Birth pangs

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[Rigatoni]

Central Israel a ghost town as terrorists aim rockets at the country
Central Israel a ghost town as terrorists aim rockets at the country

People wondered out loud whether there would be a war.

“Maybe this time, they [the security cabinet] will show more strength with [Naftali] Bennett as defense minister,” one commuter said.

Gaza terror groups: Israel has crossed a redline
Gaza terror groups: Israel has crossed a redline

Several PIJ leaders responded to the assassination of Abu al-Ata by declaring that their group was now at war with Israel. They also vowed to make Israel pay a “heavy price,” and accused the Israeli government of “crossing all redlines.”

 

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[Rigatoni]

Watch North Korea.

Trump Revives Threat of Force Against North Korea’s ‘Rocket Man’
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

U.S. President Donald Trump revived both his “Rocket Man” nickname for Kim Jong Un and the threat of military force against North Korea, in the latest sign of rising tensions ahead of Pyongyang’s year-end deadline.

Trump revisited the name he once used to mock Kim just hours after North Korea said it was preparing a “Christmas gift” for the U.S. if the administration failed to meet its demands by year-end for concessions in nuclear talks. Kim has repeatedly warned in recent months he could take a “new path” in relations with the U.S., while resuming ballistic missile launches.

N. Korea blasts Japan's Abe, warns of 'real ballistic missile'
N. Korea blasts Japan's Abe, warns of 'real ballistic missile'

North Korea on Saturday warned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he could soon see a "real ballistic missile" while excoriating him as the "most stupid man ever known in history".

North Korea warns U.N. Security Council not to discuss rights
North Korea warns U.N. Security Council not to discuss rights

North Korea warned the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that any discussion by the body of the country's human rights situation would be a "serious provocation" and Pyongyang would "respond strongly."

North Korea warns U.S. against using military force
North Korea warns U.S. against using military force

SEOUL - North Korea said it would take "prompt corresponding actions" if the United States resorts to military force, state media reported on Wednesday, as tensions rise ahead of Pyongyang's year-end deadline for stalled denuclearisation talks.

 

[Rigatoni]

Iran pulling out of nuclear deal commitment after U.S. strike that killed Soleimani
Iran pulling out of nuclear deal commitment after U.S. strike that killed Soleimani

Iran said Sunday that it was ending its commitment to limit enrichment of uranium as part of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, more fallout from the U.S. strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in May 2018, renewing tensions that reached new heights after Friday's air strike.

'We're going to war, bro': Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne deploys to the Middle East
'We're going to war, bro': Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne deploys to the Middle East

The 600 mostly young soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were headed for the Middle East, part of a group of some 3,500 U.S. paratroopers ordered to the region. Kuwait is the first stop for many. Their final destinations are classified.

Putin meets with Assad in Damascus
Putin arrives in Damascus to meet with Assad

The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tension, when Assad's other main military ally Iran has said it will retaliate against the United States for the killing of an Iranian general.

Qassem Soleimani, who was one of the key figures in Syria's civil war as the architect of Iranian military operations in the Middle East, had just arrived in Iraq from Syria when he was killed by a U.S. drone on Friday at Baghdad airport.

Soleimani's burial: 56 killed, 213 injured in stampede
Qasem Soleimani's burial: 56 killed, 213 injured in stampede

A stampede broke out at IRGC's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani's funeral, killing 56 people and injuring more than 210, the semi-official Fars news agency reported, citing an emergency services official. Iran's ISNA news agency said the burial of Soleimani had been postponed due to the deaths and injuries, but did not say how long any delay would last.

Puerto Rico declares emergency after strongest earthquake in 102 years
Puerto Rico declares emergency after strongest earthquake in 102 years

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) - Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard on Tuesday after a series of earthquakes including one of magnitude 6.4 that was the most powerful to strike the Caribbean island in 102 years.

 

[Rigatoni]

Seeing OSINT reports of multiple U.S. bases in Iraq under attack right now by Iran. At least 9 rockets have hit one of our bases, and am not sure of the extent of the other attacks. Keep a close eye on this, the rocket attacks are still ongoing.

Iranian media: Missile attack on US base in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani
Iranian media: Missile attack on US base in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani

Heavy missile attacks were carried out by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps on the Ain al-Assad air base in Iraq that hosts both Iraqi and US soldiers on Tuesday night. Nine missiles hit the airbase, according to Al-Hadath.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Seeing OSINT reports of multiple U.S. bases in Iraq under attack right now by Iran. At least 9 rockets have hit one of our bases, and am not sure of the extent of the other attacks. Keep a close eye on this, the rocket attacks are still ongoing.

Iranian media: Missile attack on US base in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani
Iranian media: Missile attack on US base in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani

Will this be enough of a revenge?

 

[Rigatoni]

Will this be enough of a revenge?

I think so, at least for now; the attacks seem to be over. No U.S. soldiers were killed in the strikes by Iran. Whether this escalates or not is based solely on how Trump decides to respond.

Iran is threatening to strike Saudi Arabia and Israel if we launch a reprisal against these latest attacks. Trump doesn't want war, but definitely will respond. His response will likely be very strategic in order to avoid escalation yet send a clear message at the same time. Although, he could choose to hit them back hard, even striking their nuclear sites and their assets in other Middle Eastern countries.

Iran is at a point where they have nothing left to lose - their economy and rule are collapsing. They've also forged strong alliances with Russia and China, and want to bring about the mahdi. So they're probably just looking for an excuse to escalate this into war. It'll be interesting to see where this leads.

 

[Rigatoni]

Iran: Missile attack against US bases in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani
Iran: Missile attack against US bases in Iraq is revenge for Soleimani

Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles and targeted US bases in Iraq on Tuesday night in retaliation for the killing of former Iran's Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani last week. The Pentagon said that the missiles were launched from Iran.

The Pentagon confirmed that more than a dozen ballistic missiles had been fired at a number of US military bases in Iraq, including the al-Assad airbase which hosts both Iraqi and US soldiers.

Iran Raises Red Flag Over ‘Messianic Mosque’ Declaring ‘End-of-Days’ War’ for First Time Ever
Iran Raises Red Flag Over ‘Messianic Mosque’ Declaring ‘End-of-Days’ War’ for First Time Ever

A chilling sight appeared on Sunday as a red flag, symbolizing a call for vengeance, appeared over the Holy Dome Jamkarān Mosque in Qom, Iran. The call has end-of-days significance as the mosque is dedicated to the “Final Imam” the Shiite Muslims believe is the Mahdi, the messianic figure that will appear alongside Isa, the Muslim Jesus, killing all the infidels in order to prepare the world for the ultimate arrival of the Messiah.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Iran Raises Red Flag Over ‘Messianic Mosque’ Declaring ‘End-of-Days’ War’ for First Time Ever
Iran Raises Red Flag Over ‘Messianic Mosque’ Declaring ‘End-of-Days’ War’ for First Time Ever
A chilling sight appeared on Sunday as a red flag, symbolizing a call for vengeance, appeared over the Holy Dome Jamkarān Mosque in Qom, Iran. The call has end-of-days significance as the mosque is dedicated to the “Final Imam” the Shiite Muslims believe is the Mahdi, the messianic figure that will appear alongside Isa, the Muslim Jesus, killing all the infidels in order to prepare the world for the ultimate arrival of the Messiah.

HMM! Red Horse?

 

[Rigatoni]

HMM! Red Horse?

Good point. The red horse could be getting ready to ride.

 

[Rigatoni]

Large 5.0 magnitude earthquake reported in Iran minutes ago...interesting timing.
Earthquake Monitor on Twitter

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Large 5.0 magnitude earthquake reported in Iran minutes ago...interesting timing.
Earthquake Monitor on Twitter

Yes, very interesting timing.