Zelensky Telegraphs 40-Day Pressure Offensive On Russia, Fueling Fears Of Slide Toward WW3

Zelensky Telegraphs 40-Day Pressure Offensive On Russia, Fueling Fears Of Slide Toward WW3

TYLER DURDEN

The Ukraine war is quite obviously escalating, especially regarding Ukrainian leaders seeking to "bring the war" to Russian soil, amid nightly drone attacks which have come in the hundreds and even thousands of late.

President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to seize on the momentum of repeat drone hits on Russian refinery and energy infrastructure - a reality Russia has suffered over many months, leading to a current fuel crisisspanning dozens of cities and regions, and especially Crimea, which has temporarily halted fuel sales to common citizens altogether this week.

Ukrainian media is touting a new Zelensky plan to ramp up the pressure on Russia over the next 40 days, aimed at "pressuring Russia to end its war".

He has ordered Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) to launch a new 40-day operation, which also includes "plan for long-range sanctions, medium-range sanctions, and the results achieved by the SBU," Zelensky said on X. He's further calling it an "influence operation."

"For several months in a row, the SBU has demonstrated the highest performance in defending Ukraine’s positions on the front lines through the use of various types of drones," Zelensky said on Thursday evening. According to more of the statement:

I approved a 40-day influence operation for the Service against the aggressor state aimed at compelling it to end the war.

Importantly, for several months in a row, the SSU has demonstrated the highest performance in defending Ukraine’s positions on the front lines through the use of various types of drones. The Center of Special Operations “Alpha” leads in terms of the occupier’s personnel and equipment neutralized.

Earlier, in mid-June, Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov proclaimed  "Hell is beginning," for Russia and its military. "Logistics are being cut off. Crimea is being isolated," he said at the time.

 Russian forces still have the upper-hand on the front line in the east, but the pain clearly being inflicted on Russia's economy can't be ignored at this point.

This sets up a potential slide into tit-for-tat escalation which could unleash a WW3 scenario. In the meantime this is an interesting-timed warning from Latvia and Poland:

Western intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned that Russia may be preparing a limited hybrid operation targeting NATO's eastern flank, potentially involving the Baltic states or Poland.

Such a move, officials believe, could be an attempt to test the alliance's unity as the war in Ukraine enters a new phase.

According to reporting by The Guardian, intelligence officials from two NATO countries have warned that Moscow is considering a "provocation" rather than a full-scale military attack.

Report by Major General Yevhenii Khmara on our long-range sanctions plan, mid-range sanctions, and the results of the Security Service of Ukraine – specifically the Center of Special Operations “Alpha” – on the front.

Kiev now feels the pressure to keep this narrative going, also so it can attract more and more weapons and intelligence help. But at some point Russia will feel it necessary to strongly reassert its red lines. This could come in the form of another massive escalation, and against 'decision-making centers'.

Iran Responds With Drone Attack On Bahrain, Another Hit On Ship In Hormuz

Iran Responds With Drone Attack On Bahrain, Another Hit On Ship In Hormuz

TYLER DURDEN

A lot of escalation has ensued in the last 48 hours, starting when Thursday Tehran struck a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, after which by the end of Friday US CENTCOM confirmed a series of fresh attacks on Iranian missile and drone storage sites as well as coastal radar installations, reportedly on Sirik Island located near the Strait of Hormuz.

Referring to Thursday's attack on a vessel off Oman, the Pentagon called it a "powerful response to yesterday’s attack," in the Friday statement. By early Saturday, Iran had re-retaliated and launched a fresh drone attack on Bahrain. Additionally, another ship in the Strait of Hormuz separately came under attack Saturday.

The Associated Press points to the obvious potential US-Iran deal (MoU) unraveling: "The attacks across the Persian Gulf show the danger of the Iran war again spinning out of control, even after Iran and the U.S. reached an interim deal to try and agree on a final accord to end the conflict" - though neither side has as yet indicated they are walking away from the deal at this point.

According to more details from the Saturday developments:

• Bahrain said it was targeted by "a number" of Iranian drones on Saturday, accusing Tehran of "undermining peace efforts" in the region. In a statement, the country's foreign ministry said it expressed "Bahrain’s condemnation in the strongest terms of the targeting of its territory at dawn today," adding that the attacks were a "blatant threat to the security of citizens and residents".
• US Central Command announced that American aircraft had hit Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites in response to Iran striking the M/V Ever Lovely ship with a one-way attack drone as it navigated the Strait of Hormuz.
• "The Singapore-flagged cargo ship was exiting the Strait of Hormuz along the Omani coast at the time of Iran’s attack," CENTCOM said, adding that Iranian forces had "clearly violated" the ceasefire agreement.

But it remains that Iran is now firing warning shots at ships that haven't cleared permits to transit the Strait of Hormuz under Iran's own protocol, which highlights that deep divisions remain over each side's interpretation of the terms. The latest via Reuters:

• IRAN WEIGHS WALKING AWAY FROM SWISS TALKS AFTER US STRIKE
• IRAN MAY HALT SWISS TALKS AFTER US STRIKE ON SIRIK

Gulf states have newly condemned "in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks" on Bahrain, after drones hit the country's territory. The GCC statement further alleged that the Iranians targeted "civilian infrastructure and properties".

Other nations weighed in separately, with for example Kuwait's foreign ministry saying "The continuation of these aggressions, amid regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and reducing tensions, represents a dangerous undermining of efforts for peace and stability and a threat to the security and stability of the region," on X.

Amid all the tit-for-tat, Iran's IRGC is blaming the US for breaking it commitments under the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A Saturday statement described:

According to Article Five of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, arrangements for monitoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz are carried out in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

However, according to the statement, the United States sought to violate this commitment through various movements and received an appropriate response, and the same will apply in the future. If any aggression is repeated, the response will be broader."

Al Jazeera has meanwhile reported Saturday that that IRGC ‘targets’ US military sites in region after attacks - and so the response could be ongoing.

Independent journalist and pundit Michael Tracey points out sarcastically but aptly that Indefinitely bombing Iran sounds a lot like what you might call "endless war". And so the weekly tit-for-tat escalation might grow more regular until there simply is no more MoU deal to reference back to at all.

Ironically this comes just as Israel, Lebanon, and Israel hailed the signing of a 'trilateral peace framework' in Washington - and as Hezbollah is being pushed out of a political solution in south Lebanon, while the IDF occupation of significant territory remains.

 

Signposts to Heaven

Signposts to Heaven

By Holly Huffstutler

Often when I am sad, discouraged, or life seems full of trials, I think about the joys of heaven in an attempt to adjust my mindset. This is a good practice. James 1 tells us that trials lead to steadfastness, and that perseverance through the trials leads to a crown of life. Paul encouraged the Corinthians with the truths that—despite heavy persecution—he had far greater realities in heaven:

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal 

But perhaps a danger to avoid is looking upward to that eternal weight of glory only when we are down, discouraged, and depressed. Perhaps our eyes are usually so focused typically on what we see around us in both the humdrum and really enjoyable days, that when we do get super down and need to look up to the unseen, it takes a bit more effort than it should.

This could be solved by setting our eyes above on a regular, daily basis:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:1-2).

My husband mentioned in a recent sermon how he was enjoying the beauty of my parents’ yard and our relaxed time together. This beauty caused him to think of heaven and how much more glorious it would be. I began to think of all the things that I cherish—and perhaps at times am tempted to idolize. All of these things are visible, good gifts of God, but what greater gifts they could be if I recognized them all as pointing to a greater joy and beauty that I will experience in heaven with God for eternity.

Wayne Martindale, mirroring C.S. Lewis’ views of earthly joys in light of heaven, wrote:

“Any earthly good may enrich and give a momentary sense of satisfaction, but we always want something more. At their core, Joy and all other desires are for Heaven, signposts along the way to guide the pilgrim home.”2

Lewis himself said that the problem is not that we have too strong desires for joys on earth, but too weak. He calls us “half-hearted creatures” who are happy enough with basic human pleasures:

“When infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”3

I decided that I would list many of the things I really love and enjoy, followed by what the Bible has to say about some greater, now-unseen, eternal aspect of that same pleasure. Perhaps my making a practice of regularly looking heavenward in times of joy will make it a bit more natural to continue to look heavenward in times of difficulty.

Marriage

Marriage is a gift. I recognize that not everyone has experienced a great or even good marriage, but many Christians do. So, I couldn’t help but think of the marriage supper of the Lamb. As I enjoy my relationship with my husband (and we hope to share fruit from the tree of life together in heaven!), I remember that he pictures Christ and I—his wife—the church (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33). And one day, though he and I won’t be married in heaven (like the angels; cf. Matthew 22:30), we will experience together the wedding feast of the Lamb:

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)

Family

Besides my relationship with my husband, I cherish most on earth our family time. My family has moved from one state to another within the last year which also meant changing from homeschooling full time to traditional school. I’ve missed that huge amount of family time we’ve had, so I’ve absolutely loved our summer break so far with all the time we’ve been able to spend together. How can I turn this joy to point to eternal joy?

First and foremost, I want to spend eternity with my family. As my husband and I have told them multiple times, we know we will be there, and we want them to be there, too. So we have eternity-focused conversations with our children all the time. Like John writing to his “beloved children,” we communicate to ours:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:1-4)

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True Cost of EU ‘Solidarity’ With Ukraine: Minus $19,300 Per Household

True Cost of EU ‘Solidarity’ With Ukraine: Minus $19,300 Per Household – Russia’s Investment Chief

Sputnik

As the EU flushes its first $3.7 billion tranche from a roughly $105 billion set to be funneled over the next two years to Ukraine, Russian Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev offers up the hard math.

This EU “generosity” announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - along with the over $234 billion already EU-provided to Ukraine - has European pensioners tightening their belts, workers struggling with energy bills, and industries bleeding out, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund points out on X.

As Dmitriev neatly pointed out: add the ~$3.5 trillion EU self-inflicted wound from rejecting Russian gas, and suddenly every EU household is down minus roughly $19,300.

But war hawk Ursula gets her to do her victory lap.

Lavrov Taunts EU: Let Ukraine In & Watch Bloc Crumble

Netanyahu Says Israel-Lebanon Security Framework Sends A Message To Iran: You Have No Role In Lebanon

Netanyahu Says Israel-Lebanon Security Framework Sends A Message To Iran: You Have No Role In Lebanon

Harbinger's Daily

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday published a video statement commenting on the signing of the historic security framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

While the video statement was circulated after the start of Shabbat, a rare occurrence, Netanyahu states at the start of his remarks that the video was recorded before the start of Shabbat.

“Citizens of Israel, before the start of Shabbat, I want to share with you a major achievement for the State of Israel. As you know, we have been conducting negotiations in Washington among representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. These have been lengthy negotiations, and today they have borne fruit,” began Netanyahu.

He stressed, “The most critical point is that, first and foremost, Israel remains in the security zone in southern Lebanon. This is a significant achievement, and we will maintain this presence as long as Hezbollah is not disarmed, and as long as a threat is posed to the State of Israel.“

On the impact the agreement has on Iran, the Prime Minister explained, “This is also a major blow to Iran. Iran is attempting to force us into a unilateral withdrawal from southern Lebanon. In effect, Israel, Lebanon, and the United States are telling them: this is none of your business. You have no role in Lebanon – neither you, nor Hezbollah, nor any other terrorist organization.“

“Furthermore,” continued Netanyahu, “we are enabling the Lebanese Armed Forces to begin organizing to take over territory. We are establishing two pilot zones, both based on the IDF’s recommendations. One is entirely outside the security zone, south of the Litani, and the second is north of the Litani – a small portion of which sits within the expanded security zone we secured over the past two weeks, which the IDF has explicitly stated it does not need.“

Netanyahu stressed, “We are continuously maintaining the original security zone beyond anti-tank missile range, allowing neither Hezbollah nor the civilian population to enter. It remains secure. Most importantly, Israel is declaring: our security comes before everything else.“

'Shameless Propaganda': Watchdog Chief Says UN Bias Against Israel Worsened After October 7

Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, believes the United Nations’ treatment of Israel has become significantly worse since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, pointing to both statements and actions by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva on the sidelines of the JNS International Policy Conference in Jerusalem, Neuer reflected on more than two decades of work at UN Watch.

Asked whether the battle has become more difficult, Neuer replied, “It’s hard to imagine, but the pathological UN, which obsesses over Israel, got even so much worse after October 7th, in particular because of Antonio Guterres.”

Recalling remarks made by the Secretary-General shortly after the Hamas attack, Neuer said Guterres condemned the attacks but also stated that “the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.”

“He effectively went on to justify what happened because he enumerated numerous alleged grievances by the Palestinians, basically justifying what they did,” Neuer said.

Asked whether his criticism was directed only at Guterres’ public statements or also at UN actions, Neuer responded that it was both.

“It’s statements and actions. He set a tone. UN agencies all around the world have been attacking Israel like never before since October 7th,” he said.

Referring to the recent conflict with Iran, Neuer argued that UN bodies had focused their criticism on Israel and the United States while failing to hold Iran accountable.

“It was shameless propaganda coming out of Guterres’ office,” he said.
Neuer also addressed a recent exchange involving Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon during a discussion on sexual violence in conflict.
According to Neuer, Danon was criticizing UN officials after “the secretary general shamelessly placed Israel on the same list as Hamas.”

He said a senior UN official, Vanessa Frazier, interrupted Danon’s remarks in a manner that violated UN procedure.

“She interrupted him. She started shouting. And she has no right to do that,” Neuer said, adding that such treatment would not be directed at representatives of other countries.

“The fact that she had the audacity, the chutzpah, to do that is something they would only do against Israel, and it reflects the message that Guterres is sending around the UN.”

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