Earth calamities and Rumors of war

[jgr]

The Brennan-Rosenstein-Mueller–Comey-Presstitute Witch Hunt

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Russian lawmaker suggests deploying nuclear weapons in Syria to respond to US sanctions

http://tass.com/politics/1018605

MOSCOW, August 24. /TASS/. The US policy of putting pressure on Russia has crossed the "red line," and Moscow should think about an asymmetric response, such as the deployment of its tactical nuclear weapons abroad, a senior Russian lawmaker told TASS on Friday.

"I believe that now Russia has to draw its own ‘red lines.’ The time has come to ponder on variants of asymmetric response to the US, which are now being suggested by experts and are intended not only to offset their sanctions but also to do some retaliatory damage," said Vladimir Gutenev, the first deputy head of the economic policy committee of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.

Among such measures, the official named the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in other countries, such as Syria, the use of gold-linked cryptocurrencies for Russian arms exports and the suspension of a number of treaties with the United States, including on non-proliferation of missile technologies.

"It’s no secret that serious pressure is being put on Russia, and it will only get worse. It is intended to deal a blow to defense cooperation, including defense exports. We see that the Americans now speak about the possibility of sanctions against the countries that purchase Russian weaponry… We should follow the advice of certain experts, who say that Russia should possibly suspend the implementation of treaties on non-proliferation of missile technologies, and also follow the US example and start deploying our tactical nuclear weapons in foreign countries. It is possible that Syria, where we have a well-protected airbase, may become one of those countries," Gutenev said.

The lawmaker added that in order to respond to possible "US attempts to thwart deals on Russian weaponry and civilian goods," Russia should "consider the possibility of conducting transactions in cryptocurrencies that are linked to the value of gold."

"And I’m sure that this will be a very interesting option for China, India, and other states as well," he said.

According to Gutenev, the whole package of those measures "could become a very serious argument" in Russia’s favor.

"In boxing, one cannot just dodge blows, but has to strike in response, too. Especially when all the rules have been violated and the referees - such as the WTO and other international institutions - prefer to stay silent," he said.

Commenting on sanctions that are already in place, Gutenev said they are unlikely to do serious damage to Russia’s defense industry.

"The import substitution program has produced very good results, alternative suppliers have been found," he said. "However, we are concerned about the fact that the sanctions are still gaining momentum and have become somewhat imminent," he said.

Skripal case and US sanctions
On Wednesday, August 22, Washington hit Russia with more sanctions over its alleged involvement in the March 4 poisoning of former GRU Colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, near London. The Department of State claims that Russia acts in breach of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991.

As the US Department of State said on August 8, the first package of sanctions applies to dual use products, the export to Russia of all sensitive goods and know-how related with US national security and also electronics, components and technologies for the oil and gas industry.

Alongside this, the act envisages the possibility of far harsher sanctions to be taken in three months’ time. The second package of restrictions envisages a downgrade of bilateral diplomatic relations or their complete suspension, an overall ban on the export of US goods to Russia except for foods and on the United States’ import of Russian goods, including oil and oil products, refusal of permission to any planes of Russian government-controlled air carriers to land in the United States and Washington’s veto on all loans to Moscow from international financial organizations.

The US authorities said however they would not like to resort to the second phase of restrictions. For that Russia must present convincing arguments it will not violate international chemical weapons legislation and also permit onsite inspections by the United Nations and independent foreign observers in order to guarantee the government does not use chemical weapons in violation of international law.

Sergei Skripal, 66, who had been convicted in Russia for spying for the UK but later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench near the Maltings shopping center in Salisbury, England on March 4. Police said they were exposed to a nerve agent. Later on, London claimed that the Novichok-class toxin had been allegedly developed in Russia. The UK rushed to accuse Russia of being involved, while failing to furnish any evidence. Moscow refuted the accusations stating that neither the Soviet Union nor Russia had ever done research on that toxic chemical. Specialists from Britain’s army laboratory said later they were unable to identify the origin of the substance used to poison the Skripals.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

The Great Middle Eastern War of 2019

https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-great-middle-eastern-war-of-2019

Far from simply replaying the 2006 Lebanon war, the next conflict on Israel’s northern frontier will likely involve many more actors on multiple fronts, raising unprecedented challenges for escalation management.

Growing tensions on Israel’s northern border have raised concerns about yet another Israel-Hezbollah confrontation or a war between Israel and Iran in Syria. Such a war may not be limited to the original participants, but could involve an array of Shi’a militias and even the Assad regime, and could span the region—thereby affecting vital U.S. interests.

Two factors are driving these tensions: efforts by Hezbollah and Syria—with Iran’s help—to produce highly accurate missiles in Lebanon and Syria that could cripple Israel’s critical infrastructure and make life there intolerable; and Iran’s efforts to transform Syria into a springboard for military operations against Israel and a platform for projecting power in the Levant. Iran, however, while pursuing an anti-status quo agenda that has often brought it into conflict with Israel and the United States, has shown that it seeks to avoid conventional wars and consequent heavy losses to its own forces. Instead, it relies on proxy operations, terrorism, and non-lethal shaping activities. Yet it has occasionally been willing to venture high-risk activities that entail a potential for escalation. (Example: Iranian forces in Syria launched an explosives-laden UAV into Israeli airspace in February; it was shot down, but the incident sparked a round of clashes.)

Israel also seems intent on avoiding war, though its actions show that it is willing to accept the risk of escalation to counter these emerging threats. Indeed, since 2013 it has carried out more than 130 strikes in Syria on arms shipments destined for Hezbollah, and since late 2017 it has expanded this “campaign between the wars” to target Iranian military facilities in Syria—without, thus far, sparking a wider confrontation.

Complacency is, however, unwarranted. The two major Arab-Israeli confrontations of the recent past (Lebanon 2006, Gaza 2014) resulted from unintended escalation. The emerging dynamic between Israel, Iran, and the “axis of resistance” is a formula for a third major “accident,” and so deserves careful analysis.

Much, much more in the link above.

 

[Rigatoni]

'Big One' talk swirls as 69 massive earthquakes hit the Pacific's Ring of Fire in 48 hours
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2018...uakes-hit-pacifics-ring-fire-in-48-hours.html

A large swath of earthquakes hit the Pacific's so-called Ring of Fire earlier this week, prompting some to wonder if it is a precursor to the oft-discussed massive earthquake, colloquially known as "the Big One."

Earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher in the last 7 days:

 

[Rigatoni]

A few recent news articles:


Syrian regime cracks down on former rebel areas near Golan
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Syrian-regime-cracks-down-on-former-rebel-areas-near-Golan-565788

In recent days reports emerged that the Syrian regime and its allied militias in southern Syria have detained several former rebels, activists and a member of the White Helmets . . . Reports of arrests of former rebels, and also protests, have taken place in the last week. On August 20 a former rebel commander was reportedly arrested in Rafid near the border with Israeli forces on the Golan.

Strong earthquake hits northwest Iran, killing two and wounding 241
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/S...west-Iran-killing-two-and-wounding-241-565791

Deep magnitude 7.1 quake strikes Peru
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-quake/deep-magnitude-71-quake-strikes-peru-idUSKCN1L90XU

Magnitude 8.2 quake strikes in the Pacific, no damage reported on Fiji
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ific-no-damage-reported-on-fiji-idUSKBN1L4008

Tropical Storm Lane dumping torrential rain on Hawaii; Big Island sees over 40 inches
https://abcnews.go.com/US/tropical-storm-lane-dumping-torrential-rain-hawaii-big/story?id=57396521

Hurricane Lane: Rare major storm threatens Hawaiian islands
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9fda04e04c8d

Aftershock hits Venezuela following biggest quake since 1900
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...80770dcddc2_story.html?utm_term=.0164c0b265c5

Strongest-ever earthquake strikes Alaska's North Slope region
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alaska-north-slope-strong-earthquake-today-2018-08-12/

No tsunami risk after 6.7 quake off Vanuatu, officials say
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...quake-off-vanuatu-officials-say-idUSKCN1L62CH

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Iran, Russia, Turkey to hold Syria summit next week: Turkish TV

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/inte...key-summit-on-syria-sept-7-in-iran-turkish-tv

The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey will meet next week for their third tripartite summit seeking an end to the Syrian conflict, Turkish state television said Monday.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Iran to meet his Russian and Iranian counterparts Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani on September 7, state-run TRT Haber television said.

Private NTV television added the summit would be held in the northern Iranian city of Tabriz.

A Turkish presidential official contacted by AFP could not immediately confirm the reports. However, the presidency has invited Turkish journalists to cover a trip by Erdogan to Iran on September 7.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the tripartite summit was being prepared but did not confirm the date or venue.

"It could take place in Tehran. This option is being examined. We will make the appropriate announcement once all the nuances have been harmonized through diplomatic channels and when everything is ready," he added.

Erdogan had previously indicated that he planned to host a summit on Syria on September 7 in Istanbul with Putin and also French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But press reports over the last few weeks have suggested that such a meeting was increasingly unlikely and was set to be replaced by the latest three-way summit between Iran, Russia and Turkey.

The three leaders have previously met in the Russian resort city of Sochi and the Turkish capital Ankara.

Ankara, Moscow and Tehran are backing peace talks based in the Kazakh capital Astana which they insist are aimed at reinforcing, rather than undermining, a UN peace process in Geneva.

Iran and Russia are the main allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and their military interventions in Syria are widely seen as tipping the balance of the seven-year civil war in the regime's favour.

Turkey has backed rebels seeking to oust Assad but since late 2016 has been working increasingly closely with Iran and Russia to bring peace to Syria.

A major item on the summit agenda is expected to be the rebel-held northwestern Syrian province of Idlib which Assad wants to recapture, to crown a string of military successes.

But Turkey has said a military operation to take Idlib risks provoking a humanitarian "catastrophe", warning that 3.5 million people are crammed into the region.

Iran claims control of Strait of Hormuz

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/251160

Iran has seized control over the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping lane through which one third of the world's oil passes, an Iranian naval commander said Monday.

Gen. Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' navy, stated that Iran now controls the Strait of Hormuz and the entire Persian Gulf.

"We can ensure the security of the Persian Gulf and there is no need for the presence of aliens like the U.S. and the countries whose home is not in here," Tangsiri told the Tasnim news agency

According to the US Energy Information Administration, the vast majority of oil exported from Saudi Arabia passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has threatened to take action against oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the re-imposition of US sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Any Iranian action against oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly impact oil prices around the world.

Earlier this month, Iran held naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz in which small Iranian vessels practiced "swarming" techniques for use against US ships.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah has warned that if Iran cannot export oil as a result of US sanctions, no country in the Middle East would be allowed to export oil.

 

[Rigatoni]

IDF’s new missile corps will revolutionize how Israel wages war
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/I...ill-revolutionize-how-Israel-wages-war-565921

The idea has long been in the works, but the Defense Ministry’s decision on Monday to finally purchase new precision ground-to-ground rockets for the Ground Forces is nothing short of a revolution. Years from now, it will also likely be looked at as one of the most significant decisions Avigdor Liberman will have made as Israel’s defense minister.

Iran showcases new defense cooperation in blow to U.S., Israel
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-showcases-new-defense-cooperation-in-blow-to-US-Israel-565878

Iran and Syria signed a deal underlining defense and technical cooperation during a visit by Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami to Damascus on Sunday. The deal is meant to “reiterate Tehran’s commitment to Syria’s security,” Iranian state media reported.

Iran's Strait of Hormuz control stokes tensions, could prompt US response
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/0...stokes-tensions-could-prompt-us-response.html

A major shipping route located between Oman and Iran where nearly one-third of the world's sea-traded oil passes through daily may become a new flashpoint after a top Iranian Navy general said Monday that the country has taken full control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia plans largest war games since end of Soviet Union
https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/21/asia/russia-largest-war-games-intl/

Russia will stage its largest war games since the fall of the Soviet Union next month, the country's Defense Ministry said Monday.

Thousands of troops from China and Mongolia are expected to join in the exercises in Siberia, dubbed Vostok 2018, according to statements from the Russian and Chinese defense ministries.

 

[Rigatoni]

Israel vows to confront Iran in Syria with ‘full determination’
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-vows-to-confront-iran-in-syria-with-full-determination/

After Iran and Syria announced a new military cooperation agreement on Monday, through which Iran will play a leading role in shaping the Syrian military, a senior Israeli official declared Tuesday that the Jewish state is determined to force Iran to retreat.

Bolton defends Israeli strikes in Syria against Iranian targets
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/I...e-self-defense-Israeli-strike-in-Syria-565504

Israel has struck in Syria in recent months “every time Iran has brought missiles or other threatening weapons” into the country, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday. He added that he viewed those strikes as “a legitimate act of self-defense.”

Iranian defense minister arrives in Damascus, showing off threat to Israel
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/I...-Damascus-showing-off-threat-to-Israel-565803

Days after US National Security Advisor John Bolton wrapped up several days of meetings in Jerusalem, Iran’s Defense Minister Amir Hatami led a large delegation to Damascus. The visit is meant to show that Tehran is a key ally of Damascus, and any thoughts that Iran can be removed from Syria are mistaken.

 

[Rigatoni]

New Caledonia earthquake: Huge magnitude 7.1 quake rocks Pacific islands
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/wor...-71-quake-rocks-pacific-islands-a3922066.html


Russia masses warships off Syria ahead of regime's final assault on Idlib
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/20...hips-syria-ahead-regimes-final-assault-idlib/

Russia is massing its naval forces in the Mediterranean ahead of an expected assault by the Assad regime on the last major rebel stronghold in Syria.At least ten Russian warships and two submarines have been deployed to the eastern Mediterranean in the largest naval build up since Moscow’s intervention in Syria began in 2015, according to Russian media.

 

[Rigatoni]

The situation taking place in Syria now is definitely one to watch. It's feared that the U.S.'s war games could lead to an attack on Syria, although I can't find any information as to the duration exactly. Russia is also hosting war games in return which start on the 1st of next month, and is speculated to be away of defending Syria encase of such an attack. Nothing may end up happening, but the situation is very volatile right now.


Russia Says U.S. Could Attack Syria in ‘Just Over 24 Hours’ as War Games Expand
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-say...ck-syria-just-over-24-hours-war-games-1097679

Despite the Pentagon's denials that it was building up its forces in the region, Moscow has insisted that the U.S. was gearing up for military action against Syria, where the two powers support rival factions in a seven-year civil war. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned reporters Thursday that "the clouds are gathering again" over Syria as the U.S. threatened to respond harshly to any instances of chemical weapons attacks that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his international allies have denied conducting.

Russia says it will hold war games in Mediterranean this week
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia...iterranean-us-vladimir-putin-syria-offensive/

NATO says the Russian navy is building up its presence in the Mediterranean Sea amid growing tensions over the war in Syria. Russia has provided crucial military support for Syrian government forces, which are expected to mount an offensive in the northern Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold in the country.

 

[Rigatoni]

Rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko killed in explosion in Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...r-zakharchenko-killed-in-explosion-in-ukraine

The leader of a Kremlin-backed separatist republic in war-torn eastern Ukraine has been killed in a blast that tore through a cafe close to his official residence in Donetsk.

Iran increases missile threat to Israel, linking Syria and Iraq
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/I...hreat-to-Israel-linking-Syria-and-Iraq-566232

Two new reports reveal the depth of Iran’s missile threat emanating from Iraq and Syria. In Syria a clandestine surface-to-surface missile (SSM) facility at Wadi Jahanamm will likely be completed by early 2019. In Iraq the Iranian regime has deployed medium-range missiles with Shi’ite militia proxies that are capable of hitting Israel. Together the missile threats represent a creeping power-play by Tehran at the same time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Jerusalem would continue to act against threats and after John Bolton visited Jerusalem in mid-August.

'Meteor' lights up sky over Perth, causing sonic booms that rattled houses
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-29/perth-sky-lit-up-by-meteor-overnight/10176746

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services started receiving calls at 7:40pm from people who said they had seen a fireball streak across the sky.

Super Typhoon Jebi – the Earth's strongest storm of the year – heads for Japan
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...-strongest-storm-2018-heads-japan/1160663002/

Super Typhoon Jebi – at 170 mph, the Earth's strongest storm of 2018 – continues to roar in the western Pacific Ocean.Though forecast to weaken over the next few days, it's still expected to make a direct hit on Japan early next week as a dangerous storm.

300,000 troops, 900 tanks: It’s called the most massive Russian military exercise since the Cold War, and China’s role is growing
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/...ince-the-cold-war-and-chinas-role-is-growing/

Following last year’s massive Russian military exercise on the western border, the country is headed into the largest military drills in nearly four decades on its eastern flank.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced this week that the Vostok-2018 exercise from Sept. 11-15 would involve as many as 300,000 troops, 1,000 aircraft and 900 tanks with units from China and Mongolia also participating.

The drills will be “on an unprecedented scale both in terms of the area covered and in terms of the numbers,” Shoigu told Russian state media.

Officials Report 12 Cases, Including 1 Death, in Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak at Hampton Beach
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news...ease-Outbreak-12-Cases-1-Death-492095381.html


Significant earthquakes over the past 24 hours:
M 5.3 quake: Loyalty Islands on Fri, 31 Aug 04h26
M 5.1 quake: Mataram (3 MMI) on Fri, 31 Aug 02h37
M 5.1 quake: Southeast of Loyalty Islands on Fri, 31 Aug 17h19
M 5.0 quake: Greece on Fri, 31 Aug 07h12
M 5.0 quake: Chile-Argentina Border Region on Fri, 31 Aug 13h25
M 5.0 quake: Mindoro, Philippines on Fri, 31 Aug 14h40
M 4.9 quake: Timor Region on Fri, 31 Aug 21h53
M 4.7 quake: 58km W of Nikolski, Alaska on Fri, 31 Aug 00h21
M 4.7 quake: 43km SSE of Bilungala, Indonesia on Fri, 31 Aug 08h29
M 4.7 quake: EASTERN KAZAKHSTAN on Fri, 31 Aug 12h21

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Kremlin confirms preparations for Russian-Turkish-Iranian summit on September 7

http://tass.com/politics/1019406

MOSCOW, August 31. /TASS/. Preparations are underway for a meeting between the Russian, Turkish and Iranian presidents scheduled to be held in Tehran on September 7, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that the Russian and Turkish leaders were also expected to hold a bilateral meeting.

Earlier reports said that the trilateral summit could take place in the Iranian city of Tabriz on September 7. "Iran has informed us that they were back to the Tehran option so the trilateral meeting is going to be held in Tehran," Peskov said.

The Russian presidential spokesman also confirmed Turkey’s statements that Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would hold a separate meeting on the sidelines of the summit. When asked what issues Putin and Erdogan would discuss, Peskov said they would be the "usual" ones.

The Tehran summit will mark the third trilateral meeting on resolving the Syrian crisis. On November 22, 2017, the presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey held their first meeting in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi. They adopted a joint statement, expressing determination to continue their efforts to figure out a solution to the Syria issue.

The previous meeting between Putin and Erdogan took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the South African city of Johannesburg on July 26. The Russian leader last met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the Caspian summit held in Kazakhstan’s Aktau on August 12.

Trump warns Syria, Russia and Iran against 'reckless' attack on Idlib

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...sia-and-iran-against-reckless-attack-on-idlib

Donald Trump has warned Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian president’s allies Iran and Russia not to “recklessly attack” in the rebel-held Idlib province, warning that hundreds of thousands of people could be killed.

“The Russians and Iranians would be making a grave humanitarian mistake to take part in this potential human tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed. Don’t let that happen!” Trump tweeted on Monday night.

Up to three million people in the region are bracing for imminent attack by Russian forces who sense victory in one of the last parts of Syria still out of regime control. On Friday the Russian navy manoeuvred in the nearby Mediterranean, while other nations also took positions; the Turkish army sent an armoured convoy deep into Syria, Iranian-backed militias mobilised to the south and the Syrian army was placed on high alert.

The northern province and surrounding areas are the last major enclave held by insurgents fighting Assad, who has been backed by both Russian and Iranian forces in Syria’s seven-year-old civil war.

Trump has sought better relations with Russia since taking office in 2017 but the US has been unable to rein in Moscow’s military and diplomatic support for Assad.

The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said on Friday that Washington viewed any government assault on Idlib as an escalation of Syria’s war, and the state department warned that Washington would respond to any chemical attack by Damascus.

Earlier on Monday, Iran called for militants to be “cleaned out” of Idlib as it prepared for talks with Syria and Russia about confronting the last major enclave held by rebels opposed to Assad.

The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, visited Damascus to discuss plans for an upcoming summit between the leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey, which Tehran will host on 7 September to discuss Idlib, Iran’s Fars news agency reported.

Turkey, which has long supported anti-Assad rebels, has cooperated with Russia and Iran on talks over Syria in recent years and has troops in the Idlib region on an observation mission.

Last week Iran’s defence minister travelled to Damascus and signed an agreement for defence cooperation between the two countries with his Syrian counterpart.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Temple Institute Announces Birth of Red Heifer

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/113476/temple-institute-certifies-red-heifer/

Last Tuesday, the Temple Institute’s Red Heifer program was blessed with results; an entirely red female calf was born, paving the way for re-establishing the Temple service and marking the final stage of redemption.

Almost three years ago the Temple Institute inaugurated its Raise a Red Heifer in Israel program. Due to laws restricting the importation of live cattle into Israel, the Temple Institute imported frozen embryos of red angus, implanting them in Israeli domestic cows. The pregnant cows were raised on cattle ranches in different locations throughout the country. The cows are giving birth this summer with several calves already having been born.

One week after it’s birth, the newborn red heifer was certified by a board of rabbis as fulfilling all the Biblical requirements. The rabbis emphasized that the heifer could, at any time, acquire a blemish rendering it unsuitable. They will be inspecting the calf periodically to verify its condition.

The red heifer was the main component in the Biblically mandated process of ritual purification for impurity that results from proximity or contact with a dead body. Because the elements needed for this ceremony have been lacking since the destruction of the Second Temple, all Jews today are considered ritually impure, thereby preventing the return of the Temple service.

The red heifer is described in the Book of Numbers.

“This is the ritual law that Hashem has commanded: Instruct B’nei Yisrael to bring you a red cow without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which no yoke has been laid. Numbers 19:2

Several heifers have been found in recent years that seemed to qualify but ultimately were unsuited for the ritual. Earlier this month, two calves born in Israel to the Institute’s red heifer program were deemed to be unsuitable for the performance of the mitzvah. One calf was a bull while the second, a heifer, had a small patch of white hair which disqualified her.

The heifer, born from a natural birth, must be entirely red, with no more than two non-red hairs on its body. It must also never have been used for any labor or have been impregnated. The existence of such a heifer is considered a biological anomaly and very rare. Fortunately, the ritual requires an infinitesimally small quantity of ashes. From the time of Moses, who personally prepared the first heifer, until the destruction of the Temple, only nine red heifers were prepared. Nonetheless, this was sufficient to maintain the ritual purity of the entire nation for almost 2,000 years.

According to Jewish tradition, there will only be ten red heifers in human history with the tenth heifer ushering in the Messianic era. Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides), the most renowned medieval Jewish scholar known by the acronym Rambam, wrote in his explanation of the mitzvah that “the tenth red heifer will be accomplished by the king, the Messiah; may he be revealed speedily, Amen, May it be God’s will.”

Rabbi Chaim Richman, the International Director of the Temple Institute, commented on this on the institute’s website.

“If there has been no red heifer for the past 2,000 years, perhaps it is because the time was not right; Israel was far from being ready. But now… what could it mean for the times we live in, to have the means for purification so close at hand? With the words of Maimonides in mind, we cannot help but wonder and pray: If there are now red heifers… is ours the era that will need them?”

The laws pertaining to the mitzvah are myriad and considered by the sages to be the archetypal chok, an inexplicable Torah commandment accepted solely on faith. Before entering the land of Israel after the Exodus, the heifer was burned outside of the camp. In the days of the Temple, the heifer was taken to the Mount of Olives across a causeway built specifically for this purpose to ensure that there was no inadvertent contact with areas along the way that may have been contaminated by dead bodies.

Cedarwood, hyssop, and wool or yarn dyed scarlet are added to the fire, and the remaining ashes are placed in a vessel containing spring water to purify a person who has become ritually contaminated by contact with a corpse. Water from the vessel is sprinkled on the subject, using a bunch of hyssop, on the third and seventh day of the purification process. The priest who performs the ritual then becomes ritually unclean, and must then wash himself and his clothes in running waters. He is deemed impure until evening.

No less stringent than the laws pertaining to the heifer are the laws pertaining to the site where the heifer is burned. Almost 30 years ago, Rabbi Yonatan Adler, who is also an archaeologist, performed an in-depth study into the textual references to the site where the red heifer was burned, publishing his results in in the Torah journal Techumin. His calculations, based on the Holy of Holies being located where the Dome of the Rock stands today, led him to a spot where Dominus Flevit, a Catholic Church built in 1955, now stands. Archaeological surveys discovered unique characteristics of the site that corresponded to descriptions in the Talmud.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Temple Institute Announces Birth of Red Heifer

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/113476/temple-institute-certifies-red-heifer/

Maybe no white or black hairs will emerge.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

Maybe no white or black hairs will emerge.

It's just in time for the alleged peace deal release on the 25th and the Gog and Magog alliance making strides in Syria right now. Libya and Sudan just need to declare a formal military alliance and I'd say G&M are good to go after dealing with the norther Syrian rebels.

 

[alsughasoughaiuyfygh]

 

[Seville90210]

I think we moved another step closer to Isaiah 17, however, it' not playing out the way I've always thought. From reading the bible, I've always felt Damascus would be destroy in a war between Israel and Syria since those are the only two players mentioned in the text.

Isaiah 17:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
1 The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hosts.


From other translations below that are easier to understand, it appears Assad and his government will no longer exist once Damascus is destroyed.

Isaiah 17:3 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
3 The fort cities of Ephraim will be destroyed.
The government in Damascus will be finished.
Those left in Aram will lose everything,
just like the people of Israel,” says the LordAll-Powerful.

Isaiah 17:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 The fortified towns of Israel will also be destroyed,
and the royal power of Damascus will end.
All that remains of Syria
will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,”
declares the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Isaiah 17:3 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
3 Israel will lose its fortresses.
The kingdom of Damascus
will be destroyed;
its survivors will suffer
the same fate as Israel.
The Lord All-Powerful
has promised this.

Isaiah 17:3 New English Translation (NET Bible)
3 Fortified cities will disappear from Ephraim,
and Damascus will lose its kingdom.
The survivors in Syria
will end up like the splendor of the Israelites,”
says the Lord who commands armies.

Isaiah 17:3 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
3 Fortified cities will disappear from Ephraim,
and the kingdom will disappear from Damascus.
The remaining few from Aram will share Israel’s honor,”
declares the Lord of Armies.




Came across some interesting articles today in the news.

Amid 'bloodbath' fears, US warns Assad against using chemical weapons

GENEVA (AFP) - With the United Nations warning of a potential "bloodbath" in Syria's Idlib province, the United States warned President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday it would respond "swiftly and appropriately" if he uses chemical weapons against his own people.

https://www.france24.com/en/2018090...us-warns-assad-against-using-chemical-weapons



US threatens to ‘respond swiftly’ if Assad uses chemical weapons

WASHINGTON — The United States warned Syria Tuesday it will respond “swiftly and appropriately” if it uses chemical weapons against its people.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-threatens-to-respond-swiftly-if-assad-uses-chemical-weapons/




Book claims Trump ordered Assad killed

New book claims Secretary of Defense ignored order from President to kill Syrian dictator following deadly chemical weapons attack.

US President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad after the Syrian regime launched a chemical weapons attack on its own people in April, 2017, according to a new book by Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward.

According to Woodward's account, Trump called Secretary of Defense James Mattis and ordered Mattis to kill Assad immediately after learning about the attack in which at least 80 people were killed.

“Let’s f–king kill him! Let’s go in. Let’s kill the f–king lot of them,” Trump told Mattis.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/251606



Trump drew a red line on Syria — but Russia looks set for massive retaliation this time

• President Donald Trump on Monday warned Syria, Russia, and Iran against "recklessly attacking" the last rebel stronghold in Syria, but Russia started airstrikes by the next morning.
• Trump has ordered strikes on Syria in response to chemical-weapons use in the past.
• But this time Russia looks to have forecast its use and made plans to fight back against a US strike.
• The US can probably still attack Syria, and Russia wouldn't do anything about it, but hope for Syria's civilians has long gone.
• Russia, Syria, and Iran seem close to ending the war on their terms.
• The best the US can offer now is punitive strikes in response to chemical warfare, and thoughts and prayers for the families caught in the cross fire.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-warns-syria-idlib-russia-navy-massive-retaliation-2018-9

Listen to what the general said about the US squandering an opportunity to do something about Assad's regime during the Obama administration after the 3:30 mark in the video.

From all the news I've been reading about Syria lately, I'm getting the impression that Damascus will be destroy by the US and maybe a few allies, and not solely by Israel as how I've always interpreted Isaiah 17.


Isaiah 17:14 New International Version (NIV)
In the evening, sudden terror!
Before the morning, they are gone!
This is the portion of those who loot us,
the lot of those who plunder us.


This last verse sounds like Trump's "swiftly and appropriately" threat in the first two articles.