We can't force Iran out of Syria, Russia tells Israelis - Reuters
Reuters reports: "Russia cannot compel Iranian forces to quit Syria, Moscow’s ambassador
to Tel Aviv said on Monday, rebuffing Israel’s long-standing demand that
it should work to ensure their total withdrawal from the country.
Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov said Moscow could equally do nothing to
prevent Israeli military strikes against Iranian forces in Syria, which
along with Russia and Tehran-backed Lebanese militias are supporting
President Bashar al-Assad in combating rebel fighters."
Comment: I think that Netanyahu hoped his good relationship with Putin would provide a diplomatic solution and that Russia would order Syria's Assad to kick out the Iranians. Netanyahu has traveled to Moscow and met several times with Putin to make his case. There is no doubt that the situation is crystal clear to both Putin and Assad, Israel considers Iranian forces in Syria to be a threat and wants Russia to use their influence over Assad to solve the problem. According to this news report from the Reuters news service, it has been confirmed that Russia will not do that. So, from what I can see, this is a VERY important development. It suggests that there will be war between Israel and Iran inside Syria that could draw in Russia as well. Could the destruction of Damascus be near (Isaiah 17)?
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
Earthquake
500 hikers stranded on Indonesian mountain after earthquake - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Over 500 hikers await evacuation from Indonesia's volcanic Mount Rinjani on Monday after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake and landslide. Two groups, which include 135 foreign tourists, were trapped at Segara Anak Lake in Mount Rinjani National Park and in Batu Ceper, a nearby district. [...] At least 16 people died in the earthquake on Sunday morning, and hundreds of buildings were destroyed."
Comment: Prayers for their quick rescue.
UPI reports: "Over 500 hikers await evacuation from Indonesia's volcanic Mount Rinjani on Monday after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake and landslide. Two groups, which include 135 foreign tourists, were trapped at Segara Anak Lake in Mount Rinjani National Park and in Batu Ceper, a nearby district. [...] At least 16 people died in the earthquake on Sunday morning, and hundreds of buildings were destroyed."
Comment: Prayers for their quick rescue.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Temple Mount
Muslim worshipers, Israeli police clash at Jerusalem's Temple Mount - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Clashes between Muslim worshipers and Israeli security forces broke out on Friday at Jerusalem's Temple Mount, police said. [...] The violence came at the end of Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound and after a parade marking the one-year anniversary of the removal of temporary metal detectors from the holy site. Palestinians regarded the installation of the security measures as a move by Israel to assert control over the site."
Comment: You have to appreciate the twisted logic of the Palestinians, protesting the need for security with acts of violence, because that makes sense. This is a reminder that the Temple Mount remains a flashpoint that could erupt into violence at any time.
UPI reports: "Clashes between Muslim worshipers and Israeli security forces broke out on Friday at Jerusalem's Temple Mount, police said. [...] The violence came at the end of Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound and after a parade marking the one-year anniversary of the removal of temporary metal detectors from the holy site. Palestinians regarded the installation of the security measures as a move by Israel to assert control over the site."
Comment: You have to appreciate the twisted logic of the Palestinians, protesting the need for security with acts of violence, because that makes sense. This is a reminder that the Temple Mount remains a flashpoint that could erupt into violence at any time.
Thursday, July 26, 2018
False Christs
Japan hangs 6 remaining Aum cult members - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The six remaining Aum Shinrikyo cult members on death row were executed Thursday, the last of the 13 Japanese cult members to be hanged in the past three weeks. The six were convicted in a 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 12 people and injured hundreds. They were also convicted of committing a sarin attack in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, in 1994, and for killing a lawyer, his wife and their baby son in 1989. [...] Chizuo Matsumoto, the mastermind of the attack on Tokyo's subway system, was hung earlier this month along with six former senior members of the cult. Matsumoto, known as Shoko Asahara, was the founder of the Aum Shinrikyo cult."
Comment: That was one dangerous cult, glad they faced justice for their crimes.
UPI reports: "The six remaining Aum Shinrikyo cult members on death row were executed Thursday, the last of the 13 Japanese cult members to be hanged in the past three weeks. The six were convicted in a 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 12 people and injured hundreds. They were also convicted of committing a sarin attack in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, in 1994, and for killing a lawyer, his wife and their baby son in 1989. [...] Chizuo Matsumoto, the mastermind of the attack on Tokyo's subway system, was hung earlier this month along with six former senior members of the cult. Matsumoto, known as Shoko Asahara, was the founder of the Aum Shinrikyo cult."
Comment: That was one dangerous cult, glad they faced justice for their crimes.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Pestilence
Woman may have passed on Ebola a year after recovery - UPI.com
UPI reports: "A new report suggests that people can survive Ebola and still possibly infect others up to a year later. The finding could mean that continued monitoring for the disease is still necessary after a country has been declared Ebola-free, the researchers said. [...] More than 17,000 people survived the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and the new findings 'could lead to additional stigma around survivors of Ebola because of the potential persistence of Ebola virus in their body fluids,' wrote Lorenzo Subissi in an accompanying editorial."
Comment: That's unfortunate but I wonder if there might have been some rare and extenuating factors at play in that one case? They should be sure before they make all Ebola survivors fear that they remain carriers.
UPI reports: "A new report suggests that people can survive Ebola and still possibly infect others up to a year later. The finding could mean that continued monitoring for the disease is still necessary after a country has been declared Ebola-free, the researchers said. [...] More than 17,000 people survived the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and the new findings 'could lead to additional stigma around survivors of Ebola because of the potential persistence of Ebola virus in their body fluids,' wrote Lorenzo Subissi in an accompanying editorial."
Comment: That's unfortunate but I wonder if there might have been some rare and extenuating factors at play in that one case? They should be sure before they make all Ebola survivors fear that they remain carriers.
Monday, July 23, 2018
Rumors of War - Persia
Iran's Rouhani warns Trump about 'mother of all wars' | Reuters:
Reuters reports: "Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran, saying “war with Iran is the mother of all wars”, but did not rule out peace between the two countries."
Iran dismisses angry Trump warning against threatening U.S. | Reuters:
Reuters reports: "Iran on Monday dismissed an angry warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran risked dire consequences “the like of which few throughout history have suffered before” if it made threats against the United States. [...] The Trump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups. Despite the heightened rhetoric, both sides have reasons to want to avoid starting a conflict."
Comment: Negotiations have taken an odd turn. Stay tuned.
Reuters reports: "Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump about pursuing hostile policies against Tehran, saying “war with Iran is the mother of all wars”, but did not rule out peace between the two countries."
Iran dismisses angry Trump warning against threatening U.S. | Reuters:
Reuters reports: "Iran on Monday dismissed an angry warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran risked dire consequences “the like of which few throughout history have suffered before” if it made threats against the United States. [...] The Trump administration has launched an offensive of speeches and online communications meant to foment unrest and help pressure Iran to end its nuclear program and its support of militant groups. Despite the heightened rhetoric, both sides have reasons to want to avoid starting a conflict."
Comment: Negotiations have taken an odd turn. Stay tuned.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Rumors of War - Persia - Doomed Damascus
Syria: Rebels give up positions near Golan Heights - AP
The AP reports: "Syrian rebels laid down their weapons and started evacuating their positions near the Golan Heights on Friday, paving the way for President Bashar Assad’s forces to retake their positions along the Israeli frontier for the first time since 2011. [...] Since June 19, government forces aided by Russian air power have swept through southwestern Syria to consolidate Assad’s control over this strategic corner of the country. It puts the government back on the front-line again with Israel, and opens a sorely needed corridor for trade between Damascus and Jordan. [...] Israel has refrained from taking sides in Syria’s seven-year-long civil war, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated he does not object to the government’s return to southwest Syria — as long as Israel’s archenemies Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah stay clear of the frontier."
Comment: This is very good news for Israel. On the surface, it suggests that some kind of status quo might be in the offing in which Syrian forces man the border and respect the agreement with Israel without any trouble from Iranian forces. Looking deeper though, we have to wonder if those Iranian forces might dig in for a long-term presence as long as they don't go near the border. I was under the impression that Israel made it clear to Assad and his Russian patrons that any permanent Iranian presence in Syria would be considered a threat to Israel and dealt with accordingly.
The AP reports: "Syrian rebels laid down their weapons and started evacuating their positions near the Golan Heights on Friday, paving the way for President Bashar Assad’s forces to retake their positions along the Israeli frontier for the first time since 2011. [...] Since June 19, government forces aided by Russian air power have swept through southwestern Syria to consolidate Assad’s control over this strategic corner of the country. It puts the government back on the front-line again with Israel, and opens a sorely needed corridor for trade between Damascus and Jordan. [...] Israel has refrained from taking sides in Syria’s seven-year-long civil war, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated he does not object to the government’s return to southwest Syria — as long as Israel’s archenemies Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah stay clear of the frontier."
Comment: This is very good news for Israel. On the surface, it suggests that some kind of status quo might be in the offing in which Syrian forces man the border and respect the agreement with Israel without any trouble from Iranian forces. Looking deeper though, we have to wonder if those Iranian forces might dig in for a long-term presence as long as they don't go near the border. I was under the impression that Israel made it clear to Assad and his Russian patrons that any permanent Iranian presence in Syria would be considered a threat to Israel and dealt with accordingly.
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Peace of Jerusalem
Israel passes controversial Jewish nation-state bill - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli lawmakers passed a Jewish nation-state bill Thursday, that's been steeped in controversy, after a long debate. The bill officially defined Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people. It says Jerusalem is the united capital and the official language is Hebrew, with Arabic having 'special status.'"
Comment: The world is shocked to discover the Israel is the Jewish state, cue the outrage.
UPI reports: "Israeli lawmakers passed a Jewish nation-state bill Thursday, that's been steeped in controversy, after a long debate. The bill officially defined Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people. It says Jerusalem is the united capital and the official language is Hebrew, with Arabic having 'special status.'"
Comment: The world is shocked to discover the Israel is the Jewish state, cue the outrage.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Wickedness Increases
‘An Entire Community Got Together to Rape a Child.’ India Recoils at Girl’s Assault - NYT
The New York Times reports: "For months, the police say, a group of men took turns raping an 11-year-old girl. In the gated community in Chennai, India, where the girl lived with her parents, the men gave her soft drinks laced with drugs, the police said. They filmed themselves raping her, brandishing knives and threatening to release the videos if the girl told her family, the police said. The men were not intruders in the gated community, but employees who greeted residents, operated the elevator or brought water coolers to apartments. [...] 'This story has shaken me to the core,' Rohini Singh, an Indian journalist, wrote on Twitter. 'An entire community got together to rape a child. I cannot even fathom the depravity and horror of this act.'"
Comment: I think that quote says it all, it's just inhumanly depraved. What a horrible injustice. Hopefully some good will come out of it, perhaps some reforms and cultural change in India. What is needed, of course, is spiritual transformation.
The New York Times reports: "For months, the police say, a group of men took turns raping an 11-year-old girl. In the gated community in Chennai, India, where the girl lived with her parents, the men gave her soft drinks laced with drugs, the police said. They filmed themselves raping her, brandishing knives and threatening to release the videos if the girl told her family, the police said. The men were not intruders in the gated community, but employees who greeted residents, operated the elevator or brought water coolers to apartments. [...] 'This story has shaken me to the core,' Rohini Singh, an Indian journalist, wrote on Twitter. 'An entire community got together to rape a child. I cannot even fathom the depravity and horror of this act.'"
Comment: I think that quote says it all, it's just inhumanly depraved. What a horrible injustice. Hopefully some good will come out of it, perhaps some reforms and cultural change in India. What is needed, of course, is spiritual transformation.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Rumors of War - Doomed Damascus
Putin says he and Trump agreed on securing Israel's border with Syria | The Times of Israel
The Times of Israel reports: "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said he and US President Donald Trump agreed on securing Israel’s border with Syria, in accordance with the 1974 disengagement of forces deal following the Yom Kippur War. When terrorist forces are wiped out in south and west Syria, Putin said, 'the situation on the Golan Heights must be restored to what it was after the 1974 agreement, which set out the terms for the disengagement of forces between Israel and Syria.'"
Comment: This is one of the few reports I managed to find that contained any details at all about what Putin and Trump discussed about Syria and Israel. From what I can tell, Israel can be encouraged that the 1974 agreement will be respected once Syria feels confident enough in victory over those annoying rebels (what do they have against dictatorship?) but at the same time discouraged that no agreement was made regarding the presence of Iranian militias in Syria. This will presumably become a problem at some point in the future. We can expect that if Russia does not force Syria to expel the Iranians then Israel will do it for them.
The Times of Israel reports: "Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said he and US President Donald Trump agreed on securing Israel’s border with Syria, in accordance with the 1974 disengagement of forces deal following the Yom Kippur War. When terrorist forces are wiped out in south and west Syria, Putin said, 'the situation on the Golan Heights must be restored to what it was after the 1974 agreement, which set out the terms for the disengagement of forces between Israel and Syria.'"
Comment: This is one of the few reports I managed to find that contained any details at all about what Putin and Trump discussed about Syria and Israel. From what I can tell, Israel can be encouraged that the 1974 agreement will be respected once Syria feels confident enough in victory over those annoying rebels (what do they have against dictatorship?) but at the same time discouraged that no agreement was made regarding the presence of Iranian militias in Syria. This will presumably become a problem at some point in the future. We can expect that if Russia does not force Syria to expel the Iranians then Israel will do it for them.
Monday, July 16, 2018
King of the North
Presidents Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin express optimism at Helsinki summit - UPI.com
UPI reports: "U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin each
expressed optimism at their summit in Helsinki on Monday, a meeting that
ended with a controversial joint news conference. [...] Trump's remarks
at the news conference were met by some with strong criticism --
particularly for slamming Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia
investigation and appearing to back Putin's denial that Moscow did not
interfere in the 2016 U.S. election.[...] Multiple members of Trump's
own government and the entire U.S. intelligence community have already
concluded that Russia did indeed attempt to sway the vote in Trump's
favor."
Comment: That was a sad spectacle. I really thought Trump would give a grouchy "no comment" on these questions and then privately grill Putin about the election meddling. I mean, the evidence is compelling and no one seriously doubts Russia's hand in it. Trump, the "great negotiator" gained nothing by throwing the US. intelligence community under the bus and gained nothing from Putin in return for his obsequiousness. No deals were struck, no bargains made, nothing at all gained for Trump or the American side. Much was gained for Putin though, whose good word has now been vouched for by the American president and his stature as a great leader cemented for his loyal followers back home, who no doubt will be reminded that the American president did not make an issue of the Russian annexation of Crimea, the invasion of Ukraine or the brazen interference in the American democratic process. Trump gave Putin a free pass and what did he get in return? I'll have to read more analysis, but early reports suggests that Trump, the great deal-maker, came away empty handed.
Comment: That was a sad spectacle. I really thought Trump would give a grouchy "no comment" on these questions and then privately grill Putin about the election meddling. I mean, the evidence is compelling and no one seriously doubts Russia's hand in it. Trump, the "great negotiator" gained nothing by throwing the US. intelligence community under the bus and gained nothing from Putin in return for his obsequiousness. No deals were struck, no bargains made, nothing at all gained for Trump or the American side. Much was gained for Putin though, whose good word has now been vouched for by the American president and his stature as a great leader cemented for his loyal followers back home, who no doubt will be reminded that the American president did not make an issue of the Russian annexation of Crimea, the invasion of Ukraine or the brazen interference in the American democratic process. Trump gave Putin a free pass and what did he get in return? I'll have to read more analysis, but early reports suggests that Trump, the great deal-maker, came away empty handed.
Rumors of War - Jerusalem Security
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns of 'prolonged struggle' after Gaza strikes - UPI.com UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday warned local
leaders near the Gaza border hit by rocket fire over the weekend of a 'prolonged struggle.' [...] The visit came after a weekend of an exchange of attacks between Israeli
forces and Palestinian militants. Rockets fired from Gaza injured three people at a home in Sderot. [...] Netanyahu has been previously criticized for not visiting communities near the Gaza border and accepting a cease-fire that excluded mention of incendiary kites and balloons militants have sent over the border into Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported. "
Comment: I wonder if the Israelis are misinterpreting the Palestinian peace kites and balloons as something other than gestures for peace? Surely, after everything they've said in the press, the Palestinians are doing everything possible to demonstrate how much they want peace with Israel.
Comment: I wonder if the Israelis are misinterpreting the Palestinian peace kites and balloons as something other than gestures for peace? Surely, after everything they've said in the press, the Palestinians are doing everything possible to demonstrate how much they want peace with Israel.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Rumors of War - King of the North
South Korea scrambles fighter jets after Russian bombers trespass zone - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Two Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone multiple times on Friday afternoon, according to Seoul's joint chiefs of staff. [...] A South Korean official told Segye Ilbo the intrusion marks the first time Russian military planes entered the KADIZ four times in one day. South Korea's military broadcasted warnings in addition to scrambling fighter jets, according to reports. The Russian strategic bombers that entered South Korean airspace were identified as the Tupolev TU-95."
12 Russians accused of hacking Democrats in 2016 US election - AP
The AP reports: "Twelve Russian military intelligence officers hacked into the Clinton presidential campaign and Democratic Party, releasing tens of thousands of stolen communications, in a sweeping effort by a foreign government to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election, according to a grand jury indictment announced days before President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [...] U.S. intelligence agencies have said the meddling was aimed at helping the Trump campaign and harming the election bid of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The effort also included bogus Facebook ads and social media postings that prosecutors say were aimed at influencing public opinion and sowing discord on hot-button social issues."
Comment: When Trump looks at Russia he sees friendly oligarchs that he has done business with. When the rest of the Western establishment looks at Russia they see a former Cold War rival lead by a man who was raised in the Cold War and who has a sizable chip on his should about his country having lost that struggle and wants more than anything to revive the old empire. Russia is not a business competitor, they are a strategic rival and leader of nations opposed to U.S. global hegemony. That is simply a fact. Trump ignores it to our peril.
UPI reports: "Two Russian military aircraft entered South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone multiple times on Friday afternoon, according to Seoul's joint chiefs of staff. [...] A South Korean official told Segye Ilbo the intrusion marks the first time Russian military planes entered the KADIZ four times in one day. South Korea's military broadcasted warnings in addition to scrambling fighter jets, according to reports. The Russian strategic bombers that entered South Korean airspace were identified as the Tupolev TU-95."
12 Russians accused of hacking Democrats in 2016 US election - AP
The AP reports: "Twelve Russian military intelligence officers hacked into the Clinton presidential campaign and Democratic Party, releasing tens of thousands of stolen communications, in a sweeping effort by a foreign government to meddle in the 2016 U.S. election, according to a grand jury indictment announced days before President Donald Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. [...] U.S. intelligence agencies have said the meddling was aimed at helping the Trump campaign and harming the election bid of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. The effort also included bogus Facebook ads and social media postings that prosecutors say were aimed at influencing public opinion and sowing discord on hot-button social issues."
Comment: When Trump looks at Russia he sees friendly oligarchs that he has done business with. When the rest of the Western establishment looks at Russia they see a former Cold War rival lead by a man who was raised in the Cold War and who has a sizable chip on his should about his country having lost that struggle and wants more than anything to revive the old empire. Russia is not a business competitor, they are a strategic rival and leader of nations opposed to U.S. global hegemony. That is simply a fact. Trump ignores it to our peril.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Kings of the East
China’s Xi Jinping to visit UAE, South Africa in state visit - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Chinese President Xi Jinping is to visit four countries in the Middle East and Africa, following the signing of documents related to Beijing's One Belt, One Road Initiative. Xi's visit was made public on the Chinese foreign ministry's website on Thursday and the schedule includes stopovers in the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa."
Comment: China's ambitious plan to revitalize the ancient Silk Road trade routes is showing progress.
UPI reports: "Chinese President Xi Jinping is to visit four countries in the Middle East and Africa, following the signing of documents related to Beijing's One Belt, One Road Initiative. Xi's visit was made public on the Chinese foreign ministry's website on Thursday and the schedule includes stopovers in the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, Rwanda and South Africa."
Comment: China's ambitious plan to revitalize the ancient Silk Road trade routes is showing progress.
War - Doomed Damascus
Syrian forces recapture Daraa, birthplace of Assad revolt - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Syrian forces recaptured Daraa, the southwestern Syrian city where the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime was born in 2011, the government said Thursday. Assad's forces, along with Russian troops, entered the city after an agreement with rebels, who surrendered in exchange for amnesty or safe passage to other rebel-held areas."
Comment: It's always a fluid situation in war, but it does look like Syria and allies are wrapping things up. Damascus is looking pretty secure these days. Of course, we all know how quickly things can change.
UPI reports: "Syrian forces recaptured Daraa, the southwestern Syrian city where the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime was born in 2011, the government said Thursday. Assad's forces, along with Russian troops, entered the city after an agreement with rebels, who surrendered in exchange for amnesty or safe passage to other rebel-held areas."
Comment: It's always a fluid situation in war, but it does look like Syria and allies are wrapping things up. Damascus is looking pretty secure these days. Of course, we all know how quickly things can change.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Rumors of War - Persia
Benjamin Netanyahu visits Vladimir Putin in Russia - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Russia Wednesday to meet with Kremlin President Vladimir Putin, for visit he called a 'very important.' Netanyahu said he planned to discuss Syria, Iran and Israeli security needs with the Russian leader. [...] Talks also are expected to concentrate on Israel's fight against Iranian presence in Syria."
Comment: It seems that Russia's relationship with Iran is coming under increased pressure from Israel and the U.S. as both countries press to have Iranian troops booted out of Syria. Will Russia value it's relationship with Israel (including trade and tech deals) over the relationship with Iran?
UPI reports: "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Russia Wednesday to meet with Kremlin President Vladimir Putin, for visit he called a 'very important.' Netanyahu said he planned to discuss Syria, Iran and Israeli security needs with the Russian leader. [...] Talks also are expected to concentrate on Israel's fight against Iranian presence in Syria."
Comment: It seems that Russia's relationship with Iran is coming under increased pressure from Israel and the U.S. as both countries press to have Iranian troops booted out of Syria. Will Russia value it's relationship with Israel (including trade and tech deals) over the relationship with Iran?
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Fearsome Events
Death toll rises to 155 in Japan flooding, mudslides - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The death toll on Tuesday rose to more than 150 people in the flooding and mudslides in western Japan, the government said. [...] The toll, up from 141 previously, is the highest Japan has seen from a flood in more than three decades, UNI reported. The extreme rainfall that Japan's Meteorological Agency called 'historic' began Thursday and continued to pummel the region through Sunday."
Comment: I take notice when "historic" weather events occur. Does it seems like such events are happening more often?
UPI reports: "The death toll on Tuesday rose to more than 150 people in the flooding and mudslides in western Japan, the government said. [...] The toll, up from 141 previously, is the highest Japan has seen from a flood in more than three decades, UNI reported. The extreme rainfall that Japan's Meteorological Agency called 'historic' began Thursday and continued to pummel the region through Sunday."
Comment: I take notice when "historic" weather events occur. Does it seems like such events are happening more often?
Monday, July 09, 2018
Gog Alliance
Turkey's Recep Erdogan sworn in for new term with more powers - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Recep Tayyip Erdogen, Turkey's president for 15 years, took the oath of office on Monday for a new term, which comes with a whole new set of powers. The new presidential term comes with constitutional changes to presidential powers Erdogan won in a referendum last year. He said the changes are needed for economic growth. [...] Erdogan has ruled mostly by fiat since 2016 when he imposed a state of emergency after surviving a failed military coup. [...] Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended the ceremony with other leaders, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban."
Comment: The gradual transformation of Turkey from a secular republic and member of the Western alliance to an Islamic dictatorship and member of Putin's rebel club is one of the most prophetically significant events of the last few decades.
UPI reports: "Recep Tayyip Erdogen, Turkey's president for 15 years, took the oath of office on Monday for a new term, which comes with a whole new set of powers. The new presidential term comes with constitutional changes to presidential powers Erdogan won in a referendum last year. He said the changes are needed for economic growth. [...] Erdogan has ruled mostly by fiat since 2016 when he imposed a state of emergency after surviving a failed military coup. [...] Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev attended the ceremony with other leaders, including Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban."
Comment: The gradual transformation of Turkey from a secular republic and member of the Western alliance to an Islamic dictatorship and member of Putin's rebel club is one of the most prophetically significant events of the last few decades.
Tuesday, July 03, 2018
Rumors of War - Persia
Hassan Rouhani says Iran 'committed' to nuclear deal - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday his country is committed to the 2015 nuclear deal, even though it's been abandoned by the United States. In Switzerland campaigning to save the deal, Rouhani made clear Tehran will stick to the agreements it made in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action."
Iranian diplomat arrested over alleged Paris bomb plot - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An Iranian diplomat was arrested in Germany in connection with a plot to bomb an Iranian opposition event in France. [...] Belgian authorities said the Iranian diplomat was detained in Germany on Monday as a contact of a Belgian married couple of Iranian heritage. The couple was arrested earlier by Belgian police in Brussels after they were caught with 500 grams of TATP explosive and a detonator hidden in a toiletries bag."
Comment: I think Trump's point was that Iran was not acting like a well-behaved country under a deal with much to lose, but like a belligerent country, as in exporting terrorism.
UPI reports: "Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday his country is committed to the 2015 nuclear deal, even though it's been abandoned by the United States. In Switzerland campaigning to save the deal, Rouhani made clear Tehran will stick to the agreements it made in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action."
Iranian diplomat arrested over alleged Paris bomb plot - UPI.com
UPI reports: "An Iranian diplomat was arrested in Germany in connection with a plot to bomb an Iranian opposition event in France. [...] Belgian authorities said the Iranian diplomat was detained in Germany on Monday as a contact of a Belgian married couple of Iranian heritage. The couple was arrested earlier by Belgian police in Brussels after they were caught with 500 grams of TATP explosive and a detonator hidden in a toiletries bag."
Comment: I think Trump's point was that Iran was not acting like a well-behaved country under a deal with much to lose, but like a belligerent country, as in exporting terrorism.
Monday, July 02, 2018
Rumors of War - Kings of the East
India to introduce ICBM to strategic forces - UPI.com
UPI reports: "India is planning to induct its latest intercontinental ballistic missile into strategic forces, according to multiple press reports. Agni-V, the fifth missile in a series, is a long-range projectile that could bring into range targets across China, Defenseworld.net reported Monday. The ballistic missile was tested in June for the sixth time, is nuclear capable and has a striking distance of 3,100 miles, according to India TV News. [...] India is one of a handful of countries that have retained long-range missiles, a list that includes the United States, China, Russia, France and North Korea."
Comment: Your move China. Whatever happens with North Korean disarmament, the fact remains that the world is set on a course of nuclear proliferation and not much is being done to stop that trend. We currently have a system where bad actors get nukes and those countries that play by the rules don't. We need to turn that upside down.
UPI reports: "India is planning to induct its latest intercontinental ballistic missile into strategic forces, according to multiple press reports. Agni-V, the fifth missile in a series, is a long-range projectile that could bring into range targets across China, Defenseworld.net reported Monday. The ballistic missile was tested in June for the sixth time, is nuclear capable and has a striking distance of 3,100 miles, according to India TV News. [...] India is one of a handful of countries that have retained long-range missiles, a list that includes the United States, China, Russia, France and North Korea."
Comment: Your move China. Whatever happens with North Korean disarmament, the fact remains that the world is set on a course of nuclear proliferation and not much is being done to stop that trend. We currently have a system where bad actors get nukes and those countries that play by the rules don't. We need to turn that upside down.
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