shoebat--2020-08-07--First It Was Khashoggi, Now MbS Is Being Accused Of Sending A Hit Squad To Canada

Last year , the news media was in an uproar over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi .
We reported on this at Shoebat.com , where we said that the murder was a hit that came from Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman ( MbS ) and which was hastily covered up by the Turkish government , much to the anger of Erdogan and which he still speaks about .
Now in another looming scandal , it appears that MbS has sent another hit squad on a failed assassination attempt in Canada of a former Saudi intelligence official the BBC reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bin Salman has been accused of sending a hit-squad to Canada in order to kill a former Saudi intelligence official .
The failed plan to kill Saad al-Jabri was soon after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey , court documents filed in the US allege .
Mr Jabri , a veteran of the government of Saudi Arabia , fled into exile three years ago .
He has been under private security protection in Toronto since .
The alleged plot failed after Canadian border agents became suspicious of the hit-squad as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Pearson International Airport , court documents say .
Family of exiled top Saudi officer Saad al-Jabri ‘ targeted ’ Mr Jabri , 61 , was for years the key go-between for Britain ’ s MI6 and other Western spy agencies in Saudi Arabia .
The 106-page unproven complaint , which was filed in Washington DC , accuses the crown prince of attempting to murder Mr Jabri in order to silence him .
Mr. Jabri says this is down to him possessing “ damning information ” .
The document says this includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal mercenaries labelled the Tiger Squad .
( source ) This could not come at worse time for Salman , who has been attempting to legitimize his rule amid growing chaos and slipping power as Turkey rises .
Turkey hates Saudi Arabia and she wants to see Saudi Arabia hanging from a khazouk in the desert as the vultures pick pieces from the rotting carcasses of all the members of the House of Saud , for like the infamous Poe story “ fall of the House of Usher ” , the Turks view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to see her die .
MbS is not helping anybody except to expedite his own demise , for as the world watches , many people are naturally upset with him and his response .
But of all the nations , Turkey is probably laughing the hardest and excited about hearing this news , since it adds justification to her hatred of Saudi Arabia , and for the future , her plans to invade and destroy the nation and destroy the House of Saud .
So what we are looking at here really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Saudi Arabia , but the desperate fighting of a drowning man to stay afloat as the waters of change swell up around him , and as his strength fades , he is pulled under , where the sharks watch him and wait for their turn to make a meal out of his carcass and ignore wholly any of his cries for help before moving on to another new victim to consume .
This is a hard thing to speak of , but it is reality in the world of geopolitics , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance is shifting .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

Last year, the news media was in an uproar over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. We reported on this at Shoebat.com, where we said that the murder was a hit that came from Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) and which was hastily covered up by the Turkish government, much to the anger of Erdogan and which he still speaks about. Now in another looming scandal, it appears that MbS has sent another hit squad on a failed assassination attempt in Canada of a former Saudi intelligence official the BBC reports.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been accused of sending a hit-squad to Canada in order to kill a former Saudi intelligence official. The failed plan to kill Saad al-Jabri was soon after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, court documents filed in the US allege. Mr Jabri, a veteran of the government of Saudi Arabia, fled into exile three years ago. He has been under private security protection in Toronto since. The alleged plot failed after Canadian border agents became suspicious of the hit-squad as they attempted to enter the country at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, court documents say. Family of exiled top Saudi officer Saad al-Jabri ‘targeted’
Mr Jabri, 61, was for years the key go-between for Britain’s MI6 and other Western spy agencies in Saudi Arabia. The 106-page unproven complaint, which was filed in Washington DC, accuses the crown prince of attempting to murder Mr Jabri in order to silence him. Mr. Jabri says this is down to him possessing “damning information”. The document says this includes alleged corruption and overseeing a team of personal mercenaries labelled the Tiger Squad. (source)
This could not come at worse time for Salman, who has been attempting to legitimize his rule amid growing chaos and slipping power as Turkey rises.
Turkey hates Saudi Arabia and she wants to see Saudi Arabia hanging from a khazouk in the desert as the vultures pick pieces from the rotting carcasses of all the members of the House of Saud, for like the infamous Poe story “fall of the House of Usher”, the Turks view the House of Saud as cursed and want to see her die.
MbS is not helping anybody except to expedite his own demise, for as the world watches, many people are naturally upset with him and his response. But of all the nations, Turkey is probably laughing the hardest and excited about hearing this news, since it adds justification to her hatred of Saudi Arabia, and for the future, her plans to invade and destroy the nation and destroy the House of Saud.
So what we are looking at here really is not an issue of any danger from Saudi Arabia, but the desperate fighting of a drowning man to stay afloat as the waters of change swell up around him, and as his strength fades, he is pulled under, where the sharks watch him and wait for their turn to make a meal out of his carcass and ignore wholly any of his cries for help before moving on to another new victim to consume.
This is a hard thing to speak of, but it is reality in the world of geopolitics, especially at a time when the world power balance is shifting.
print


shoebat--2020-08-07--Famed Fox News Personality Tomi Lahren Goes On Anti-Male Rant

Tomi Lahren is a well-known “ conservative ” commentator at Fox News and other “ conservative ” outlets that due to her physical characteristics tends to attract the attention of men .
This is notwithstanding her personality , which since the arguable inception of her career on the television screen has been one characterized by “ sass ” and female aggression towards her critics .
One might think of a “ Karen ” ( to use the modern cultural reference ) but younger and more attractive , at least in her looks .
Now Tomi is going to be 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married , and has called off her engagement in the last year .
According to a recent clip she made on Instagram live , she is angry with men for being “ boys ” , and she gave , in her signature personality , a “ list ” of how men are to treat women in 2020 as MEAWW reports .
Lahren took to social media on Tuesday , August 4 , to pontificate on how “ men are no longer men ” and she is declaring “ the summer of canceling boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her young female friends who are unable to secure a suitable male partner .
In the video , she says , “ All of my friends are attractive , all of my friends are successful , all of my friends have something going on , ” Lahren boasted , adding that all of them “ including myself ” are “ all successful , they ’ re all intelligent , they ’ re all good people .
But if all of these women including myself are having issues , then I have to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be you .
It might be men , ” Lahren said .
“ Now , I have often talked about p*ssyfication of America and how Men are no longer men .
I told my mom about it , she said , maybe it ’ s just men in Texas , maybe it ’ s just the guys in LA , ” she said .
“ It is not just the guys in Los Angeles , Nashville , Dallas , and they ’ re not any better in the Midwest , they , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re trash all over this country in the age range of about 20 to maybe about 55 or 60 , ” she continued .
“ A lot of men are trash , a lot of men don ’ t know how to treat women .
A lot of men don ’ t know how to , quite frankly pull their heads out of the sand and pay attention.
” ( source ) I highly recommend you listen to the whole rant , because it is very revealing .
I don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” culture and the male-vs.-female divide , but to preferably focus on certain biological realities in light of her comments .
Tomi is angry and bitter , and it ’ s not because “ men are boys ” , for dating with both sexes can be awful .
She is mad because she knows her biological clock is ticking , her eggs are “ spoiling ” after years of not using them , her return from her looks is running out , and to use the example employed by so many , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at warp speed .
That ’ s why she is so insistent that she doesn ’ t want a “ pen pal ” or “ texting pal ” and why she wants guys who “ make plans ” and “ take charge.
” She may have wasted time in the past , but she doesn ’ t want to waste any time any more- she wants to find a husband quickly because she knows for a fact that time is running out .
However , there is a major catch .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value ” is that ever since they were young teens they have had guys throwing themselves at them all the time .
Truthfully , she is physically attractive , and would it be hard to believe that it is likely that every single day for probably 15 years she ( and women like her ) have had guys approach them and shower them with attention ?
This has done no good for her , but rather has served to give her and them a entitled mindset to what they “ should want ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourages bad behavior , and then these women get to be in their late 20 ’ s and they suddenly find out that they can ’ t lock down the same high value guy that they could have 10 years ago because beauty is a depreciating asset .
Yes they can still find plenty of guys who want to have some bedroom fun but not for marriage , and even many good-willed men who are less-attractive or high-status , but they will not consider such men because their standards are completely disconnected from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls them boyish .
But yet these are the same men she was dating 10 years ago- she is seeking after increasing “ standards ” while the value she brings is naturally declining .
It is important to understand that many young women have been gravely deceived for years about the nature of relationships , and while this varies with the woman and her circumstances , it is very difficult to have sympathy for many , especially the highly attractive ones who know their value such as Tomi Lahren and certainly have exploited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every woman in her late 20 ’ s early 30 ’ s that any man can see crying about how “ I can ’ t find any good men ” and spend time online making videos such as the one about that Tomi did about how “ men are childish ” , the fact is that there ’ s mountains of good , hard-working , and many times decent-looking men that would have been glad to have married them years ago and even treated them , in as much as their capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoiled princesses ” they see themselves as .
Make absolutely no mistake about this , I can guarantee you that when Tomi was between 18 and 24 years old , there were hundreds and hundreds of high-value men- and I am talking about the rich , powerful , “ super alpha ” types of romance novel fantasy that are very hard to come by as they represent the top 1 % of all men available for marriage -that would have loved to have married her .
They would have given her a 5ct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of her , bought her a 5,000 square foot home , gave her a family and loved her .
This does not even include the thousands of average men who , while not being in the top 1 % , would have given her an amazing , fulfilling , beautiful life and stayed faithful to her through good and bad times .
But elite or average , women such as Tomi weren ’ t interested in that .
They were “ having their fun ” , which is just modern language for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention and phalli , as they could “ have it all.
” These women thought that since they could get any man she wanted for years that she could always have that option , and they only come to realize this too late that time passes .
Instead of taking responsibly for her own choices and admit that they stayed at the blackjack table a little too long they blame men .
This is why Tomi is mad .
She is old goods , used up , everybody knows it , and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wants the world to change for her , and that is now how life works .
She will then scream aimlessly into the sky as the sunset on her fertile years continues and she is left in the darkness of life , alone and unwanted , and all by her own choices .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

Tomi Lahren is a well-known “conservative” commentator at Fox News and other “conservative” outlets that due to her physical characteristics tends to attract the attention of men. This is notwithstanding her personality, which since the arguable inception of her career on the television screen has been one characterized by “sass” and female aggression towards her critics. One might think of a “Karen” (to use the modern cultural reference) but younger and more attractive, at least in her looks.
Now Tomi is going to be 28 in a week. She is not married, and has called off her engagement in the last year. According to a recent clip she made on Instagram live, she is angry with men for being “boys”, and she gave, in her signature personality, a “list” of how men are to treat women in 2020 as MEAWW reports.
Lahren took to social media on Tuesday, August 4, to pontificate on how “men are no longer men” and she is declaring “the summer of canceling boys”, expressing frustration at herself and her young female friends who are unable to secure a suitable male partner. In the video, she says, “All of my friends are attractive, all of my friends are successful, all of my friends have something going on,” Lahren boasted, adding that all of them “including myself” are “all successful, they’re all intelligent, they’re all good people. But if all of these women including myself are having issues, then I have to think it might not be us, it might be you. It might be men,” Lahren said. “Now, I have often talked about p*ssyfication of America and how Men are no longer men. I told my mom about it, she said, maybe it’s just men in Texas, maybe it’s just the guys in LA,” she said. “It is not just the guys in Los Angeles, Nashville, Dallas, and they’re not any better in the Midwest, they, quite frankly, I think they’re trash all over this country in the age range of about 20 to maybe about 55 or 60,” she continued. “A lot of men are trash, a lot of men don’t know how to treat women. A lot of men don’t know how to, quite frankly pull their heads out of the sand and pay attention.” (source)
I highly recommend you listen to the whole rant, because it is very revealing. I don’t want to focus on the whole “PUA” culture and the male-vs.-female divide, but to preferably focus on certain biological realities in light of her comments.
Tomi is angry and bitter, and it’s not because “men are boys”, for dating with both sexes can be awful. She is mad because she knows her biological clock is ticking, her eggs are “spoiling” after years of not using them, her return from her looks is running out, and to use the example employed by so many, she sees “the wall” approaching her at warp speed. That’s why she is so insistent that she doesn’t want a “pen pal” or “texting pal” and why she wants guys who “make plans” and “take charge.” She may have wasted time in the past, but she doesn’t want to waste any time any more- she wants to find a husband quickly because she knows for a fact that time is running out.
However, there is a major catch. The problem with these women who are “high value” is that ever since they were young teens they have had guys throwing themselves at them all the time. Truthfully, she is physically attractive, and would it be hard to believe that it is likely that every single day for probably 15 years she (and women like her) have had guys approach them and shower them with attention? This has done no good for her, but rather has served to give her and them a entitled mindset to what they “should want”. This continues on for years and encourages bad behavior, and then these women get to be in their late 20’s and they suddenly find out that they can’t lock down the same high value guy that they could have 10 years ago because beauty is a depreciating asset. Yes they can still find plenty of guys who want to have some bedroom fun but not for marriage, and even many good-willed men who are less-attractive or high-status, but they will not consider such men because their standards are completely disconnected from reality.
That’s why she calls them boyish. But yet these are the same men she was dating 10 years ago- she is seeking after increasing “standards” while the value she brings is naturally declining.
It is important to understand that many young women have been gravely deceived for years about the nature of relationships, and while this varies with the woman and her circumstances, it is very difficult to have sympathy for many, especially the highly attractive ones who know their value such as Tomi Lahren and certainly have exploited said looks for her gain. For every woman in her late 20’s early 30’s that any man can see crying about how “I can’t find any good men” and spend time online making videos such as the one about that Tomi did about how “men are childish”, the fact is that there’s mountains of good, hard-working, and many times decent-looking men that would have been glad to have married them years ago and even treated them, in as much as their capacity to do this is, like the “spoiled princesses” they see themselves as.
Make absolutely no mistake about this, I can guarantee you that when Tomi was between 18 and 24 years old, there were hundreds and hundreds of high-value men- and I am talking about the rich, powerful, “super alpha” types of romance novel fantasy that are very hard to come by as they represent the top 1% of all men available for marriage -that would have loved to have married her. They would have given her a 5ct diamond ring and married her, took care of her, bought her a 5,000 square foot home, gave her a family and loved her. This does not even include the thousands of average men who, while not being in the top 1%, would have given her an amazing, fulfilling, beautiful life and stayed faithful to her through good and bad times. But elite or average, women such as Tomi weren’t interested in that. They were “having their fun”, which is just modern language for feasting on a buffet of both male attention and phalli, as they could “have it all.” These women thought that since they could get any man she wanted for years that she could always have that option, and they only come to realize this too late that time passes. Instead of taking responsibly for her own choices and admit that they stayed at the blackjack table a little too long they blame men.
This is why Tomi is mad. She is old goods, used up, everybody knows it, and instead of adjusting her attitude and standards, she wants the world to change for her, and that is now how life works. She will then scream aimlessly into the sky as the sunset on her fertile years continues and she is left in the darkness of life, alone and unwanted, and all by her own choices.
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shoebat--2020-08-08--Lebanon, France, And Keeping The Middle East Divided

Some of my thoughts on what is happening in Lebanon :

Pakistani Government Signs Law That Would Put People In Prison For Life For "Blaspheming" Muhammad The government of Pakistan just signed a law that could...


shoebat--2020-08-09--A COVID-19 Related Death That Means More Than What It Seems

COVID-19 has killed many people , and some in more ways than expected .
Such is reported by WUSA9 News , where a man , Ibrahim Bouaichi , was released from prison because of COVID-19 fears even with a rape charge pending , who went on to hunt down and murder his accuser before committing suicide .
Ibrahm E. Bouaichi died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that severely hurt the man Wednesday .
Police confirmed the news to WUSA9 on Saturday .
Police in Virginia say that Bouaichi , a rape suspect released from jail in the wake of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman who had accused him .
The Washington Post reports that Bouaichi was tracked down by authorities on Wednesday .
But he shot himself and was in grave condition on Thursday .
Bouaichi was indicted last year on charges that included rape , strangulation and abduction .
He was jailed without bond in Alexandria .
The woman testified against him in Alexandria District Court in December .
When the pandemic hit , Bouaichi ’ s lawyers argued that he should be freed awaiting trial because the virus endangered both inmates and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25,000 bond over the objections of a prosecutor .
( source ) The entire case is very tragic .
I am not interested in discussing ( based on his name and its spelling ) that this gentleman in question was likely a Muslim of Moroccan descent , but that of how his case is a reflection of how COVID-19 has affected the US .
There is no denying that while the virus has become highly politicized , the virus itself is not political because viruses , like sin , do not care who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now in spite of a lot of talk , it is true that COVID-19 is very dangerous and people need to use great caution .
However , there is something as dangerous and more dangerous than the virus , which is what the virus can be used for .
This could be anything , but from what we have seen , most of it relates to odd political pursuits involving the advancement of nationalism , the rise of extremism , and the dividing of society for long-term eugenic purposes .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcrowded , mostly because of laws that imprison people for minor , non-violent crimes better settled out through a fine similar to a traffic violation .
In addition , far too often there are people released from prison who need to be in there but are released because of political reasons .
We know for a fact that about 25 % of the US prison population consists of non-violent drug offenders .
When I say this , I speak of people whose only crime was the consumption or sale of drugs and nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their offense ) .
If one wants to empty out prisons because of COVID-19 , if there is a bloc of people who one would most prefer to release , what would it be- the weed toker and the cocaine-sniffer , or the rapist ?
The answer is clear- the drug people because while one can make arguments about the effects of drugs on others , the only ones directly affected by the crime are the people who took the drugs .
In the case of a rapist , it is a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The drug addict ’ s greatest danger is to himself , as he can overdose and die .
But the rapist is a danger to a community because he does not attack himself , but those around him .
Why he was released is a question that there is no clear answer to , but the fact is that his release and his actions following this prove the veracity of this point .
If this was a serious drug user , he may have been found dead in an alley , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least he did not hurt another person .
The victim has now been abused twice- first it was the assault ( which probably was true given his response to her ) , and now she is dead .
Whatever would have happened to this person is his own fault at this point because he was given a chance not only at freedom , but to prove his innocence .
Instead , he only sealed any suspicions of his own guilt by murdering his accuser .
It would have been likely that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in prison because given the nature of his crimes , it is things such as these which seem too often to land the perpetrator a seat onto death row .
However , since he killed himself , he only escaped one judgement to likely receive another , and probably a far worse one .
This example is the danger of COVID-19 .
While the disease is an issue , it ultimately is the actions that people take in response to the disease that either are not thought through properly or they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any case there are consequences which follow that tend to be very bad for many people , and in ways that nobody thought possible .
In the most manipulative and abusive sense , it is an application of the utilitarian philosophy “ never let a good crisis go to waste ” .
Hence this is why , while it is important to react appropriately and swiftly in dangerous or threatening situations , it must be done carefully , with good intentions , and making also proper decisions , and quickly correcting them in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unintended consequences or negative effects run out of control and take on a life of their own that requires more time to stop when it was avoidable .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

COVID-19 has killed many people, and some in more ways than expected. Such is reported by WUSA9 News, where a man, Ibrahim Bouaichi, was released from prison because of COVID-19 fears even with a rape charge pending, who went on to hunt down and murder his accuser before committing suicide.
Ibrahm E. Bouaichi died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that severely hurt the man Wednesday. Police confirmed the news to WUSA9 on Saturday. Police in Virginia say that Bouaichi, a rape suspect released from jail in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, went on to kill the woman who had accused him. The Washington Post reports that Bouaichi was tracked down by authorities on Wednesday. But he shot himself and was in grave condition on Thursday. Bouaichi was indicted last year on charges that included rape, strangulation and abduction. He was jailed without bond in Alexandria. The woman testified against him in Alexandria District Court in December. When the pandemic hit, Bouaichi’s lawyers argued that he should be freed awaiting trial because the virus endangered both inmates and their attorneys. He was released on $25,000 bond over the objections of a prosecutor. (source)
The entire case is very tragic. I am not interested in discussing (based on his name and its spelling) that this gentleman in question was likely a Muslim of Moroccan descent, but that of how his case is a reflection of how COVID-19 has affected the US.
There is no denying that while the virus has become highly politicized, the virus itself is not political because viruses, like sin, do not care who they affect but that they affect another. Now in spite of a lot of talk, it is true that COVID-19 is very dangerous and people need to use great caution. However, there is something as dangerous and more dangerous than the virus, which is what the virus can be used for.
This could be anything, but from what we have seen, most of it relates to odd political pursuits involving the advancement of nationalism, the rise of extremism, and the dividing of society for long-term eugenic purposes.
It is true that the US prison system is overcrowded, mostly because of laws that imprison people for minor, non-violent crimes better settled out through a fine similar to a traffic violation. In addition, far too often there are people released from prison who need to be in there but are released because of political reasons.
We know for a fact that about 25% of the US prison population consists of non-violent drug offenders. When I say this, I speak of people whose only crime was the consumption or sale of drugs and nothing else (no other crimes related to their offense). If one wants to empty out prisons because of COVID-19, if there is a bloc of people who one would most prefer to release, what would it be- the weed toker and the cocaine-sniffer, or the rapist?
The answer is clear- the drug people because while one can make arguments about the effects of drugs on others, the only ones directly affected by the crime are the people who took the drugs. In the case of a rapist, it is a man who used himself to violate another person. The drug addict’s greatest danger is to himself, as he can overdose and die. But the rapist is a danger to a community because he does not attack himself, but those around him.
Why he was released is a question that there is no clear answer to, but the fact is that his release and his actions following this prove the veracity of this point. If this was a serious drug user, he may have been found dead in an alley, which would be sad for him, but at least he did not hurt another person. The victim has now been abused twice- first it was the assault (which probably was true given his response to her), and now she is dead.
Whatever would have happened to this person is his own fault at this point because he was given a chance not only at freedom, but to prove his innocence. Instead, he only sealed any suspicions of his own guilt by murdering his accuser. It would have been likely that he would have been lucky if he got life in prison because given the nature of his crimes, it is things such as these which seem too often to land the perpetrator a seat onto death row. However, since he killed himself, he only escaped one judgement to likely receive another, and probably a far worse one.
This example is the danger of COVID-19. While the disease is an issue, it ultimately is the actions that people take in response to the disease that either are not thought through properly or they are done with bad intentions, and in any case there are consequences which follow that tend to be very bad for many people, and in ways that nobody thought possible. In the most manipulative and abusive sense, it is an application of the utilitarian philosophy “never let a good crisis go to waste”.
Hence this is why, while it is important to react appropriately and swiftly in dangerous or threatening situations, it must be done carefully, with good intentions, and making also proper decisions, and quickly correcting them in the case of an error, lest the unintended consequences or negative effects run out of control and take on a life of their own that requires more time to stop when it was avoidable.
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shoebat--2020-08-09--Watch Out- Even The Liberals Are Warning Of A Pending “October Surprise”

You heard about it first here at Shoebat.com , where Ted , Walid , and I have been warning that based upon historical patterns , there is the possibility of an “ October Surprise ” type moment that could happen in the 2020 election .
Indeed , this is something that the “ liberals ” are well-aware of , as NPR notes that such a moment may happen : Attorney General William Barr has promised the Justice Department will not take any action to influence the upcoming election .
But Democrats and department veterans aren ’ t so sure about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they warn that Barr might be preparing to spring an “ October Surprise.
” There ’ s one big reason for that : recent testimony from the attorney general himself .
Democrats are monitoring the status of an investigation by prosecutor John Durham , who appears to be looking at intelligence gathering and other actions by the Obama administration in 2016 .
Barr tapped Durham to look into the origins of the Russia investigation in May 2019 .
When Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , D-Fla. , asked Barr whether he would commit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the November election , Barr said bluntly , “ No.
” Durham has been on the job for more than a year now , leading some lawyers familiar with the investigation to believe he may be close to the end .
One such source told NPR that Durham has asked to interview former President Barack Obama ’ s CIA director , John Brennan , confirming a report by NBC News .
That source said both sides are trying to iron out details for the interview , which largely involves technical questions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is not a target of prosecutors .
For his part , the attorney general said Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden , who ’ s now running for president , are not targets in the case either , and that criminal investigations are focused on others .
By subscribing , you agree to NPR ’ s terms of use and privacy policy .
NPR may share your name and email address with your NPR station .
See Details .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith , who allegedly doctored an email used as part of a process to secure court approval to renew surveillance on onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
Those surveillance applications contained major errors identified by independent Inspector General Michael Horowitz and highlighted by Republicans in Congress .
A second area of interest may be the leak of sensitive information to a Washington Post columnist in early 2017 about conversations that incoming Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn was having with the Russian ambassador after the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe is a closely held secret .
Barr has said he expects the prosecutor will put some findings in writing in the form of a report that may be made public .
Barr told the House Judiciary Committee on July 28 that he ’ s well aware of the longstanding Justice Department policy that bars taking action that could produce uproar in an election year .
“ Any report will be , in my judgment , not one that is covered by the policy , ” he said .
( source ) The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to former CIA Director and then-campaign manager of Ronald Reagan ’ s 1980 presidential campaign William Casey .
However , there are more events that can be described as “ October surprises ” , which preceded its use by Casey , and some even say that the idea of an “ October surprise ” is a long-assumed concept in American politics , going back to the going back to the 19th century .
A lot can happen in a few days in an election , and considering the chaos of the last four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any energy , direction , and mental clarity ( in the literal sense ) of Biden or his campaign , as well as the upheavals caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus , the nation is ripe for an election-time type surprise that could help Trump secure victory .
The chances of a Trump victory are firmly in his favor , and have been for a while .
They are significantly weakened , but the weakness caused by Trump ’ s non-followup with his 2016 campaign promises has been overshadowed by the awful Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins , the political pendulum WILL be set for a major Democrat 2024 victory .
This is not to say that a Republican could not win in 2024 , but that the pattern would be set against whoever the Republican challenger would be , and that unless he can bring a serious platform to the public political arena , then it would only be natural to expect a repeat of 2008 , except this time with a “ new Obama ” that , if patterns continue play as they often do , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the country continues down the road to perdition that both Democrat and Republican have either placed her on or from which they do not deviate from the path but only drive faster to the same end , all the while pointing at each other about how bad the other one is while ignoring each other ’ s own actions .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .
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You heard about it first here at Shoebat.com, where Ted, Walid, and I have been warning that based upon historical patterns, there is the possibility of an “October Surprise” type moment that could happen in the 2020 election. Indeed, this is something that the “liberals” are well-aware of, as NPR notes that such a moment may happen:
Attorney General William Barr has promised the Justice Department will not take any action to influence the upcoming election. But Democrats and department veterans aren’t so sure about that. In opinion pieces and letters, they warn that Barr might be preparing to spring an “October Surprise.” There’s one big reason for that: recent testimony from the attorney general himself. Democrats are monitoring the status of an investigation by prosecutor John Durham, who appears to be looking at intelligence gathering and other actions by the Obama administration in 2016. Barr tapped Durham to look into the origins of the Russia investigation in May 2019. When Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., asked Barr whether he would commit to not releasing any report by Durham before the November election, Barr said bluntly, “No.” Durham has been on the job for more than a year now, leading some lawyers familiar with the investigation to believe he may be close to the end. One such source told NPR that Durham has asked to interview former President Barack Obama’s CIA director, John Brennan, confirming a report by NBC News. That source said both sides are trying to iron out details for the interview, which largely involves technical questions. The source added that Brennan has been told he is not a target of prosecutors. For his part, the attorney general said Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden, who’s now running for president, are not targets in the case either, and that criminal investigations are focused on others. By subscribing, you agree to NPR’s terms of use and privacy policy. NPR may share your name and email address with your NPR station. See Details. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. One may be former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith, who allegedly doctored an email used as part of a process to secure court approval to renew surveillance on onetime Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Those surveillance applications contained major errors identified by independent Inspector General Michael Horowitz and highlighted by Republicans in Congress. A second area of interest may be the leak of sensitive information to a Washington Post columnist in early 2017 about conversations that incoming Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn was having with the Russian ambassador after the election. The full scope of Durham’s probe is a closely held secret. Barr has said he expects the prosecutor will put some findings in writing in the form of a report that may be made public. Barr told the House Judiciary Committee on July 28 that he’s well aware of the longstanding Justice Department policy that bars taking action that could produce uproar in an election year. “Any report will be, in my judgment, not one that is covered by the policy,” he said. (source)
The phrase “October surprise” is attributed to former CIA Director and then-campaign manager of Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign William Casey. However, there are more events that can be described as “October surprises”, which preceded its use by Casey, and some even say that the idea of an “October surprise” is a long-assumed concept in American politics, going back to the going back to the 19th century.
A lot can happen in a few days in an election, and considering the chaos of the last four years, the complete and utter lack of any energy, direction, and mental clarity (in the literal sense) of Biden or his campaign, as well as the upheavals caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus, the nation is ripe for an election-time type surprise that could help Trump secure victory.
The chances of a Trump victory are firmly in his favor, and have been for a while. They are significantly weakened, but the weakness caused by Trump’s non-followup with his 2016 campaign promises has been overshadowed by the awful Biden campaign.
Be aware that if Trump wins, the political pendulum WILL be set for a major Democrat 2024 victory. This is not to say that a Republican could not win in 2024, but that the pattern would be set against whoever the Republican challenger would be, and that unless he can bring a serious platform to the public political arena, then it would only be natural to expect a repeat of 2008, except this time with a “new Obama” that, if patterns continue play as they often do, will result in eight years of Republican complaints as the country continues down the road to perdition that both Democrat and Republican have either placed her on or from which they do not deviate from the path but only drive faster to the same end, all the while pointing at each other about how bad the other one is while ignoring each other’s own actions.
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shoebat--2020-08-09--Is Another Virus Emerging From China?

Is Another Virus Emerging From China?

For the whole year , the world has been consumed with talk of the COVID-19 coronavirus .
However , some epidemiologists have warned that COVID-19 , while there may be a second wave , could also be the start of something greater , perhaps even a trend of emerging viruses from around the world .
It is of interest then to note that a new virus has emerged from China , called bunyavirus , that is transmitted through tick bites , as Newsweek reports .
A deadly tick-borne virus has reemerged in China , with experts warning it can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state-backed newspaper the Global Times , 37 people in the Jiangsu Province have been diagnosed with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome ( SFTS ) so far this year .
SFTS is a disease caused by bunyavirus .
Sheng Jifang , an infectious disease expert with the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine , told the newspaper the virus can be spread by ticks and infected animals , and by people via blood , wounds and the respiratory tract .
The CNA news channel reported 23 people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these patients died , while two more deaths from the virus were recorded in Zhejiang Province .
CNA said a woman in her 60s in Jiangsu Province was diagnosed with the virus after suffering from a fever , coughing and fatigue .
( source ) Could this be a greater trend for the future ?
One does not know .
But it will be something to watch and see if it appears in parts of the old world as well as the US , especially in rural areas prone to ticks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

For the whole year, the world has been consumed with talk of the COVID-19 coronavirus. However, some epidemiologists have warned that COVID-19, while there may be a second wave, could also be the start of something greater, perhaps even a trend of emerging viruses from around the world.
It is of interest then to note that a new virus has emerged from China, called bunyavirus, that is transmitted through tick bites, as Newsweek reports.
A deadly tick-borne virus has reemerged in China, with experts warning it can be transmitted from human to human. According to the state-backed newspaper the Global Times, 37 people in the Jiangsu Province have been diagnosed with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS) so far this year. SFTS is a disease caused by bunyavirus. Sheng Jifang, an infectious disease expert with the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, told the newspaper the virus can be spread by ticks and infected animals, and by people via blood, wounds and the respiratory tract. The CNA news channel reported 23 people have been infected in the Anhui Province. Five of these patients died, while two more deaths from the virus were recorded in Zhejiang Province. CNA said a woman in her 60s in Jiangsu Province was diagnosed with the virus after suffering from a fever, coughing and fatigue. (source)
Could this be a greater trend for the future? One does not know. But it will be something to watch and see if it appears in parts of the old world as well as the US, especially in rural areas prone to ticks and tick-borne illnesses.
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shoebat--2020-08-09--Lebanese Rebels Make Gallows For Politicians, One Protest Organizer Says: “We Are Ready.”

Lebanese protestors erected up gallows for the politicians they hate so much , as a way to instill fear into @ @ @ @ @ insatiable rage .
Paola Rebeiz , has been a major organizer of demonstrations , said @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon appears to be entering a French Revolution like state .
If civil war breaks @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon , the question will be who will dominate and who will benefit ?
France @ @ @ @ @ given the fact that it was a territory of France and for centuries has has @ @ @ @ @ , especially after Macron ’ s visit to Lebanon where he berated Lebanese politicians as @ @ @ @ @ will be a major fighting force , which means Iran would definitely be involved as @ @ @ @ @ she borders right with Lebanon , would also partake in intervention and would arm proxies @ @ @

Lebanese protestors erected up gallows for the politicians they hate so much, as a way to instill fear into the government and express their insatiable rage. Paola Rebeiz, has been a major organizer of demonstrations, said “We are ready.”
Lebanon appears to be entering a French Revolution like state. If civil war breaks out (again) in Lebanon, the question will be who will dominate and who will benefit? France would definitely be involved (given the fact that it was a territory of France and for centuries has has long relations with France), especially after Macron’s visit to Lebanon where he berated Lebanese politicians as “corrupt”. Hezbollah will be a major fighting force, which means Iran would definitely be involved as well. Israel, since she borders right with Lebanon, would also partake in intervention and would arm proxies against Hezbollah.
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shoebat--2020-08-09--Lebanese Protestors Demand Revolution And The Killing Of Politicians. One Rebel Screams: ‘Go To Thei

Lebanese Protestors Demand Revolution And The Killing Of Politicians. One Rebel Screams: ‘Go To Their Homes And Drag Them Out Of Their Beds!’

Lebanese protestors are demanding the deaths of their politicians , with one rebel calling for demonstrators to barge into the homes of politicians and “ drag them out of their beds.
” As we read in a recent French report from Liberation : The first shock passed , an incredible rage gripped the Lebanese , Homeric anger at the carelessness , corruption , and criminal negligence of “ officials ” whose behavior led to the destruction of half of Beirut .
Nothing consoles them , nothing appeases them , they could strangle those who rule them with their own hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , columnist for the French – language daily l ’ Orient-le Jour , asks “ that the overwhelmed crowds already prepare the gallows ” , the blogger Samer Frangié suggests “ that we pick up the fragments of glass that litter the roads and let them be kept aside so , when the day comes , they can be thrown into the graves of those responsible ” .
Another , in front of the hundreds of thousands of Beirutis thrown into the streets , proposes to “ attack the deserted palaces of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds .
Only then will we be able to speak of revolution ” ; and the writer Elias Khoury writes : “ We will confront you with our bodies on fire , our bloodstained faces and you will drown with us in these ruins.
” Lebanon could be heading towards a French Revolution type of a situation .

By Theodore Shoebat
Lebanese protestors are demanding the deaths of their politicians, with one rebel calling for demonstrators to barge into the homes of politicians and “drag them out of their beds.” As we read in a recent French report from Liberation:
The first shock passed, an incredible rage gripped the Lebanese, Homeric anger at the carelessness, corruption, and criminal negligence of “officials” whose behavior led to the destruction of half of Beirut. Nothing consoles them, nothing appeases them, they could strangle those who rule them with their own hands. The rather reasonable Fifi Abou Dib, columnist for the French – language daily l’Orient-le Jour , asks “that the overwhelmed crowds already prepare the gallows”, the blogger Samer Frangié suggests “that we pick up the fragments of glass that litter the roads and let them be kept aside so, when the day comes, they can be thrown into the graves of those responsible ”. Another, in front of the hundreds of thousands of Beirutis thrown into the streets, proposes to “attack the deserted palaces of the governors to drag them out of their beds. Only then will we be able to speak of revolution ” ; and the writer Elias Khoury writes: “We will confront you with our bodies on fire, our bloodstained faces and you will drown with us in these ruins.”
Lebanon could be heading towards a French Revolution type of a situation.
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shoebat--2020-08-11--NY Times CEO Declares The End Of Paper Newspapers In Two Decades

The New York Times is one of the most famous and respected papers for many years around the world , as well as one of the largest .
However , the current NY Times CEO has declared that paper newspapers will disappear in two decades .
The New York Times was founded in 1851 , but it would surprise outgoing CEO Mark Thompson if the physical paper made it to 2040 .
“ I believe the Times will definitely be printed for another 10 years and quite possibly another 15 years — maybe even slightly more than that , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Top .
“ I would be very surprised if it ’ s printed in 20 years ’ time.
” More than 900,000 people subscribe to the print version of the newspaper , said Thompson .
At its current subscriber levels , the paper could be printed seven days a week at a profit without a single advertisement , he said .
But as readers become more accustomed to reading the Times on smartphones , tablets and computers each year , a printed paper is clearly a dying form .
The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total digital revenue exceeded print revenue for the first time ever .
Print advertising fell more than 50 % year over year from last quarter , driven by both secular declines and the pandemic .
Thompson told CNBC he doubts that advertising will ever come back .
“ I ’ m skeptical about whether it will recover to where it was during 2019 levels , ” Thompson said .
“ It was already in year-over-year decline for many years .
I think that decline is probably inexorable.
” Thompson is stepping down next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be replaced by Meredith Levien , after stewarding the company for the past eight years .
As CEO , Thompson has seen shares of The New York Times Company rise more than 400 % .
The company ’ s gains have come as digital subscriptions have skyrocketed , especially in the past five years .
The Times reported 1 million digital-only subscriptions in October 2015 .
At the end of the second quarter , the Times had 5.7 million total digital-only subscriptions .
Thompson set a goal for the company to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( source ) This is a trend that many have seen long-coming because of costs in printing , transportation , distribution , storage , and other logistics .
It was likely this was going to happen , and it is a surprise that paper has held on as long as it has .
However , there is a concern about this because the physical newspaper provides a hard-copy record that is difficult to erase , especially for the politically ambitious , and given the tendency of humans to rewrite history to one ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is why the media is often called “ the enemy ” - because it just reports .
The press can be used for malicious purposes , but ultimately it is a good and important thing to keep the free flow of ideas and positions that one disagrees with in consideration , especially for those who have dictatorial tendencies , which can be any man or “ leader ” .
Liking someone does not make him necessarily a “ good ” leader , and neither does dislike make somebody a “ bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are to be made by if not outside observers , then from the window of history as it permits people to look back and reflection the consequences of particular actions or refusals to act .
The end of the paper newspaper is a trend , and a likely inevitable one , but not a good one , as it is a way of erasing physical records from the public record .
This may make storage easier in the short term , but long term makes it more vulnerable to not just loss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is never enough power and would re-write the story of the human race if they though it served their immediate interest .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

The New York Times is one of the most famous and respected papers for many years around the world, as well as one of the largest. However, the current NY Times CEO has declared that paper newspapers will disappear in two decades.
The New York Times was founded in 1851, but it would surprise outgoing CEO Mark Thompson if the physical paper made it to 2040. “I believe the Times will definitely be printed for another 10 years and quite possibly another 15 years — maybe even slightly more than that,” Thompson told CNBC’s A View from the Top. “I would be very surprised if it’s printed in 20 years’ time.” More than 900,000 people subscribe to the print version of the newspaper, said Thompson. At its current subscriber levels, the paper could be printed seven days a week at a profit without a single advertisement, he said. But as readers become more accustomed to reading the Times on smartphones, tablets and computers each year, a printed paper is clearly a dying form. The New York Times Company reported last quarter that total digital revenue exceeded print revenue for the first time ever. Print advertising fell more than 50% year over year from last quarter, driven by both secular declines and the pandemic. Thompson told CNBC he doubts that advertising will ever come back. “I’m skeptical about whether it will recover to where it was during 2019 levels,” Thompson said. “It was already in year-over-year decline for many years. I think that decline is probably inexorable.” Thompson is stepping down next month as the Times’ CEO, to be replaced by Meredith Levien, after stewarding the company for the past eight years. As CEO, Thompson has seen shares of The New York Times Company rise more than 400%. The company’s gains have come as digital subscriptions have skyrocketed, especially in the past five years. The Times reported 1 million digital-only subscriptions in October 2015. At the end of the second quarter, the Times had 5.7 million total digital-only subscriptions. Thompson set a goal for the company to reach 10 million digital-only customers by 2025. (source)
This is a trend that many have seen long-coming because of costs in printing, transportation, distribution, storage, and other logistics. It was likely this was going to happen, and it is a surprise that paper has held on as long as it has.
However, there is a concern about this because the physical newspaper provides a hard-copy record that is difficult to erase, especially for the politically ambitious, and given the tendency of humans to rewrite history to one’s liking when one is in power, this is why the media is often called “the enemy”- because it just reports.
The press can be used for malicious purposes, but ultimately it is a good and important thing to keep the free flow of ideas and positions that one disagrees with in consideration, especially for those who have dictatorial tendencies, which can be any man or “leader”. Liking someone does not make him necessarily a “good” leader, and neither does dislike make somebody a “bad” leader, but rather such determinations are to be made by if not outside observers, then from the window of history as it permits people to look back and reflection the consequences of particular actions or refusals to act.
The end of the paper newspaper is a trend, and a likely inevitable one, but not a good one, as it is a way of erasing physical records from the public record. This may make storage easier in the short term, but long term makes it more vulnerable to not just loss, but abuse from those for whom there is never enough power and would re-write the story of the human race if they though it served their immediate interest.
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shoebat--2020-08-11--Price Of Metals Forecasted To Increase

Price Of Metals Forecasted To Increase

According to CNBC , people who purchased gold ( and by extension , silver ) may be in for good times , as some analysts are predicting the metal will go up to $ 4000 per ounce .
Gold prices could forge ahead to $ 4,000 per ounce in the next three years , but factors such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine and the November U.S. elections could change the fortunes of the precious metal , analysts say .
This year , gold prices have shot to record highs not seen since September 2011 .
Investors have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the pandemic shows no signs of abating .
Last week , gold prices surged above $ 2,000 per ounce for the first time .
“ It ’ s quite easy to see gold going to $ 4,000 , ” Frank Holmes , CEO at investment firm U.S .
Global Investors , told CNBC on Monday .
He pointed to the trillions of dollars needed in stimulus to tide the U.S. economy during the coronavirus pandemic , and added that G-20 finance ministers and central banks are “ working together like a cartel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars.
” “ We ’ ve not seen this level where central banks are printing money at a zero interest rate .
At zero interest rates , gold becomes a very , very attractive asset class , ” Holmes said .
A looser monetary policy generally means investors are more likely to seek out gold as an asset .
When real yields go down , gold prices will go up , and vice versa .
In such a scenario , the opportunity cost of holding gold , a non-yielding asset , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be otherwise earned in yielding assets .
( source ) It is possible this will happen .
I have noted before there is a strong chance that one will see a “ spike ” - and increase fast -that after which will come a decrease .
However , this is a short-term measure caused by market manipulation .
The long-term trend of increasing value in precious metals is going to happen not because the metal is worth more , but because the dollar is weakening .
For those who want such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is for the federal government to keep printing stimulus checks , which they likely will because the job situation is not going to improve .
It is possible that so much stimulus will have to be printed that eventually , the value of the currency will be destroyed because of it , at which time metal prices will explode .
This is likely to happen not because of the inability to solve problems , but because of political reasons tied to economic decisions of which America is not an exception , but bound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are .
Now is likely also a very bad time to buy precious metals because the price appreciation may trigger a “ market stampede ” .
One does not “ run with the herd ” , lest one be trampled , but moves before the herd is there .
If one has metals , it is likely a good time to hold , but not to buy , and if one does not have them , just save money and wait for the price to drop , which it likely will following another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ things are getting better ” , which triggers another “ stampede ” in the opposite direction .
Remember that one is not looking at “ short term ” decisions , but long-term fundamentals , of which the assumption is based on the historical pattern of a declining US dollar due to its status as a loaned currency that can never be paid back fully , and that the dollar has been devalued since the 1970s and is in its death throes because of this .
What this means is not to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just to monitor the fundamentals and act with the most beneficial trends , of which as the world leans closer to war , as more money is printed , as more people become poor , will eventually either return the prices to normal and higher , or just push them even higher than what they are expected to go now .
In both cases , the ancient “ golden rule ” applies- those who have the gold rule , and when the opportunity comes , it would be worth looking into as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s value is for the time somewhat stable .
Donate now to help support the work of this site .
When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW OUR NEW SHOEBAT FACEBOOK PAGE

According to CNBC, people who purchased gold (and by extension, silver) may be in for good times, as some analysts are predicting the metal will go up to $4000 per ounce.
Gold prices could forge ahead to $4,000 per ounce in the next three years, but factors such as the development of a coronavirus vaccine and the November U.S. elections could change the fortunes of the precious metal, analysts say. This year, gold prices have shot to record highs not seen since September 2011. Investors have been fleeing to “safe haven” assets as the pandemic shows no signs of abating. Last week, gold prices surged above $2,000 per ounce for the first time. “It’s quite easy to see gold going to $4,000,” Frank Holmes, CEO at investment firm U.S. Global Investors, told CNBC on Monday. He pointed to the trillions of dollars needed in stimulus to tide the U.S. economy during the coronavirus pandemic, and added that G-20 finance ministers and central banks are “working together like a cartel and they’re all printing trillions of dollars.” “We’ve not seen this level where central banks are printing money at a zero interest rate. At zero interest rates, gold becomes a very, very attractive asset class,” Holmes said. A looser monetary policy generally means investors are more likely to seek out gold as an asset. When real yields go down, gold prices will go up, and vice versa. In such a scenario, the opportunity cost of holding gold, a non-yielding asset, is lower as investors are not foregoing interest that would be otherwise earned in yielding assets. (source)
It is possible this will happen. I have noted before there is a strong chance that one will see a “spike”- and increase fast -that after which will come a decrease. However, this is a short-term measure caused by market manipulation. The long-term trend of increasing value in precious metals is going to happen not because the metal is worth more, but because the dollar is weakening.
For those who want such prices to appreciate, the best thing is for the federal government to keep printing stimulus checks, which they likely will because the job situation is not going to improve. It is possible that so much stimulus will have to be printed that eventually, the value of the currency will be destroyed because of it, at which time metal prices will explode. This is likely to happen not because of the inability to solve problems, but because of political reasons tied to economic decisions of which America is not an exception, but bound by the same laws as all others are.
Now is likely also a very bad time to buy precious metals because the price appreciation may trigger a “market stampede”. One does not “run with the herd”, lest one be trampled, but moves before the herd is there. If one has metals, it is likely a good time to hold, but not to buy, and if one does not have them, just save money and wait for the price to drop, which it likely will following another round of money-printing and the illusion that “things are getting better”, which triggers another “stampede” in the opposite direction.
Remember that one is not looking at “short term” decisions, but long-term fundamentals, of which the assumption is based on the historical pattern of a declining US dollar due to its status as a loaned currency that can never be paid back fully, and that the dollar has been devalued since the 1970s and is in its death throes because of this.
What this means is not to worry. It is better at this point just to monitor the fundamentals and act with the most beneficial trends, of which as the world leans closer to war, as more money is printed, as more people become poor, will eventually either return the prices to normal and higher, or just push them even higher than what they are expected to go now.
In both cases, the ancient “golden rule” applies- those who have the gold rule, and when the opportunity comes, it would be worth looking into as long as the price is good and it’s value is for the time somewhat stable.
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shoebat--2020-08-11--There Is No Hope Financially Now For The Millennials

The future is awful for anybody under 40 , and the reason for this is because , as I have constantly noted , all of the wealth of the country has been sucked out of her owing to decades of abusive policies that profited the present-then and the expense of the future-now .
The Boomers are going to be fine , and a lot of Gen X , but Millennials and Zoomers have no financial future .
I have said this many times based on economic reports and fundamentals , and according to a story from the Wall Street Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millennials now find themselves in the second recession induced by the COVID-19 virus now back on unemployment and with a sense of no hope for their financial future , and with that the inability to buy homes and live a “ normal ” life .
Millennials have found it fundamentally more difficult to start a career and achieve the financial independence that allowed previous generations to get married , buy a home and have children .
Even the most educated millennials are employed at lower rates than older college graduates , research shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at lower-paying firms has caused them to lag behind in earnings .
“ It ’ s a sign that something has broken in the way the economy is working , ” said Jesse Rothstein , professor of public policy and economics at the University of California , Berkeley , and a former chief economist at the Labor Department during the Obama administration .
“ It ’ s gotten harder and harder for people to find their footholds.
” As a result , the millennial generation has less wealth than their predecessors had at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millennial households have more debt than assets , according to the St. Louis Fed .
More millennials than older generations havelost jobs because of the coronavirus-triggered recession .
About one in six were unable to cover a $ 400 emergency expense before the pandemic started ; that share is about one in eight among all Americans , the bank found .
Millennials are now at risk of falling further behind because they entered the pandemic in a weaker position than older Americans .
( source ) It is absolutely critical to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor spending practices , a lack of saving , or the highly aggravating trope of “ lazy avocado toast munching hippies.
” The reason why the Millennials and Zoomers are so finanically destitute is because of POLICIES created and supported by the so-called “ Greatest Generation ” , “ Silent Generation ” , and the Boomers .
These include but are not limited to supporting currency devaluation , the liberalization of free trade to removing all tariffs ( thus destroying the industrial tier of the US economy ) , promoting job outsourcing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below-market rates , creating a complex tier of “ requirements ” for US citizens to pass through at great expense , creating regulations that the previous generations never had to endure , forcing people at a young age to go into extreme debt to get an “ education ” , and allowing for moral rot to spread while promoting or ignoring it .
People don ’ t just “ hate Boomers ” because they are old- they have anger because they had power to help their children but instead spent their childrens ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill .
Likewise , there is no point to saving money for most unless one makes over a certain threshold , because the devaluation of the currency is moving so fast that one ’ s money loses value as soon as one gets it , and in such a case , it is more logical to spend it on necessities than keep an asset that remains in decline .
This is why Millennials can not “ advance ” - because the pathway has been blocked by the actions of their parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Now I am not saying that things could not change .
The future is always in motion , and a lot of things can happen .
But right now , things are looking pretty bad , and there is really no good answer for solving them , as the patterns for the future show one more akin to the old world that many fled from becoming a contemporary reality .
The Boomers better enjoy what they have , because- and I say this not as a threat , but as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good counsel to all because we all need to help each other and serious disruptions are a trend to watch for -as the Millennials and Zoomers take power , being that they do not have religion , they have been mistreated by the system they were told was going to help them , and are inclined to extreme political ideologies owing to the polarization of society , they will look for extreme answers to their problems , and will manifest this in their political choices at the ballot box .
2020 is going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election in that Boomers will have power in it , ending their 40-year lock on the ballot box .
Millennials and Zoomers are taking over , and they are angry and just as how the Boomers promoted “ revolution ” in the 1960s , this is going to continue , but this time with polities meant to “ make things fair ” , and that could result in violence .
Again , understand this is not a “ spoiled brat ” attitude , but rather an attempt to seek justice- albeit in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels stripped down and economically abused , and wants something good for themselves and their children .
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When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
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The future is awful for anybody under 40, and the reason for this is because, as I have constantly noted, all of the wealth of the country has been sucked out of her owing to decades of abusive policies that profited the present-then and the expense of the future-now. The Boomers are going to be fine, and a lot of Gen X, but Millennials and Zoomers have no financial future. I have said this many times based on economic reports and fundamentals, and according to a story from the Wall Street Journal, this is the case, as Millennials now find themselves in the second recession induced by the COVID-19 virus now back on unemployment and with a sense of no hope for their financial future, and with that the inability to buy homes and live a “normal” life.
Millennials have found it fundamentally more difficult to start a career and achieve the financial independence that allowed previous generations to get married, buy a home and have children. Even the most educated millennials are employed at lower rates than older college graduates, research shows, and millennials’ tendency to work at lower-paying firms has caused them to lag behind in earnings. “It’s a sign that something has broken in the way the economy is working,” said Jesse Rothstein, professor of public policy and economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a former chief economist at the Labor Department during the Obama administration. “It’s gotten harder and harder for people to find their footholds.” As a result, the millennial generation has less wealth than their predecessors had at the same age, and about one-quarter of millennial households have more debt than assets, according to the St. Louis Fed. More millennials than older generations havelost jobs because of the coronavirus-triggered recession. About one in six were unable to cover a $400 emergency expense before the pandemic started; that share is about one in eight among all Americans, the bank found. Millennials are now at risk of falling further behind because they entered the pandemic in a weaker position than older Americans. (source)
It is absolutely critical to understand that this has NOTHING to do with poor spending practices, a lack of saving, or the highly aggravating trope of “lazy avocado toast munching hippies.”
The reason why the Millennials and Zoomers are so finanically destitute is because of POLICIES created and supported by the so-called “Greatest Generation”, “Silent Generation”, and the Boomers. These include but are not limited to supporting currency devaluation, the liberalization of free trade to removing all tariffs (thus destroying the industrial tier of the US economy), promoting job outsourcing with importing cheap labor to the US at below-market rates, creating a complex tier of “requirements” for US citizens to pass through at great expense, creating regulations that the previous generations never had to endure, forcing people at a young age to go into extreme debt to get an “education”, and allowing for moral rot to spread while promoting or ignoring it.
People don’t just “hate Boomers” because they are old- they have anger because they had power to help their children but instead spent their childrens’ futures on themselves and sent their children the bill.
Likewise, there is no point to saving money for most unless one makes over a certain threshold, because the devaluation of the currency is moving so fast that one’s money loses value as soon as one gets it, and in such a case, it is more logical to spend it on necessities than keep an asset that remains in decline.
This is why Millennials cannot “advance”- because the pathway has been blocked by the actions of their parents and grandparents and who continue to not help them.
Now I am not saying that things could not change. The future is always in motion, and a lot of things can happen. But right now, things are looking pretty bad, and there is really no good answer for solving them, as the patterns for the future show one more akin to the old world that many fled from becoming a contemporary reality.
The Boomers better enjoy what they have, because- and I say this not as a threat, but as a warning about the cycles of history as good counsel to all because we all need to help each other and serious disruptions are a trend to watch for -as the Millennials and Zoomers take power, being that they do not have religion, they have been mistreated by the system they were told was going to help them, and are inclined to extreme political ideologies owing to the polarization of society, they will look for extreme answers to their problems, and will manifest this in their political choices at the ballot box.
2020 is going to be the last “Boomer” election in that Boomers will have power in it, ending their 40-year lock on the ballot box. Millennials and Zoomers are taking over, and they are angry and just as how the Boomers promoted “revolution” in the 1960s, this is going to continue, but this time with polities meant to “make things fair”, and that could result in violence. Again, understand this is not a “spoiled brat” attitude, but rather an attempt to seek justice- albeit in a very flawed way -from a generation who feels stripped down and economically abused, and wants something good for themselves and their children.
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shoebat--2020-08-10--Tens Of Thousands Of Lebanese People Call For France To Invade Lebanon

Tens of thousands of Lebanese people have called for France to invade Lebanon , as we read in a recent report from Yahoo !
News : Anger abounds in Lebanon following Tuesday ’ s massive blast in Beirut ’ s port that killed 154 people and injured 5,000 as it ’ s become increasingly clear that the catastrophe stemmed from governmental neglect and mismanagement of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse for years .
The Lebanese people ’ s frustration with the country ’ s political class is not new , however .
For months before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demonstrate against corruption in the government and a severe economic crisis in the country .
Now , some are looking abroad for help .
One university student , Celine Dibo , told Reuters she wished “ the United Nations would take over Lebanon , ” while psychologist Maryse Hayek said “ I hope another country would just take us over.
” Indeed , more than 60,000 people have signed a petition asking France to restore the mandate it held between 1920 and 1946 .
But critics have pushed back against the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instability in Lebanon is partially due to outside influences and forces who wish to capitalize on the instability , there are several possible scenarios that I can think of : • NATO is conspiring to destabilize Lebanon to capitalize on the chaos .
NATO would likely allow Turkey — since it is a major regional power and the most militarily advanced Muslim country within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( and in the world ) — to control the country .
• Chaos is ensuing and will be capitalized upon by France .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once a civil war erupts , Iran will back its proxy , Hezbollah , with the purpose of making Lebanon into an Iranian/Russian proxy .
• The French and Russians ( being historically allies , especially in World War One ) , are collaborating to capitalize on the chaos and will both back Hezbollah .
• All of these players are involved and they will use proxies to vie for domination , with the French backing the Maronite faction , the Iranians/Russians backing Hezbollah , and Turkey supporting the Sunnis .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , major players will support the same sides to further the strategy of divide and conquer .
For example , the French could support both Hezbollah and the Maronite faction at the same time , manipulating both sides to exasperate the chaos , furthering divisions and thus making it easier to control the country .
The last part of point # 5 is not far fetched .
In 2018 there was a report about France deepening its ties with Hezbollah with the interests of offshore oil and gas for its major energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported the giving of certain government positions to Hezbollah .
As we read in a report from MEMRI : On October 26 , 2018 , a French parliamentary delegation representing the French National Assembly ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee and the French Senate ’ s Foreign Affairs , Defense , and Armed Forces Committee met in Beirut with members of Lebanon ’ s parliament , including MP from Hizbullah Nawaf Al-Moussawi .
According to an announcement released later by Al-Moussawi ’ s office , during the meeting the sides discussed numerous political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offshore oil and gas exploration in Lebanon ’ s territorial waters .
Following the meeting , Al-Moussawi said that both houses of the French parliament “ are interested in supporting the French government and the French [ oil ] company Total [ which in February 2018 signed two Exploration and Production Agreements with the Lebanese government despite pressure [ from Israel ] to retract its commitment vis-à-vis Lebanon , or to postpone the time when they will conduct the oil and gas exploration.
” Three days after the meeting , on October 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized France in his column for the Lebanese Al-Modon daily , which is known for its opposition to Hizbullah .
Under the title “ France and Hizbullah , Romance Scented with Oil , ” he argued that France is boosting its political and intelligence ties with Hizbullah for economic reasons , primarily because of Total ’ s interests in Lebanon .
Al-Rabi ’ asserted that this is what is motivating France to sponsor the informal arrangement in Lebanon under which Lebanese Prime Minister Sa ’ ad Al-Hariri is in charge of domestic affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military activity in Syria and on the border with Israel .
He also noted that France maintains intelligence and security cooperation with both Hizbullah and Iran , and even argued that France-Hizbullah are relations are now on the level of reciprocal “ flirtation.
” With regard to the situation in Syria , Al-Rabi ’ wrote that the more matters in Syria favor Russia and Iran , the more important France ’ s role in the region will be ; he added that France had in the past acted several times to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
France ’ s backing of Hezbollah ’ s grip over the Lebanese government is also connected with the Iran Deal .
The French have the hope that by deepening ties with Hezbollah they can somehow revive the Iran Deal and thus revive the old trade agreement with Iran .
According to Lebanese journalist Mounir al-Rabi : Today [ history ] is repeating itself .
[ Lebanese Prime Minister ] Sa ’ d Al-Hariri has a direct arrangement with Hizbullah : He is in charge of domestic political affairs , the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aoun , and with the agreement of Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri , while Hizbullah is in charge of foreign policy and of commanding military campaigns , currently in Syria , while maintaining readiness and preparedness on the southern border [ with Israel ] .
[ This arrangement ] has extensive international sponsorship , particularly from Russia and France , for reasons connected to [ Lebanon ’ s ] oil .
France appears to be officially promoting all these understandings , both by giving economic aid through [ holding ] conferences , and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the establishment of a government and the like .
This is along with [ France ’ s ] coordination with Hizbullah in order to maintain stability .
It is also connected to the ‘ dialogue ’ that [ France ] is conducting with Iran to discuss ways of returning to negotiations with the U.S. on the nuclear issue and renewing the [ JCPOA ] nuclear agreement .
“ The more matters in Syria go in Russia ’ s and Iran ’ s favor , the more important a role France will play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was France that was involved in the past in many initiatives aimed at keeping the Syrian regime above water at times when it was ostracized and besieged , before it pulled out of Lebanon in April 2005 and afterwards .
It was France that broke through the isolation of [ Syrian President ] Bashar Al-Assad [ in 2008 ] , when [ French ] president [ Nicolas ] Sarkozy invited him to visit France… That France and Russia would back the same force ( in this case , Hezbollah ) is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that both France and Russia are backing Khalifa Haftar in Libya , with the French angering the rest of the EU over this .
As France is supporting Hezbollah for the energy interests of Total , France also wants to take natural gas in Libya for this same corporation .
France has been in direct competition with Italy over Libya , which Italians at one point controlled .
What we have actually been seeing in Libya is a competition between two European energy corporations , Total ( France ) and Eni ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of instability in a region in order to take over that region is nothing new , as this is what France did in the early 20th century to take control of Morocco .
In March of 1911 , an uprising sparked in Morocco , especially in the city of Fez .
The Sultan of Morocco requested from France troops to bring stability and end the chaos .
The Germans accused the French of starting the disorder in order to create a pretext for the French to invade Morocco .
French troops occupied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was to the ire of the Germans who exhorted in favor for the rulership of the Sultan .
Germany ’ s foreign Secretary , Alfred von Kiderlen-Wachter , went to Morocco to pressure the French to agree to give African territory to Germany .
But this , too , was a failed plan .
Britain sided with France and Germany backed down ( see Fromkin , Europe ’ s Last Summer ) .
The European desires to Africa exploded in violence in the Two World Wars in which Africa was a central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of European powers are still alive and can be seen going through a gradual manifestation in France ’ s and Italy ’ s vying over Libya .
Whatever the details are of what will take place , the future has a dark happening for Europe , the Middle East and Africa .
And all of the bloodshed will be done under the inebriation of human vanity and vainglory .
The ones who will suffer the most are the civilians in the midst of this evil game of chess .
Donate now to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you donate , you are not donating to just any commentary group , but one that is endlessly observing the news , reading between the lines and separating hysteria and perception from reality .
In shoebat.com , we are working every day , tirelessly investigating global trends and providing data and analysis to tell you what lies for the future .

By Theodore Shoebat
Tens of thousands of Lebanese people have called for France to invade Lebanon, as we read in a recent report from Yahoo! News:
Anger abounds in Lebanon following Tuesday’s massive blast in Beirut’s port that killed 154 people and injured 5,000 as it’s become increasingly clear that the catastrophe stemmed from governmental neglect and mismanagement of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse for years. The Lebanese people’s frustration with the country’s political class is not new, however. For months before the explosion, protesters took to the street to demonstrate against corruption in the government and a severe economic crisis in the country. Now, some are looking abroad for help. One university student, Celine Dibo, told Reuters she wished “the United Nations would take over Lebanon,” while psychologist Maryse Hayek said “I hope another country would just take us over.” Indeed, more than 60,000 people have signed a petition asking France to restore the mandate it held between 1920 and 1946. But critics have pushed back against the idea.
If the explosion and the overall instability in Lebanon is partially due to outside influences and forces who wish to capitalize on the instability, there are several possible scenarios that I can think of:
NATO is conspiring to destabilize Lebanon to capitalize on the chaos. NATO would likely allow Turkey — since it is a major regional power and the most militarily advanced Muslim country within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (and in the world) — to control the country. Chaos is ensuing and will be capitalized upon by France. Iran and Russia are involved. Once a civil war erupts, Iran will back its proxy, Hezbollah, with the purpose of making Lebanon into an Iranian/Russian proxy. The French and Russians (being historically allies, especially in World War One), are collaborating to capitalize on the chaos and will both back Hezbollah. All of these players are involved and they will use proxies to vie for domination, with the French backing the Maronite faction, the Iranians/Russians backing Hezbollah, and Turkey supporting the Sunnis. It is also possible, that in such a situation, major players will support the same sides to further the strategy of divide and conquer. For example, the French could support both Hezbollah and the Maronite faction at the same time, manipulating both sides to exasperate the chaos, furthering divisions and thus making it easier to control the country.
The last part of point #5 is not far fetched. In 2018 there was a report about France deepening its ties with Hezbollah with the interests of offshore oil and gas for its major energy company, Total, and in fact supported the giving of certain government positions to Hezbollah. As we read in a report from MEMRI:
On October 26, 2018, a French parliamentary delegation representing the French National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee and the French Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces Committee met in Beirut with members of Lebanon’s parliament, including MP from Hizbullah Nawaf Al-Moussawi. According to an announcement released later by Al-Moussawi’s office, during the meeting the sides discussed numerous political and security issues, including the issue of offshore oil and gas exploration in Lebanon’s territorial waters. Following the meeting, Al-Moussawi said that both houses of the French parliament “are interested in supporting the French government and the French [oil] company Total [which in February 2018 signed two Exploration and Production Agreements with the Lebanese government despite pressure [from Israel] to retract its commitment vis-à-vis Lebanon, or to postpone the time when they will conduct the oil and gas exploration.” Three days after the meeting, on October 29, 2018, Mounir Al-Rabi’, criticized France in his column for the Lebanese Al-Modon daily, which is known for its opposition to Hizbullah. Under the title “France and Hizbullah, Romance Scented with Oil,” he argued that France is boosting its political and intelligence ties with Hizbullah for economic reasons, primarily because of Total’s interests in Lebanon. Al-Rabi’ asserted that this is what is motivating France to sponsor the informal arrangement in Lebanon under which Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Al-Hariri is in charge of domestic affairs while Hizbullah is responsible for foreign policy and military activity in Syria and on the border with Israel. He also noted that France maintains intelligence and security cooperation with both Hizbullah and Iran, and even argued that France-Hizbullah are relations are now on the level of reciprocal “flirtation.” With regard to the situation in Syria, Al-Rabi’ wrote that the more matters in Syria favor Russia and Iran, the more important France’s role in the region will be; he added that France had in the past acted several times to protect the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
France’s backing of Hezbollah’s grip over the Lebanese government is also connected with the Iran Deal. The French have the hope that by deepening ties with Hezbollah they can somehow revive the Iran Deal and thus revive the old trade agreement with Iran. According to Lebanese journalist Mounir al-Rabi:
Today [history] is repeating itself. [Lebanese Prime Minister] Sa’d Al-Hariri has a direct arrangement with Hizbullah: He is in charge of domestic political affairs, the economy, and the treasury, together with President Aoun, and with the agreement of Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, while Hizbullah is in charge of foreign policy and of commanding military campaigns, currently in Syria, while maintaining readiness and preparedness on the southern border [with Israel]. [This arrangement] has extensive international sponsorship, particularly from Russia and France, for reasons connected to [Lebanon’s] oil. France appears to be officially promoting all these understandings, both by giving economic aid through [holding] conferences, and with positive intervention by removing the obstacles to the establishment of a government and the like. This is along with [France’s] coordination with Hizbullah in order to maintain stability. It is also connected to the ‘dialogue’ that [France] is conducting with Iran to discuss ways of returning to negotiations with the U.S. on the nuclear issue and renewing the [JCPOA] nuclear agreement. … “The more matters in Syria go in Russia’s and Iran’s favor, the more important a role France will play in the region. Let us not forget that it was France that was involved in the past in many initiatives aimed at keeping the Syrian regime above water at times when it was ostracized and besieged, before it pulled out of Lebanon in April 2005 and afterwards. It was France that broke through the isolation of [Syrian President] Bashar Al-Assad [in 2008], when [French] president [Nicolas] Sarkozy invited him to visit France…
That France and Russia would back the same force (in this case, Hezbollah) is actually not too surprising, given the fact that both France and Russia are backing Khalifa Haftar in Libya, with the French angering the rest of the EU over this. As France is supporting Hezbollah for the energy interests of Total, France also wants to take natural gas in Libya for this same corporation. France has been in direct competition with Italy over Libya, which Italians at one point controlled. What we have actually been seeing in Libya is a competition between two European energy corporations, Total (France) and Eni (Italy).
Moreover, France taking advantage of instability in a region in order to take over that region is nothing new, as this is what France did in the early 20th century to take control of Morocco.
In March of 1911, an uprising sparked in Morocco, especially in the city of Fez. The Sultan of Morocco requested from France troops to bring stability and end the chaos. The Germans accused the French of starting the disorder in order to create a pretext for the French to invade Morocco. French troops occupied Fez on May 21, 1911. This was to the ire of the Germans who exhorted in favor for the rulership of the Sultan. Germany’s foreign Secretary, Alfred von Kiderlen-Wachter, went to Morocco to pressure the French to agree to give African territory to Germany. But this, too, was a failed plan. Britain sided with France and Germany backed down (see Fromkin, Europe’s Last Summer). The European desires to Africa exploded in violence in the Two World Wars in which Africa was a central point of conflict.
The territorial aspirations of European powers are still alive and can be seen going through a gradual manifestation in France’s and Italy’s vying over Libya. Whatever the details are of what will take place, the future has a dark happening for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. And all of the bloodshed will be done under the inebriation of human vanity and vainglory. The ones who will suffer the most are the civilians in the midst of this evil game of chess.
print