Puppet MastersS


Star of David

US asks Israel for 'explanation' of strike on Gaza refugee camp

Jabaliya refugee camp gaza bombed
© Abdul Qader Sabbah/APPalestinians inspect the damage of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes on Jabaliya refugee camp on the outskirts of Gaza City on Oct. 31, 2023.
Israel's strike on the Jabalia refugee camp has led to more intense pushback from the Biden administration.

U.S. officials have asked the Israeli military to explain its airstrike on a densely populated refugee camp in Gaza this week, after the attack killed dozens of people, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

The Biden administration requested Israel detail the thinking and process behind the recent strike on the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Northern Gaza, according to a U.S. official, who like others was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations.

Administration officials urged Israel to conduct "precision targeting" in order to avoid harming civilians, the official said.

"The U.S. asked for an explanation of the first [attack] on Jabalia," said the official, adding that the conversation was in the context of "asking Israel to do more to avoid civilian casualties."

Black Magic

Canada's moral slippery slope: Supreme Court stands up for child predators, bans minimum sentences

canada supreme court building
© Pgiam via Getty ImagesSupreme Court of Canada near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that mandatory minimum sentences for child luring are unconstitutional.

This decision stems from cases involving individuals who challenged the minimum sentences for child luring, arguing they violated their Charter rights.

Child luring is outlined in section 172.1(1) of the Criminal Code and involves adults using telecommunication to target children or individuals believed to be children for various offenses like sexual exploitation, sexual assault, incest, and child pornography.

The mandatory minimum sentence for child luring is one year for indictable offenses and six months for summary convictions.

Comment: Canada is on a path to self-destruction:


Bad Guys

US, EU officials broach topic of peace negotiations with Ukraine - NBC

Zelensky
© Timothy A. Clary / AFP - Getty ImagesUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly in September.
The conversations have included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal, the officials said. Some of the talks, which officials described as delicate, took place last month during a meeting of representatives from more than 50 nations supporting Ukraine, including NATO members, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the officials said.

The discussions are an acknowledgment of the dynamics militarily on the ground in Ukraine and politically in the U.S. and Europe, officials said.

They began amid concerns among U.S. and European officials that the war has reached a stalemate and about the ability to continue providing aid to Ukraine, officials said.


Comment: To claim that the proxy war has reached a 'stalemate' is wishful thinking, or intentionally deceptive, because it's quite clear, even to mainstream news reporters that the Kiev-junta has not only lost over 400,000 troops - and that's just the dead, it doesn't include the injured - but it also continues to lose territory, and economically it would collapse without Western-funds. Meanwhile the West has also incurred critical losses: EU lost $1.5 trillion in revenue due to anti-Russia sanctions


Comment: The propaganda and copium aside, what this does appear to reveal is that some in the US want their puppets in Kiev to give up on the failed proxy-war in Ukraine, because the focus now is instead on fomenting a much more ominous conflict in the Middle East.


Newspaper

Italy's PM Meloni slams 'very stupid' EU leaders, compares Ukraine to failed-state Libya, in hoax call with Russian pranksters

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
© BLOOMBERGFILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Italian leader told the Russian pranksters that Brussels was responsible for inaction over the migration crisis and spoke of increasing fatigue towards the war in Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni claimed that Ukraine's allies are growing tired of the country's ongoing conflict with Russia and slammed the European Union for failing to do more to combat the migration crisis at Italy's southern border in a hoax phone call with Russian pranksters.

The right-wing Italian leader divulged her thoughts on several issues facing Europe and the wider region to the Russian duo Vovan and Lexus — also known as Vladimir Kuznetsov and Aleksej Stolyarov — who have successfully duped a multitude of high-ranking politicians and celebrities into compromising situations.

The pair posed as the president of the African Union Commission in the prank call that dates back to Sept. 18, days before Meloni was due to meet with African leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Comment: The full audio of the call:

More from the hoaxers:


Megaphone

Best of the Web: Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's Speech on War in Palestine - Full Transcript

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah
© Al-ManarLeader of the Lebanese Resistance movement Hezbollah, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah
Full transcript of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, November 3, 2023
Today will honour the memory of the fallen martyrs: the martyrs of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah; the martyrs of the Lebanese factions fighting and resisting against the Israeli occupation; the fallen martyrs of Al-Qassam in Lebanon; Al-Quds Brigade in Lebanon, together with all the fallen civilian martyrs who were murdered at the hands of Zionists, including journalists.

I start by offering my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen here in Lebanon. We offer our condolences and at the same time congratulate you as your loved ones have won this honour - the honour of martyrdom. Many of you have lost loved ones: a father, a brother or a son. And I pray to God almighty to accept all our good deeds.

We offer condolences and congratulations at the same time, to all the families of the fallen martyrs in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and on every inch where our brave martyrs have fallen, including those of Al-Aqsa Typhoon or Al-Aqsa Flood, that has extended on a number of fighting fronts.

Comment: Pre-speech analysis: What is the expected role of Hezbollah in the Gaza war?
[...]Hezbollah's operations have targeted 42 Israeli military installations, including barracks, radar stations and electronic spying posts. The group claims to have hit these positions less than 150 times with laser-guided missiles. On the other hand, Israel has reported casualties, with 120 soldiers either killed or wounded in the confrontations.

The intensity of the conflict has prompted Israel to deploy three of its military divisions and its elite special forces to the border. These forces are tasked explicitly with countering Hezbollah's elite al-Ridwan unit, known for its prowess in guerrilla warfare. The presence of al-Ridwan has been a significant concern for Israel, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from settlements along the border. This evacuation effectively means that large swathes of once-populated areas are now under military occupation.

Hezbollah's stance and war manoeuvre have forced Israel to split its military focus. With the northern front now active, Israel must remain vigilant against possible breakthroughs by Hezbollah special forces. The group has admitted losing 50 of its fighters in these confrontations. This escalation marks a significant shift in the region's dynamics, with both sides demonstrating their military capabilities and resolve.

Ongoing tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border have escalated to unprecedented levels. More than 60,000 Israeli settlers have been evacuated from areas adjacent to the wall, a move that underlines the seriousness of the perceived threat. The evacuation is not unilateral. Hezbollah on the Lebanese side has also moved thousands of its residents to safer locations. This mutual evacuation indicates the anticipation of a large-scale conflict, and both appear to take every precaution to minimise civilian casualties.

Interestingly, despite the hostilities, there seems to be an unspoken rule of engagement. So far, both sides have primarily targeted military installations, avoiding large-scale civilian casualties. This restraint, especially on the part of a non-state actor like Hezbollah, is remarkable. It suggests maturity and strategic thinking that seeks to avoid the international repercussions of civilian casualties.

Hezbollah's use of precision-guided missiles, even against seemingly insignificant targets such as communications equipment, sends a clear message. It's not just about destroying the mark; it's about demonstrating its capabilities. Using such advanced weaponry against smaller targets implies good training and a significant stockpile of these missiles, suggesting a willingness to engage in a protracted conflict. This 'show of force' acts as a deterrent, signalling to Israel the potential cost of a full-scale invasion or attack.

The situation is a classic example of the delicate balance of power in modern warfare. Even non-state actors, with the right resources and strategy, can impose a state of deterrence on established military forces. The coming days will determine how this balance plays out and whether the current tensions escalate into a wider conflict.

Hezbollah's involvement in the current conflict has been strategic and measured. The group has set clear limits to its involvement, which Israel seems to recognise, probably to avoid opening a second front in the north while it is already engaged in Gaza. The dynamics of the conflict in Gaza, especially with Hamas and Islamic Jihad maintaining their firepower and readiness, don't require Hezbollah's intervention from the north at this time.

The ambiguity of Israel's objectives in its ground invasion further complicates the situation. While Israel's initial goals may not have been explicitly stated, they may evolve based on the realities on the ground, especially if the Israeli occupation forces suffer significant casualties.

Israel's decision to withhold its ultimate objectives in the ground invasion of Gaza is a strategic move that allows for flexibility in its military operations and keeps its adversaries uncertain. By not revealing whether it intends to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, Israel maintains an element of unpredictability, which can be a tactical advantage in warfare.

Speculation about the administration of Gaza post-occupation suggests that Israel is considering long-term implications and scenarios. However, a complete occupation of Gaza would be a significant escalation with profound political, humanitarian and security implications. Such a move would not only intensify the conflict within Gaza but could also broaden the scope of the war by drawing in other regional actors.

[...]



Attention

Hezbollah Chief: US "directly responsible" for Gaza atrocities, will soon pay "heavy price"

Nasrallah
© APHezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah
Summary recap: Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah's speech went for just under one-and-a-half hours, and while full of threats and ultra-provocative heated words aimed at Israel and the United States, this was not a declaration of war speech. But he emphasized that Hezbollah's full entry into war with Israel will be determined based on developing events in Gaza, and whether Israel halts its attacks on the Palestinian people. Shelling on the Israel-Lebanese border was reportedly ongoing through and by the end of the speech in Beirut (Nasrallah addressed his top officers via remote feed from a secure location). Some highlights from Nasrallah's speech...

All "Options" on the table
"I assure you all options are open on the southern front. They can be adopted anytime. I assure you it will not be the end, this is not sufficient.

"If you wish to steer away from a regional war, you must end the war on Gaza. This front will develop according to developments in Gaza.

"If Israel strikes Lebanon it will be the most foolish act in all of Israel's existence."
US sent message to Hezbollah, warning its ships & planes will attack

Nasrallah related that Hezbollah was warned soon after Oct.7 that US ships and war planes positioned in the Mediterranean would bombard southern Lebanon if Hezbollah fighters escalate attacks on Israel.

But Nasrallah said, "We will continue to infiltrate" and that Hezbollah's calculus will be "a civilian for a civilian" - meaning that attacks from southern Lebanon will be determined based on the intensity of Israel's attacks on Palestinians.

Attention

Timofey Bordachev: The global majority is shocked by the hypocrisy of the West in the Israel-Palestine conflict

protester
© Getty ImagesProtest
Current leaders in North America and Western Europe are destroying the system that underpinned their own prosperity...

We in Russia are very fond of appealing to such a concept as the "global majority" - these are countries of the world that link their development to the main trends of globalization, but are capable of expressing their own views on fair forms of international order. Up to now, this notion has been expressed rather discreetly, which is explained by our common participation in a system of relations in which Western countries not only played a leading role, but were also able, until a certain point, to come up with relatively optimal solutions for everyone. Recent events, however - especially the crisis in the Middle East - may open a new chapter in the perception of US and Western European policies by most of the world's countries and create new conditions that will make a return to the previous world order impossible.

Israel's confrontational policy does not directly threaten Russia, the US or China - the great powers of the modern world - and they will not be crossing swords over the future of the Middle East region after the events of this autumn. But it would be short-sighted to underestimate the damaging impact of certain features of the West's chosen position on the credibility of the US and its allies in the eyes of the global community. This means that the conditions under which the international order of the future will emerge are becoming more complex. Let us try to summarize how the countries of the global majority, especially the Islamic part of it, might assess the actions of our American adversaries, their allies in Europe and, most importantly, the consequences of all this for international politics.

Comment: Rest assured, there will be no one to clean up the West's mess.


Star of David

Netanyahu may not last, Biden and aides increasingly believe

shake
© Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesIsraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu • US President Joe Biden • 78th UN General Assembly
The Israeli prime minister's political obituary has been written before. But U.S. officials are already gauging potential successors.

Joe Biden and top aides have discussed the likelihood that Benjamin Netanyahu's political days are numbered — and the president has conveyed that sentiment to the Israeli prime minister in a recent conversation.

The topic of Netanyahu's short political shelf life has come up in recent White House meetings involving Biden, according to two senior administration officials. That has included discussions that have taken place since Biden's trip to Israel, where he met with Netanyahu.

Biden has gone so far as to suggest to Netanyahu that he should think about lessons he would share with his eventual successor, the two administration officials added.

A current U.S. official and a former U.S. official both confirmed that the administration believes Netanyahu has limited time left in office. The current official said the expectation internally was that the Israeli PM would likely last a matter of months, or at least until the early fighting phase of Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip was over, though all four officials noted the sheer unpredictability of Israeli politics.
"There's going to have to be a reckoning within Israeli society about what happened. Ultimately, the buck stops on the prime minister's desk."
The administration's dimming view of Netanyahu's political future comes as the president and his foreign policy team try to work with, and diplomatically steer, the Israeli leader as his country pursues a complicated and bloody confrontation with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza and attacked Israel on Oct. 7.


Comment: The intent is either true or it is political impression management. Netanyahu is not a 'to be steered' kind of guy.


Comment: Though it may be Neti's last hurrah, it is the big one.


Stop

Heckler pushes Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Biden says 'we need a pause'

Joey b
© ReutersUS President Joe Biden calls for 'a pause'
United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for a "pause" in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip after a heckler pushing for a ceasefire confronted him at a campaign fundraiser.

Mr Biden was speaking to about 200 people when the heckler shouted: "As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now."

Mr Biden responded: "I think we need a pause. A pause means give time to get the prisoners out."

The White House later clarified that Mr Biden was referring to the hostages - not prisoners - held by Hamas after its Oct 7 attack on Israel in which 1,400 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas and has retaliated with bombardments of Gaza and a ground offensive in the besieged coastal enclave.

The Gaza health ministry says some 8,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including over 3,600 children, been killed by Israel's retaliatory strikes.


Oil Well

World Bank warns of huge oil price surge

smoke rising
© Amir Levy/Getty ImagesSmoke Rising
The organization warned millions could go hungry if hostilities between Israel and Hamas continue to intensify...

Continued escalation of Israel's war with Hamas could push oil prices into "uncharted waters," the World Bank warned in its Commodity Markets Outlook on Monday.

The World Bank cautioned that while the war's effect on oil prices had been limited thus far, the future "would darken quickly if the conflict were to escalate." The organization's report outlined three potential futures based on the level of disruption escalating hostilities might cause in global oil supply.
A "small disruption," removing 500,000 to 2 million barrels of oil from circulation per day, would be mostly absorbed by the market, the bank predicted. Prices would inch up from the current $90 per barrel to between $93 and $102, canceling out the $9 drop it had previously predicted by next year in the face of slowed economic growth.

A "medium disruption," the equivalent of the US' 2003 war in Iraq, could see prices increase between 21% and 35%, with 3 to 5 million barrels per day taken out of supply - leaving oil priced between $109 and $121 per barrel, the report stated.

A "large disruption," which the bank likened to the Arab oil embargo of 1973, with 6 to 8 million barrels eliminated from supply per day, could see prices surge between 56% and 75%. This would drive the cost per barrel up to between $140 and $157.
Higher oil prices would translate to spiking food prices, exacerbating current food insecurity and causing millions to go hungry, World Bank deputy chief economist Ayhan Kose explained:
"If a severe oil price shock materializes, it would push up food price inflation that has already been elevated in many developing countries as a result of the Ukraine conflict.

"Nearly a tenth of Earth's population - over 700 million people - were undernourished by the end of 2022 due to disruptions in commodity markets caused by the conflict."