieve by diplomacy. https://gilbertdoctorow.substack.com/p/cnn-interview-with-russian-deputy
John Helmer drills into Ryabkov's position. JCS CHIEF GENERAL CHARLES BROWN JUST PROVED THAT NOTHING SHORT OF UKRAINE’S SURRENDER IS NEGOTIABLE WITH THE US — THAT’S CAPITULATION, NOT NEGOTIATION
The source believes “the talks will work differently. The Russians will come to the table with the December 2021 draft treaty. Everyone has forgotten that.” But not Putin in his June 14 speech. “Let us recall the idea of a European security treaty, which we proposed in 2008. In December 2021, a memorandum from the Russian Foreign Ministry was submitted to the United States and NATO, addressing the same issues. However, all our repeated attempts (it is impossible to list them all) to convince our partners, as well as our explanations, appeals, warnings and requests, met with no response. Western countries, confident not so much in the righteousness of their cause as in their power and ability to impose whatever they wish on the rest of the world, simply disregarded other perspectives. At best, they proposed discussions on less significant matters (that did little to resolve the actual problems), or matters that only benefitted the West.”
What the source means — also what Putin meant on June 14; what Ryabkov has announced again; and what Gerasimov intended to test when he telephoned Brown — remains the fundamental Russian position: the Americans, they believe, represent nothing but deceit: the US cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith or honour its undertakings. Accordingly, on the battlefield its resources, arms and proxies must be defeated, the source emphasizes. Only then can there be negotiations on end-of-war terms for the Ukrainian territory remaining after military capitulation. For there to be any hope of an agreement which the Americans will not aim to subvert, the US must be subordinated to an international framework of Europe-wide security. This is what the draft treaties spell out in comprehensive detail. Read the draft treaties for the US and for NATO of December 17, 2021, here, along with a line by line analysis. On end of war terms in the Ukraine, the Moscow source says “there is a sequence which the westerners haven’t mentioned yet. It will start with [Vladimir] Zelensky’s resignation and an election for a government in Kiev. Russians will give a sigh of relief if Trump ensures a new election. This process could last six months. Everything else follows from there. For Russia’s economic security there must be the restoration of Nord Stream and the lifting of sanctions on Swift and on restoring Russian airline connectivity. There’s no point if we achieve the goals of the SVO [Special Military Operation] militarily and do not require the dismantlement of sanctions. We aren’t winning this war against the Americans on the Ukraine front in order to let them defeat us on the other fronts they have chosen to fight us.” https://johnhelmer.net/jcs-chief-general-charles-brown-just-proved-that-nothing-short-of-ukraines-surrender-is-negotiable-with-the-us-thats-capitulation-not-negotiation/#more-90788
Orban blames Biden for Ukraine conflict
US interference triggered the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said. His comments come after Moscow accused Washington of lacking “common sense and restraint” in its approach to the conflict...
..”America is one of the main players in this war. Without America, this war would never have happened. Ukraine would not have been able to resist without America’s support,” the prime minister said, as quoted by the Magyar Nemzet newspaper.
According to official figures, as of September 30, Washington had allocated a total of nearly $183 billion in aid for Ukraine, with $130.1 billion committed and $86.7 billion disbursed.
Current US President Joe Biden wants to increase the scale of the conflict, Orban claimed, while President-elect Donald Trump is “pro-peace.”https://swentr.site/news/608839-orban-blames-biden-ukraine-conflict/
..”America is one of the main players in this war. Without America, this war would never have happened. Ukraine would not have been able to resist without America’s support,” the prime minister said, as quoted by the Magyar Nemzet newspaper.
According to official figures, as of September 30, Washington had allocated a total of nearly $183 billion in aid for Ukraine, with $130.1 billion committed and $86.7 billion disbursed.
Current US President Joe Biden wants to increase the scale of the conflict, Orban claimed, while President-elect Donald Trump is “pro-peace.”https://swentr.site/news/608839-orban-blames-biden-ukraine-conflict/
The European Union withheld some 7.5 billion euros worth of payments to Hungary from the shared budget in September 2022 over alleged rule-of-law shortcomings, but Budapest's blocking of EU funding for Ukraine's war effort prompted Brussels to release some of the funds to Hungary in December.
Hungary will veto the European Union’s next seven-year budget draft unless it receives all blocked funds from the bloc's budget, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241206/hungary-vows-to-block-eu-budget-draft-unless-frozen-funds-released-1121106942.html
Hungary will veto the European Union’s next seven-year budget draft unless it receives all blocked funds from the bloc's budget, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241206/hungary-vows-to-block-eu-budget-draft-unless-frozen-funds-released-1121106942.html
The collapse of the government in France and the ruling coalition in Germany spells continued crises — and don't think war has nothing to do with it. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/france-barnier-macron/
Finian Cunningham, The elitist tyranny of “Western democracy” is exposed and crumbling
The visit to China this week by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was another revealing fiasco. The obsessively anti-Russia Baerbock landed in Beijing not to prioritize improving trade relations with the European Union’s biggest global partner but rather to browbeat China with tedious allegations that it was helping Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.....Understandably, the Chinese authorities were not pleased by Baerbock’s insolence and gave her short shrift. She was snubbed by China’s foreign minister Wang Yi not affording a customary joint press conference after more than three hours of discussions. In a separate statement, China again rejected claims that it was aiding Russia militarily in Ukraine...
France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen are some of the other bought-and-paid-for politicians who embody the Atlanticist tyranny. Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is now NATO secretary-general (sinecures and pay-offs are us), and Polish Premier Donald Tusk are other examples. The feeble Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Baltic leaders are also part of the U.S. vassals club.
Imbued with elitist ideology and deep-seated Russophobia, seduced by bribery, or coerced by the CIA blackmail, all these political prostitutes have been played to betray the interests of European citizens and to make life for the masses incredibly harsh. Russian energy has been cut off leaving European economies shattered. Germany is the most salient case in point where its vital auto industries are collapsing due to higher energy costs.
Another absurd elitist puppet is Kaja Kallas, the former Estonian Premier, who is now the European Union’s foreign minister, taking over from that other Atlanticist tool, Josep Borrell. On her first day in office this week, Kallas visited Kiev to pledge more financial and military aid for the corrupt NeoNazi regime. That’s right. She goes to a NeoNazi regime whose expired president canceled elections, imprisons opposition politicians, censors critical, independent media, and forces military conscription on citizens who want the conflict with Russia to end. Don’t you think Kallas would have been better visiting the EU’s biggest trade partner, China, to repair relations?
While in Kiev, Kallas coordinated with Germany’s Baerbock in Beijing by repeating baseless condemnation of China for its strategic partnership with Russia. https://strategic-culture.su/news/2024/12/06/the-elitist-tyranny-of-western-democracy-is-exposed-and-crumbling/
While in Kiev, Kallas coordinated with Germany’s Baerbock in Beijing by repeating baseless condemnation of China for its strategic partnership with Russia. https://strategic-culture.su/news/2024/12/06/the-elitist-tyranny-of-western-democracy-is-exposed-and-crumbling/
A bill introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) would prohibit the U.S. from sending long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine to be fired into Russia. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-bill-would-reverse-atacms-order
Very little fighting has actually taken place, with the Syrian Army peeling back from position after position, and with heavy equipment including tanks seen being transported to the capital or in other instances to the coast. ZeroHedge's contacts in Damascus strongly suggest a transition of power deal has already been made.
Unverified social media reports further say that anti-Assad forces have essentially been able to walk into suburban or countryside areas of the capital with no resistance. Again, what points to the likely reality of a secret deal which allows Assad's safe exit and that of his top officials is the fact that all of this is happening without much bloodshed...
'Not Our Fight!': Trump Weighs In On Syria's Unraveling
In 5 years, the Turks have created a full-fledged army from all sorts of terrorist rabble, which is capturing Syria https://en.topcor.ru/54311-turki-za-5-let-iz-vsjakogo-terroristicheskogo-sbroda-sozdali-polnocennuju-armiju-kotoraja-zahvatyvaet-siriju.html
Erdogan wishes good luck to terrorists in Syria
The Turkish president has expressed hope that the jihadists continue their march to Damascus https://www.rt.com/news/608840-erdogan-wishes-luck-jihadists-syria/
After capturing Hama, terrorists plan to cut off Damascus from Russian bases in Latakia https://en.topcor.ru/54306-posle-zahvata-hamy-terroristy-planirujut-idti-na-homs-i-otrezat-damask-ot-rossijskih-baz-v-latakii.html
Thousands flee Homs as Syrian militants push on lightning offensive https://www.arabnews.com/node/2582013/middle-east
Al-Tanf: The US stronghold in Syria and how it safeguards Israel
The US coalition's mission against ISIS quickly transformed into a broader strategy to occupy parts of Syria, with the Al-Tanf base being crucial for securing influence and supporting Israeli interests amidst increasing local resistance. https://thecradle.co/articles/al-tanf-the-us-stronghold-in-syria-and-how-it-safeguards-israel
Gaza Health Ministry urges international community to halt Israel aggression on hospitals https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20241206-gaza-health-ministry-urges-international-community-to-halt-israel-aggression-on-hospitals/
Ex-Secret Service Agent Warns Trump Is Not Safe Ahead of Inauguration Day https://www.dailyfetched.com/ex-secret-service-agent-warns-trump-is-not-safe-ahead-of-inauguration-day/
National Police Association 'strongly endorses' Kash Patel for FBI director
"We are confident that under his stewardship, the FBI will thrive in its vital mission to protect and serve the American people," the group says https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/national-police-association-strongly-endorses-kash-patel-fbi-director
‘Feds Were Behind January 6th!’: Trump’s FBI Pick Kash Patel Vows to Free ‘J6 Hostages’ https://thepeoplesvoice.tv/feds-were-behind-january-6th-trumps-fbi-pick-kash-patel-vows-to-free-j6-hostages/
Trump’s Pro-Israel Dream Team: Patel Nomination Caps Hawkish Cabinet
Free speech crises loom with crackdown on Israel criticism
Americans overwhelmingly oppose Biden's pardon of his son Hunter, poll finds
Voters also rejected the 46th president offered in explaining his clemency, and signaled they believe Donald Trump was more a victim of malicious prosecution than Hunter Biden Rasmussen's Napolitan News Service survey found 62% oppose the pardon, including 41% who strongly opposed it. Only 30% of voters favored Biden's clemency,
The poll also found Americans rejected the rationale the 46th president offered in explaining his decision.
Biden has said that Hunter Biden was unfairly targeted by prosecutors for political purposes, but 54% disagreed with his rationale, while 37% agreed.
Voters were more sympathetic to President-elect Donald Trump, with 46% declaring they believed that the Department of Justice unfairly targeted him under Biden's leadership, while 42% disagreed. https://justthenews.com/accountability/political-ethics/americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-bidens-pardon-his-son-hunter-poll
..None of the three has been convicted of a crime to be pardoned for, or even been hauled-in for questioning by federal law enforcement agents on a probable cause writ. But a pardon would necessarily paint them as criminals, ipso facto. Would they accept a pardon, with what it implies, or run shrieking from it as from an apple polished with novichok?
The proffer of a pardon itself must amount to a declaration of probable cause, igniting the very legal process it seeks to dispose of. An inquiry would have to be launched to discover what laws these three desperadoes might have broken, followed perhaps by a grand jury to evaluate the evidence, and so on. “Joe Biden” himself might have to answer some basic questions, such as: at what time prior to issuing the pardon did he begin to suspect some laws had been broken? And, since the president’s chief duty is to enforce the law, was “JB” negligent and culpable himself for misprision of felonies? ...
Why the Clintons Need Biden's 'Blanket Pardons' More Than Other Democrats https://sputnikglobe.com/20241206/why-the-clintons-need-bidens-blanket-pardons-more-than-other-democrats-1121111090.html
South Korea's President Survives Impeachment Vote As Protests Erupt
Underreported, but we see the same sorts of complications: France Identifies 53 Unique COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals
New study reports 190,000 adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in France, with 25% classified as serious. https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/france-identifies-53-covid-19-vaccine
Among other news, Dima asserts that Russia and Iran have had to make political deals to protect their interests in Syria, and will not act heroically with the blood of their citizens to bail out a regime which is only partly supported by its own army. Russian advances in Ukraine/Novorussiya continue at a rapid pace.
The Battle For PokrovskRussia Shifted Focus From Syria To UkraineMilitary Summary 2024.12.7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR1JPkvSzJc The first 6:30 min. of Dima's subsequent post details that Turkish-backed HTS (ISIS-rebrand) have walked into Homs, cutting Damascus from the coast, that all Syrian military are withdrawing to Damascus, and that all various mercenaries are also heading towards Damascus. Sergey Lavrov has met with foreign ministers of Iran and Turkey "to assure that terrorists are not allowed to take control of Syria", but what can they mean in this context? Russian ships are out at sea, not at Latakia. Additionally there is a prophecy from a 20th century blind Bulgarian prophetess that "The world will be divided by war when Damascus falls in the year of the dragon", which is 2024...
Cold War IIAncient ProphecyThe Russians Advance Towards PokrovskMilitary Summary For 2024.12.07 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvCFwszFivsChasing that led here: Apocalypse to begin in 2025, predicts Baba Vanga; know about her prophecies https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/apocalypse-to-begin-in-2025-predicts-baba-vanga-know-about-her-prophecies-124071200785_1.html
And this: Baba Vanga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Vanga
There's lots more. Putin's not dead yet, though: https://www.foxla.com/news/baba-vanga-2024-predictions
I excerpt this bland statement, Not saying "we will fight to the death for Syria": Gilbert Doctorow: Transcript of Press TV panel discussion on Syrian crisis, 6 December
The trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Syria had three messages. First, a message of support to the nation and government of Syria in their fight against Takfiri terrorist groups, which are carrying out attacks in Syria as part of an American-Israeli conspiracy. Second message is that the threat of terrorism in Syria is a threat to the whole region and resurgence of terrorist groups like Daesh can endanger other regional countries.
Third message is that there should be no discrimination in fighting terrorism and fighting terrorists in Syria is an international obligation. Therefore, countries that are silent regarding the spread of terrorism in Syria are supported, are responsible and must answer why they only fight terrorists where it serves their interests and ignore them at other places. https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/12/07/transcript-of-press-tv-panel-discussion-on-syrian-crisis-6-december/
Third message is that there should be no discrimination in fighting terrorism and fighting terrorists in Syria is an international obligation. Therefore, countries that are silent regarding the spread of terrorism in Syria are supported, are responsible and must answer why they only fight terrorists where it serves their interests and ignore them at other places. https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/12/07/transcript-of-press-tv-panel-discussion-on-syrian-crisis-6-december/
Jihadists Reach Outskirts Of Damascus Amid Likely Transition Of Power Deal, Assad's Fate Uncertain
There are widespread reports that jihadist forces under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and which are backed by Turkey have entered key districts of Homs in central Syria, and other convoys have already reached the outskirts of Damascus. Very little fighting has actually taken place, with the Syrian Army peeling back from position after position, and with heavy equipment including tanks seen being transported to the capital or in other instances to the coast. ZeroHedge's contacts in Damascus strongly suggest a transition of power deal has already been made.
External discussions are centered in Doha, and some premature and unverified reports have claimed President Bashar al-Assad has already flown out of the country; however, Syrian state SANA on Saturday sought to refute these reports, saying he is still in Damascus.
Iranian advisers and IRGC officers have departed Damascus. This also partly explains why Syrian national forces have not put up much of a fight. Unverified social media reports further say that anti-Assad forces have essentially been able to walk into suburban or countryside areas of the capital with no resistance. Again, what points to the likely reality of a secret deal which allows Assad's safe exit and that of his top officials is the fact that all of this is happening without much bloodshed...
..Whatever happens next, it is becoming clear that the Baathist Syrian state under the Assad family, which goes back to 1970 when Hafez Assad first emerged in power, will never be the same again - and is coming to a fast end.
Many Christian, Alawite, and Sunni ruling families in the capital area are fleeing to the Lebanese border, not waiting around to take their chances under Taliban-style rule, despite dubious claims that HTS plans to respect 'diversity' and pluralism...
Many Christian, Alawite, and Sunni ruling families in the capital area are fleeing to the Lebanese border, not waiting around to take their chances under Taliban-style rule, despite dubious claims that HTS plans to respect 'diversity' and pluralism...
..Regional war correspondent Elijah Magnier observes, "It looks like what will remain of the old Syria will be limited to Homs, for now, and on longer term Latakia - Tartous only. Lebanon should think about defended its borders. People in Damascus should think of their future in the next 24-48 hours." https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/jihadists-reach-outskirts-damascus-amid-likely-transition-power-deal-assads-fate
Damascus has folded without a fight this morning. There are now at least 4 armed groups without a common enemy in Syria. Some Syrian Arab Army forces crossed into Iraq and surrendered to Iraqi army units. Some units are moving towards Russian navy and airbases of Tartus and Latakia to regroup. Was Assad shot down, or did he get away? Israeli forces have crossed into Syria "to create a buffer zone". Turkish forces have entered Syria to attack (CIA asset) Kurdish forces.
Trump, Zelensky and Macron met in Paris at the re-opening of Notre Dame, and Trump says Zelensky is ready to sign a peace agreement, as Russian advances continue. The Prophecy Has Begun To Unfold Trump Calls For Peace Kurakhove On The Brink MS For 2024.12.08 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B2O5UJ4Pf8
Caitlin Johnstone is not joking: Assad Is Out, Woke Al-Qaeda Is In https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/assad-is-out-woke-al-qaeda-is-in
"Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad," he began the statement on Truth Social.
Trump emphasized that Washington should stay completely out, calling the situation a "mess" and that it is "not our fight". He posted the same message on X.
It alludes to Russia's inability to continue protecting Syria, given it is bogged down in the nearly three year long Ukraine war, while also blasting former President Obama's past Syria policies and that he laid down 'red lines'... Trump emphasized that Washington should stay completely out, calling the situation a "mess" and that it is "not our fight". He posted the same message on X.
A big question is: what comes next? While HTS has morphed from Syrian Al-Qaeda, it is trying to present to the West a softer image, claiming that it will protect minorities including Christians. However, its recent past clearly demonstrates that it rules territories under its control with Taliban-style force and brutality.
Much of the nation's population until now has stuck with Assad given the alternative is Somalia-style fracturing and rule by competing jihadist warlords. One thing is for sure: Trump will inherent dealing with an absolute tragic mess in Syria, the heartland of the Middle East, upon his opening days in office.
Much of the nation's population until now has stuck with Assad given the alternative is Somalia-style fracturing and rule by competing jihadist warlords. One thing is for sure: Trump will inherent dealing with an absolute tragic mess in Syria, the heartland of the Middle East, upon his opening days in office.
The Turkish president has expressed hope that the jihadists continue their march to Damascus https://www.rt.com/news/608840-erdogan-wishes-luck-jihadists-syria/
The US coalition's mission against ISIS quickly transformed into a broader strategy to occupy parts of Syria, with the Al-Tanf base being crucial for securing influence and supporting Israeli interests amidst increasing local resistance. https://thecradle.co/articles/al-tanf-the-us-stronghold-in-syria-and-how-it-safeguards-israel
With glee... Israel Preparing For Possibility Of Syrian State Collapse https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/israel-preparing-possibility-syrian-state-collapse
Meryl Nass MD, Israel's war on Gaza: a broad range of international media tell the same story. Surely, the photos don't lie.
I am proud to be a Jew. I am ashamed and appalled at what the Israeli government is doing in my name and with my tax dollars. This is my effort to stop them. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/israels-war-on-gaza-a-broad-range Gaza’s civil defense agency Friday reported deadly air strikes around Kamal Adwan Hospital in the territory’s north as well as “direct fire” on the health facility, which the Israeli army firmly denied.
Several witnesses described intense bombings in the vicinity of the hospital.
“There was a series of air strikes on the northern and western sides of the hospital, accompanied by intense and direct fire,” said hospital director Hossam Abu Safieh, adding that four staff were killed. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2582028/middle-east
Several witnesses described intense bombings in the vicinity of the hospital.
“There was a series of air strikes on the northern and western sides of the hospital, accompanied by intense and direct fire,” said hospital director Hossam Abu Safieh, adding that four staff were killed. https://www.arabnews.com/node/2582028/middle-east
US mercenary firms compete for 'huge contracts' to control security in north Gaza: Report
Infamous Pentagon contractors Constellis and Orbis are the front-runners to take over for the Israeli army once the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in north Gaza comes to a halt
“In order to circumvent the legal obstacles, the security services are examining bringing in external funding from humanitarian aid organizations or foreign countries for the [mercenary firms], which costs tens of millions of dollars to operate,” the report adds.
Since the start of the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the Israeli government has turned to mercenaries to overcome an enlistment crisis. This includes cooperation with German intelligence to recruit asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. https://thecradle.co/articles/us-mercenary-firms-compete-for-huge-contracts-to-control-security-in-north-gaza-report
Since the start of the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the Israeli government has turned to mercenaries to overcome an enlistment crisis. This includes cooperation with German intelligence to recruit asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria. https://thecradle.co/articles/us-mercenary-firms-compete-for-huge-contracts-to-control-security-in-north-gaza-report
"We are confident that under his stewardship, the FBI will thrive in its vital mission to protect and serve the American people," the group says https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/national-police-association-strongly-endorses-kash-patel-fbi-director
Patel has consistently advocated for a hardline approach to China and is an unabashed supporter of Israeli interests, often prioritizing them over U.S. considerations. On October 7, marking the first anniversary of the Hamas attack, Patel delivered a fiery interview on Fox News. During the segment, he vowed that the incoming Trump administration would intensify its crackdown on anti-Israeli elements.
"We should be side by side [with Israel]…When we are back in power with President Trump…we will shut off the machinery that feeds money into Iran…We need America to wake up and prioritize Israel, and that is not what Kamala Harris is about, we need to bring home Americans and end this war, bring home Israelis, and stand by our number one ally in Israel, and people need to wake up on November 5.” https://scheerpost.com/2024/12/06/trumps-pro-israel-dream-team-patel-nomination-caps-hawkish-cabinet/
"We should be side by side [with Israel]…When we are back in power with President Trump…we will shut off the machinery that feeds money into Iran…We need America to wake up and prioritize Israel, and that is not what Kamala Harris is about, we need to bring home Americans and end this war, bring home Israelis, and stand by our number one ally in Israel, and people need to wake up on November 5.” https://scheerpost.com/2024/12/06/trumps-pro-israel-dream-team-patel-nomination-caps-hawkish-cabinet/
As one administration exits and another takes form, a harsh reality is becoming clear for critics of maintaining U.S. support for the Israeli government: in government bureaucracies and university campuses alike, crackdowns and pressure on free expression and assembly will continue in force.
Precisely how the incoming Trump administration will handle such criticism remains to be seen — but views expressed by his congressional allies and recent cabinet picks suggest a further diversion from upholding freedoms of speech and assembly in the name of maintaining support for Israel's war on Gaza and beyond.
Most recently, Trump selected Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorney general. Last year, Bondi told Newsmax that students demonstrating in support of Hamas should be deported, whether they are here on student visas or as American citizens. “Frankly, they need to be taken out of our country,” Bondi said. "Or, the FBI needs to be interviewing them right away.”
Trump himself echoed similar sentiments on the campaign trail, telling a group of donors in May that he would “throw out” any student that protests for Palestine and calling on the Biden administration to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who “support Hamas.”
Trump’s congressional allies have echoed the same sentiments in recent weeks. In October, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) met with members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during which he threatened to revoke accreditation to universities that allow purported pro-Hamas or anti-Israel sentiment. Scalise discussed the various “levers” and “tools” by which the government can crack down on universities, even threatening their existence altogether.
“Clearly this administration doesn’t care, but if you get an administration that actually says ‘we’re not going to play the game anymore,’ there’s a lot of levers and tools that will get [universities’] attention, day one,” Scalise said. “Your accreditation is one the line, you’re not playing games anymore or else you’re not a school anymore.” The hour-long meeting was framed as a discussion about antisemitism, but no one present attempted to differentiate between prejudice against Jews and criticism of the Israeli government and its actions. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-protests/
Precisely how the incoming Trump administration will handle such criticism remains to be seen — but views expressed by his congressional allies and recent cabinet picks suggest a further diversion from upholding freedoms of speech and assembly in the name of maintaining support for Israel's war on Gaza and beyond.
Most recently, Trump selected Pam Bondi as his new nominee for attorney general. Last year, Bondi told Newsmax that students demonstrating in support of Hamas should be deported, whether they are here on student visas or as American citizens. “Frankly, they need to be taken out of our country,” Bondi said. "Or, the FBI needs to be interviewing them right away.”
Trump himself echoed similar sentiments on the campaign trail, telling a group of donors in May that he would “throw out” any student that protests for Palestine and calling on the Biden administration to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who “support Hamas.”
Trump’s congressional allies have echoed the same sentiments in recent weeks. In October, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) met with members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) during which he threatened to revoke accreditation to universities that allow purported pro-Hamas or anti-Israel sentiment. Scalise discussed the various “levers” and “tools” by which the government can crack down on universities, even threatening their existence altogether.
“Clearly this administration doesn’t care, but if you get an administration that actually says ‘we’re not going to play the game anymore,’ there’s a lot of levers and tools that will get [universities’] attention, day one,” Scalise said. “Your accreditation is one the line, you’re not playing games anymore or else you’re not a school anymore.” The hour-long meeting was framed as a discussion about antisemitism, but no one present attempted to differentiate between prejudice against Jews and criticism of the Israeli government and its actions. https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-protests/
Voters also rejected the 46th president offered in explaining his clemency, and signaled they believe Donald Trump was more a victim of malicious prosecution than Hunter Biden Rasmussen's Napolitan News Service survey found 62% oppose the pardon, including 41% who strongly opposed it. Only 30% of voters favored Biden's clemency,
The poll also found Americans rejected the rationale the 46th president offered in explaining his decision.
Biden has said that Hunter Biden was unfairly targeted by prosecutors for political purposes, but 54% disagreed with his rationale, while 37% agreed.
Voters were more sympathetic to President-elect Donald Trump, with 46% declaring they believed that the Department of Justice unfairly targeted him under Biden's leadership, while 42% disagreed. https://justthenews.com/accountability/political-ethics/americans-overwhelmingly-oppose-bidens-pardon-his-son-hunter-poll
Jim Kunstler, Not a Joke
The Hunter Biden super-sized blanket pardon went over so well around the country that “Joe Biden” — or the shadowy league of not-quite-geniuses who run the twilight White House operation — floated the idea of issuing preemptive pardons for a few of the most spectacularly dishonest characters in US political life: Dr. Fauci, Senator-elect Adam Schiff, and Liz Cheney... The proffer of a pardon itself must amount to a declaration of probable cause, igniting the very legal process it seeks to dispose of. An inquiry would have to be launched to discover what laws these three desperadoes might have broken, followed perhaps by a grand jury to evaluate the evidence, and so on. “Joe Biden” himself might have to answer some basic questions, such as: at what time prior to issuing the pardon did he begin to suspect some laws had been broken? And, since the president’s chief duty is to enforce the law, was “JB” negligent and culpable himself for misprision of felonies? ...
..Pardon me for saying: I fear that “Joe Biden” might have started something that isn’t going to end well for “Joe Biden” and many others. The little goldfish bowl of the White House is surrounded by the vast, pulsating DC blob and its million-footed ranks of officials deserving of pardons. You know the floated names Fauci, Schiff, and Cheney were only representative samples, denoting a certain managerial class of blobists that runs to the thousands of federal employees at least. What about Garland, Monaco, and Gupta at DOJ, and their paladin prosecutor Jack Smith, and his many deputies? Or Comey, Wray, Abbate, Sallet, McCabe, Rosenstein, Strzok, Page, Pientka, Priestap, McCord, Horowitz out of the FBI? Or Mueller, Weissmann, Dreeben, Van Grack, Rhee, and Quarles from that spin-off Special Counsel venture? Or Boasberg, Chutkan, and Sullivan in the DC judiciary? Or, Collins, Walensky, Cohen and their many deputies in Covid-land? Surely, they all deserve pardons now, and their crimes can be sorted out later.
There would appear to be no precedent for a chief executive pardoning the entire federal government, or we would have heard of it by now...
..What I await in the sunsetting “Joe Biden” presidency is whether he will go ahead and pardon the other members of the Biden family beyond just “first son” Hunter: brothers Jim and Frank and the wives and various offspring who received cash “gifts” from officials in foreign lands laundered into their personal bank accounts amounting to millions of dollars... There would appear to be no precedent for a chief executive pardoning the entire federal government, or we would have heard of it by now...
..Perhaps that’s what is spurring the league of not-quite-geniuses behind the Big Guy to try to start World War Three this Christmas Season — to distract the public from the inevitable Biden family blanket pardon. https://www.kunstler.com/p/not-a-joke
Days after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a brief state of emergency martial law (probably the shortest on record), an opposition party's attempt to impeach him failed when most lawmakers from his conservative ruling party boycotted the vote. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/south-koreas-president-survives-impeachment-vote-protests-erupt
London declining as financial center – Bloomberg
The stock market is shrinking at its fastest rate in more than a decade, the business news agency reports
Why are so many top CEOs psychopaths? Psychopathic personality traits are common amongst business leaders https://brainfodder.org/ceo-psychopath/
The stock market is shrinking at its fastest rate in more than a decade, the business news agency reports
In 2024, some 45 firms reportedly delisted from the London stock market, 10% more than the whole of last year. It’s the highest number of companies to leave the exchange since 2010. At the same time, the volume of deals targeting UK corporations have soared 81% this year to more than $160 billion.
Data tracked by the news agency also shows that only 11 companies have completed IPOs in London during the current year, raising a total of $1 billion, which is down 11% from the amount raised during the same period in 2023.
“Unless the UK gets its act together, it’s going to continue to lose ground and relevance,” Liad Meidar, managing partner at investment firm Gatemore Capital Management, told Bloomberg. “Quite simply, companies can’t get the right cost of capital. They can’t get the valuation they want.”...
“Unless the UK gets its act together, it’s going to continue to lose ground and relevance,” Liad Meidar, managing partner at investment firm Gatemore Capital Management, told Bloomberg. “Quite simply, companies can’t get the right cost of capital. They can’t get the valuation they want.”...
..The UK stock market remains popular with bargain hunters, Bloomberg said, noting that British equities are currently trading at a record discount of over 40% compared to peers globally.
“If London wants to keep its place as the financial center of Europe, major reforms are needed,” said Joachim Klement, a strategist at British advisory firm Panmure Liberum, as quoted by the agency. “It is time for UK investment banks, the London Stock Exchange, and regulators to realize the seriousness of the situation and take action. Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes.” https://swentr.site/news/608835-london-declining-financial-center/
“If London wants to keep its place as the financial center of Europe, major reforms are needed,” said Joachim Klement, a strategist at British advisory firm Panmure Liberum, as quoted by the agency. “It is time for UK investment banks, the London Stock Exchange, and regulators to realize the seriousness of the situation and take action. Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes.” https://swentr.site/news/608835-london-declining-financial-center/
"Next Few Weeks": FDA On Verge Of Possible Toxic Red Dye Ban Across America's Food Supply Chain https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/next-few-weeks-fda-verge-possible-toxic-red-dye-ban-across-americas-food-supply-chain
The viruses we caught were very far removed from those initially found in wild bats. You don't say? How could that be? Got any other samples of viruses that are closer?
Wuhan lab samples hold no close relatives to virus behind COVID After years of rumours that the virus that causes COVID-19 escaped from a laboratory in China, the virologist at the centre of the claims has presented data on dozens of new coronaviruses collected from bats in southern China. At a conference in Japan this week, Shi Zhengli, a specialist on bat coronaviruses, reported that none of the viruses stored in her freezers are the most recent ancestors of the virus SARS-CoV-2. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03982-2
Underreported, but we see the same sorts of complications: France Identifies 53 Unique COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals
New study reports 190,000 adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in France, with 25% classified as serious. https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/france-identifies-53-covid-19-vaccine
Immediately-active vitamin-D is explained by David Grimes MD. We should have access in the US: Vitamin D as Calcifediol is now available in the UK http://www.drdavidgrimes.com/2024/09/vitamin-d-as-calcifediol-is-now.html
That product, "Domnisol": https://www.mims.co.uk/drugs/nutrition/vitamin-and-mineral-supplements/domnisol
Meryl Nass MD, Door to Freedom is prepared to go full-on, engaging with the new administration over the WHO, UN, a better food supply and an improved and cheaper healthcare system.
Meantime, I thought you might like to know about the complicated agency regulation of our food supply. Who does what? https://doortofreedom.org/door-to-freedom-is-prepared-to-go-full-on/
Organic Prepper (planting onions in cold weather)
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