Red media

This morning, the Israeli army reached Qatana, about 20 kilometers from Damascus. Israel is advancing into Syrian territory to fulfill Netanyahu's vision of a “Greater Israel.” Last night, Israel claimed to have conducted its biggest air operation in history against Syria.

edit: these are Khamenei's words and from a speech today btw, I feel like my screenshot was bad and confused people

Some pretty credible reports in Iraqi media about Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al Sistani's health rapidly deteriorating. He's considered the Grand Marja of the Shia Muslim faith, which makes him pretty much the Shia Pope. Shia Marja politics are incredibly interesting, and his death might actually trigger a pretty massive upheaval in the upper echelons of the political side of Shia Islam. This might be the topic of my next effortpost, something about the evolution of the Shia Marja since colonialism and then Sistani's interpretation of the role which made him the modern Marja (but actually not, more on that later). The fight about succession will be interesting with many clashing dynamics (Persian vs Arab, Qom vs Najaf, Sistani family vs Islamic Republic of Iran, Political vs Apolitical, Old vs Young), and the looming Sadrist cult threat is even more interesting.

I still can't believe that the shooting happened right as I started a playthrough of Luigi's Mansion. This is so surreal.

Watch me start a playthrough of New Vegas and another CEO gets dunked on by someone called The Courier

Ali Larijani reportedly offered him pre-set conditions 2 weeks ago in Damascus. Bashar didn’t agree with them and even refused to meet with Larijani—Iran’s special envoy—when he returned to Damascus Friday Dec 6. Bashar Assad refused to open the Golan front, despite being asked to by the resistance groups. The Assad government, after becoming too close with the Gulf Arabs, had put a lot of restrictions on IRGCQF, this sparkled dissatisfaction.

Ex-IRGCQF officer claimed Iran intel knew since 2 months ago that rebel groups in Idlib were up to something. He claims Iranians shared their worries with Turkey, but “Turks deceived them and assured Iranians there’s nothing to be afraid of—Should not have trusted the Turks. The situation in Syria has not ended and it’s going spark unrest. Especially between Kurdish SDF vs Turkish-backed rebel groups (e.g. HTS) AND inner fights among rebel groups.

It's now widely known that Iran, Hezbollah and other Shia factions asked Assad for permission to open a front in the Golan Heights after October 7th to support the resistance in Gaza & Lebanon. However, Assad refused, reportedly saying he did not want to drag Syria into a possible open confrontation with Israel & he did not want to risk jeopardizing his normalization progress with the Gulf States. Yemen's Ansarullah reveals more about Assad: 'He closed our embassy in Damascus, in exchange for Saudi Arabia letting him open a Saudi embassy there'

From Telegram

seized from here

Turkey cement/construction stocks surge after fall of Syria's Assad government: Cimbeton, Nuh Cimento, Oyak Cimento, Afyon Cimento, Cimsa, Konya Cimento, Akcansa

Did anyone here invest in turkish cement and get the bag? Really we should've seen this coming.

Brief summary of today's Syria news.

Turkish-backed “SNA” fighters captured the northern city of Manbij and the surrounding countryside from Washington’s Kurdish-dominated “SDF” proxies.

The fascist Tel Aviv regime continues attacking Syria all over the country (even brazenly striking army bases in and near Latakia, an arms depot near Izra (in Daraa province), Damascus’ Barza neighborhood, Homs, an airbase in Qamishli, and many other locations). The Zionist invaders now illegally occupy the southern Syrian settlements of Quneitra, Madinat al-Baath, and Hader; and an army base on Mount Hermon. So far, the Salafist armed groups have not offered any serious resistance to the Zionist invasion. Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, and Iran condemned the invasion.

Ain't no way a Mcdonalds employee snitched on the Adjuster 💀

Girl what the heck are you doing over there you are literally OLDER than the battle of the bulge

⚠️ Warning – Graphic

Videos have emerged from across Syria showing extremist opposition elements, some of them wearing ISIS patches, carrying out sectarian field executions and revenge killings of supporters of Assad's government, former Syrian Arab Army officers, and Alawite civilians.

https://x.com/TheCradleMedia/status/1866594679963152513

Oh shit, has The Adjuster got got?

https://wjactv.com/news/local/reports-altoona-man-held-questioning-killing-unitedhealthcare-ceo-nypd-pennsylvania-new-york-brian-thompson

First Year of Javier Milei’s Economic “Miracle”: Plunging Inflation, Surging Poverty, Rising Inequality and Slumping Industry

A nice summary of all the horrors Milei has inflicted on the Argentinian people.

Israeli bombings are still ongoing in Syria. They're apparently targeting the facilities of what were radar battalions in Damascus, scientific research facilities in Hama, and missile bases built into the Qalamoun mountain range. Remember that video taken by rebels a few days moaning about how Assad and Hezbollah built those underground missile bases into the mountains? Well I guess they can stop moaning now, Israel is currently attempting to destroy those facilities, either with bunker busters dropped from planes, or Israeli special forces units planting explosives within them.

Big article on updates to the Colorado River water rights negotiation. Written strangely from a pro-Californian perspective, because there's no mention of how much water Californian farming corporations waste.

TLDR: Big rift between the lower and upper states on who should cut. No progress, and the negotiators are having petty fights blaming each other for the lack of progress. Trump will be taking over the negotiations. Realistically he won't have a proposal all states are okay with, so it'll become a legal battle at the end of 2026, probably going to the Supreme Court.

This is important because the Colorado River supports 40 million people, an enormous amount of hydroelectricity including the Hoover Dam, 15% of US agriculture, and 90% of winter vegetables. Asking states to cut water usage will force farmers to change crops, or go out of business. But allowing the reservoirs to dry would make a bunch of states and tribal lands uninhabitable, create enormous electricity shortages, and destroy a bunch of ecosystems

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-12-10/colorado-river-divisions

‘Zero progress’: Western states at impasse in talks on Colorado River water shortages

Funniest thing that could happen:

1. Trump becomes President, decides to stick it to Mexico. Breaks off all diplomatic relations.

2. Mexico stops doing trade or anything else with the United States.

3. The next day, the Adjuster livestreams himself from a beach in Mexico, proves that he's the Adjuster, and says his real name. Mexico won't extradite him.

IT BEGINS

Ford is threatening to end energy exports to the US if Trump goes ahead with the tariffs. Electricity from Ontario powers about 1.5 million houses in the US.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/doug-ford-tariff-threat-energy-exports-1.7408644

""That's okay if he does that. That's fine," Trump told a CNBC reporter."

At least three Israeli soldiers were killed in the minefield explosion in 'Ras al-Naqoura' in Lebanon earlier today.

Lol

Erdogan: 'Besides Putin, I am the only real leader left in the entire world'

????

Photos of thousands of Syrian refugees returning from Turkey.

The guy on the latest radio war nerd said that in Turkey, much like everywhere else these days, there's been a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, which syrians have been a primary victim of and having them return on their own without even having to deport them is a huge politican win for erdogan (though elections aren't until 2028 so I don't know if he'll remain popular by then)

stuff in his reading list about dealing with back pain from surgery (including stuff about depression), maybe has been out of contact with his friends and family for months (if twitter screenshots are to be believed), was in NY sometimes around the shooting, had a manifesto and a gun with a suppressor on it when he was arrested (although could always be bs fed by the cops ig?), i think they got him, i think anyone saying otherwise is coping tbh. as for why he was so sloppy like this after seemingly planning this (relatively) cleanly at first? well, i think he saw how ecstatic the internet has been over it and wanted the recognition for it (and also, maybe he thinks he can get off scot free because of it?)

HE QUOTED DUNKEY IN HIS YEARBOOK LMFAO

life is so full of wonders :,D

Ex-defense chief suspected of plotting war with North Korea to justify martial law

Kim Yong-hyun is said to have called for strikes on sites from which North Korea was launching trash balloons and sending drones over Pyongyang

A bunch of towers in my city have festive red, green, and white lights up in high windows. In my head canon it’s all Italian solidarity for Luigi

Earlier this morning, Russia conducted a 6 and a half hour long missile attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and military targets, one of the longest attacks of the war so far, consisting of between 90-100 missiles. Before the missile phase of this attack, Russia also launched a large Geran-2 drone attack to soften up Ukraine's defenses of between 190-200 drones. Ukrainian sources state that the combined two phase attack consisted of between 280-300 missiles and drones combined. They claimed to have shot down 81 missiles and 80 drones, and 105 drones "lost their targets" (this shoot down claim doesn't even deserve any serious consideration, I'm only including it to give an idea of the amount of missiles and drones fired).

Note: each icon consists of a group of drones and cruise missiles, and not a single missile.

Drones were all of type Geran-2, a Russian variant of the Shahed 136 (yellow on the graphic, 190-200 launched). The missile attack consisted of Kh-101 air launched, subsonic, low flying cruise missiles launched from Tu-95M strategic bombers (purple, 50-60 launched), Kh-22/32 high flying, supersonic air launched cruise missiles likely launched from Tupolev Tu-22M strategic bombers (green, 1 launched), Kh-59 air launched, subsonic, low flying cruise missiles that can be launched from a variety of Russian fighter-bomber aircraft (in this case Su-30s were the suspected carriers)(pink, 1-2 launched), Kalibir subsonic low flying cruise missiles launched from the Black sea fleet (blue, 20-30 launched), Iskander ballistic missiles launched from the ground (olive green, 5-10 launched), and Kinzhal air launched ballistic missiles launched from MiG-31K aircraft (white, 4-8 launched).

As a result over 50% of Ukraine is said to be without electricity today. Remember, there are hard limits to any de-electrification of Ukraine, Russia cannot strike the sources supplying secondary power to Ukraine's nuclear power plants significantly, such a move could endanger the stability of the reactors. This is a continuation of Russia's de-electrification campaign in Ukraine, and the attack has been planned for some days/weeks, with movements of strategic bombers. Just before this attack by Russia was launched, Ukraine fired US made and targeted ATACMS ballistic missiles at Russia, striking targets within it's internationally recognised borders.

I'm guessing this was done to frame this Russian attack as a panicked response, rather than a predetermined and planned attack. Russia has in fact been on the front foot the entire time, the first large missile attack of this winter took place before Ukraine got permission to use long range US, UK and French weapons to strike Russian territory. Ukraine is likely trying to reframe that. Initially this was done by stating that the permission to launch attacks into Russia using ATACMS and Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles was because of North Korean soldiers, now it's being done by launching ATACMS attacks just before Russian attacks.

In response, I'll guess that Ukraine is planning to launch a Strom Shadow/SCALP attack on Russia. Ukrainian MiG-29 escort aircraft, which carry anti radiation US made HARM missiles to suppress air defences, escorting the Su-24 bombers carrying the Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles to their launch sites, have been spotted making strategic movements. Ukraine could also be bluffing though, too much is unknown. But do not be surprised if there's another Storm Shadow/SCALP attack in the coming days.

A live overview of the attack

Ukrainian claimed shoot down numbers, again just for an idea of what was fired

Israel orders closure of Dublin embassy, blaming 'extreme anti-Israel policy of Irish government' - Sky News

The decision comes after the Irish government said it would ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to broaden its definition of genocide - claiming Israel has engaged in the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza. Israel's foreign minister has ordered the closure of the country's embassy in Dublin, citing the Irish government's "extreme anti-Israel policy". Gideon Sa'ar said "Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel".

"The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards," he said in a statement. The minister pointed to Ireland's decision earlier this year to recognise a Palestinian state, for which Israel recalled its ambassador from Dublin.

The move also comes after the Irish government said it would ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to broaden its definition of genocide - claiming Israel has engaged in the "collective punishment" of people in Gaza. Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister) said in a statement that the decision is "deeply regrettable", and that "keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each other's positions, even when we disagree".

Simon Harris added: "I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law. Israel will instead "adjust our diplomatic network of missions" to strengthen ties with countries that want to do the same with Israel, but do not yet have an embassy.

For that reason, Mr Sa'ar said Israel will open an embassy in Moldova, and has instructed officials to find a suitable building and initiate the process of appointing an ambassador.

there's no way this Luigi guy is the shooter. the eyebrows just do not match with the CCTV of the shooting. I feel like some kinda tinfoil hat mfer just saying that lmao, but yeah I do not buy this

Daniel Penny has been acquitted of all charges in the ~~murder~~ ~~manslaughter~~ ~~criminally negligent homicide~~ apparently totally fine death of Jordan Neely.

https://archive.is/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/nyregion/daniel-penny-not-guilty-jordan-neely.html

https://xcancel.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1868177840048628167#m

Arnaud Bertrand on Syria compared to China and Xinjiang

By the way, interesting to contrast China's response to this challenge with Assad's. Whilst Syria broke down in a full scale civil war, China did indeed operate a "crackdown" that involved identifying all the people in Xinjiang who empathized with this ideology and sending them to what it called "vocational education and training centers" (and what the West calls "reeducation centers"), where they were basically given a choice: either re-integrate into society by learning a useful skill (hence the vocational education and training aspect) or you'll be headed to prison next. They ran this program during approximately 2 years until December 2019.

At the same time, China spent a considerable amount of resources developing Xinjiang which saw its GDP per capita increase by 150% since 2011, whilst Syria's own GDP per capita was divided by 5 with the civil war. They notably developed the tourism industry, transforming Xinjiang into one of the most visited Chinese provinces, with an astounding 265.44 million tourist visits in 2023 alone. Xinjiang's GDP per capita (around US$10,469,) is now higher than countries like Brazil, Thailand or Vietnam.

The point of the post isn't really the comparison with Syria, as it's much smaller and more limited in options, but good analysis of the state of Xinjiang 5-6 years after the so called uyghur genocide

The guy who sang God Syria Bashar switched sides it’s so fucking over

Tiktok is telling me that the adjuster's family wealth was from a network of nursing homes. They were generally of very poor quality to say the least (I'm fucking disgusted, but that's US healthcare/elder care for you, nothing too new), and his LinkedIn shows that he volunteered at these homes.

It's likely that his experiences witnessing industrialized elder abuse had a strong effect on his views.

@tiffanycianci is the creator who pulled the research into a video if you want to look it up. Someone should grab it and post to tankietube or something.

President Maduro: US-backed opposition is intent on replicating circumstances of Syria in Venezuela

"We're observing the development of painful circumstances for the people of Syria. Now, the fascist extremists are coming out to ask for a civil war to be waged in Venezuela.."

"We've gone through psychological warfare, political warfare, economic warfare, conspiracies.. the Empire and the fascist right-wing have run out of conspiracy manuals."

"When the gringo army criminally entered Iraq in 2003, they asked the gringos to do the same in Venezuela."

"When the gringos entered Libya and bombed and killed thousands, they asked him to come and bomb and kill Chavez.. He said that Venezuela is not Libya. Venezuela is the homeland of the liberators.. We regret that barbaric attack that dismembered and tore Libya to pieces.."

"When in 2014 Nazi groups staged the coup in Kiev, Ukraine and killed dozens of innocent people and seized power.. they also said 'the time has come, now it is Venezuela's turn..' In 2014, our people, with the Constitution in hand, defeated the guarimba and the attempt to lead our beloved Venezuela to a civil war.

The Washington Post reports that U.S. officials are considering removing Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of foreign terrorist organizations The UK government is also open to the idea, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer states that a change in policy now is 'far too early.'

On 9 December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, al-Bashir was tasked with forming a transitional government after meeting with HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani and outgoing Syrian prime minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali to coordinate a transfer of power. The next day he was officially tasked to head the transitional government until 1 March 2025

I've heard that most non-Western countries are still not sure whether to recognize this Syrian government, since HTS is still considered a terrorist group (even by the US). There's also the fact that the whole country is unstable and the leadership could change in the near future.

Dementia Incidence Linked to Inflammatory Foods

Key takeaways

• stop eating processed foods
• limit calories
• having sex doesn’t decrease risk, regular volcel W
• basically the western diet is shit

The United States' response to the unveiling of the Russian Oreshnik Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon occurred recently on the 12 December, with the first ever full scale complete test of the US' own CPS weapon, the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system, nicknamed the "Dark Eagle", containing the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB). I'll do a post on it tomorrow or within the next few days. You can read the archive of the US DoD report on the test so long and research it if you want.

Army and Navy Successfully Test Conventional Hypersonic Missile, US Department of Defence, 12 December 2024

On a more lighthearted note, Oreshnik vs Dark Eagle, which name does everyone prefer in this battle of the new age CPS weapons? Feel free to comment your opinion. To me Dark Eagle sounds way too cheesy and supervillain like, or like the name of a new pickup truck or Corvette, while Oreshnik (hazel tree/flower) makes sense, as the warheads form streaks in the air that look like a hazel flower shape when cutting through the atmosphere and impacting the ground. Though naming a destructive weapon after nature might be too much for some. I'm team Oreshnik here, at least on the name.

pure speculation on my part, but ive been thinking a lot about syria and the axis of resistance as a whole, i really wonder if so much of what we saw as potential cowardice from hezbollah and especially iran was because they knew something was irreparably wrong in the Syrian government and didnt want to be over extended when the collapse came.

More evidence something funny happened in Russia on Sunday Dec 7:

They write to us here that the call sign Kim was introduced on the last day, "and early in the morning of the 7th they broke into Plekhovo from three sides and this was the last day, then Plekhovo fell." That is, the Russian Army allowed the already strangled Ukrainian Armed Forces to win. Like an adult cat teaching a young one to hunt half-dead mice. There is no need to belittle either the merits of the Russian Armed Forces in the toughest battles, or to downplay the successes of the Kims . The truth is in the middle. But in general, the topic is still taboo, although we personally do not see anything wrong with showing the participation of all the healthy countries of the world in the fight against Nazism.

Comrades Two Majors wrote everything correctly : the truth is somewhere in the middle. Yes, indeed, not in 2, but in a few hours, the fighters "with the call sign Kim" demolished several streets. The term "demolished" is used correctly, because they say that they are pushing forward like tanks, despite the losses, demolishing everyone in their path. Before that, for two weeks, Plekhovo was systematically liberated by units of the Ministry of Defense and "Pyatnashka". By the way, as expected, the units "with the call sign Kim" work separately on tasks, because we are all the same to them...

Settlement was taken exclusively by the North Korean Special Operations Forces. In 2 hours. They passed through like a hurricane, did not take prisoners. The enemy lost more than 300 servicemen

Nearly 50 NATO vehicles scattered on Plekhovo streets after its liberation

I’m still in early stages of learning Russian so i’m relying on google translate here but I think he is saying RF let DPRK perform some of the final clearing of Plekhovo as a live fire training exercise. If its true then DPRK just had a smol engagement with NAFO on the battlefield and prevailed. Russians are letting the story drip out as a warning and a troll.

HTS officials order Palestinian resistance factions to disarm, close bases in Syria

Arctic tundra is now emitting more carbon than it absorbs, US agency says