The Middle East
Turkey and Syria Face a Monumental Task
Clean-up in Turkey and Syria continues following the historic earthquakes of ten days ago. Miraculously, survivors are still being pulled from the rubble. But those stories are becoming fewer as nearly all of those found now add to the death toll that has already exceeded 41,000. The incredible devastation can be attributed to two primary factors. First, the shallowness of the quake enhanced the violence of the earth’s movement. Second, poor building construction was rampant leaving houses, apartments, and high-rises all susceptible to collapse. A police task force in Turkey is already making arrests as investigations into the shoddy work has begun. As evidence that evil finds every opportunity, earthquake aid that is being sent to an already war-ravaged Aleppo, Syria, is being taken by pro-Iranian militias before it has a chance to get to those who need it.
Russia Continues its Attack as Moscow Prepares for Major Offensive
In a scene reminiscent of World War II, Kyiv’s citizens took refuge in the subway from another massive cruise missile attack by Russia. More than 100 missiles targeted cities across the nation last Friday, while suicide drones made strategic attacks on factories and electrical stations. Norwegian intelligence has reported that for the first time in 30 years, ships and submarines of Russia’s Northern Fleet are carrying nuclear weapons. Many are keeping their eyes on high level meetings that are taking place in Moscow, wondering if an official declaration of war may be the result. Factoring in the decision are, first, the deep involvement of NATO countries arming Ukraine as if it is already a member nation. The second factor is the revelation of the likely involvement of the US, UK, and Norway in the explosions that sabotaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. The next nine days will be crucial.
Russian Cruise Missiles Bring Down Moldovan Government
Two of Friday’s Russian cruise missiles crossed through Romanian and Moldovan airspace on their way to Ukraine. That provocation was the straw that broke the back of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita’s government, which was already weakened by rampant inflation and an Moscow-induced energy crisis. In announcing her resignation, she said that no one expected her government “would have to manage so many crises caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine.” As President Maia Sandu nominated Gavrilita’s replacement, she leveled an accusation against Moscow of planning a pro-Russian coup in Moldova in order to establish a government that would be loyal to the Kremlin.
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