This Week in the World Affairs Brief

TRUMP REJECTS IRAN’S CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL

The big question is “what is Trump up to?” On the same day that Secretary of Defense (or War) Hegseth made his speech justifying purging one-fifth of US “woke” general officers, President Trump told reporters that he was at a decision point on the Iran War; “Do we blow them up or make a deal?” Coupled with Donald Trump’s threat to “annihilate” Iran, it looks like Trump is planning on becoming the worst war criminal in history. But why “after the midterm elections?” Perhaps what he’s planning is so horrific that it would guarantee a Republican defeat in the midterms, so he’s holding off until then. Some are worried that Trump is planning on using nuclear weapons to finish off Iran, but if he’s so unhinged to consider this, I think it’s unlikely the top military generals would go along with it, lest they be complicit in a war crime. To receive a free, one-time copy of the Brief, along with options on how to subscribe, click on Request a sample on the left.

Also:
  • Europe Rearms and Ukraine Keeps fighting
  • Russia and China’s Nuclear Facilities Growing Rapidly
  • Israeli Influence in the Trump Administration

Daily News

US To Deploy Anti-Ship Missile System To Japanese Island Near Taiwan

Anti-War

The NMESIS has a range of about 115 miles, putting it within striking range of vessels patrolling the eastern coast of Taiwan. According to The South China Morning Post, China has stepped up coast guard and naval activity in the area in response to maritime boundary talks announced in May between Japan and the Philippines.

Ballot Box Jihad: The Non-Violent Conquest of the West

Gatestone Institute

"An Egyptian cleric, Dr. Talat Zahran, proclaimed that it is 'obligatory to cheat at elections, a beautiful thing' -- meaning that voting is a tool, an instrument, the only value of which is to empower Sharia." — Raymond Ibrahim, Gatestone Institute, May 22, 2012. The same tactic applies to the Islamist project of nonviolent conquest of the West.

Drones Hit Two Ships Within Bulgaria's Economic Zone, Sinking One, Crew Missing

ZeroHedge

Unlike in prior Black Sea incidents where authorities were quick to name Russia's military as behind the attack, it is curious that in this case the Bulgarians have not been quick to make allegations as the origin of the drones has not been established. PM Radev continued, “As a state responsible within our exclusive economic zone for the health and lives of anyone navigating in this area, regardless of who is responsible, we are obliged to conduct emergency search and rescue operations." "What is happening is seriously disrupting shipping in the Black Sea, driving up insurance costs even further and making shipping extremely difficult," he added.

Houthis Unleash Large Missile, Drone Barrage On Saudi Arabia, Target Riyadh Airport & Aramco Facility

ZeroHedge

Saudi-backed forces launch major counteroffensive with roughly 100 Saudi fighter jets supporting attacks along the Red Sea coast. Mocha's status remains disputed: Government forces claim to have retaken the strategic port, while Houthis deny the loss. Houthis announce major missile & drone attack on Saudi territory, including against international airport in Riyadh. Houthi fighters reportedly seize homes of senior government figures, including Parliament Speaker Sultan al-Barakani's mansion. Bab el-Mandeb is increasingly at risk, raising concerns for Red Sea shipping and the wider Suez trade route.

Turkish Cargo Ship Sunk By Drone Strike Off Romania, Two Sailors Killed

ZeroHedge

There's no doubt that the tit-for-tat war on Black Sea shipping is getting nastier. For several months now, both Russian and Ukrainian forces have traded drone and missile attacks on ports and ships, disrupting vital Black Sea trade. For Ukraine this national transit lifeline is even more important amid its war time economy. A major incident has unfolded Monday after an alleged direct hit by Russian drone on a Turkish cargo ship carrying grain from a Ukrainian port.

Trump Explains Why He's Okay With North Korea Having Nukes, But Not Iran

ZeroHedge

"As long as I’m around, he’s going to be fine," Trump continued. "You know why? He respects me." By this strange logic, Pyongyang - which has on many more occasions (than Iran) directly threatened the United States going back literally decades - possessing nukes is just fine. Or in other words Kim="friend"/Good, Ayatollah= Rogue Bad Guy, according to the simplistic equation. The inconsistency of the obviously self-defeating 'moral high ground' narrative advanced by the administration is baffling.

Another Tanker Struck & Damaged By Iran In Strait Of Hormuz

ZeroHedge

On Friday there are reports of another foreign tanker which has been struck and damaged in the Strait of Hormuz. Several similar drone attacks have occurred this week, and over the last few days - however unlike with prior attacks these latest are not being heavily featured in the media, and have also made surprising little impact on oil prices.

Iran’s Disappearing Oil Is Becoming Everyone’s Problem

Oil Price.com

China’s recovering crude demand is colliding with collapsing Iranian supplies, intensifying competition for replacement barrels and driving up refiners’ costs. Discounted Iranian oil is giving way to expensive long-haul alternatives, squeezing independent refiners’ margins as record freight rates compound higher crude prices. Tehran’s shrinking export revenues raise the risk of renewed disruption to Hormuz, threatening 13 million b/d of oil flows and a fresh global price shock.

"I'm Rejecting Their Deal": Trump Blasts Iranian Proposal Amid Reports He'll Resume Bombing After Midterms

ZeroHedge

The night prior, The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that "President Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and has told aides he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterms, U.S. officials said." Here's how the president responded to a reporter's question Saturday morning: Reporter: Will you strike Iran after the midterms?

Zelensky Claims 'Final Decision' Made To Let Ukraine Build Patriots, After Trump Reversed Pledge

ZeroHedge

Back in July President Trump strongly signaled that he was greenlighting the ability of Ukraine to produce its own patriot anti-air defense missiles. Trump declared in the context of a Turkey-hosted NATO summit that Washington would give Ukraine "the right to make Patriots" - after Zelensky had been relentless in his requests, framing it as urgent and for the protection of cities and civilians. But since then there's been denials and ambiguity surrounding the pledge.

Trump Denies He Offered Sanctions Relief, As Iran Insists No Change On Enrichment Stance

ZeroHedge

Trump by day's end denies offering Iran sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear concessions; the morning headlines triggered a sharp drop in oil prices. US-Iran talks may resume, but only indirectly, this week; however Tehran remains skeptical after Trump rejected its ceasefire proposal. Iran announced targeting 19 vessels over a 48 hour period this weekend and is threatening to escalate further. Iran’s economy feels the pressure, with the rial hitting a record low near 2.3 million per dollar.

Almost Half of Americans Now Hold Positive Views of Socialism

Jonathan Turley

Karl Marx believed that “Democracy is the road to socialism.” Socialists seem to have found a generation of dupes to buy their ahistorical, fanciful pitch. A new poll shows 43% now have a positive view of socialism. An astonishing 65% of Democrats have a positive view. Socialism is now the rage on the left.

The End of American Military Privilege: The Battlefield Has Become Transparent

Elijah Magnier

Modern American warfare was built on a decisive privilege: the United States could normally see its enemies before they saw it, strike from beyond their reach and sustain military operations from bases and supply lines assumed to be relatively secure. Its aircraft dominated the sky, its satellites exposed hostile movements and its communications connected sensors, commanders and weapons across continents. The enemy was hunted; the American force doing the hunting was rarely subjected to comparable, continuous exposure. That privilege is disappearing.

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